Road signs in Canada

Road signs in Canada may conform to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada (MUTCDC) by the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) for use by Canadian jurisdictions. Although it serves a similar role to the MUTCD from the US Federal Highway Administration, it has been independently developed and has a number of key differences with its American counterpart, most notably the inclusion of bilingual (English/French) signage for jurisdictions such as New Brunswick with significant anglophone and francophone population, and a heavier reliance on symbols rather than text legends.

Language

Signs for the most part employ one or two languages: English, French or both. However, some signs are trilingual, incorporating English, French and an indigenous language.

Stop sign

Bilingual (English and French) stop sign on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Bilingual (English and Inuinnaqtun) in Cambridge Bay.

In Quebec, modern signs read either Arrêt or Stop. Both stop and arrêt are considered valid French words and the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) notes that the use of "stop" on stop signs is attested in French since 1927. In practice, however, it can be empirically observed (for instance, with Google Street View) that arrêt predominates in French-speaking areas (i.e., most of the geographic extent of Quebec), while stop can be found in majority English-speaking areas such as Montreal's West Island suburbs. At the time of the debates surrounding the adoption of the Charter of the French Language ("Bill 101") in 1977, the usage of stop on the older dual-word signs was considered to be English and therefore controversial; some signs were occasionally vandalized with red spray paint to turn the word stop into "101". However, it was later officially determined by the OQLF that stop is a valid French word in this context, and the older dual arrêt + stop usage is therefore not considered bilingual but merely redundant and therefore deprecated (à éviter). All newly installed signs thus use either one word or the other, but not both.

The province of New Brunswick has bilingual stop arrêt in English-speaking areas. Acadian regions of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island also have bilingual signs. Some areas in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario also have bilingual signs. Entry points to the country through Canada Customs and other federally-regulated sites (including airports) also have bilingual stop signs. On First Nations or Inuit territories, stop signs sometimes use the local aboriginal language in addition to or instead of English and/or French. Other parts of Canada use stop.

Canadian road signs

The following are samples of Canadian road signs.

Gallery of stop signs

• 
  Stop (English)
• 
  Stop (French)
• 
  Stop (English and French)
• 
  Stop (French and English)
• 
  Stop (Inuktitut and English)
• 
  Stop (Cree)
• 
  Stop (Cree and French)
• 
  Stop (Cree and English and French)

Gallery of other signs

Alphanumeric reference IDs from the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Canada are included.

• 
  RA-2
  Yield
• 
  RA-3
  School Crossing
• 
  RA-4
  Pedestrian Crossing
• 
  RA-5
  Pedestrian Crossing
• 
  RA-6
  Railway Crossing
• 
  RB-1
  Maximum Speed Limit
  (ex: 50 km/h)
• 
  RB-10
  Do not proceed straight ahead
• 
  RB-14L
  Left turn required
• 
  RB-14R
  Right turn required
• 
  RB-14b
  Turn left or right
• 
  RB-15
  Must proceed straight only, turns prohibited
• 
  RB-16
  No U-Turn
• 
  RB-17
  No right turn on red
• 
  RB-21
  One Way
• 
  RB-23
  No entry
• 
  RB-24
  Two-way traffic
• 
  RB-25
  Keep right
• 
  RB-33
  Motorists must not pass cyclists
• 
  RB-53
  Parking Permitted (24/7 variant)
• 
  RB-55
  No stopping
• 
  RB-61
  Truck route
• 
  RB-64
  Snowmobile trail.
• 
  RB-66
  No pedestrians
• 
  RB-67
  No bicycles
• 
  RB-69
  Hazardous material route
• 
  RB-79
  Cyclists must dismount their bikes and walk
• 
  RB-81
  Bus Lane
  In Quebec, taxis are often included and thus shown and as well as time periods in force. In Quebec bus and taxi are spelled out & the arrow at bottom left is not shown
• 
  RB-91
  Bike Lane
• 
  RB-93
  Shared Path for Pedestrians and Cyclists
• 
  RC-5
  No Littering
• 
  IB-23
  Bicycle route marker
• 
  IC-13
  Parking
• 
  IC-19
  Bicycle parking
• 
  ID-23
  Passing lane
• 
  ID-31
  Dead end
• 
  ID-32
  Traffic-Calmed Neighbourhood
• 
  TC-21
  Traffic control flagger ahead
• 
  WA-7S
  Advisory speed tab
• 
  WA-8
  End of road
• 
  WA-11
  Approaching an intersection
• 
  WA-18
  Railway crossing ahead
• 
  WA-23
  Road narrows ahead
• 
  WA-24
  Narrow structure ahead (usually a bridge)
• 
  WA-25
  Rough pavement ahead
• 
  WA-26
  Height restriction ahead
• 
  WA-39
  Roundabout ahead
• 
  WB-1
  Stop sign ahead
• 
  WB-2
  Yield sign ahead
• 
  WB-4
  Traffic signal ahead
• 
  WC-1
  School zone
• 
  WC-2
  Pedestrian crosswalk ahead
• 
  WC-5
  Road surface slippery when wet
• 
  WC-7
  Bicycle crossing ahead
• 
  WC-11
  Drawbridge ahead
• 
  WC-16
  School crosswalk ahead
• 
  WC-43
  Two-way bicycle lane crossing.

