MUTCD M3-1P: Cardinal Direction Auxiliary Plaques
The M3-1P sign is covered in Section 2D.15 of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition. Below are the provisions from that section that describe when the sign is used and how it is placed.
What it means and when it is used
- Guidance · Recommended (should)Cardinal Direction auxiliary plaques (see Figure 2D-5 ) displaying the legend NORTH, EAST, SOUTH, or WEST should be used to indicate the general direction of the entire route.
- Standard · Required (shall)To improve the readability and recognition of the cardinal directions, the first letter of the cardinal direction words shall be ten percent larger, rounded up to the nearest whole number size.
Placement and mounting
- Standard · Required (shall)If used, the Cardinal Direction auxiliary plaque shall be mounted directly above a route sign or, if used, an auxiliary plaque for an alternative route. M3-2P M3-3PFigure 2D-5. Route Sign Auxiliary Plaques and Combination Junction Sign M3-4P M4-1P M4-1aP M4-2P M2-1PM3-1P M4-3P M4-4P M4-5P M4-6P M4-7P M4-7aP M4-14PM2-2
Where to read the rest
- Full text: MUTCD Section 2D.15: Cardinal Direction Auxiliary Plaques
- Minimum sign sizes by roadway type are in the size section for this chapter: Section 2D.05
- Mounting height, lateral offset and retroreflectivity for any sign: MUTCD sign placement guide
Related signs in Section 2D.15
Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 11th Edition (Federal Highway Administration, December 2023, public domain). Excerpts are shortened and shown out of context; read the full section before specifying a sign. Your state may still be operating under the 2009 edition or a state supplement. Official manual: mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov.