C-24.2, r. 41 - Regulation respecting road signs

Updated to 1 October 2024

This document has official status.

chapter C-24.2, r. 41

Regulation respecting road signs

Highway Safety Code

(chapter C-24.2, s. 289).

DIVISION I REGULATORY SIGNS

1. Regulatory signs contain messages the non-observance of which is punishable by law.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 1.

1.1. For the purposes of this Regulation,

“farm motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle of the truck, pickup truck or small van type owned by a farmer and used mainly for the transportation of farm products or material required to produce them; (véhicule de ferme)

“gross vehicle weight rating” means the gross vehicle weight rating within the meaning of the Regulation respecting safety standards for road vehicles (chapter C-24.2, r. 32); (poids nominal brut)

“local delivery” means a delivery referred to in section 291.1 of the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2) and, as the case may be, a delivery authorized by a provision of a by-law or ordinance made under subparagraph 5 of the first paragraph of section 626 of the Code; (livraison locale)

“truck” means a road vehicle, other than an emergency vehicle, with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,500 kg or more, designed and equipped mainly for the transportation of goods or of the machinery with which it is permanently equipped and its accessories. Combinations of road vehicles in which at least one vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,500 kg or more are also trucks. (camion)

M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 1; M.O. 2005-003, s. 1; M.O. 2010-12, s. 1.

1.2. The meaning of “radar”, when it appears in the French text of a road sign, is that of “cinémomètre”.

M.O. 2008-11, s. 1.

2. Except the P-10 and P-20 signs referred to in sections 7 and 8, the requirement is indicated by the white colour of the sign and by the mandatory or interdictory symbols described in sections 5 and 6.

However, certain regulatory signs have a black back-ground; they indicate one-ways and the various directions of the traffic lanes to be used.

Some regulatory messages, which are usually indicated on signs having a white background, may, for technological reasons, be indicated on a dark background.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 2; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 2.

3. The requirement applies to the place where a regulatory sign is erected. Where a distance is specified on the sign by an arrow, the requirement applies over the distance indicated.

A regulatory sign may also be used to remind of an obligation imposed by law.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 3.

4. When a tab sign accompanies a sign with a mandatory message, the message on the tab sign is also mandatory.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 4.

4.1. Unless indicated otherwise in this Regulation, a truck silhouette represents trucks, tow trucks and tool vehicles.

M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 3; M.O. 2005-003, s. 2; M.O. 2010-12, s. 2.

5. The mandatory symbol, made up of a green circle, means that the message inside is mandatory, as well as any inscription supplementing the message.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 5.

6. The interdictory symbol is made up of a red circle and a red oblique line across it. The message inside the circle announces a prohibition, as well as any inscription supplementing the message.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 6.

7. The P-10 “stop” or “arrêt” sign announcing a stop indicates the obligation to stop.

Its form and colours are international.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 7.

8. The P-20 “yield” sign indicates the obligation to yield the right-of-way to the traffic having priority.

Its form and colours are international.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 8.

9. The P-30 “yield” sign indicates the obligation to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic because traffic goes one way at a time.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 9.

10. The P-40 sign announcing a prohibited direction indicates the prohibition to take a public road.

That sign has a square white background and a red circle with a white horizontal line at the centre.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 10.

11. The P-60 sign announcing a stop line indicates the place where vehicles must stop.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 11.

12. The P-70 sign announcing a speed limit indicates the speed limits authorized on autoroutes and other public roads.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 12.

13. The P-80-1 sign announcing a one-way indicates the obligation to take a public road in the direction shown.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 13.

14. The P-80-3 sign announcing two-way traffic indicates the obligation to travel on the far right of the roadway.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 14.

15. The P-90 signs announcing an obstruction indicates the obligation to drive around it in the direction shown by the arrow.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 15.

16. The P-100 signs announcing the various directions of the lanes indicate the lane in which road users must drive and remain depending on whether the arrow indicates to go straight ahead or to turn.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 16.

17. The P-100-13 and P-100-14 signs announcing lanes adjacent to an alternating lane indicate the obligation to remain in the lane designated by an arrow or the prohibition to take the lane under an X.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 17.

18. The P-110-1 to P-110-4 signs announcing manoeuvres that must be made at certain intersections indicate, for all the lanes concerned, the obligation to turn or to keep driving in the direction indicated by the arrow.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 18.

19. The P-110-5 sign announcing the prohibition to make a U-turn indicates that it is prohibited to make a U-turn, except for vehicles authorized by the person in charge of the maintenance or management of the public road.

Authorized vehicles are those referred to in the Minister of Transport’s manual entitled Traffic Control Devices, Tome V, Part 1.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 19; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 4.

20. The P-110-6 to P-110-8 signs announcing prohibited manoeuvres at certain intersections indicate, for all the lanes concerned, the prohibition to turn or to keep driving in the direction indicated by the arrow.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 20.

20.1. The P-115 sign announcing the prohibition to make a right turn on a red light indicates the prohibition to make a right turn on a red light where the sign is erected.

M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 5.

21. The P-120-1 to P-120-3 signs announcing a route compulsory for certain classes of vehicles indicate the obligation for the drivers of the vehicles pictured to take the route shown.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 21.