British Columbia road signs

• 
  Trans-Canada Highway marker.
• 
  Generic highway shield.
• 
  This sign is posted after the Canada–US border to remind US drivers that Canada uses the metric system.
  The imperial speed limit (left) is a BC-style sign, rather than an MUTCD-standard one as would be used in the US.
• 
  Disaster response route. All non-emergency vehicles must refrain from using such a route if a major disaster occurs.
• 
  School zone.
• 
  Crosswalk ahead.
• 
  Crosswalk with flashing lights ahead.
• 
  School bus stop ahead.
• 
  Keep left of obstacle.
• 
  Keep right of obstacle.
• 
  Gentle curve ahead.
• 
  Sharp curve ahead.
• 
  Double curve ahead.
• 
  Hairpin curve ahead.
• 
  Multiple curves ahead.
• 
  Stop sign ahead.
• 
  Traffic signal ahead.
• 
  Yield ahead.
• 
  Height restriction ahead.
• 
  Slow.
• 
  This sign is posted when there is a history of vehicles taking a curve too quickly and losing control. The sunburst emphasizes that drivers need to take extra caution when going through the curve.
• 
  Road narrows.
• 
  Road surface slippery when wet.
• 
  Watch for fallen/falling rocks and other debris.
• 
  End of pavement.
• 
  Deer area.
• 
  Moose area.
• 
  Elk area.
• 
  Caribou area.
• 
  Bighorn sheep area.
• 
  Ram area.
• 
  Mountain goat area.
• 
  Bison area.
• 
  Wild horse area.
• 
  Cattle area.
• 
  Bear area.
• 
  Drawbridge.

Ontario road signs

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) also has historically used its own MUTCD which bore many similarities to the TAC MUTCDC. However, as of approximately 2000, MTO has been developing the Ontario Traffic Manual (OTM), a series of smaller volumes each covering different aspects of traffic control (e.g., sign design principles).

Sign classification

The Ontario Traffic Manual Committee categorizes all road signs into two main categories: freeway and non-freeway sign types. Signs are then subcategorized into two additional groups: urban and rural.

Examples of Ontario regulatory and warning road signs

• 
  Some Ontario maximum speed signs have an additional tab at the bottom of the speed limit, reminding motorists that the unit of speed is kilometres per hour. The "km/h" tab sign (Rb-7t) is mandatory on all King's Highways because of the likelihood of unfamiliar interprovincial and international travellers.
• 
  Where there is a change in the legal speed limit, the first maximum speed sign in the new zone must be accompanied by a "BEGINS" tab sign (Rb-84t).
• 
  RC-4
  No Littering
• 
  No right turn or straight ahead
• 
  No left turn or straight ahead
• 
  Keep right
• 
  The purpose of the VEHICLES OVER 5 TONNES MUST HAVE VALID TRANSPONDER sign is to indicate to heavy vehicles that they are required to have valid toll devices known as transponders when travelling on toll roads. Specifically, the sign above is located before entrance ramps to the 407 ETR (Express Toll Route).
• 
  The purpose of the FASTEN SEAT BELT sign is to remind passengers in vehicles to ensure that their seat belts are fastened while the vehicle is travelling. The sign is placed at exits from locations which generate a large percentage of foreign or tourist traffic, where drivers may be unfamiliar with Ontario seat belt laws.
• 
  A blue metric reminder signage used in Ontario, Canada is seen near the US borders.
• 
  WA-8
  End of road
• 
  WA-11
  Intersection
• 
  WA-24
  Narrow passage
• 
  WA-25
  Rough pavement ahead
• 
  WA-28
  Road narrows ahead
• 
  WA-30
  Drawbridge ahead
• 
  WA-39
  Roundabout ahead
• 
  WB-1
  Stop sign ahead
• 
  WB-1A
  Yield sign ahead
• 
  WB-2
  Traffic signal ahead
• 
  WC-1
  School crosswalk ahead
• 
  WC-4
  Railway level crossing ahead
• 
  WC-7
  Pedestrian crosswalk ahead
• 
  Temporary no stopping (Unofficial)

