Illinois Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legends and tell drivers what they must or must not do; they are not suggestions.

Red is reserved for prohibitions and requirements: STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER, WRONG WAY. White-on-red means mandatory action or prohibition.

A red circle with a diagonal slash over a black symbol means the maneuver or vehicle type is prohibited.

Speed limit signs are white with black numerals; the number shown is the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions, and lower limits apply in rain, snow, or fog.

Regulatory signs in work zones may be orange instead of white, but the rule they state still carries the force of law.

A black-and-white rectangular sign with a right or left arrow plus the word ONLY marks a mandatory turn lane; through travel from that lane is prohibited.

NO PARKING and NO STANDING signs: no parking allows stopping to load or unload passengers; no standing allows only brief stops to pick up or drop off passengers.

One-way signs are black rectangles with a white arrow; a two-way traffic warning uses a yellow diamond with arrows in both directions.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legends and warn of conditions ahead; they do not change the speed limit but signal that slowing may be needed.

Yellow diamond plus a black arrow curving right or left indicates a curve ahead; a reverse curve sign shows an S-shaped arrow for two successive curves.

A yellow diamond with a pedestrian, bicycle, deer, or tractor symbol warns of that hazard crossing or sharing the roadway ahead.

Yellow diamond signs with horizontal lines sloping down to the left or right show a hill; a percentage plate below gives the grade steepness.

A yellow diamond showing a traffic signal or STOP AHEAD means a signal or stop sign is hidden or unexpected beyond the warning location.

Chevron signs (black on yellow rectangles, not diamonds) are placed through a curve to guide steering; they mark the direction of the turn.

A yellow diamond with two opposing arrows and a divider symbol warns of two-way traffic where a divided highway ends.

Winding road, slippery when wet, and crossroad signs are all yellow diamonds; the shape and color alone identify them as warnings, not regulations.

Guide signs are green with white legends on most conventional highways and interstates; they give route, destination, distance, and service information.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; the number of digits indicates the route type: one or two digits are main routes, three digits are loops or spurs.

Even-numbered interstate routes run east-west; odd-numbered routes run north-south. A three-digit route beginning with an even digit is a loop; odd is a spur.

Blue signs with white symbols mark motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, and hospitals.

Brown signs with white legends identify recreational, cultural, and scenic areas and points of interest.

Exit signs on interstates are green with white text; the exit number appears in a small panel at the top of the sign.

Mile markers are small green rectangles along the shoulder with the mile number; they help identify location in an emergency.

White rectangular signs with black legends give general information or regulations such as speed limits, parking rules, and lane use.

Orange is the color for construction and maintenance zones; orange diamond signs warn of work ahead and orange rectangles give regulations.

A black-on-orange diamond with a worker figure means road work or maintenance ahead; slow down and be prepared to stop.

A flagger symbol on an orange diamond warns that a person with a flag or sign is controlling traffic ahead.

Channelizing devices (cones, drums, barricades) and orange-and-white striped barricades mark lane closures; do not cross them.

Temporary traffic signals and flaggers in work zones have the same authority as permanent signals and officers.

Fines are doubled in many work zones when workers are present; posted signs may state this, and the rule applies even if workers are not visible in some states.

A sign reading ROAD CLOSED or DETOUR with an arrow directs traffic to an alternate route; follow the posted detour rather than turning around.

Pilot cars and one-lane-two-way operations use a yellow diamond sign with a FOLLOW ME plate; stay behind the pilot vehicle until it clears the zone.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons (the school symbol) or yellow-green diamonds; they mark the area and often carry a reduced speed limit.

A pentagon-shaped sign with a walking figure and children is the school crossing sign; its five-sided shape identifies it as a school zone warning.

School speed limits apply during posted hours or when beacons flash; outside those times the normal speed limit applies unless otherwise posted.

A yellow diamond with a pedestrian symbol warns of a pedestrian crossing ahead; stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.

A yellow diamond with a diagonal arrow and pedestrian symbol indicates a diagonal crossing or a crossing where pedestrians walk at an angle.

Crosswalk markings are white parallel bars or a ladder pattern; a stop line is a solid white bar across the lane before the crosswalk.

A yellow diamond showing children walking warns of a school or playground area; reduce speed and watch for children entering the roadway.

In Illinois, drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited when a pedestrian is present.

A round yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR is the railroad advance warning sign; it warns of a crossing ahead.

A white X-shaped crossbuck with the words RAILROAD CROSSING marks the crossing itself; yield to trains and stop if a train is approaching.

A yellow diamond with a black X and a smaller crossbuck below indicates a railroad crossing is ahead; slow down and look both ways.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop; do not proceed until the lights stop flashing and the way is clear.

A crossing gate arm lowered or lowering means stop and remain stopped until the gate is fully raised and the lights stop flashing.

A sign reading 2 TRACKS or 3 TRACKS below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks; a second train may follow the first.

A yellow diamond with a train symbol and EXEMPT plate means certain vehicles (such as buses or hazmat) may not be required to stop, but other drivers must still yield.

Never stop on railroad tracks; if traffic is backed up beyond the crossing, wait before crossing so you can clear the tracks completely.