22. The P-130-3 sign announcing a lane or tunnel prohibited for drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous substances referred to in section 43 of the Transportation of Dangerous Substances Regulation (chapter C-24.2, r. 43), indicates the prohibition for those drivers to use that lane or that tunnel.

The P-120-6 sign announcing a mandatory lane for drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous substances referred to in section 43 of the said Regulation indicates the obligation for those drivers to use that lane.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 22; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 6.

23. The P-120-5 and P-130-2 signs announcing the obligation or prohibition to travel in a designated lane indicate to the drivers of the vehicles pictured to remain in or to stay out of the lane indicated by the arrow.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 23.

24. The P-120-12 to P-120-14 signs indicate to drivers of vehicles travelling in transit to take the direction indicated by the arrows.

A vehicle is in transit when it is travelling through an area where it is not making any local delivery.

P-120-12 to P-120-14 signs do not apply to tow trucks, farm motor vehicles, farm machinery, farm tractors or outsized vehicles travelling under a special permit expressly authorizing access to a public road.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 24; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 7; M.O. 2005-003, s. 3.

The requirement for the driver of a maintenance vehicle provided for in section 310 of the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2) to comply with the signs provided for in this section is suspended. (See chapter C-24.2, r. 48.1)

25. The P-130-1, P-130-15 to P-130-20, P-130-25 to P-130-27 and P-130-48 to P-130-53 signs announcing that a public road is prohibited for trucks indicate to truck drivers that they way not take the public road along which those signs are erected, except for local delivery purposes where that exception appears on the sign or on a tab sign.

P-130-1, P-130-2, P-130-15 to P-130-20, P-130-25 to P-130-27 and P-130-48 to P-130-53 signs do not apply to tow trucks, farm motor vehicles, farm machinery, farm tractors or outsized vehicles travelling under a special permit expressly authorizing access to a public road.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 25; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 8; M.O. 2005-003, s. 4; M.O. 2007-01, s. 1.

The requirement for the driver of a maintenance vehicle provided for in section 310 of the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2) to comply with the signs provided for in this section is suspended. (See chapter C-24.2, r. 48.1)

26. The P-130-24 sign announcing that local delivery is authorized indicates to the drivers concerned that they are travelling on a public road prohibited for them, unless they take it to make a local delivery.

The P-130-24 sign does not apply to tow trucks.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 26; M.O. 2005-003, s. 5.

27. The P-130-3 to P-130-14 and P-130-21, P-130-22 and P-130-28 to P-130-30 signs announcing a prohibition to take a lane or public road indicate to the drivers of the vehicles pictured that they may not take the lane or public road.

Those signs may refer to individuals.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 27.

28. The P-140 sign announcing the presence of a zone where passing is prohibited indicates the prohibition to pass in that zone.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 28.

29. The P-150 signs announcing parking regulations indicate the zones where parking is authorized or prohibited.

The P-150-2 sign accompanied by the P-150-P-6 tab sign, which mentions the name of a municipality or borough, or the P-70-P-2 tab sign indicate that parking is prohibited in the whole territory of the municipality, borough or sector, as the case may be. The P-150-2 sign accompanied by the P-230-P tab sign indicate, in the case where the prohibition applies to a sector, the end of the sector.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 29; M.O. 2019-20, s. 1.

30. The P-160 signs announcing stopping regulations indicate where stopping is prohibited.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 30.

31. The P-195 sign announcing legal weight limits indicates to the drivers of vehicles heavier than the legal limit that they may not travel on certain bridges or overpasses, unless the driver is expressly authorized to do so by a special permit issued under section 463 or 633 of the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2).

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 31.

32. The P-220 sign announcing a lane for slow traffic indicates the obligation for the drivers of the vehicles pictured to take the designated lane.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 32.

33. The P-231-1 sign announcing a brake check area indicates the obligation for the drivers of vehicles or combinations of vehicles whose total loaded mass is at least 3,000 kg that they must check the condition of their brakes themselves, having stopped where required.

P-231-1

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 33; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 9; M.O. 2010-12, s. 3.

34. The P-200 signs announcing a weight limit indicate to the drivers of road vehicles whose total loaded weight exceeds the specified maximum weight that they may not take the bridge or overpass along which that prohibition is applicable.

The P-200-1 and P-200-2 signs apply to the illustrated vehicles and to buses. The P-200-3 sign applies to all road vehicles. The P-200 signs do not apply to outsized vehicles travelling under a special permit expressly authorizing access to a public road.

On P-200-1 and P-200-2 signs, the silhouette located at the bottom also applies to all combinations of 3 vehicles or more.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 34; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 10; M.O. 2005-003, s. 6; M.O. 2008-11, s. 2.

35. The P-240 signs announcing the presence of a truck weight station indicate the obligation for the drivers of the vehicles pictured to drive their vehicles there so that they may be inspected as required under the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2). The said obligation is applicable when the lights are flashing.

However, P-240 signs do not apply to trucks with a net mass of 4,000 kg or less that are registered as passenger vehicles within the meaning of the registration regulations, to road vehicles used for recreational purposes, or to combinations of road vehicles in which each vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 4,500 kg.

