Divided Highway Begins Sign
The divided highway begins sign warns that the road ahead becomes a divided highway with a median or barrier separating the two directions of traffic. Drivers must move to the right side and stay within their lanes.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
A divided highway has a physical separation, such as a raised median, concrete barrier, or grass median, between opposing traffic directions. When a divided highway begins, head-on collisions with oncoming traffic become impossible because there is a physical barrier between the lanes. However, drivers must now stay to the right of the median and follow one-way traffic rules on their side.
Quick Facts
Type
Warning Sign
Shape
Diamond
Colours
Yellow background with black divided road symbol
In this guide
What does the Divided Highway Begins Sign mean?
A divided highway has a physical separation, such as a raised median, concrete barrier, or grass median, between opposing traffic directions. When a divided highway begins, head-on collisions with oncoming traffic become impossible because there is a physical barrier between the lanes. However, drivers must now stay to the right of the median and follow one-way traffic rules on their side.
What to do when you see it
Move to the right-hand lanes when the divided highway begins. You will no longer see oncoming traffic on your side of the road. Watch for the median on your left. Lane changes between the divided sections are only permitted at designated median openings.
Where you'll see it in Ontario
Divided highway begins signs appear at points where a two-lane undivided road transitions into a four-lane or wider divided road with a centre median. They are common at the entrance to Ontario towns, at the start of urban expressway sections, and where highway improvements have added a centre divider.
G1 test relevance
G1 questions may ask about behaviour on divided highways, including that U-turns at median openings require specific care, that you must stay on your side of the median at all times, and that the divided highway ends sign indicates where to watch for oncoming traffic again.
Common mistakes drivers make
Attempting to cross the median outside of a designated opening is dangerous and illegal. Another mistake is failing to notice where the divided section ends and drifting into oncoming traffic lanes.
Related Signs
Divided Highway Ends Sign
The divided highway ends sign warns that the median or barrier separating opposing traffic is about to end. Drivers must prepare for oncoming traffic in the opposite lanes and reduce speed if transitioning from a higher-speed divided road.
Learn moreKeep Right Sign
The keep right sign instructs drivers to stay to the right side of a traffic island, obstruction, or divided road median. It directs traffic flow at road splits and median openings.
Learn moreTwo-Way Traffic Sign
The two-way traffic sign warns drivers that they are leaving a one-way road and entering a section where traffic travels in both directions. Drivers must adjust their position to the right lane.
Learn moreMerge Sign
The merge sign warns that two lanes of traffic will combine into one ahead. Drivers must adjust their speed and position to merge smoothly and safely.
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