Road signs in Puerto Rico

Road signs in Puerto Rico are regulated in the Manual de Rotulación para las Vías Públicas de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s supplement to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the standard for road signs, signals, and markings in the United States. It is developed by the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) "in substantial conformance to" the national MUTCD developed by the Federal Highway Administration.

The first edition of the Manual de Rotulación para las Vías Públicas de Puerto Rico was published in 1979. This manual was most recently updated in 2020.^[1] Puerto Rico is among the territories of the United States to have adopted the national MUTCD in conjunction with a supplemental volume.^[2] The inscriptions on road signs are written in Spanish since it is an official language of Puerto Rico and is most widely spoken in Puerto Rico.^[3]

The suffix (D) in parentheses means "right", from Spanish derecha, while the (I) in parentheses means "left", from Spanish izquierda.

Regulatory signs give instructions to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Signs including Stop, Yield, No Turns, No Trucks, No Parking, No Stopping, Minimum Speed, Right Turn Only, Do Not Enter, Weight Limit, and Speed Limit are considered regulatory signs. Some have special shapes, such as the octagon for the Stop sign.

The MUTCD's R1 series is for Stop and Yield. Although the 4-WAY plaque (R1-3) was deprecated in the 2009 Edition of the MUTCD in favor of the ALL WAY plaque (R1-3P), the 4-VIAS plaque (R1-3) is still used in Puerto Rico.

• 
  R1-1
  Stop sign
• 
  R1-2
  Yield
• 
  R1-3
  4-Way (plaque)
• 
  R1-5 (D)
  Yield here to pedestrians (right)
• 
  R1-5 (I)
  Yield here to pedestrians (left)

The MUTCD's R2 series is for speed limit signs. Speed limits in the United States are always in miles per hour.

• 
  R2-1
  50 mph speed limit
• 
  R2-2a
  40 mph heavy vehicle speed limit
• 
  R2-4a
  Combined Speed Limit
• 
  R2-6a
  End Speed Zone

The MUTCD's R3 series of signs is for lane usage and turn signs.

• 
  R3-1
  No right turn
• 
  R3-2
  No left turn
• 
  R3-3
  No turns
• 
  R3-4
  No U-turn
• 
  R3-5 (I)
  Left turn only
• 
  R3-5 (D)
  Right turn only
• 
  R3-5a
  Straight through only
• 
  R3-6 (I)
  Optional movement lane control, straight through and left turn
• 
  R3-6 (D)
  Optional movement lane control, straight through and right turn
• 
  R3-7 (I)
  Left lane must turn left
• 
  R3-7 (D)
  Right lane must turn right
• 
  R3-8
  Advance intersection lane control (two lanes)
• 
  R3-8c
  Advance intersection lane control (two lanes)
• 
  R3-9a
  Reversible lane control, use only X AM to X PM
• 
  R3-9e
  Reversible lane control, use X AM to X PM, do not use in other hours
• 
  R3-9f
  Reversible lane control, do not use X AM to X PM
• 
  R3-10a
  Bus lane (post-mounted)
• 
  R3-18
  No U or left turn
• 
  R3-29
  Autoexpreso ETC vehicles only

The MUTCD's R4 series of signs is for the regulation of movement signs.

• 
  R4-3
  Slower traffic and trucks keep Right
• 
  R4-7
  Keep right
• 
  R4-8
  Keep left
• 
  R4-9
  Stay in lane
• 
  R4-19
  Keep right except to pass

The MUTCD's R5 series of signs is for exclusionary signs. The most common of these signs is the do not enter sign.

• 
  R5-1
  Do not enter
• 
  R5-1a
  Wrong way
• 
  R5-1b
  Wrong way (cyclists)
• 
  R5-2
  No trucks
• 
  R5-6
  No bicycles
• 
  R5-10a
  No pedestrians, bicycles

The MUTCD's R6 series of signs is for one way and divided highway signs. The most common of these signs is the One way (Transito) sign.

