Road signs in Central America

Road signs in Central American countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama (except Belize) are regulated by the Manual Centroamericano de Dispositivos Uniformes para el Control del Transito, a Central American equivalent to the United States' MUTCD published by the Central American Integration System (SICA). ^{[1] [2]} As a result, road signs used in Central American countries are, in most ways, similar in design to road signs used in the United States, except that the metric system is used; for example, speed limits are measured in kilometers per hour. Of the SICA countries, only Costa Rica has signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. ^[3]

The first edition of the Manual Centroamericano de Dispositivos Uniformes para el Control del Transito was published in 2000 and most recently updated in 2014.

Regulatory signs

Regulatory signs are used to indicate to the driver about the priority of passage, the existence of certain limitations, prohibitions and restrictions in the use of the road, according to the traffic laws and regulations of each country.

• 
  R-1-1
  Stop sign
• 
  R-1-2
  Give way
• 
  R-1-3
  Give way (red right arrow)
• 
  R-1-4
  Give way (green turn left arrow)
• 
  R-1-5
  Pedestrian priority
• 
  R-1-6
  Railway or tram crossing
• 
  R-1-7
  Right lane
• 
  R-1-8
  Tram crossing plaque
• 
  R-2-1
  Maximum speed limit
• 
  R-2-2
  Vehicle speed limit
• 
  R-2-3
  Night speed limit
• 
  R-2-4
  Fog speed limit
• 
  R-2-5
  25 KPH plaque
• 
  R-2-7
  Maximum and minimum speed limit
• 
  R-2-9
  Restricted speed ahead
• 
  R-2-10
  If you see one (arrow symbol), restricted speed applies
• 
  R-3-1a
  No straight through
• 
  R-3-1b
  No straight through
• 
  R-3-2a
  No entry
• 
  R-3-2b
  Wrong way
• 
  R-3-3a
  No right turn
• 
  R-3-3b
  No right turn
• 
  R-3-4a
  No left turn
• 
  R-3-4b
  No left turn
• 
  R-3-5a
  No right turn on red
• 
  R-3-5b
  No right turn on red
• 
  R-3-6
  Applies from 6AM-8AM, except sundays
• 
  R-3-7
  Applies from 5AM-10PM
• 
  R-3-8
  Turn to the left
• 
  R-3-9
  Turn to the right
• 
  R-3-10
  No turns
• 
  R-3-11a
  No U-turn
• 
  R-3-11b
  No U-turn
• 
  R-3-13
  Left turn only (right if reversed)
• 
  R-4-1
  Controlled entry
• 
  R-4-3
  Stop here on red to the left
• 
  R-4-3
  Stop here on red to the right
• 
  R-4-4
  Do not block intersection
• 
  R-4-5
  Do not block tram line
• 
  R-4-6
  Right turn permitted on red
• 
  R-4-7
  Yield before turning right on red
• 
  R-4-8
  Left turn permitted, yield on green
• 
  R-4-9
  Do not block bus lane
• 
  R-6-8
  Keep right (left if reversed)
• 
  R-7-4
  No dangerous materials
• 
  R-7-5
  No explosive materials
• 
  R-7-12
  Pedestrians to the left
• 
  R-7-12
  Pedestrians to the right
• 
  R-7-13a
  Pedestrians to the left, bicycles to the right
• 
  R-7-13a
  Bicycles to the left, pedestrians to the right
• 
  R-7-14a
  No pedestrians
• 
  R-7-14b
  No pedestrians
• 
  R-7-15a
  No bicycles
• 
  R-7-15b
  No bicycles
• 
  R-7-16
  No motor vehicles
• 
  R-7-17
  No taxis
• 
  R-7-18
  No vehicles on the beach
• 
  R-7-19
  Do not drive on tracks
• 
  R-7-20
