Warning signs · W1-5
Winding Road sign
Archive file: W01-05 Horizontal Alignment - Winding Road/W01-05R Horizontal Alignment - Winding Road 30x30.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
Several bends follow one another ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.07, paragraph 05, PDF page 196.
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Meaning
Winding Road warns of a continuing sequence of bends. PennDOT describes at least three curves in a row, rather than just one turn or a pair. Completing the first bend does not mean that the warned series has finished.
What to do
Plan for the sequence and keep looking through the road’s successive changes. Pennsylvania explains that excessive curve speed can make a vehicle continue toward the outside rather than follow the bend. Steering harder after entering too fast is not a reliable substitute for choosing a suitable speed beforehand.
Where it is used
The federal manual allows Winding Road instead of repeated individual Turn or Curve warnings where there are at least three alignment changes with less than 600 feet of straight road between them. A distance plaque can describe a continuous curving section. Read any companion distance information as part of the warning.
A sign to tell apart
Reverse Curve describes a pair of opposite curves. Winding Road warns of a longer series. PennDOT’s counts distinguish the two warnings: two bends in the pair, and at least three in the series. Keep expecting further road changes when the longer-sequence warning applies.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. What is the minimum number of curves PennDOT associates with Winding Road?
- Two.
- Three.
- Four.
Answer: B. Three.
PennDOT defines the warning as three or more successive curves. A pair has its own warning.
2. Why does Pennsylvania warn against entering a curve too fast?
- The vehicle may tend to continue straight rather than follow the bend.
- The steering wheel will always lock.
- The road automatically becomes one-way.
Answer: A. The vehicle may tend to continue straight rather than follow the bend.
The vehicle’s inertia can carry it away from the intended curved path. Reduce speed before entry instead of relying on a late steering correction.
State source coverage
Handbook coverage and sample questions do not prove that a sign will appear on your exam. Even a published test scope cannot guarantee an individual exam question.
Pennsylvania
Handbook coverage
Pennsylvania’s driver manual explicitly discusses this sign. This establishes handbook coverage, without a promise about any individual exam.
Pennsylvania permit sources · Practice with Pennsylvania questions
State variations
State-specific variations have not been independently established for this study.
Verified question coverage
These free state-bank questions were independently verified. This does not establish complete state-bank readiness, app availability or what will appear on your permit exam.
California
1 free question uses this sign in Steerlet's verified question data.
California permit sources · General California permit practice (does not include this sign)
The linked 20-question permit quizzes do not currently include this sign.
This meaning is a federal MUTCD reference. Check your state's handbook for its rules and sign coverage; this page does not establish what appears on a state permit exam.
Try the free road sign quiz or find your state's handbook.