• 
  R6-1 (I)
  One way
• 
  R6-1 (D)
  One way
• 
  R6-2 (D)
  One way, alternate
• 
  R6-2 (I)
  One way, alternate
• 
  R6-4
  Chevron roundabout directional
• 
  R6-4a
  Chevron roundabout (three chevrons)
• 
  R6-4b
  Chevron roundabout (four chevrons)
• 
  R6-5P
  Roundabout

The MUTCD allows for three types of parking signs: permissive, No Parking, and No Standing. However, in most states, there is an additional more restrictive one, No Stopping. These signs are found in the R7 series of signs in the MUTCD. Permissive parking signs allow for parking for either an unlimited or varied amount of time. They are often used in conjunction with parking meters and parking permits. They are specified by the MUTCD to be green on white. Local variations occur with additional information and slightly different designs. No Parking signs indicate that loading or unloading while temporarily stopped is permitted, but the driver must not leave the vicinity of the vehicle.^[4] Some No Parking signs display time restrictions, while others are permanent restrictions. There are also temporary versions of the signs, often of similar design to the permanent ones. These signs are specified by the MUTCD to be red on white, although local variations occur. No Standing signs indicate that stopping temporarily to load or unload passengers is allowed, but vehicles cannot be stopped at the location for longer periods of time, even if the driver remains with the vehicle.^[4] As with no parking signs, some restrictions displayed on the signs are permanent, and some are time-based.

• 
  R7-1
  No parking any time
• 
  R7-2
  No Parking X AM TO X PM
• 
  R7-2a
  No Parking X AM TO X PM (alternative)
• 
  R7-3
  No parking except Sundays and Holidays
• 
  R7-3a
  No parking except Sundays and Holidays (alternative)
• 
  R7-3b
  No parking except Sundays and Holidays (alternative)
• 
  R7-4
  No standing any time
• 
  R7-5
  one hour parking time
• 
  R7-6
  No parking, loading zone
• 
  R7-7
  No parking, bus stop
• 
  R7-8
  Reserved parking (wheelchair)
• 
  R7-8a
  Bus accessible (plaque)
• 
  R7-9
  No parking bike lane
• 
  R7-10
  No parking/loading zone X AM TO X PM
• 
  R7-11
  No parking X AM TO X PM/Loading zone X AM TO X PM
• 
  R7-12
  No parking/loading zone X AM TO X AM, X PM TO X PM
• 
  R7-13
  No parking X AM TO X PM/Jitneys X AM TO X PM
• 
  R7-14
  No parking, taxi stand
• 
  R7-15
  No parking, Jitney stand
• 
  R7-16
  No parking X AM TO X PM Jitney stand
• 
  R7-17
  No parking X AM TO X PM Bus Stop
• 
  R7-107a
  No parking, bus stop
• 
  R7-108
  Two hour parking time
• 
  R7-200
  No parking on the left and one hour parking time on the right (combined)
• 
  R7-201
  Tow away zone
• 
  R7-201a
  Tow away zone

The MUTCD's R8 series of signs is for parking restriction and emergency restriction signs.

• 
  R8-3a
  No parking
• 
  R8-4
  Emergency parking only

The MUTCD's R9 series of signs is for bicycle and pedestrian signs.

• 
  R9-3a
  No pedestrians
• 
  R9-3b (D)
  Use crosswalk (plaque)
• 
  R9-3b (I)
  Use crosswalk (plaque)
• 
  R9-3b (PR) (I)
  Use bridge (plaque)
• 
  R9-3b (PR) (D)
  Use bridge (plaque)
• 
  R9-6a
  Yield to pedestrians
• 
  R9-7
  Shared-use path restriction

The MUTCD's R10 series of signs is for traffic signal related signs.

• 
  R10-6
  Stop here on red
• 
  R10-7
  Do not block intersection
• 
  R10-11
  No turn on red
• 
  R10-12
  Left turn yield on green signal

The MUTCD's R11 series of signs is for road closure-related signs.

• 
  R11-2
  Road closed
• 
  R11-3
  Street closed
• 
  R11-3a
  Road closed - local traffic only
• 
  R11-3b
  Bridge closed - local traffic only
• 
  R11-3b (PR)
  Bridge closed - local traffic only
• 
  R11-3c
  Bridge closed

The MUTCD's R12 series of signs is for weight limit-related signs.

• 
  R12-1
  Weight limit 10 tons
• 
  R12-5
  Weight limit
• 
  R12-7
  Emergency vehicle weight limit
• 
  R12-7a
  Axle weight limit

The MUTCD's R14 series of signs is for truck route-related signs.

