Regulatory sign meanings — Alabama Permit Test

A NO PARKING ANY TIME sign means you may not park in that area even though you stay in the car.

Staying behind the wheel does not change the reason parking is banned there.

You may not park your car in this area even though you stay in the car.

You must not park in a space reserved for the physically handicapped, on private or public property, unless the vehicle is driven by or for a handicapped person and visibly displays the handicapped sticker.

Those spaces are kept close to doors for people who cannot walk far.

You must not park in a parking space designated for the physically handicapped on either private or public property unless: (a) the vehicle being parked is operated by a physically handicapped person or under the direction of a physically handicapped person and (b) the vehicle visibly displays the handicapped sticker.

An EMERGENCY STOPPING ONLY sign means stopping is permitted only for real emergencies.

Shoulders and lanes marked this way are kept clear so a car in real trouble has somewhere to go.

Stopping permitted only for real emergencies.

A LEFT LANE MUST TURN LEFT sign means traffic in the left lane must turn left at the intersection ahead.

A car going straight from that lane would cut across drivers who are turning.

Traffic in left lane must turn left at the intersection ahead.

A NO TURNS sign means you must not turn either right or left at that intersection.

Turning there would put you across traffic or people that the intersection is not built to handle.

You must not turn either to the right or to the left at this intersection.

A sign showing a maximum and a minimum speed gives the highest and lowest speeds permitted on that section of highway; minimum limits are usually posted on freeways and other controlled access highways.

A car going far slower than everyone else is as dangerous as one going too fast.

“Minimum” limits are usually posted on freeways and other controlled access highways.

A SPEED LIMIT 30 sign means 30 miles an hour is the top speed permitted in that area.

The number on a speed limit sign is a ceiling, not a target.

30 miles an hour is the top speed permitted in this area.

A school zone speed limit applies during the hours shown, and it may also be displayed on a lighted sign with flashing amber lights.

Children are near the road during those hours, so the lower limit protects them.

Speed limit in school zone during hours indicated.

Double right turns are permitted only at intersections that are properly signed; at intersections that are not signed, follow the rules for right turns.

Two lanes turning together only works where the intersection is laid out and marked for it.

Double right turns are only permitted at intersections that are properly signed.

A sign says NO PARKING ANY TIME. May you wait there if you stay in the car?

No, not even if you stay in the car. Staying behind the wheel does not change the reason parking is banned there. Alabama Driver Manual, p.43: “You may not park your car in this area even though you stay in the car.”