Chevron Alignment sign
A series of these signs is placed on the outside of a curve or turn to guide drivers through it. They have no border.
What to do
Follow the chevrons through the curve at a reduced speed.
Use the line of chevrons to judge how sharply the road bends, and keep your speed down until you are past the last one.
Where it's used
Section 2C.08 ties use of Chevron Alignment (W1-8) signs to Table 2C-4, mainly where a curve's advisory speed is 20 mph or more below the speed on the approach, and lets them replace or supplement delineators. Each is a borderless vertical black-on-yellow rectangle installed on the outside of the curve at least 4 feet high, spaced about 40 to 200 feet apart depending on the advisory speed. They must not be used at the end of a T-intersection, to mark obstructions such as guardrail ends, or pointing right in a roundabout's central island; yellow LEDs may outline the chevron.
Don't confuse it with
- One-Direction Large Arrow: The Large Arrow is one wide sign, while chevrons are a row of narrow signs that lead you around the curve.
- Curve: The Curve sign is the advance warning diamond, while chevrons line the curve itself.
- Type
- Warning signs
- Shape
- Vertical rectangle
- Colors
- yellow, black
- MUTCD code
- W1-8
- MUTCD section
- 2C.08
On state permit tests
Our questions for 4 states ask about this sign, including Iowa, Missouri, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
Test yourself
What is a chevron sign used for? (Iowa practice test)
- To draw added attention to a change in the road's direction
- To mark a school
- To show a detour
- To mark a railroad
Show answer
To draw added attention to a change in the road's direction. Chevron signs are used with curve signs when added attention is needed to a change in direction.
What is the purpose of chevron signs at curves? (Missouri practice test)
- To show bike lanes
- To mark passing zones
- To mark exits
- To add extra emphasis to slow down
Show answer
To add extra emphasis to slow down. Chevrons may be used at curves and turns to add extra emphasis to slow down.
More warning signs
Turn
Curve
Reverse Turn
Reverse Curve
Winding Road
One-Direction Large Arrow
Two-Direction Large Arrow
Advisory Speed plaqueFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.08. Sign image: public domain, source.