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Road Signs Visual Study Guide

Master every sign, signal, and pavement marking you'll see on the DMV test and the road

Sign Colors & Their Meanings

Understanding colors helps you react quickly to road signs

Red
Stop, yield, prohibited
Yellow
Warning, caution ahead
Orange
Construction, work zones
Green
Guide, directions, permitted
Blue
Services, facilities, accessibility
Brown
Recreation, parks, historic sites
White
Regulatory, law enforcement
Black
Regulatory text and borders

Regulatory Signs

These signs tell you what you must or must not do. Violations can result in fines.

Key Recognition Tip

Regulatory signs are usually rectangular with white backgrounds and black text/borders, or red circles with diagonal lines for prohibitions.

STOP
Stop Sign
Come to complete stop at line, crosswalk, or before entering intersection
YIELD
Yield Sign
Slow down, stop if necessary, give right-of-way to other traffic
SPEED
LIMIT
55
Speed Limit
Maximum legal speed under ideal conditions
Do Not Enter
Wrong way, do not enter this road or ramp
ONE WAY
One Way
Traffic flows only in direction of arrow
NO
PARKING
No Parking
Parking prohibited in this area
NO
U-TURN
No U-Turn
U-turns prohibited at this location
KEEP
RIGHT
Keep Right
Keep to the right of obstruction or median

Warning Signs

Alert you to potential hazards ahead. Slow down and be prepared to stop.

Key Recognition Tip

Warning signs are diamond-shaped with yellow backgrounds and black symbols or text. They give advance notice of conditions ahead.

CURVE
Curve Ahead
Road curves ahead, reduce speed
T
T-Intersection
Road ends, must turn left or right
MERGE
Merge
Two lanes become one, prepare to merge
DEER
Deer Crossing
Watch for animals crossing road
SLIPPERY
Slippery When Wet
Road may be slippery in rain
↑↓
Two-Way Traffic
Two-way traffic ahead
HILL
Steep Hill
Steep grade ahead, check brakes
+
Crossroad
Intersection ahead, watch for cross traffic

Guide Signs

Provide direction, distance, and location information

EXIT 24
Highway Exit
Interstate exit number and direction
H
Hospital
Hospital services nearby
REST
AREA
Rest Area
Rest stop with facilities ahead
PARK
Recreation Area
Parks and recreational facilities

Construction & Maintenance Signs

Warn of construction zones. Fines usually double in work zones.

Important Safety Note

Slow down in work zones. Fines are often doubled, and workers' lives depend on your caution.

WORK
ZONE
Work Zone Ahead
Construction area ahead, reduce speed
DETOUR
Detour
Follow alternate route
LANE
CLOSED
Lane Closure
Lane closed ahead, merge early
FLAG
Flagger Ahead
Worker directing traffic ahead

Railroad Signs

Always approach railroad crossings with caution

RR
Railroad Advance Warning
Railroad crossing ahead, be prepared to stop
X
Railroad Crossbuck
Railroad crossing, yield to trains

School Signs

Exercise extreme caution in school zones

SCHOOL
School Zone
School area, watch for children
XING
School Crossing
Designated school crossing area
15 MPH
School Speed Limit
Reduced speed when children present

Pavement Markings

Lines and symbols painted on the road surface

Line Color Meanings

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction.
Solid lines mean do not cross.
Broken lines mean crossing is permitted when safe.

Solid Yellow Line
No passing, stay in your lane
Broken Yellow Line
Passing allowed when safe
Solid White Line
Lane changes discouraged
Broken White Line
Lane changes permitted

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