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Driver's written test · US signs
Road Signs: Shapes and What They Mean
25 terms · by ineedtostudy · updated 21 hours ago
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Flashcards
Flip through the deck and sort each card into “still learning” or “got it”.
Learn
Adaptive rounds — multiple choice first, then typing, weakest cards more often.
Match
Race the clock pairing terms with definitions. Six pairs a round.
Test
A graded mock exam: written, multiple choice and true/false, marked at the end.
Crossword
Terms become answers, definitions become clues. Solve it here or print it.
Terms in this set
Octagon
Stop. The only octagonal sign there is, so it can be recognised from behind and in the dark.
Upside-down triangle
Yield. Slow down and give way to traffic already in the intersection.
Diamond
Warning. A hazard or a change in the road ahead — a curve, a merge, a crossing.
Pennant, a sideways triangle
No passing zone. Posted on the left-hand side of the road, facing you.
Pentagon, point up
School zone or school crossing ahead.
Round
A railroad crossing ahead: the yellow circle with a black X and RR.
Crossbuck, a white X
The railroad crossing itself, at the tracks. Treat it as a yield sign.
Vertical rectangle
Regulatory — a law you must obey. Speed limit, one way, no turn on red.
Horizontal rectangle
Guide. Route markers, directions and distances.
Red
Stop, yield, or prohibited.
White with a black legend
Regulatory: the posted law.
Yellow
General warning of what is ahead.
Fluorescent yellow-green
Pedestrian, bicycle and school warnings — a separate colour so they stand out from ordinary yellow.
Orange
Construction and road work zones.
Green
Guidance: distances, directions and permitted movements.
Blue
Motorist services — food, fuel, lodging, hospitals.
Brown
Recreation and cultural sites: parks, trails, historic markers.
Pink
Incident management, used around a crash or other emergency.
A red circle with a slash
Prohibited. Whatever is pictured inside it is not allowed.
Flashing red light
Treat it as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go when it is clear.
Flashing yellow light
Proceed with caution — slow down and look before continuing.
Solid yellow line
Divides traffic moving in opposite directions. Do not cross a solid yellow on your side to pass.
Solid white line
Divides lanes moving in the same direction and discourages changing lanes.
Broken line
Passing or changing lanes is permitted when it is safe to do so.
Why shape and colour come first
They are standardised nationally so a sign is readable at distance, at night, and by somebody who cannot read the words. Your state handbook remains the authority on the rules themselves.