Signs, Signals and Road Markings
The language of the road
Signs and markings tell you what the law requires and what the road will do next. Learn the shapes and colours: octagon = stop; inverted triangle = yield; diamond = warning; rectangle = regulatory or information; pennant = no passing. In BC, yellow signs warn, orange signs mark construction, white signs are regulatory, and green signs give direction.
Signals and markings
Know traffic-light meanings, including flashing red (treat as a stop sign) and flashing amber (proceed with caution). Road markings: solid yellow = no passing, broken yellow = passing permitted when safe, solid white = same-direction lane edge or crosswalk, broken white = lane divider. Expect questions on stop lines, crosswalks, bike lanes, and chevron markings on curves.
Traps to expect
Questions mix up warning and regulatory signs - a yellow diamond warns of a hazard, it does not set a speed. Another trap: treating a flashing amber as a green, or ignoring construction zone reduced limits that apply even when workers aren't visible. Watch for questions on railway crossings (crossbuck, lights, gates) and school-zone signs with times.
Worked rule of thumb
See a yellow diamond with a curve arrow? It's a warning: slow before the curve, don't wait until you're in it. See a white rectangle with a number and "MAXIMUM"? That's regulatory and enforceable.