Road signs/Curve Right Sign
Curve Right Sign: what it means and what to do
A curve right sign means the road bends to the right ahead. Slow down before the curve and keep your speed steady through it.
What it looks like
A yellow diamond with a black arrow bending to the right. It is the gentler of the two curve signs; a sharp turn sign shows an arrow that turns almost at a right angle.
What to do
- Slow down before you reach the curve, not in it.
- Hold the middle of your lane, positioned slightly to the right of centre through a right-hand curve (Pennsylvania's guidance).
- Watch for an advisory speed plate. If it is lower than the limit, follow it.
On the permit test
Tests show the arrow and ask what it means; many include a distractor such as 'the road ends'.
Free questions from our banks that show this sign:
What does a yellow diamond with a black curving arrow warn about?
Answer: Curve ahead
A curving arrow on a yellow diamond warns the road bends ahead, showing the curve's direction. Slow before the bend, avoid passing, and keep control on wet or icy surfaces. North Georgia mountain routes curve constantly — warning signs give advance notice so you adjust speed early.
GA Drivers' Manual — Road Signs — Warning signs · Georgia DDS Permit free questionsWhat does a yellow diamond with a black curving arrow warn about?
Answer: Curve ahead
A curving arrow on a yellow diamond warns the road bends ahead, showing the curve's direction. Slow before the bend, avoid passing, and keep control on wet surfaces. Blue Ridge parkway and mountain routes curve constantly — explain the sign's color, shape, and meaning together as the sign test requires.
NC Driver Handbook — Traffic Signs — Warning signs · North Carolina DMV Permit free questionsWhat does a yellow diamond with a black curving arrow warn about?
Answer: Curve ahead
A curving arrow on a yellow diamond warns the road bends ahead, showing the curve's direction. Slow before the bend, avoid passing, and keep control on wet surfaces. Warning signs give advance notice so you adjust speed early rather than braking hard mid-curve when grip is lowest.
NJ Driver Manual — Signs — Warning signs · New Jersey MVC Permit free questionsWhere it shows up on state tests
9 questions across our state banks show this sign. Here is how many each bank has, and what each state's own test rules say about road signs.
| State | Questions showing it | What the state says about signs |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 1 | Two separate tests: road signs (20 questions) and road rules (20 questions). |
| North Carolina | 1 | Separate road-signs test: identify at least 9 of 12 signs. |
| New Jersey | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
| New York | 1 | 4 of the 20 questions are about road signs, and at least 2 of those 4 must be correct — even with 14 right overall. |
| Ohio | 1 | 40 multiple-choice questions on motor vehicle regulations and traffic signs. |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
| Texas | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
| Virginia | 1 | Part one is 10 traffic-sign questions and you must answer all 10 correctly before part two opens. |
| Washington | 1 | No separate sign section published. |
How it differs from similar signs
| Sign | How to recognise it | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Curve Right Sign | Yellow diamond warning sign with a black arrow curving to the right | A curve right sign means the road bends to the right ahead. |
| Curve Left Sign | Yellow diamond warning sign with a black arrow curving to the left | A curve left sign means the road bends to the left ahead. |
| Sharp Right Turn Sign | Yellow diamond warning sign with a black arrow turning sharply right | A sharp right turn sign means the road turns sharply to the right ahead. |
| Winding Road Sign | Yellow diamond warning sign with a black winding arrow | A winding road sign means there are three or more curves in a row ahead. |
See them side by side
Common questions
The road ahead bends in the direction of the arrow. You need to slow down before the curve, because speed carries you toward the outside edge of the lane.
A curve sign shows a gentle bend; a sharp turn sign warns of a much tighter turn and usually comes with a lower advisory speed.
All road signs Practice your state’s permit test free
Sources, checked 2026-10-08: Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 2: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings; Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA). Written in our own words; follow your state’s manual for the exact wording.