Road Signs, Signals, and Markings
Reading the road
Signs, signals, and pavement markings tell you what is coming and what is required. Learn them by shape and color first, because that recognition is what exam questions reward.
Signs by shape and color
- Octagon (red) = STOP. Triangle (red/white) = YIELD.
- Diamond (yellow) = warning. Pennant (yellow) = no-passing zone ahead.
- Rectangle (white/black) = regulatory. Green = guide/distance. Brown = recreation. Orange = construction. Blue = services.
Signals and markings
A flashing red means stop, then proceed when safe - like a stop sign. A flashing yellow means slow and proceed with caution. A solid yellow light warns the light is about to turn red; do not speed up to beat it. Pavement markings: a solid yellow line on your side means no passing; broken yellow allows passing when safe; double solid yellow means no passing either direction. White lines separate traffic moving the same way.
Traps
The test loves swapping a flashing yellow (caution) with a flashing red (stop). It also tests whether a yellow diamond is a warning rather than a regulation. Do not confuse a pennant (no-passing ahead) with a yield triangle.
Rule of thumb
"Yellow warns, red commands, orange works, green guides." If a sign is diamond-shaped, expect a hazard ahead, not a rule you must obey on the spot.