  No vehicles on tracks
• 
  R-7-21
  Do not pass stopped trains
• 
  R-8-1
  No parking
• 
  R-8-2
  No parking from 6am to 8pm
• 
  R-8-3a
  No parking, control with water
• 
  R-8-3b
  No parking, tow-away zone
• 
  R-8-4a
  No parking, bike lane
• 
  R-8-4b
  No parking, bike lane
• 
  R-8-5a
  No parking, bus stop
• 
  R-8-5b
  No parking, bus stop
• 
  R-8-5b
  No parking, bus stop
• 
  R-8-5b
  No parking, bus stop
• 
  R-8-6
  No parking in double file
• 
  R-8-11
  No stopping
• 
  R-8-12
  No stopping on bridge
• 
  R-8-13
  No stopping on pavement
• 
  R-8-14
  No stopping except on shoulder
• 
  R-8-15
  No stopping on right of way
• 
  R-8-16
  No stopping on island
• 
  R-8-17
  No stopping on green zone
• 
  R-8-18
  No stopping on sidewalk
• 
  R-8-19
  No stopping on to repair vehicles
• 
  R-8-29
  Parking spot, reserved for disabled persons
• 
  R-8-30
  Parking spot, reserved for pregnant persons
• 
  R-8-31
  Parking spot, reserved for elderly persons
• 
  R-9-1
  Exclusive lane begins
• 
  R-9-2
  Exclusive lane ends
• 
  R-9-3
  Exclusive lane begins
• 
  R-9-4
  Exclusive lane ends
• 
  R-9-5
  Exclusive lane operation
• 
  R-9-6
  Center lane, buses only
• 
  R-9-7
  Center lane, high occupancy vehicles only
• 
  R-9-8
  Center lane, buses and high occupancy vehicles only
• 
  R-9-9
  Lane, for buses only
• 
  R-10-1
  Bus stop
• 
  R-10-2
  Bus stop with route number
• 
  R-10-3
  Tram stop
• 
  R-10-4
  Taxi stop
• 
  R-10-5
  Cargo taxi stop
• 
  R-10-6
  Loading and unloading zone
• 
  R-10-7
  This is not a bus stop
• 
  R-10-8
  No boarding of buses
• 
  R-10-9
  This is not a taxi stop
• 
  R-10-10
  No boarding of taxis
• 
  R-11-1a
  No pedestrian crossing, use safety zone to the left
• 
  R-11-1a
  No pedestrian crossing, use safety zone to the right
• 
  R-11-1b
  No pedestrian crossing
• 
  R-11-2
  No pedestrian crossing
• 
  R-11-3
  Cross only in pedestrian safety zones
• 
  R-11-4
  Pedestrian safety zone to the left
• 
  R-11-4
  Pedestrian safety zone to the right
• 
  R-11-5
  Use pedestrian safety zone to the left
• 
  R-11-5
  Use pedestrian safety zone to the right
• 
  R-11-6
  No pedestrian crossing, use pedestrian bridge to the left
• 
  R-11-6
  No pedestrian crossing, use pedestrian bridge to the right
• 
  R-11-8
  Pedestrian bridge
• 
  R-11-9
  Use pedestrian bridge to the left
• 
  R-11-9
  Use pedestrian bridge to the right
• 
  R-11-10
  Pedestrian tunnel
• 
  R-11-11
  Use pedestrian tunnel to the left
• 
  R-11-11
  Use pedestrian tunnel to the right
• 
  R-11-12
  Cross only on pedestrian crossing signal
• 
  R-11-13
  Push button for pedestrian crossing signal
• 
  R-11-14
  Cross only with green light
• 
  R-11-15
  Push button for green light
• 
  R-11-16
  Push indication button to cross
• 
  R-11-17
  Bicycles use pedestrian crossing signal
• 
  R-11-18
  Bicycles yield to pedestrians
• 
  R-13-5
  Use headlights
• 
  R-13-5
  End of headlight use
• 
  R-14-1
  Customs
• 
  R-14-2
  Toll
• 
  R-14-3
  Police
• 
  R-14-4
  Weighing
• 
  R-14-5
  Fumigation
• 
  R-16-1
  Use seat belt
• 
  R-16-2
  Legal blood alcohol limit 0.05%
• 
  R-16-5a
  No littering
• 
  R-16-5b
  No littering

