Right bend ahead
A bend to the right ahead. Reduce speed before the bend.
License Academy
Traffic signs in Nepal
The signs, markings and signals you need to recognise on Nepali roads — and the ones the written licence examination asks about most.
Warning signs
Left bend ahead
A bend to the left ahead. Reduce speed before the bend.
Double bend ahead
A series of bends ahead; the first is to the right.
Steep descent
A steep downhill gradient ahead. Use a low gear and do not coast.
Road narrows ahead
The carriageway narrows ahead. Be ready to give way; do not overtake.
Pedestrian crossing ahead
Pedestrians cross here and have priority. Approach ready to stop.
School / children ahead
Children may be crossing. Slow right down and expect the unexpected.
Cattle on road
Animals may be on the carriageway ahead. Slow down; do not swerve violently.
Falling rocks / landslide
Falling rocks or landslide-prone slope ahead. Do not stop beneath it.
Speed breaker / hump
A hump or uneven surface ahead. Reduce speed before reaching it.
Traffic signal ahead
A signal-controlled junction ahead, which may be hidden by a bend or crest.
Cross road ahead
A crossroads ahead. Slow down and be prepared to give way.
T-junction ahead
The road ends at a T-junction ahead. Give way to traffic on the main road.
Slippery road
The surface may be slippery, especially when wet. Avoid sudden inputs.
Road works ahead
Road works ahead. Expect workers, machinery and a changed road layout.
Cyclists ahead
Cyclists cross or join here. Check carefully before turning across their path.
Dangerous
Official Nepal road sign: Dangerous.
Two-way traffic ahead
Official Nepal road sign: Two-way traffic ahead.
Two-way traffic
Official Nepal road sign: Two-way traffic.
Narrow bridge
Official Nepal road sign: Narrow bridge.
Steep uphill
Official Nepal road sign: Steep uphill.
Dip in the road
Official Nepal road sign: Dip in the road.
Road narrows on both sides
Official Nepal road sign: Road narrows on both sides.
Rock falling place
Official Nepal road sign: Rock falling place.
Road narrows from the right
Official Nepal road sign: Road narrows from the right.
Double bend, first to the left
Official Nepal road sign: Double bend, first to the left.
Y Junction
Official Nepal road sign: Y Junction.
Merging traffic from the left
Official Nepal road sign: Merging traffic from the left.
Merging traffic from the right
Official Nepal road sign: Merging traffic from the right.
Roundabout ahead
Official Nepal road sign: Roundabout ahead.
Priority road ahead
Official Nepal road sign: Priority road ahead.
Side road ahead
Official Nepal road sign: Side road ahead.
Steep downward
Official Nepal road sign: Steep downward.
Domestic animal
Official Nepal road sign: Domestic animal.
Low-flying aircraft
Official Nepal road sign: Low-flying aircraft.
Uneven road
Official Nepal road sign: Uneven road.
Side road on the right
Official Nepal road sign: Side road on the right.
Staggered junction
Official Nepal road sign: Staggered junction.
Dual carriageway ends
Official Nepal road sign: Dual carriageway ends.
Traffic light
Official Nepal road sign: Traffic light.
Wild animal
Official Nepal road sign: Wild animal.
Pedestrian ahead
Official Nepal road sign: Pedestrian ahead.
River side
Official Nepal road sign: River side.
Unguarded level crossing
Official Nepal road sign: Unguarded level crossing.
Children
Official Nepal road sign: Children.
Sharp left bend
Official Nepal road sign: Sharp left bend.
T-junction (right and left)
Official Nepal road sign: T-junction (right and left).
Regulatory signs
No entry
Vehicles must not enter the road beyond this sign in this direction.
Stop
Come to a complete stop, then proceed only when the way is clear.
Give way
Give priority to traffic on the road you are joining; stop if needed.
Speed limit
Maximum permitted speed in kilometres per hour, in good conditions.
No parking
Parking is prohibited from this sign until the restriction ends.
No stopping
Vehicles may not stop here at all, even briefly.
Horn prohibited
Sounding the horn is prohibited, typically in a silent zone.
Overtaking prohibited
You may not overtake until the restriction ends; sight distance is inadequate.
Motorcycles prohibited
Motorcycles may not use this road.
Heavy vehicles prohibited
Trucks and other heavy goods vehicles may not use this road.
U-turn prohibited
Making a U-turn is prohibited at this location.
Left turn prohibited
Turning left is prohibited at this junction.
Turn left ahead
A mandatory instruction: you must turn left ahead.
Keep left
Pass to the left of the divider or obstruction.
Ahead only
A mandatory instruction: proceed straight ahead only.
No stoppage
Official Nepal road sign: No stoppage.
No right turn
Official Nepal road sign: No right turn.
Maximum speed limit
Official Nepal road sign: Maximum speed limit.
Vehicle width limit
Official Nepal road sign: Vehicle width limit.
No overtake
Official Nepal road sign: No overtake.
Stop, look and proceed
Official Nepal road sign: Stop, look and proceed.
Speed limit ends
Official Nepal road sign: Speed limit ends.
Go straight only
Official Nepal road sign: Go straight only.
Pass either side
Official Nepal road sign: Pass either side.
Give way at roundabout
Official Nepal road sign: Give way at roundabout.
Turn Left
Official Nepal road sign: Turn Left.
Keep to the left
Official Nepal road sign: Keep to the left.
Stop & go
Official Nepal road sign: Stop & go.
No truck
Official Nepal road sign: No truck.
Vehicle length limit
Official Nepal road sign: Vehicle length limit.
Vehicle height limit
Official Nepal road sign: Vehicle height limit.
Axle weight limit
Official Nepal road sign: Axle weight limit.
No oxen cart
Official Nepal road sign: No oxen cart.
Turn right
Official Nepal road sign: Turn right.
Sharp right turn
Official Nepal road sign: Sharp right turn.
Overhead clearance limit
Official Nepal road sign: Overhead clearance limit.
Informatory signs
Parking
Parking is permitted in this area.
Hospital
A hospital is nearby. Avoid using the horn in this area.
Fuel station
A fuel station is available ahead.
One way
Traffic flows in one direction only on this road.
Bus stop
A designated bus stopping place.
First aid post
A first aid post is available here.
Parking spot
Official Nepal road sign: Parking spot.
Workshop
Official Nepal road sign: Workshop.
First aid post
Official Nepal road sign: First aid post.
Overtaking place
Official Nepal road sign: Overtaking place.
Telephone
Official Nepal road sign: Telephone.
Dead end
Official Nepal road sign: Dead end.
Pedestrian way
Official Nepal road sign: Pedestrian way.
Petrol pump
Official Nepal road sign: Petrol pump.
Shelter
Official Nepal road sign: Shelter.
Restaurant
Official Nepal road sign: Restaurant.
Shared pedestrian and cycle way
Official Nepal road sign: Shared pedestrian and cycle way.
Cycle route
Official Nepal road sign: Cycle route.
Picnic Spot
Official Nepal road sign: Picnic Spot.
Emergency stopping place
Official Nepal road sign: Emergency stopping place.
Go (Temporary sign)
Official Nepal road sign: Go (Temporary sign).
Check post
Official Nepal road sign: Check post.
Forest / wildlife reserve
Official Nepal road sign: Forest / wildlife reserve.
Road markings
Continuous centre line
Do not cross or straddle this line; sight distance for overtaking is inadequate.
Broken centre line
You may cross this line to overtake when the road ahead is clear.
Zebra crossing
Pedestrians crossing here have priority; stop for anyone waiting to cross.
Stop line
Stop behind this line at a red signal or a stop sign.
Edge line marking
Official Nepal road sign: Edge line marking.
Centre line marking
Official Nepal road sign: Centre line marking.
Traffic lights
Red signal
Stop before the stop line and wait, even if the crossing road looks empty.
Amber signal
Stop, unless you are already so close that stopping would be unsafe.
Green signal
You may proceed if the way is clear and your exit from the junction is free.
Police hand signals
Stop (traffic in front)
Raised palm facing you: stop. An officer's signal overrides signals and signs.
Stop (front and behind)
Both arms extended sideways: traffic in front of and behind the officer stops.
Test yourself
Sign recognition is one of the largest sections of the written licence examination. Practising them as questions works better than reading them as a list.
Take a free mock exam