Regulatory signs
Wrong Way sign
You are traveling against the flow of traffic. Stop, then back out or turn around when it is safe.
- Wide rectangle
- Red
- MUTCD R5-1a
Shape and background first
Federal designation R5-1a in the MUTCD, the national standard every state signs to.
What the MUTCD specifies
Designation: R5-1a
MUTCD Section 2B.47
Conventional road size: 36 x 24 in
Guidance: When used with DO NOT ENTER, place WRONG WAY farther along the one-way road on the same side.
Source: Federal Highway Administration, MUTCD 11th Edition (December 2023), Part 2, Table 2B-1; Section 2B.47, verified 2026-09-26.
What the test wants you to know
The mistake people make
Wrong Way is the second line of defense after Do Not Enter. Seeing it means you are already on the ramp or road facing oncoming traffic, so the correct answer is always to stop and get out, never to continue looking for a turnaround.
The sign people confuse it with
Wrong Way gets mixed up with Do Not Enter 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.
Wrong Way
You are traveling against the flow of traffic.
Do Not Enter
You may not drive past this sign.
