Warning signs
Lane Ends sign
The road narrows ahead and one lane will disappear. Merge early into the continuing lane. This is the left lane version, so the left lane is the one running out here.
- Diamond
- Yellow
- MUTCD W4-2L
Shape and background first
Federal designation W4-2L in the MUTCD, the national standard every state signs to.
What the MUTCD specifies
Designation: W4-2L
MUTCD Section 2C.47
Conventional road size: 36 x 36 in
Source: Federal Highway Administration, MUTCD 11th Edition (December 2023), Part 2, Table 2C-1; Table 2C-3, Condition A, verified 2026-09-26.
Where you will see it
Suggested advance placement distance by posted speed (MUTCD guidance, MUTCD 11th Edition (December 2023), Part 2, Table 2C-1; Table 2C-3, Condition A, verified 2026-09-26):
- 35 mph: 565 ft
- 45 mph: 775 ft
- 55 mph: 990 ft
What the test wants you to know
The mistake people make
The difference from a merge sign is whose lane vanishes. Here yours might be the one ending, so the safe move is to adjust before the taper rather than racing to the front of it. The same sign is posted mirrored where the right lane closes instead, which is why the picture matters more than the words.
The sign people confuse it with
Lane Ends gets mixed up with Merge more than any other pairing in this category. Put them side by side and the difference is obvious, which is exactly why it is worth doing once rather than meeting them cold in the exam.
Lane Ends
The road narrows ahead and one lane will disappear.
Merge
Traffic from another roadway will join yours.