• 
  R14-2
  Hazardous material route
• 
  R14-3
  Hazardous material prohibited
• 
  R14-4
  National Network Route
• 
  R14-5
  National Network prohibited

The MUTCD's R16 series of signs is for seat belt and headlight use-related signs.

• 
  R16-1
  Wear seat belt
• 
  R16-1p
  Wear seat belt (text plate)
• 
  R16-2
  $1000 fine for littering

Warning signs are found in the W series of the national MUTCD. They highlight existing conditions, such as a curve, school, dead end street, or traffic signal. They can also warn of possible danger such as bumps, bicycles, low flying aircraft, or emergency vehicles. They are either yellow or fluorescent yellow in color and, with a few exceptions, are usually diamond-shaped and sometimes have square or rectangular smaller signs or plaques associated with them. Most W series signs can also be found with orange backgrounds for temporary use in situations such as construction zones. Some of the temporary-use signs are for use only in temporary situations.

The MUTCD's W1 series of signs is for warning signs relating to horizontal alignment.

• 
  W1-1 (D)
  Turn right
• 
  W1-1 (I)
  Turn left
• 
  W1-1 (D)
  Turn right (25 mph speed limit)
• 
  W1-1 (I)
  Turn left (25 mph speed limit)
• 
  W1-2
  Curve right
• 
  W1-3 (D)
  Reverse turn, first to the right
• 
  W1-3 (I)
  Reverse turn, first to the left
• 
  W1-4 (D)
  Reverse curve, first to the right
• 
  W1-4 (I)
  Reverse curve, first to the right
• 
  W1-4
  Single lane shift (right to left)
• 
  W1-4
  Single lane shift (left to right)
• 
  W1-4
  Double lane shift (right to left)
• 
  W1-4
  Double lane shift (left to right)
• 
  W1-4
  Triple lane shift (right to left)
• 
  W1-4
  Triple lane shift (left to right)
• 
  W1-5 (D)
  Winding road, first to the right
• 
  W1-5 (L)
  Winding road, first to the left
• 
  W1-6 (D)
  Arrow
• 
  W1-6 (I)
  Arrow
• 
  W1-7
  Two-direction large arrow
• 
  W1-8 (I)
  Chevron
• 
  W1-10
  Curve with side road
• 
  W1-11 (I)
  Hairpin curve to the left
• 
  W1-11 (D)
  Hairpin curve to the right
• 
  W1-13
  Truck rollover warning
• 
  W1-15
  270 degree loop curve

The MUTCD's W2 series of signs is for warning signs relating to intersections.

• 
  W2-1
  Crossroad
• 
  W2-2
  Side road left
• 
  W2-2
  Side road right
• 
  W2-3
  Slanted side road left
• 
  W2-3
  Slanted side road right
• 
  W2-4
  T-intersection
• 
  W2-5
  Y-intersection
• 
  W2-6
  Roundabout
• 
  W2-7
  Offset side roads
• 
  W2-8
  Double side roads

The MUTCD's W3 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance traffic controls. The MUTCD provides options for graphic and text signs.

• 
  W3-1
  Stop sign ahead
• 
  W3-1a
  Stop sign ahead (plate, text only)
• 
  W3-2
  Yield sign ahead
• 
  W3-2
  Yield sign ahead (plate, text only)
• 
  W3-3
  Traffic lights ahead
• 
  W3-3a
  Traffic lights ahead (text only)
• 
  W3-5
  Speed limit ahead

The MUTCD's W4 series of signs is for warning signs relating to lane merges and added lanes, as well as lane endings.

• 
  W4-1 (D)
  Merge from the right
• 
  W4-1 (I)
  Merge from the right
• 
  W4-2 (D)
  Lane ends on the right
• 
  W4-2 (I)
  Lane ends on the left
• 
  W4-3 (D)
  Added right lane
• 
  W4-3 (I)
  Added left lane
• 
  W4-5
  Merge (entering roadway)
• 
  W4-6
  Added right lane (entering roadway)

The MUTCD's W5 series of signs is for warning signs relating to road width restrictions.

• 
  W5-1
  Road narrows
• 
  W5-2
  Narrow bridge
• 
  W5-3
  One lane bridge
• 
  W5-4
  Path narrows

The MUTCD's W6 series of signs is for warning signs relating to divided highways.

