Warning signs · W16-7P
Downward Diagonal Arrow sign
Archive file: W16-07P Downward Diagonal Arrow (plaque)/W16-07PR Downward Diagonal Arrow (plaque) 12x6.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
The arrow locates the crossing described by the sign above it.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.55, paragraph 04, PDF page 233.
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Meaning
A Downward Diagonal Arrow plaque points out the crossing location named by the sign above it. It changes the message from an advance warning about a crossing to identification of that crossing point. The federal manual uses it with specified vehicle, pedestrian and school crossing signs.
What to do
Read the plaque together with the crossing sign. In Pennsylvania’s school-crossing example, slow, watch for children and stop when needed. The arrow identifies where the crossing is; it does not tell your vehicle to turn.
Where it is used
The plaque accompanies the warning sign at the crossing location. Its single arrow points diagonally toward the roadway from the side where the assembly stands.
A sign to tell apart
A School warning without the crossing arrow tells you that a school zone is approaching. In Pennsylvania’s example, adding the arrow identifies the school crosswalk itself. Read the full assembly rather than treating the two locations as interchangeable.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. A Pennsylvania School sign has a diagonal arrow plaque below it. What does the arrow identify?
- A required turn into the school driveway.
- The end of every school restriction.
- The school crosswalk at that location.
Answer: C. The school crosswalk at that location.
The plaque identifies the crossing point instead of announcing a turn.
2. Children are crossing where the school sign and arrow point. How should you respond in Pennsylvania?
- Reduce speed, watch the children and stop if needed.
- Continue at the same speed because the sign is only informational.
- Turn in the arrow’s direction to avoid the crosswalk.
Answer: A. Reduce speed, watch the children and stop if needed.
The school-crossing guidance calls for slowing and being ready to stop.
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 the downward arrow as part of its school-crossing assembly. This documents handbook coverage, without promising selection on an 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.
No currently verified state-bank question is available for 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.
