Exit Only sign
What does it mean?
An EXIT ONLY panel means the lane it controls leaves the highway as an exit ramp instead of continuing through the interchange. Staying in that lane commits you to the exit.
What to do when you see it
- Look early for the lane indicated by the arrow.
- Move to a through lane only where a safe legal lane change is possible.
- If you cannot change safely, take the exit and reroute.
How to recognize it
- Horizontal yellow panel with black EXIT ONLY wording.
- A downward arrow identifies the controlled lane in this example.
- Often attached beneath a larger guide sign.
On the road
Your lane passes beneath EXIT ONLY, but you intended to stay on the highway. If traffic leaves no safe permitted gap into a through lane, take the exit and replan from there.
Don’t confuse it with
Green destination guide sign
A general exit or destination sign does not by itself mean your current lane must leave the highway; EXIT ONLY makes that lane assignment explicit.
Lane ends
A lane-ending warning calls for a merge; EXIT ONLY means the lane continues onto an exit ramp.
Put the meaning into practice
The related quiz includes this sign and other study questions. State practice can also cover local rules; it is not an official DMV exam.
Common U.S. sign recognition, reviewed October 3, 2026. Actual sign values, additional plaques and local rules can change how you should respond.