Informational signs

• 
  II-1-7b
  Bicycle Route number
• 
  II-2-1
  Junction

Warning signs

• 
  P-1-1
  Sharp curve to the right (left if reversed)
• 
  P-1-2
  45 degree right curve (left if reversed)
• 
  P-1-3
  Sharp reverse curve right (left if reversed)
• 
  P-1-4
  Double curve (first to right) (left if reversed)
• 
  P-1-5
  Winding road ahead
• 
  P-1-6
  Curve ahead
• 
  P-1-7
  Direction large arrow right sign (left if reversed)
• 
  P-1-8
  Direction large arrow left-right sign
• 
  P-1-9
  Chevron sign
• 
  P-1-10
  Exit speed advisory sign
• 
  P-1-11
  Ramp speed advisory sign
• 
  P-1-12
  Advisory exit ramp speed sign
• 
  P-1-13
  Trucks may tip over on curve sign
• 
  P-1-14
  30 KPH plaque
• 
  P-2-1
  Crossroads
• 
  P-2-2
  Offset side road intersection
• 
  P-2-3
  Side road on the right (left if reversed)
• 
  P-2-4
  Skewed side road
• 
  P-2-5
  T-intersection
• 
  P-2-6
  Y-intersection
• 
  P-2-7
  Side road junction on a curve (outside) sign (right) (left if reversed)
• 
  P-2-8
  Intersection ahead
• 
  P-3-1a
  Stop sign ahead (symbol sign)
• 
  P-3-1b
  Stop sign ahead (text sign)
• 
  P-3-2a
  Yield sign ahead (symbol sign)
• 
  P-3-2b
  Yield sign ahead (text sign)
• 
  P-3-3
  Traffic signals ahead
• 
  P-3-4
  Roundabout ahead
• 
  P-5-1
  Road narrows
• 
  P-5-2
  Road narrows
• 
  P-5-3
  Bikeway narrows
• 
  P-5-4
  Left lane closed
• 
  P-5-4
  Right lane closed
• 
  P-5-5
  Maximum width clearance
• 
  P-5-6
  Narrow bridge
• 
  P-5-7
  Narrow bridge
• 
  P-5-8
  Maximum height clearance
• 
  P-5-9
  Arch bridge clearance
• 
  P-5-10
  Overhead cables
• 
  P-5-11
  Safe height: 5.50m
• 
  P-7-1
  Loose gravel
• 
  P-7-2
  Loose gravel
• 
  P-7-3
  Slippery when wet
• 
  P-7-5
  Slippery when wet
• 
  P-7-6
  Pavement ends
• 
  P-7-7
  Pavement ends
• 
  P-7-9
  Congestion ahead
• 
  P-7-10
  Congestion ahead
• 
  P-7-11
  Falling rocks
• 
  P-7-13
  Detour ahead
• 
  P-7-14
  Provisional route ahead
• 
  P-7-15
  Dangerous crosswinds
• 
  P-7-17
  Fog area
• 
  P-7-18
  Fog area
• 
  P-7-19
  Area with heavy rain
• 
  P-7-20
  Area with heavy rain
• 
  P-7-21
  Use headlights
• 
  P-7-22
  When foggy
• 
  P-7-23
  When raining
• 
  P-7-24
  Ford ahead
• 
  P-7-25
  Ford ahead
• 
  P-7-26
  Low flying aircraft
• 
  P-7-27
  Low flying aircraft
• 
  P-7-28
  Irregular surface
• 
  P-7-29
  Irregular surface
• 
  P-7-30
  Crest
• 
  P-7-31
  Crest
• 
  P-7-32
  Depression in road
• 
  P-7-34
  Slow down
• 
  P-7-35
  Slow down
• 
  P-8-1
  Level crossing without barriers
• 
  P-8-2
  Level crossing with barriers
• 
  P-8-3
  Level crossing with T-intersection
• 
  P-8-4
  Level crossing with side road
• 
  P-8-5
  Level crossing with crossroads
• 
  P-8-6
  Trams crossing
• 
  P-8-7
  Buses crossing
• 
  P-9-1
  Pedestrian crossing
• 
  P-9-2
  Disabled pedestrians crossing
• 
  P-9-3
  Pedestrian safety zone
• 
  P-9-4
  Pedestrian crosswalk
• 
  P-9-5
  Children at play
• 
  P-9-6
  Playground
• 
  P-9-7
  Residental area
• 
  P-9-9
  Boom gate at entrance to Residential area
• 
  P-9-10
  Bicycle crossing
• 
  P-9-12
  Speed bump
• 
  P-11-5
  Right lane closed
• 
  P-11-6
  Left lane closed
• 
  P-11-7
  Side road with dead end
• 
  P-11-8
  Crossroads with dead end
• 
  P-11-9
  Skewed side road with dead end
• 
  P-11-10a
  Dead end street
• 
  P-11-10b
  Dead end street
• 
  P-11-11
  Dead end street

