DC Road Signs Practice flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Regulatory sign appearance

White rectangle with a black legend, or red-and-white for STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER, and WRONG WAY. These signs state legal requirements, and disobeying one is a traffic violation.

STOP sign requirement

A red octagon requires a full stop at the marked stop line, before the crosswalk, or before entering the intersection. Proceed only after yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic.

YIELD sign meaning

An inverted red-and-white triangle requires slowing and stopping only if needed to let cross traffic or pedestrians go first. Entering without yielding when traffic is present is a violation.

Posted speed limit

A white sign with black numerals giving the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions. Rain, fog, ice, or heavy traffic can make a lower speed the safe and lawful choice.

No-passing zone sign

A regulatory sign marking where passing is prohibited, usually paired with a solid yellow center line. The restriction applies until a sign or marking cancels it.

Warning sign shape and color

Yellow diamond with black symbol or legend. It alerts drivers to a condition ahead and does not by itself change the legal speed limit; adjust speed before reaching the hazard.

Advisory speed plaque

A small yellow plaque under a curve or ramp warning giving a recommended safe speed for the condition. It is advisory, not the legal maximum unless posted as a regulatory limit.

School zone warning sign

A five-sided yellow or fluorescent yellow-green sign marking a school area. Posted reduced speeds typically apply during stated hours or when children are present.

Railroad advance warning

A round yellow sign with a black X and RR letters placed before a crossing. It warns of tracks ahead; crossbucks mark the crossing itself.

Slippery when wet sign

A yellow diamond warning that the road surface loses traction when wet. Reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering before reaching the marked area.

Green guide sign

White-on-green sign giving destinations, distances, exit numbers, and lane assignments. It informs rather than regulates, so separate regulatory signs still control speed and lane use.

Blue service sign

White-on-blue sign showing motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, and hospitals. It gives information only and imposes no legal requirement on the driver.

Brown recreation sign

White-on-brown sign marking parks, recreation areas, and cultural or historic sites. It is a guide sign and does not change speed limits or lane rules.

Interstate route marker

A red, white, and blue shield identifying an Interstate highway. U.S. route markers are white shields with black numerals, and state route markers vary by state.

Exit-only guide sign

A green sign with an arrow showing a lane that must exit. The lane ends at the exit and cannot continue through, so change lanes early if continuing.

Orange work zone signs

Orange diamond or rectangular signs mark temporary construction and maintenance areas. They warn of lane shifts, workers, and closures, and override permanent signs where they conflict.

Flagger authority

A flagger directing traffic has the same authority as a sign or signal. Stop when the flagger shows a STOP paddle or hand signal, and proceed only when waved on.

Arrow board meaning

A flashing arrow panel on a trailer or truck directs traffic away from a closed lane. Follow the arrow and merge early rather than waiting until the lane ends.

Work zone speed limit

A posted temporary speed limit in a work zone is enforceable as posted, often with increased penalties for violations. Reduce speed and increase following distance through the zone.

Channelizing devices

Cones, drums, and barricades that guide traffic around a work area. Do not cross them; they separate traffic from workers, equipment, and unfinished pavement.

Solid yellow center line

A solid yellow line means no passing for traffic on that side. A broken yellow line permits passing when safe, and double solid yellow prohibits passing in both directions.

Solid white edge line

A solid white line marks the right edge of the roadway or a lane that should not be crossed. Broken white lines separate lanes that may be crossed when safe.

Flashing red signal

Treat a flashing red light like a STOP sign: come to a full stop, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when clear.

Flashing yellow signal

A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution. Scan for cross traffic and pedestrians; a full stop is not required unless traffic or a hazard demands it.

Protected green arrow

A green arrow means the indicated movement has the right of way over conflicting traffic. Proceed in the arrow direction while still watching for pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.

Red circle with slash

A red circle with a diagonal slash over a black symbol means the action or vehicle type shown is prohibited, such as no left turn or no trucks.

Octagon and triangle shapes

The octagon is reserved for STOP and the inverted triangle for YIELD. Shape alone identifies the required action, even before the legend can be read.

Diamond and pentagon shapes

The diamond marks warning signs, and the five-sided pentagon marks school zones or school crossings. Both are warning shapes, not regulatory ones.

Railroad crossbuck

A white X-shaped sign with black letters marking a railroad crossing. It identifies the crossing itself, while round yellow signs give advance warning before the tracks.

Sign color meanings

Red means stop or prohibition, white means regulatory, yellow means warning, orange means work zone, green means guide, blue means services, and brown means recreation.

Responding to warning signs

Identify shape and color first, then reduce speed before reaching the hazard. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes or merging for the condition ahead.

Approaching a STOP sign

Scan for pedestrians and cross traffic, stop completely behind the line or crosswalk, then proceed only when clear. A rolling stop is a violation even when no traffic is visible.