The One Way Sign: Traffic Flows Only in the Arrow's Direction
A one way sign means traffic on that street may travel only in the direction of the arrow. Turn so that you end up moving the same way as the arrow, never against it. On a one-way street you may use any lane going that direction, and you turn left from the far-left lane and right from the far-right lane.
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One way sign quiz: 3 test-style questions
- You want to turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street. You should turn from: The far-right lane / The center lane / The far-left lane / Any lane. Answer: The far-left lane. On a one-way street, position yourself in the far-left lane (as close to the left curb as practical) before turning left.
- What does a black rectangular sign with a white arrow and the words ONE WAY mean? Traffic may move only in the direction of the arrow / The road narrows to one lane / Turn only in the arrow's direction at the next light / Detour ahead. Answer: Traffic may move only in the direction of the arrow. The ONE WAY sign shows the only direction traffic may travel on the cross street.
- In most states, a left turn on red is allowed after a full stop when: Turning from a two-way street onto a two-way street / No pedestrians are visible, at any intersection / Turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street going left, unless a sign prohibits it / The light has been red for more than one minute. Answer: Turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street going left, unless a sign prohibits it. Most states allow a left on red from a one-way onto a one-way street after stopping and yielding, unless prohibited. A few states and cities do not allow it, so check your state handbook.
What the one way sign means
The ONE WAY sign is a regulatory sign. The horizontal version (MUTCD R6-1) is a black rectangle with a white arrow containing the black words ONE WAY; a vertical version (R6-2) shows the words above an arrow. Both tell you that all traffic on that roadway moves in the direction of the arrow.
One-way signs are posted on the near and far corners of intersections, so drivers on the cross street see which way they may turn. Black and white is the regulatory color pair for most rules other than stop, yield and prohibitions.
How to drive on one-way streets
- Before turning, check the sign and turn only in the arrow's direction.
- Turning right onto a one-way street: turn from the right lane into the nearest right lane, as you would on a two-way street.
- Turning left onto a one-way street: from a two-way street, start in the lane nearest the center line; from a one-way street, start in the far-left lane. Finish in the far-left lane of the new street.
- Driving along it: you may use any lane, and pass on either side where it is safe. Keep right if you are slower than traffic.
- Watch for vehicles and parking on both sides, and for pedestrians who look only one way.
Common mistakes and test traps
- Left on red. Most states allow a left turn on red from a one-way street onto a one-way street going left, after a full stop and yielding. Some states and cities do not, and a NO TURN ON RED sign always overrides it.
- Yellow line on the left. On a one-way street with lane markings, the left edge line is yellow and lanes are separated by white lines. White lines only between lanes means traffic goes the same way.
- "Two-way traffic" ahead. When a one-way street becomes two-way, a two-way traffic warning sign appears.
- Emergency vehicles on a one-way street: pull to the nearest curb, which may be the left one, and stop.
Where you see it
One-way signs are common in downtown street grids, around parks and squares, on frontage roads and at the crossings of divided highways, where each roadway is one-way. At those median crossings you usually see one-way signs on the far side together with DO NOT ENTER and KEEP RIGHT signs.
Related signs to know
See do not enter, wrong way, divided highway and two-way traffic. Turn positioning and turn-on-red rules are explained in our right-of-way guide, and every sign is in the road signs guide.
One way sign FAQ
Can you turn left on red onto a one-way street?
In most states, yes, but only from a one-way street onto another one-way street going left, after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, and only if no sign prohibits it. Rules vary, so check your state.
Can you park on the left side of a one-way street?
In many places, yes, unless signs prohibit it. Park in the direction of traffic, with your wheels close to the curb.
Which lane should you use on a one-way street?
Any lane that goes your direction, but choose the far-left lane early for a left turn and the far-right lane for a right turn.
What color is the ONE WAY sign?
Black and white: a black rectangle with a white arrow and black words ONE WAY inside the arrow.
Official sources
Keep studying
- Do not enter sign
- Wrong way sign
- Two-way traffic sign
- No turn on red sign
- All US road signs
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