Guide and informational signs (route markers, destinations, services, exits)
Guide signs help you navigate rather than regulate or warn. Delaware's exam tests route-marker shapes, the color system for destinations and services, and how to read exit and distance information without drifting into the wrong lane.
Core rules
- Green signs give destinations, distances, and directions. Read them early and choose your lane well before the exit.
- Blue signs show motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, and hospitals. Brown signs show recreation and cultural attractions.
- Route markers: Interstate routes use the red, white, and blue shield. U.S. routes use the white shield with black numerals. Delaware state routes use a white oval marker with black lettering and a small "DEL." County and local route markers are different again.
- Exit signs: Delaware's interstate exits use milepost-based numbers. An exit number is not a route number and not a speed. A yellow "EXIT ONLY" panel means that lane must exit; it will not continue through.
- Mile markers help you report your location and estimate distance. They are small green signs along the shoulder.
Worked example
A green sign reads "Wilmington 18" above "Dover 42," with a straight-ahead arrow. This is a destination-and-distance guide sign, not a lane assignment. If a separate sign above your lane says "EXIT ONLY," that lane must leave the highway even though the destination sign points straight ahead. Move to a through lane before the solid white line.
Traps that cost marks
Blue is for services, brown for recreation, and green for destinations; mixing them up loses easy points. The Interstate shield, U.S. shield, and Delaware oval are different markers. An exit number is not a route number. Do not cross a solid white line at the gore area because you misread an EXIT ONLY panel.
Key points
- Green: destinations and distances.
- Blue: services; brown: recreation.
- Interstate shield, U.S. shield, and Delaware oval are distinct markers.
- Delaware interstate exits use milepost-based numbers.
- EXIT ONLY means the lane must leave the highway.
- Read guide signs early and change lanes before the solid line.