Warning signs · W5-2
Narrow Bridge sign
Archive file: W05-02 Narrow Bridge/W05-02 Narrow Bridge 30x30.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
A narrow bridge or culvert is ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2C.18, paragraph 01, PDF page 211.
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Meaning
Narrow Bridge warns of reduced room at a bridge or culvert. Pennsylvania explains that the lanes become narrower and that a shoulder is generally absent. The sign calls attention to usable space at a structure, rather than the height available above your vehicle.
What to do
Reduce speed and hold your lane. If a wide approaching vehicle occupies some of the space you need, Pennsylvania advises waiting for it to clear before entering that narrow area.
Where it is used
The federal warning is placed before a bridge or culvert with restricted horizontal room. It may also warn where the approach shoulders become narrower or disappear, so the constraint can involve shoulder space as well as lane space.
A sign to tell apart
Road Narrows concerns a reduced-width road section. Narrow Bridge ties that concern to a bridge or culvert and its available horizontal space. Read the specific message so you can anticipate where the constriction occurs.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. Pennsylvania’s Narrow Bridge guidance says an approaching wide vehicle is using part of your lane. What should you do?
- Enter beside it and move onto the shoulder.
- Speed up to reach the center first.
- Wait for that vehicle to clear the narrow area.
Answer: C. Wait for that vehicle to clear the narrow area.
The handbook calls for waiting rather than trying to share inadequate room.
2. How should you drive through the narrow bridge described in Pennsylvania’s handbook?
- At a reduced speed while staying within your lane.
- Along the center of both lanes.
- At the same speed while relying on a wide shoulder.
Answer: A. At a reduced speed while staying within your lane.
The lanes are narrower and a shoulder generally is unavailable.
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 narrow bridge or underpass warnings and the appropriate response. This documents handbook coverage, without promising selection on an individual exam.
- 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
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.
