Warning signs · W11-3
Deer sign
Archive file: W11-03 Large Animal - Deer/W11-03 Large Animal - Deer 30x30.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
Deer may enter or cross the road ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.55, paragraph 01, PDF page 233.
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Meaning
Deer warns of a road area with deer-crossing activity. PennDOT describes its use where deer cross often and deer crashes have happened. It is a warning about a possible conflict, rather than a report that an animal is standing in the road at that moment.
What to do
Use the warning to search the road ahead and prepare to adjust your speed or path if a hazard develops. Pennsylvania’s general warning-sign guidance calls for making that decision before reaching the condition. Keep the specific hazard in mind: an animal may enter your travel path unexpectedly.
Where it is used
The sign warns before an area of possible animal entry. The federal manual notes that this type of conflict may occur at a confined location or at different places along a road section. Do not treat the signpost as the only point where an animal could cross.
A sign to tell apart
Pedestrian warns of people crossing, rather than deer. The symbols identify different potential road users or animals, so read the figure as well as recognizing a warning sign. PennDOT describes the pedestrian warning at a crosswalk or in advance of possible pedestrian crossings.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. What hazard does PennDOT associate with the Deer sign?
- A road reserved for farm vehicles.
- An area where deer often cross and deer crashes have occurred.
- A marked pedestrian crosswalk.
Answer: B. An area where deer often cross and deer crashes have occurred.
This warning identifies deer-crossing activity and a history of deer collisions in the area. It does not announce a pedestrian crossing.
2. A Pennsylvania warning sign alerts you to a possible hazard ahead. How should you use the advance warning?
- Decide whether to slow or change your path before reaching the condition.
- Assume the hazard can exist only beside the signpost.
- Wait to assess the road until after passing the warned area.
Answer: A. Decide whether to slow or change your path before reaching the condition.
The purpose of a warning sign is to give you time to identify the condition and prepare an appropriate response.
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
PennDOT explains this sign in its Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual. This is handbook coverage; it does not establish that this particular sign will appear on your Knowledge Test.
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.
No currently verified state-bank question is available for this sign.
The linked 20-question permit quizzes do not currently include this sign.
Practice this sign in the federal 20-sign quiz. That tool uses MUTCD questions and is separate from the state-bank questions listed here.
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.
