One Way Sign

Updated July 9, 2026

One Way · MUTCD R6-1R · Regulatory sign

What the One Way sign means

A horizontal black-and-white sign with a white arrow shows that traffic on this street moves only in the direction the arrow points. You must travel that way and may not drive against it. One Way signs appear at the entrances to one-way streets and at intersections along them, often in pairs pointing opposite directions on a divided pair of streets. When you turn onto the road, turn only so that you end up moving in the arrow’s direction. They help you avoid entering a lane of oncoming traffic.

What to do when you see it

Travel only in the direction the arrow points; turn onto the street so you are moving that way.

On the CA permit test

A One Way sign’s arrow shows the only legal direction of travel on that street.

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