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Official United States Yield to Oncoming Traffic Road Sign

Federal MUTCD Specifications

Standard Code
R1-4
Sign Category
Regulatory
Shape
Vertical Rectangle
Color Scheme
White with Red and Black Text/Arrows

Regulatory Road Sign (R1-4)

Yield to Oncoming Traffic Sign Meaning & Driving Rules

Regulatory sign mandating that drivers on a constricted roadway or chicane must yield to oncoming vehicles.

Required Driver Action & Right-of-Way Protocol

Stop before the bottleneck and wait until all oncoming vehicles have passed through before proceeding.

Detailed Overview & Purpose

The Yield to Oncoming Traffic sign (R1-4) is posted on one-lane bridge approaches, neighborhood traffic-calming chicanes, and narrow roadway segments where two opposing vehicles cannot pass simultaneously. Drivers facing this sign must stop and allow oncoming vehicles to clear the bottleneck before entering.

Key Standard & Origin: Used extensively in European-style traffic calming designs in modern US suburban neighborhoods.

Where You'll Find This Sign

Single-lane bridge approaches, traffic calming pinch points, and narrow construction bypasses.

Common Driver Mistakes to Avoid

Entering the single-lane constriction while an oncoming vehicle is already halfway through.

How This Sign Appears on the DMV Knowledge & Road Test

Tests right-of-way management at narrow road restrictions.

Legal Penalties and Moving Violations

Forcing oncoming traffic off the road carries reckless driving charges.

DMV Knowledge Check

When you encounter the official Yield to Oncoming Traffic (R1-4) on a roadway, what is your legal duty?

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