Quebec road signs

The following are samples of Quebec road signs. A notable difference between Quebec road signs and those of the rest of Canada is Quebec's use of a white chevron on a red background to mark road alignment around a curve, whereas the remainder of the country employs a black chevron on a yellow background.

Quebec gallery

• 
  The logo for Le ministère des Transports du Québec (English: Ministry of Transportation of Quebec).
• 
  Metric signage reminder in Quebec, posted near US border and at major airports
  The imperial speed limit (left) is a Quebec-style sign, rather than an MUTCD-standard one as would be used in the US
• 
  ARRÊT (Translation: STOP)
• 
  Yield sign
• 
  Yield at roundabout
• 
  Do not enter
• 
  Left or right turn required
• 
  French-language version of do not enter (plate type)
• 
  Maximum speed (50 km/h)
• 
  No left turn
• 
  No right turn
• 
  Route for dangerous goods vehicles
• 
  Shared path
• 
  Dangerous goods vehicles prohibited
• 
  No overtaking
• 
  No parking
• 
  Parking permitted
  for 2 hours
• 
  No stopping
• 
  Keep right
• 
  Keep left
• 
  No littering
• 
  Stop ahead
• 
  Yield ahead
• 
  Traffic signal ahead
• 
  Roundabout ahead
• 
  School bus stop ahead
• 
  Deer crossing
• 
  Moose crossing
• 
  Reindeer crossing
• 
  Cattle crossing
• 
  Skier crossing
• 
  Dogsled crossing
• 
  End of road
• 
  Slippery surface, often accompanied by 0 °C
• 
  Pavement ends
• 
  Uneven surface
• 
  Bump
• 
  Dip
• 
  Dangerous Crosswinds (Some variants include a pictogram of snowflakes, while others include flashing lights and a plaque that says "Reduced Visibility" or "When The Lights Flash")
• 
  Road closed
• 
  Example of autoroute shield
• 
  Example of provincial highway shield
• 
  MAXIMUM SPEED signs along Quebec autoroutes are accompanied by a MINIMUM SPEED sign. The minimum sign is positioned directly below the maximum speed sign on the same post.
• 
  Steep downgrade, with slope given as a percentage. Used on Quebec Route 138 between Quebec City and La Malbaie and elsewhere
• 
  This sign is used at all entry points to the island of Montreal to remind drivers that turning right on red is prohibited within the entire island.
• 
  Turning right on red is prohibited within Quebec at specific intersections. Otherwise it is permitted.
• 
  One way, sens unique
• 
  Chevron marker

Superseded signs

These signs have been superseded but can still be seen in some places.

• 
  Yield (1954–1961)
• 
  Yield (1961–1971)
• 
  Yield (1954–1961) (Quebec)
• 
  Yield (1961–1971) (Quebec)
• 
  Railway Crossing
• 
  Railway Crossing (Quebec)
• 
  Railway level crossing ahead
• 
  Crosswalk Ahead
• 
  Playground Zone
• 
  School zone (1966–1980)
• 
  School zone (1980–2007)
• 
  School crosswalk (1966–1995)
• 
  Pedestrian crosswalk (1966–1995)

See also

• Comparison of traffic signs in English-speaking countries
• Crosswalks in North America
• Glossary of road transport terms
• Road signs in the United States
• Traffic sign
• Warning sign

External links

• Government of Quebec traffic control devices library - Extensive list of all road signs and signals from the Quebec Transport Ministry (in English and French)
• Road Signs in Ontario, from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
• Traffic Signs & Pavement Marking, from the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure