Warning Signs
Diamond-shaped signs that alert drivers to changing conditions ahead, including work zones, flaggers, lane reductions, and merging traffic.
Warning signs give road users advance notice of conditions that may not be obvious, so they can slow down and react safely. In temporary traffic control, warning signs are diamond-shaped with a fluorescent orange background and black legend or symbol, and they make up most of the advance warning area on a California TCP.
Showing 1–24 of 77 W-Series Signs
Complete sign index — all 77 signs in Warning Signs
- W1-3L
- W1-3R
- W1-4b
- W1-4c
- W1-6L
- W1-6R
- W3-1
- W3-2
- W3-3
- W3-4
- W3-5a
- W4-1
- W4-2L
- W4-2R
- W5-1
- W5-2
- W5-3
- W5-4
- W6-1
- W6-2
- W6-3
- W6-4
- W7-1
- W8-1
- W8-2
- W8-3
- W8-5
- W8-24
- W9-1
- W9-2
- W9-2a
- W9-3
- W9-5a
- W11-1
- W11-2
- W11-8
- W11-9
- W12-1
- W13-2
- W16-1
- W17-1
- W20-1
- W20-1(CA)
- W20-1b
- W20-2
- W20-2a
- W20-3
- W20-3a
- W20-4
- W20-5
- W20-5a
- W20-5b
- W20-5L
- W20-5R
- W20-7
- W20-7(CA)
- W20-7a
- W20-8
- W21-1
- W21-1a
- W21-2
- W21-3
- W21-4
- W21-5
- W21-5a
- W21-5b
- W21-6
- W21-7
- W21-8
- W22-1
- W22-3
- W23-1
- W23-2
- W24-1
- W24-1a
- W24-1b
- W26-1
Related Resources
California Notes
View state-specific considerations and adoptions for Warning Signs.
Explore California NotesWork Zone Compliance
Ensure your signs meet MUTCD and Caltrans requirements.
Visit WorkZoneCompliance.comDownload Guide
Learn about file formats, uses, and best practices for sign downloads.
View Download GuideFrequently Asked Questions
Why are work-zone warning signs orange instead of yellow?
Permanent warning signs use a yellow background, but in a temporary traffic control zone the same warnings are shown on a fluorescent orange background to distinguish work-zone conditions. The shape (diamond) and black legend stay the same.
What size is a ROAD WORK AHEAD sign in California?
The CA MUTCD minimum is typically 48″ × 48″ on conventional roads and 60″ × 60″ on expressways and freeways. The correct size depends on the roadway classification — confirm against the CA MUTCD and the reviewing agency.
Is the W20-7 Flagger sign a symbol or a word message?
W20-7 is the flagger symbol sign (a flagger figure). A separate word-message version exists, but the symbol sign is the standard advance warning placed ahead of a flagging station, usually with BE PREPARED TO STOP.
Which warning signs are used for a lane closure?
Lane closures commonly use the W20-5 series (LANE CLOSED AHEAD, RIGHT/LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD) for the advance warning, with W4-2L / W4-2R (left/right lane-ends symbols) or W9-2 (LANE ENDS) reinforcing the merge at the taper.
Need warning signs for a California work zone?
Public Ready can help you rent or purchase the orange warning signs used in California temporary traffic control and fit them to your TCP.