Ghana DVLA Road Signs Test key terms

A sign that states a legal requirement or prohibition, such as a speed limit, stop, or no-entry rule. Drivers must obey it; breaking the rule is a traffic offence.

A regulatory sign, usually a red circle, that forbids a specific action such as entering, overtaking, parking, or turning. The prohibition applies until another sign cancels it.

A regulatory sign, usually a blue circle, that orders a driver to take a particular action or use a particular route, such as turning left ahead or keeping to the right of an island.

An octagonal red sign marked STOP. A driver must bring the vehicle to a complete halt at the stop line or before the junction, check that the way is clear, and give way before moving off.

An inverted triangle sign warning that traffic on the road ahead has priority. The driver must slow down, be ready to stop, and let other vehicles pass before joining or crossing.

A red circle containing a white horizontal bar. It marks a road or lane that vehicles may not enter, often the exit of a one-way street or a restricted access point.

A circular sign showing the maximum speed in kilometres per hour allowed on that road. The limit applies from the sign until a different limit or an end-of-limit sign appears.

A sign or marking banning drivers from passing other vehicles on a stretch of road, usually because visibility or space is limited. The ban ends at a cancellation sign or broken line.

A rectangular sign with an arrow showing that traffic on that road flows in one direction only. Drivers may not travel against the arrow, and parking may face only one way.

A sign announcing a marked place where pedestrians have priority to cross. Drivers must slow down, be ready to stop, and give way to anyone on or stepping onto the crossing.

A sign, usually a triangle with a red border, that alerts drivers to a hazard ahead such as a bend, junction, school, or uneven road. It tells you to adjust speed and be prepared.

A sign with a large arrow or series of arrows placed at a sharp bend or hazard. It shows the direction the road turns and warns drivers to reduce speed before the curve.

A triangular warning sign with a curved arrow showing a bend to the left or right ahead. A double arrow indicates a series of bends, so speed should be reduced early.

A triangular warning sign showing the carriageway becoming narrower ahead, either from both sides or from one side. Drivers should slow down and be ready to give way.

A triangular sign showing side roads joining or crossing ahead, sometimes with a priority road symbol. It warns the driver to expect other vehicles entering or crossing the road.

A warning sign or a hand-held STOP sign used near schools to protect children crossing. Drivers must obey the patrol's signal and stop when instructed, even without a red light.

A post or board, often with black and yellow or red and white stripes, placed at an obstacle or road edge such as a bridge pier, island, or sharp bend to make it visible.

A triangular warning sign showing a car with skid marks, placed where the surface may be wet, oily, or loose. Drivers should slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering.

A triangular warning sign showing a person digging, placed before construction or maintenance work. Drivers should reduce speed, watch for workers and equipment, and obey temporary signs and flaggers.

A warning sign showing a train or a gate, placed before a place where the road crosses railway tracks. Drivers must slow down, look and listen, and never stop on the tracks.

A signal with red, amber, and green lamps controlling traffic at a junction or crossing. Red means stop, green means proceed if clear, and amber means stop unless it is unsafe to do so.

The signal that requires all vehicles to stop behind the stop line or signal. Proceeding on red is a serious offence and a common cause of collisions at junctions.

The signal between green and red warning that the light is about to turn red. A driver should stop unless doing so suddenly would be unsafe, for example when already too close to stop.

The signal permitting traffic to proceed, but only if the junction is clear and it is safe. A green light does not give an automatic right of way over pedestrians already crossing.

A signal, often at a pedestrian crossing or minor junction, warning drivers to proceed with caution. It usually means give way to pedestrians and other traffic rather than an automatic right of way.

A solid white line painted across a lane at a stop sign, traffic light, or junction. Vehicles must halt before this line, not beyond it, so crossings and junctions stay clear.

A broken white line across a lane marking where drivers must give way. It is paired with a give-way sign and shows the point before which a driver should wait for a safe gap.

A solid white line along the centre or edge of the road that drivers should not cross. A centre line of this kind usually bans overtaking and lane changing where visibility is poor.

A dashed white line marking lanes or the centre of the road. Drivers may cross it to overtake or change lanes when it is safe and the way ahead is clear.

A pedestrian crossing marked by broad white stripes across the road, often with a sign. Drivers must slow down and give way to pedestrians on the crossing or clearly waiting to cross.

Painted lines or stripes on the road that show where pedestrians should cross. Drivers must keep the marked area clear and not stop or park on it.

A junction area marked with a yellow criss-cross pattern. Drivers may enter only if their exit is clear, so the box is not blocked when the lights change.

The maximum speed in kilometres per hour that the law allows on a given road. It is set by signs and applies in all conditions, even when the road looks clear.

The gap kept behind the vehicle ahead so there is time to stop if it brakes suddenly. The two-second rule is a simple guide in good conditions; increase it in rain, darkness, or heavy traffic.

A method of judging following distance: pick a fixed object ahead, and after the vehicle in front passes it, count two seconds before you reach it. Fewer than two seconds means you are too close.

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment the brakes are applied until it stops. It grows with speed, and on wet or loose surfaces it can be much longer than on dry tarmac.

Passing another vehicle travelling in the same direction, usually by moving into a lane or the opposite side of the road. It should only be done when legal, visible, and clearly safe.

Loss of grip between tyres and road so the vehicle slides rather than follows the steering. It is caused by harsh braking, sudden steering, or speed too high for wet or loose surfaces.

The area around a vehicle that the mirrors do not show. Drivers should turn their head to check it before changing lanes or pulling out, and keep clear of other vehicles' blind spots.