California Road Signs Practice key terms

A sign that states a law or requirement, such as a speed limit, stop, or yield, and that drivers must obey. Most are white with black or red markings and are rectangular or square.

A sign that alerts drivers to a hazard or change in road conditions ahead, such as a curve, hill, or merge. Usually yellow with black symbols and diamond-shaped.

A sign that gives information about routes, destinations, distances, or services rather than a rule. Examples include highway route markers, exit direction signs, and service symbols.

An eight-sided red sign with white letters that requires a full stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersection before proceeding when it is safe.

A downward-pointing triangle, red and white, that requires a driver to slow or stop as needed and let cross traffic, or traffic already in the intersection, go first.

A white rectangular sign with black numerals stating the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions. It is a regulatory sign, and driving faster is a violation even if traffic moves faster.

A yellow rectangular sign placed below a warning sign that suggests a safe speed for a curve, ramp, or other hazard. It is a recommendation, not the posted legal maximum.

A white X-shaped sign with black letters reading RAILROAD CROSSING, placed at a grade crossing. Drivers must yield to trains, and a crossbuck has the same effect as a yield sign.

A round yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR, placed before a railroad crossing to warn drivers to slow down, look, and listen for an approaching train.

A yellow pentagon-shaped sign, or a yellow diamond, marking an area near a school where children may be present. Posted school speed limits apply during stated hours or when children are present.

The standard shape for warning signs in California. Its color is usually yellow with black symbols, so drivers can recognize a hazard warning by shape even before reading the message.

The red, white, and blue shield-shaped route marker that identifies an Interstate highway. Even-numbered routes generally run east-west and odd-numbered routes generally run north-south.

A sign that identifies a numbered highway, such as a state route or county road. The shape and color of the marker tell drivers which type of route they are on.

The point where two traffic streams combine into one. Traffic entering a freeway must yield to traffic already on it, adjusting speed to fit into a safe gap.

A device using colored lights to control traffic at an intersection or crossing. Drivers must obey the signal, and a dark or flashing signal has its own rules.

A solid red signal means stop at the limit line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersection. In California, a right turn or left turn from a one-way street onto another one-way street may follow a full stop if no sign prohibits it.

A solid yellow signal warns that the light is about to turn red. A driver should stop if it can be done safely; entering on yellow when stopping is possible is a violation.

A red signal that blinks on and off. Drivers must come to a full stop and then proceed when safe, functioning like a stop sign; at a railroad crossing, it means a train is approaching.

A yellow signal that blinks on and off. It does not require a stop but warns drivers to slow down and proceed with caution, often used at intersections or before hazards.

A green arrow signal permits movement in the direction the arrow points. Traffic turning on a green arrow has the right-of-way over other traffic at the intersection.

In California, a driver may turn right after a full stop at a steady red light unless a sign prohibits it, yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic before entering the intersection.

The walk and don't-walk lights at a crosswalk. A flashing don't-walk means finish crossing; a steady don't-walk means do not start, and drivers must still yield to anyone in the crosswalk.

An overhead signal, often a red X or green arrow, that tells drivers whether a lane is open or closed. A red X means the lane is not usable in that direction.

Painted lines, arrows, or symbols on the road surface that guide and regulate traffic. Colors and patterns carry meaning, such as separating opposing traffic or marking a crosswalk.

A yellow line separating traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid yellow line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is allowed when safe.

Two solid yellow lines that prohibit passing or crossing into the opposing lane, except for a left turn into a driveway or when entering a designated turn area where permitted.

A white line separating lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. A broken white line may be crossed for a lane change when safe; a solid white line discourages or prohibits it.

The part of the road set aside for pedestrians to cross. It may be marked with white lines or exist unmarked at an intersection, and drivers must yield to pedestrians in it.

A solid white line across a lane that marks where vehicles must stop for a signal, stop sign, or crosswalk. If there is no limit line, drivers stop before the crosswalk or intersection edge.

Another name for the limit line: a solid white bar painted across a lane at an intersection. It shows the exact point where a vehicle must halt for a stop sign or red light.

A diamond symbol painted in a lane, often with solid white lines, marking a high-occupancy vehicle lane. Entry and exit rules apply, and the minimum number of occupants is posted.

The legal priority to proceed first in a traffic situation. It is not a right to take; a driver who has it must still yield if doing otherwise would cause a collision.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles proceed in the order they arrived; if two arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first.

An intersection with no signs or signals controlling the approaches. Drivers must yield to vehicles already in the intersection and to the vehicle on the right when arriving at the same time.

When turning left on a green light without a green arrow, a driver must yield to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk before completing the turn.

The California rule that a driver must never go faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Fog, rain, traffic, or road work can make the safe speed lower.

Overtaking and moving ahead of another vehicle. It is permitted only where lines and signs allow, and a driver must not pass when a solid yellow line or a no-passing zone applies.

The rule that drivers must yield to pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk and must not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, since that vehicle may be yielding to someone.