• 
  W6-1
  Divided highway starts
• 
  W6-2
  Divided highway ends
• 
  W6-3
  Two-way traffic

The MUTCD's W7 series of signs is for warning signs relating to hills.

• 
  W7-1
  Steep grade/hill
• 
  W7-3a
  Downhill next XX km
• 
  W7-3b
  Test the brakes
• 
  W7-4
  Runaway truck ramp ahead
• 
  W7-4b
  Runaway truck ramp (right)

The MUTCD's W8 series of signs is for warning signs relating to pavement and roadway conditions.

• 
  W8-1
  Bump
• 
  W8-2
  Dip
• 
  W8-5
  Slippery when wet ahead
• 
  W8-6
  Truck crossing
• 
  W8-6a
  Truck entry and exit
• 
  W8-15p
  Motorcycles
• 
  W8-16
  Metal bridge deck
• 
  W8-17 (D)
  Dangerous shoulder on the right
• 
  W8-17 (I)
  Dangerous shoulder on the left
• 
  W8-17p
  Elevation in promenade
• 
  W8-18
  Flood zone ahead
• 
  W8-19
  Flood gauge
• 
  W8-25
  Shoulder ends

The MUTCD's W9 series of signs is for warning signs relating to lane transitions.

• 
  W9-3
  Interior lane shift

The MUTCD's W11 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advance warnings. The MUTCD allows use of a fluorescent yellow-green background color for signs relating to non-motorized vehicles crossing the road.^[5]

• 
  W11-2
  Pedestrians
• 
  W11-4
  Cattle
• 
  W11-5
  Farm vehicles
• 
  W11-8
  Emergency vehicle
• 
  W11-8p
  Pumping station (plate)
• 
  W11-10
  Truck
• 
  W11-10p
  Truck crossing (plate)
• 
  W11-11
  Possibility of cattle on the run-in
• 
  W11-15
  Bicycle and pedestrians

The MUTCD's W12 series of signs is for warning signs relating to low clearance.

• 
  W12-1
  Double arrow
• 
  W12-2
  Low clearance
• 
  W12-2
  Low clearance (metric)
• 
  W12-2p
  Clearance advisory
• 
  W12-2p
  Clearance advisory (metric)

The MUTCD's W13 series of signs is for warning signs relating to advisory speeds. Speed limits in the United States are always in miles per hour.

• 
  W13-1
  Speed advisory
• 
  W13-2
  Exit speed advisory

The MUTCD's W14 series of signs is for warning signs relating to dead-end streets and no-passing zones. As all situations are not covered, several states and local governments have additional signs for other types of situations not covered by the MUTCD.

• 
  W14-1
  Dead end
• 
  W14-2
  No outlet
• 
  W14-2a
  Road ends
• 
  W14-3
  No passing zone

The MUTCD's W15 series of signs is for warning signs relating to playgrounds.

• 
  W15-1
  Playground

The MUTCD's W16 series of signs is for supplemental plaques for warning signs.

• 
  W16-2
  XXX metres
• 
  W16-2a
  XXX m
• 
  W16-5p (D)
  Supplemental arrow to the right (plaque)
• 
  W16-5p (I)
  Supplemental arrow to the left (plaque)
• 
  W16-6p (D)
  Supplemental arrow to the right (plaque)
• 
  W16-6p (I)
  Supplemental arrow to the left (plaque)
• 
  W16-7p (D)
  Downward diagonal arrow to the right (plaque)
• 
  W16-7p (I)
  Downward diagonal arrow to the left (plaque)
• 
  W16-9p
  Ahead

The MUTCD's W17 series of signs is for warnings relating to speed humps.

• 
  W17-1
  Speed hump
• 
  W17-2
  Landslide
• 
  W17-3a
  Grooved shoulder
• 
  W17-3ap
  Grooved shoulder (plate)
• 
  W17-3b
  Grooves in center
• 
  W17-3bp
  Grooves in center (plate)

Guide signs include highway route markers (shields), which are reassurance markers, interchange signs, including advance guide and exit signs, and mile markers. Advance guide and exit signs usually feature control cities or other locations to help direct drivers toward their destinations. The position of the exit number plaque indicates right or left exit^[6] (and should indicate center lane exit).

