Warning signs · W5-1
Road Narrows sign
Archive file: W05-01 Road Narrows/W05-01 Road Narrows 30x30.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
The roadway becomes narrower ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.17, paragraph 01, PDF page 210.
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Meaning
Road Narrows warns that the road’s width decreases ahead. Alabama describes it as a road narrower than the one you are currently using. The federal sign addresses an abrupt narrowing on a two-lane road where opposing vehicles need lower speeds to pass each other.
What to do
Prepare to reduce speed before reaching the narrower section. Use the advance warning to judge the available room and the approaching traffic instead of carrying an unchanged speed into the constriction.
Where it is used
The sign stands before the transition to the reduced width. It concerns the road itself; the message does not necessarily identify a bridge structure.
A sign to tell apart
Narrow Bridge identifies reduced width at a bridge or culvert. Road Narrows identifies a roadway-width transition more generally. Pennsylvania’s bridge guidance adds attention to lane position and approaching wide vehicles at that structure.
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 — Section 2C.17, paragraph 01 · PDF page 210 · Checked
- PA-en · Chapter 2 — Warning signs — Narrow bridge or underpass ahead · PDF page 19 · Checked
- PA-en · Chapter 2 — Warning signs — Narrow bridge or underpass ahead · PDF page 19 · Checked
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 — Section 2C.18, paragraph 03 · PDF page 211 · Checked
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. What does Alabama’s Road Narrows warning tell you?
- Your lane becomes wider after the sign.
- The road ahead has less width.
- A second roadway begins beside yours.
Answer: B. The road ahead has less width.
The warning identifies a reduction in road width farther ahead.
2. How should you use the advance warning before a narrowing road?
- Wait until opposing vehicles are alongside before assessing room.
- Assume the warning gives you sole use of both lanes.
- Prepare to slow before reaching the reduced width.
Answer: C. Prepare to slow before reaching the reduced width.
Advance warning allows a driver to prepare for a road condition, including an appropriate speed reduction.
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.
Alabama
Handbook coverage
Alabama explains Road Narrows in its warning-sign section. This documents handbook coverage, without promising selection on an individual exam.
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.
