TRAFFIC RULES

Winding Road Sign: What It Means and What to Do

A winding road sign warns of a series of curves ahead (MUTCD code W1-5). Learn what it means, how it differs from other curve signs, and what to do when you see one.

Alvaro Peña

Founder of GetMyPermit

4 November, 2026

4 min read

Winding Road Sign: What It Means and What to Do

The winding road sign warns that the road ahead has a series of curves that change direction. In the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 11th Edition, it is coded W1-5 and listed among the horizontal alignment warning signs, which cover changes in the road's direction.

Its job is to warn you before you reach the bends. The 2009 MUTCD edition says warning signs call attention to unexpected conditions and to situations that might not be readily apparent, and that they alert road users to conditions that might call for slowing down or another action for safety (Section 2C.01).

What does a winding road sign mean?

What you should do depends on your state's handbook. The Florida and Texas handbooks both say that when a winding road is ahead, you should drive slowly and carefully and not pass other vehicles. The notes do not include wording for other states, so check your own state's DMV handbook.

What does a winding road sign look like?

The 2009 MUTCD edition says warning signs are diamond-shaped with a black legend and border on a yellow background (Section 2C.03). The notes do not confirm that the 11th Edition keeps that shape and color rule, so check the current edition before relying on it.

The 2009 edition also describes two variants. A Right Winding Road sign (W1-5R) is used when the first change in alignment is to the right, and a Left Winding Road sign (W1-5L) is used when it is to the left (Section 2C.07). The notes show these variants only from the 2009 edition and do not confirm them against the 11th Edition.

The 11th Edition says a NEXT XX MILES plaque may go below the Winding Road sign where continuous curves exist for a set distance (Section 2C.07). The 2009 edition says an Advisory Speed plaque may be used to show the speed for the change in alignment (Section 2C.07).

When is a winding road sign used?

The 11th Edition says a Winding Road sign may replace multiple Turn or Curve signs where there are three or more changes in alignment, each separated by a tangent of less than 600 feet (Section 2C.07).

The MUTCD lists factors used to choose alignment devices, including approach speed, advisory speed, sight distance and crash history (11th Edition, Section 2C.05).

How is it different from other curve signs?

The 11th Edition lists the other horizontal alignment signs as Turn (W1-1), Curve (W1-2), Reverse Turn (W1-3), Reverse Curve (W1-4), Hairpin Curve (W1-11) and 270-Degree Curve (W1-15). The 600-foot rule above describes when a Winding Road sign may replace several Turn or Curve signs.

State handbooks also treat these as separate signs. The Florida handbook lists Right Curve, Sharp Right Turn and Reverse Curve as separate warning signs, each with its own slow-down and no-passing advice. The Texas handbook describes a road that curves one way and then the other as a separate warning sign, and describes a gradual curve sign and a sharp curve sign as well.

What should I do when I see one?

Follow your state's handbook. These are the handbook statements the notes cover:

Florida: The handbook describes the Winding Road sign as meaning several curves ahead, and tells drivers to drive slowly and carefully and not pass other vehicles (p. 49, PDF p. 57).
Texas: The handbook says a winding road ahead means drive slowly and carefully and do not pass (printed p. 27, PDF p. 33). Its Advisory Speed sign shows the highest safe speed around the curve ahead (printed p. 30, PDF p. 36).
California: The handbook excerpt shows the Winding Road sign in its warning-sign panel but gives no description or driver action, so no California wording is confirmed here. Check the California driver handbook or the DMV for the state's rules.

Each state's handbook may word this differently, so check your state's DMV site for its own rules.

To quiz yourself on road signs before your test, try the GetMyPermit practice test.

Sources

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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.

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