• 
  D1-1
  Destination (1 line)
• 
  D1-1a
  Destination and distance (1 line)
• 
  D1-2
  Destination (2 lines)
• 
  D1-2a
  Destination and distance (2 lines)
• 
  D1-2d
  Circular intersection destination (2 lines)
• 
  D1-3
  Destination (3 lines)
• 
  D1-3a
  Destination and distance (3 lines)
• 
  D1-3b
  Combination destination and distance (2 lines) / destination
• 
  D1-3d
  Circular intersection destination (3 lines)
• 
  D2-1
  Distance (1 line)
• 
  D2-2
  Distance (2 lines)
• 
  D2-2a
  Distance (2 lines)
• 
  D2-3
  Distance (3 lines)
• 
  D3
  Street name (2 lines)
• 
  D3-1
  Street name (1 line)
• 
  D4-1
  Parking area
• 
  D5-1
  Rest area XX kilometers
• 
  D5-2
  Rest Area (with arrow)
• 
  D6-1
  Scenic area
• 
  D6-2
  Scenic area XX Kilometers
• 
  D6-3
  Scenic area
• 
  D9-2
  Hospital
• 
  D9-7
  Gasoline
• 
  D9-9
  Lodging
• 
  D10-1
  Reference Location (1 digit)
• 
  D10-1a
  Intermediate Reference Location (2 digits)
• 
  D10-2
  Reference Location (2 digits)
• 
  D10-2a
  Intermediate Reference Location (3 digits)
• 
  D10-3
  Reference Location (3 digits)
• 
  D10-3a
  Intermediate Reference Location (4 digits)
• 
  E1-1
  Exit distance
• 
  I-5
  Principal Airport
• 
  I-8
  Library
• 
  I-9
  Vehicle Ferry Terminal
• 
  R1-6a
  Bus stop
• 
  R2-3
  Electronic Toll Collection Speed Limit

The S series of signs are specially designated by the MUTCD for use around schools. Some states have additional school warning-related signs in the S series, the W series of warning signs, and/or the R series of regulatory signs of the state supplement or state MUTCD. As of 2009 the MUTCD requires school warning signs to have fluorescent yellow-green backgrounds.^[7]

• 
  S1-1
  School zone ahead (also used for pedestrian crosswalks near schools)
• 
  S3-1
  School bus stop ahead
• 
  S3-2
  School bus turn ahead
• 
  S4-5
  School speed limit zone ahead
• 
  S5-1(15)
  School speed limit when flashing (15 mph)
• 
  S5-1(25)
  School speed limit when flashing (25 mph)
• 
  S5-2
  End school zone (usually under an R2 speed limit sign)
• 
  W16-5p (D)
  Supplemental arrow to the right (plaque)
• 
  W16-5p (I)
  Supplemental arrow to the left (plaque)
• 
  W16-6p (D)
  Supplemental arrow to the right (plaque)
• 
  W16-6p (I)
  Supplemental arrow to the left (plaque)
• 
  W16-7p (D)
  Downward diagonal arrow to the right (plaque)
• 
  W16-7p (I)
  Downward diagonal arrow to the left (plaque)
• 
  W16-9p
  Ahead

• 
  D4-3
  Bicycle parking area (left)
• 
  D4-3
  Bicycle parking area (right)
• 
  D11-1
  Bike route
• 
  D11-1a
  Bicycles permitted
• 
  D11-1bP
  Bike route (plaque)
• 
  R3-17
  Bike lane
• 
  R3-17a
  Bike lane ahead (plaque)
• 
  R3-17b
  Bike lane ends (plaque)
• 
  R5-6
  No bicycles
• 
  R7-9
  No parking bike lane
• 
  R9-6a
  Yield to pedestrians
• 
  R9-7
  Shared-use path restriction
• 
  W11-2
  Bicycles ahead
• 
  W11-15
  Bicycle and pedestrians
• 
  W16-1
  Share the road (plaque)
• 
  W16-19
  Bicycle crossing (plaque)

• Media related to Road signs in Puerto Rico at Wikimedia Commons
• 2020 Manual de Rotulación para las Vías Públicas de Puerto Rico (in Spanish)