Temporary signs

• 
  PP-1-1
  Sharp curve to the right (left if reversed)
• 
  PP-3-3
  Traffic signals ahead
• 
  PP-5-1
  Road narrows
• 
  PP-5-2
  Road narrows
• 
  PP-5-4
  Left lane closed
• 
  PP-5-4
  Right lane closed
• 
  PP-5-5
  Horizontal width clearance
• 
  PP-5-6
  Narrow bridge
• 
  PP-5-7
  Narrow bridge
• 
  PP-5-8
  Height clearance
• 
  PP-7-1
  Loose gravel
• 
  PP-7-2
  Loose gravel
• 
  PP-7-3
  Slippery when wet
• 
  PP-7-6
  Pavement ends
• 
  PP-7-7
  Pavement ends
• 
  PP-7-13
  Detour ahead
• 
  PP-7-14
  Provisional route ahead
• 
  PP-13-1
  Road construction
• 
  PP-13-2
  Road construction 1.5km
• 
  PP-13-3
  Detour 300m
• 
  PP-13-4
  Road closed 300m
• 
  PP-13-7
  Flagger ahead
• 
  PP-14-1
  Road works
• 
  PP-14-5
  Traffic survey
• 
  IP-1-1
  Improvements by the ministry of transportation
• 
  IP-1-2
  Construction by the ministry of transportation
• 
  IP-1-3
  Bridge maintenance by the Ministry of transportation

Emergency signs

• 
  IE-2-1
  Volcano eruption
• 
  IE-2-2
  Volcano eruption
• 
  IE-2-11
  Forest fire
• 
  IE-2-12
  Forest fire
• 
  IE-2-15
  Radioactive contamination
• 
  IE-2-16
  Radioactive contamination
• 
  IE-2-17
  Biological contamination
• 
  IE-2-18
  Biological contamination
• 
  IE-2-19
  Chemical contamination
• 
  IE-2-20
  Chemical contamination
• 
  IE-3-1
  Area closed
• 
  IE-3-2
  Road closed
• 
  IE-4-1
  Traffic control point
• 
  IE-4-2
  Maintain top speed
• 
  IE-4-3
  Authorized vehicles only
• 
  IE-4-4
  Double traction vehicles
• 
  IE-4-5
  Double traction vehicles
• 
  IE-5-1
  Decontamination center
• 
  IE-5-2
  Fumigation post
• 
  IE-5-3
  Fumigation post

School signs

• 
  E-1-1
  School zone
• 
  E-1-2
  School zone 100m
• 
  E-1-3
  School crossing
• 
  E-1-4
  School buses exiting ahead
• 
  E-1-5
  School zone
• 
  E-2-1
  School bus stop
• 
  E-2-2
  School short bus stop
• 
  E-2-3
  School unloading area, you may stop for 3 minutes
• 
  E-2-4
  End of school zone speed limit
• 
  E-2-5
  School zone, people driving over 70 kph will be charged with reckless driving
• 
  E-3-1
  School zone
• 
  E-3-2
  When children are present
• 
  E-3-2
  25 KPH, when children are present
• 
  E-3-4
  When flashing
• 
  E-3-5
  25 KPH, when flashing

References

1. "Manual Centroamericano de Dispositivos Uniformes para el Control del Transito 2014" (PDF) (in Spanish). SIECA. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
2. "Catálogo de Señales Manual SIECA 2000" (PDF). sjnavarro.files.wordpress.com (in Spanish). 2000.
3. "United Nations Treaty Collection". treaties.un.org. Retrieved 27 December 2023.

External links

• Anexo C Iconos Patrón SIECA Final