TRAFFIC RULES

Two-Way Traffic Sign: What It Means

The two-way traffic road sign (W6-3) warns that a divided road or one-way street is ending and two-way traffic is ahead. Here is what it means and what to do.

Alvaro Peña

Founder of GetMyPermit

6 November, 2026

4 min read

The two-way traffic road sign is a yellow diamond-shaped warning sign coded W6-3 in the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). It warns that a multi-lane divided road is about to become a two-lane road carrying traffic in both directions.

When the W6-3 is paired with an AHEAD plaque (W16-9P), it warns that a one-way street is about to become a two-lane, two-way road.

What the two-way traffic sign looks like

The MUTCD says warning signs are diamond-shaped with a black legend and border on a yellow background (Sec. 2C.02, p. 147). The W6-3 shows two opposing arrows. The federal edition shows the arrow orientation in Fig. 2C-11. On conventional roads the sign is 36 by 36 inches. On expressways and freeways it is 48 by 48 inches (Table 2C-1, p. 148).

The federal MUTCD 11th edition is dated December 2023. You can read Chapter 2C at mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.

What the two-way traffic road sign warns about

W6-3 Two-Way Traffic: a transition from a multi-lane divided roadway to a two-lane, two-way section (Sec. 2C.51, p. 189).
W6-3 with an AHEAD (W16-9P) plaque: a transition from a one-way street to a two-lane, two-way section (Sec. 2C.51, p. 189).
On a two-lane, two-way road, the W6-3 may be repeated at intervals. It may also supplement the W6-2 sign (Sec. 2C.51, p. 189).

Two-way road signs it gets confused with

Several federal warning signs look similar or cover nearby situations. Check the sign's shape, plaques, and arrows.

W6-2 Divided Highway Ends: warns of two-way traffic ahead at the end of a physically divided highway. The W6-3 gives notice of the two-lane, two-way transition (Sec. 2C.21, p. 170).
W6-1 Divided Highway: marks approaches where opposing traffic is separated by a median or barrier (Sec. 2C.20, p. 170).
W6-5 and W6-5a Two-Way Traffic on a Three-Lane Roadway: used on three-lane roads with two lanes one way and one lane the other (Sec. 2C.52, p. 190).
W6-4 Narrow Two-Way Traffic: used for temporary traffic control (Sec. 6H.17, cross-referenced at Sec. 2C.51, p. 190).
W1-7 Two-Direction Large Arrow: placed on the far side of a T-intersection. It must not be used where the travel direction does not change (Sec. 2C.43, p. 181).
W12-1 Double Arrow: advises that traffic may pass on either side of an island, obstruction, or gore (Sec. 2C.23, p. 171).
W5-1 Road Narrows: used where opposing vehicles cannot pass through a narrowed two-lane section without slowing (Sec. 2C.17, p. 169).

What state handbooks say about this sign

The MUTCD is the federal manual for traffic signs. States use their own driver handbooks and manuals, and wording and legends may differ by state. The notes for this post did not check every state's wording, so this post cannot say how any other state describes this sign. California's MUTCD 2026 edition is based on the 2023 federal edition, as amended for California (Ch. 2C, p. 337). Check your own state's handbook for its wording.

Florida: The Florida handbook (p. 49) describes the Two-Way Traffic Ahead sign as saying the roadway is about to change to two-way traffic, with oncoming traffic. It says a Divided Highway Ends sign means the divided highway ends 350 to 500 feet ahead. After that, the handbook says the driver is on a two-way roadway and should keep to the right. Source: Florida Driver Handbook
Texas: The Texas handbook's warning-sign table (p. 33) describes a divided highway that ends ahead. It says drivers should be careful where two-way traffic begins again. The same table says a median-island sign advises that opposing traffic is separated by a median. Source: Texas Driver Handbook, DL-7
California: The California handbook (p. 37) includes 'Two Way Traffic' among its warning-sign examples. It says diamond-shaped signs warn of specific road conditions and dangers ahead (p. 38). Source: California Driver Handbook
Ohio: The Ohio manual (p. 11) says warning signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and are diamond-shaped. Its warning-sign examples include a sign labeled 'TRAFFIC TRAVELS IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS.' The notes do not confirm that this is the W6-3 sign. Source: Ohio Driver Manual

What to do when you see the two-way traffic sign

The steps below are general safe-driving advice, not legal rules. Your state's handbook sets the rules where you drive.

Expect oncoming traffic on the road ahead. Slow down and be ready to move over as the road changes from divided to two-way or from one-way to two-way.
In Florida, the handbook says that after a divided highway ends, drivers are on a two-way roadway and should keep to the right (p. 49). Check your own state's handbook for its rule on keeping right.
Florida's handbook (p. 67) says drivers must not pass on hills or curves where they cannot see at least 500 feet ahead. This is Florida's rule. Check your own state's passing rules before you pass on any road.

Studying for the sign questions

Sign questions are a common part of permit tests. Read your state's handbook for the sign's meaning, then check yourself with GetMyPermit practice tests. Your state's DMV decides what is on your test, so check its site if you are unsure.

Sources

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Divided Highway Sign: Begins vs. Ends, Explained
The divided highway sign (W6-1) warns the road ahead is split by a median; the ends sign (W6-2) warns two-way traffic is ahead.
Winding Road Sign: What It Means and What to Do
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Road Sign Meanings: Shapes, Colors and Symbols Explained
What road sign shapes and colors mean in nine state driver handbooks, with the common signs on the permit test. An octagon means STOP; a downward triangle means YIELD.

Free permit practice test for your state

Ready to check what you know? Take a free 10-question test from your state's driver handbook, with every answer explained. No sign-up needed. See questions and pass marks for every state.