One Way sign
What does it mean?
A ONE WAY sign identifies the permitted direction of traffic along the signed roadway. Follow the arrow when entering; a gap in traffic does not make travel against the arrow legal.
What to do when you see it
- Check the arrow before turning onto the street.
- Enter and travel in the indicated direction.
- Continue to another legal route if the permitted direction does not fit your trip.
How to recognize it
- Long horizontal rectangle.
- ONE WAY wording within a white arrow on a black field.
- The example points right; signs can point the opposite way.
On the road
You approach a cross street and the ONE WAY arrow points right. A turn onto that street must follow that direction, even when no other vehicle is visible.
Don’t confuse it with
Keep Right sign
KEEP RIGHT guides you around an obstruction; ONE WAY establishes traffic direction along a road.
Two-way traffic
The yellow two-way warning shows opposing arrows and warns of traffic in both directions.
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.