Deer Crossing sign
Deer may cross or be on the road in this area.
What to do
Be alert, especially at dawn, dusk and night; slow down and be ready to brake. Where one deer crosses, others may follow.
Be most alert at dawn, dusk and night, use high beams when no one is coming, and brake firmly rather than swerving if a deer appears.
Where it's used
Section 2C.55 allows the Deer Crossing (W11-3) sign as one of the non-vehicular warning signs, used before places where animals may unexpectedly enter the road. It is a black-on-yellow diamond with a leaping-deer symbol. Plaques such as NEXT XX MILES may show how long the area extends.
Don't confuse it with
- Cattle Crossing: Cattle Crossing shows a cow and warns of livestock, often on open range or near farms, while this sign warns of wild deer.
- Type
- Warning signs
- Shape
- Diamond
- Colors
- yellow, black
- MUTCD code
- W11-3
- MUTCD section
- 2C.55
On state permit tests
Our questions for 9 states ask about this sign, including Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Maryland and New York.
Test yourself
What does a sign with a deer symbol mean? (Delaware practice test)
- Zoo ahead
- Hunting area
- Deer crossing; be alert for deer on both sides of the road
- Rest area
Show answer
Deer crossing; be alert for deer on both sides of the road. The deer crossing sign means be alert to deer on both sides of the road.
An ANIMAL CROSSING sign shows a deer. When are animals most likely to be crossing? (Florida practice test)
- During twilight and at nighttime
- Only at midday
- Only during rain
- Only in winter
Show answer
During twilight and at nighttime. Watch for the pictured animal crossing the road, particularly during twilight and at night.
More warning signs
Turn
Curve
Reverse Turn
Reverse Curve
Winding Road
One-Direction Large Arrow
Two-Direction Large Arrow
Chevron AlignmentFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2C.55. Sign image: public domain, source.