Warning sign · MUTCD W6-1
Divided Highway Begins
The road ahead splits into two separate roadways divided by a median or barrier. Opposing traffic will be on the other side of the divider.
- Shape
- Diamond
- Color
- Yellow background, two black arrows separating around a median that begins
What to do
Keep right and stay on the right-hand roadway. Do not drive onto the left side of the median, which carries oncoming traffic. Watch for the start of the island itself and any Keep Right sign on it.
Where you see it
Shortly before an undivided road becomes a divided one with a median.
Test trap
Divided Highway Begins and Divided Highway Ends are mirror images: on Begins the arrows start together at the bottom and split apart; on Ends they start apart and come together. Look at where the median shape widens.
Memory tip: The island grows ahead of you — a wall is coming between you and oncoming cars, stay right.
Practice question
A yellow diamond sign showing a median (island) beginning ahead in the middle of the road means:
- Divided highway ends
- Road closed ahead
- Narrow bridge
- Divided highway begins — keep right
Answer: D. The road ahead becomes divided by a median; stay to the right.
MUTCD sign meanings (as taught in state driver handbooks)