The P-240-4 sign indicates the presence of a weigh-in-motion scale connected to an automated vehicle pre-selection management system. The drivers concerned by the sign must drive at all times in the right-hand lane as soon as they see the sign so that their vehicle may be weighed, measured and photographed.

The illuminated P-240-5 sign indicates to the drivers selected by the automated management system that they must drive their vehicle to the control site for inspection. That obligation applies only when the sign ahead of the selected vehicle is illuminated.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 35; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 11; M.O. 2005-003, s. 7; M.O. 2007-01, s. 2; M.O. 2010-12, s. 4.

36. The P-250 signs announcing reserved lanes indicate that a traffic line is reserved for certain classes of vehicles and that it is prohibited for the other vehicles to take that lane where the prohibition is applicable.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 36.

37. (Revoked).

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 37; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 12.

38. The P-270 signs announcing the presence of a crossing on a public road indicate the obligation for pedestrians to use the crosswalk designated or laid out for their use. Those signs also indicate to road users that they must stop to let pedestrians cross.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 38.

39. (Revoked).

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 39; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 13.

40. The P-210 sign announcing a thaw reminds drivers of road vehicles that they must observe, during thaw periods, the load limits fixed by the Vehicle Load and Size Limits Regulation (chapter C-24.2, r. 31).

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 40; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 14.

41. The P-300 sign announcing the obligation to buckle the safety belt reminds of the obligation to buckle up.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 41.

42. The P-310 sign announcing the prohibition to throw garbage out of a vehicle reminds that it is prohibited to throw away or leave garbage along a public road.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 42.

43. The P-320 sign reminds that it is prohibited to drive a vehicle equipped with a radar warning device on a public road.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 43; M.O. 2008-11, s. 3.

44. (Revoked).

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 44; M.O. 2005-003, s. 8.

45. The P-180 sign reminds drivers who are obliged to stop their vehicles at a level crossing under section 413 of the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2) that they are not bound to stop at the crossings designated.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 45.

46. The P-340 sign reminds of the obligation to close and seal a gas cylinder when a vehicle takes a ferry.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 46.

46.1. The remaining regulatory signs and the principal supplementing tab signs are illustrated in Schedule 1. All of the regulatory signs, warning, information and roadwork signs and pavement markings are illustrated in the Minister’s manual.

M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 15.

DIVISION II WARNING SIGNS

47. Warning signs contain messages announcing the presence of an actual or potential hazard on a public road.

For instance, they may warn of

(1)  a hazard related to the shape or condition of a public road;

(2)  a manoeuvre to be made;

(3)  a dangerous intersection or the installation of new signs;

(4)  the presence of a crossing;

(5)  a designated roadway;

(6)  places where wild animals may cross a public road;

(7)  the presence of a school zone.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 47; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 16.

48. Warning signs are also used to announce regulatory signs.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 48.

49. Warning signs have a yellow background and the shape of a square standing on one corner or any other colour or shape prescribed by the Minister.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 49; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 17.

DIVISION III ROADWORK SIGNS

50. Roadwork signs contain messages announcing works on a public road or near it.

They indicate in particular the manoeuvres to be made and the lanes or places where traffic is allowed, detoured or prohibited.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 50.

51. Although they have an orange background, roadwork signs indicating a mandatory message must be observed just like regulatory signs.

They indicate speed limits and parking regulations.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 51.

52. Roadwork signs have an orange background and the shape of a square standing on one corner. Some of them are square or rectangular.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 52.

DIVISION IV INFORMATION SIGNS

53. Information signs contain informative messages indicating in particular the direction to be taken and the distances to be covered to reach various built-up areas, points of interest, services or tourist attractions.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 53.

54. Information signs have a green, brown or blue background or any other colour prescribed by the Minister.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 54; M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 18.

DIVISION V PAVEMENT MARKINGS

55. White or yellow marks on the pavement are used to guide and direct traffic. They are also used to supplement the messages on regulatory signs.

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 55.

DIVISION VI TRAFFIC CONTR0L SIGNALS

M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 19.

55.1. The manoeuvres and traffic movements indicated by traffic control signals that road users shall comply with are set out in the Highway Safety Code (chapter C-24.2).

M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 19.

56. This Regulation replaces the Regulation respecting traffic control devices (M.O. 89-11-24).

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 56.

57. (Omitted).

M.O. 99-06-15, s. 57.

SCHEDULE 1

M.O. 2000-12-13, s. 20; M.O. 2005-003, s. 9; M.O. 2007-01, s. 3; M.O. 2019-20, s. 2.

REFERENCES

M.O. 99-06-15, 1999 G.O. 2, 1642

M.O. 2000-12-13, 2000 G.O. 2, 5911

M.O. 2005-003, 2005 G.O. 2, 2635

M.O. 2007-01, 2007 G.O. 2, 1243

M.O. 2008-11, 2008 G.O. 2, 5091A

M.O. 2010-12, 2010 G.O. 2, 3872

M.O. 2019-20, 2019 G.O. 2, 2919