A solid yellow center line separates traffic moving in opposite directions; a broken yellow line allows passing when safe.

A double solid yellow center line means no passing in either direction; a solid yellow line on your side means no passing from your lane.

White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; a broken white line allows lane changes, and a solid white line discourages them.

A solid white line across your lane at an intersection is a stop line; stop behind it, not on or past it.

Red curbs mean no stopping, standing, or parking; yellow curbs allow short stops for loading or unloading; white curbs allow brief stops to pick up or drop off passengers.

A flashing red signal means stop, then proceed when safe, like a stop sign; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

A steady red arrow means stop and do not turn in that direction; a steady green arrow means you may proceed in that direction only.

A steady yellow signal warns that the light is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, and do not enter the intersection on red.

Octagon = STOP; the eight-sided shape is used only for stop signs, so it is recognizable from any angle.

Inverted triangle (point down) = YIELD; the unique shape identifies the sign even when snow or dirt obscures the legend.

Diamond = warning; yellow diamonds warn of hazards, and orange diamonds warn of work zones.

Rectangle = regulatory or guide; white rectangles are regulatory, green rectangles are guide, and orange rectangles are work-zone regulations.

Pentagon = school zone or school crossing; the five-sided shape marks school areas and school crossings.

Round = railroad advance warning (yellow circle with black X and RR); crossbuck signs are X-shaped white boards at the crossing.

Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; yellow means warning; orange means construction; green means guide; blue means services; brown means recreation.

Fluorescent yellow-green marks school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings to increase visibility.

Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legends and tell drivers what they must or must not do; they are not suggestions.

Red is reserved for prohibitions and requirements: STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER, WRONG WAY. White-on-red means mandatory action or prohibition.

A red circle with a diagonal slash over a black symbol means the maneuver or vehicle type is prohibited.

Speed limit signs are white with black numerals; the number shown is the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions, and lower limits apply in rain, snow, or fog.

Regulatory signs in work zones may be orange instead of white, but the rule they state still carries the force of law.

A black-and-white rectangular sign with a right or left arrow plus the word ONLY marks a mandatory turn lane; through travel from that lane is prohibited.

NO PARKING and NO STANDING signs: no parking allows stopping to load or unload passengers; no standing allows only brief stops to pick up or drop off passengers.

One-way signs are black rectangles with a white arrow; a two-way traffic warning uses a yellow diamond with arrows in both directions.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legends and warn of conditions ahead; they do not change the speed limit but signal that slowing may be needed.

Yellow diamond plus a black arrow curving right or left indicates a curve ahead; a reverse curve sign shows an S-shaped arrow for two successive curves.

A yellow diamond with a pedestrian, bicycle, deer, or tractor symbol warns of that hazard crossing or sharing the roadway ahead.

Yellow diamond signs with horizontal lines sloping down to the left or right show a hill; a percentage plate below gives the grade steepness.

A yellow diamond showing a traffic signal or STOP AHEAD means a signal or stop sign is hidden or unexpected beyond the warning location.

Chevron signs (black on yellow rectangles, not diamonds) are placed through a curve to guide steering; they mark the direction of the turn.

A yellow diamond with two opposing arrows and a divider symbol warns of two-way traffic where a divided highway ends.

Winding road, slippery when wet, and crossroad signs are all yellow diamonds; the shape and color alone identify them as warnings, not regulations.

Guide signs are green with white legends on most conventional highways and interstates; they give route, destination, distance, and service information.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; the number of digits indicates the route type: one or two digits are main routes, three digits are loops or spurs.

Even-numbered interstate routes run east-west; odd-numbered routes run north-south. A three-digit route beginning with an even digit is a loop; odd is a spur.

Blue signs with white symbols mark motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, and hospitals.

Brown signs with white legends identify recreational, cultural, and scenic areas and points of interest.

Exit signs on interstates are green with white text; the exit number appears in a small panel at the top of the sign.

Mile markers are small green rectangles along the shoulder with the mile number; they help identify location in an emergency.

White rectangular signs with black legends give general information or regulations such as speed limits, parking rules, and lane use.

Orange is the color for construction and maintenance zones; orange diamond signs warn of work ahead and orange rectangles give regulations.

A black-on-orange diamond with a worker figure means road work or maintenance ahead; slow down and be prepared to stop.

A flagger symbol on an orange diamond warns that a person with a flag or sign is controlling traffic ahead.

Channelizing devices (cones, drums, barricades) and orange-and-white striped barricades mark lane closures; do not cross them.

Temporary traffic signals and flaggers in work zones have the same authority as permanent signals and officers.

Fines are doubled in many work zones when workers are present; posted signs may state this, and the rule applies even if workers are not visible in some states.

A sign reading ROAD CLOSED or DETOUR with an arrow directs traffic to an alternate route; follow the posted detour rather than turning around.

Pilot cars and one-lane-two-way operations use a yellow diamond sign with a FOLLOW ME plate; stay behind the pilot vehicle until it clears the zone.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons (the school symbol) or yellow-green diamonds; they mark the area and often carry a reduced speed limit.

A pentagon-shaped sign with a walking figure and children is the school crossing sign; its five-sided shape identifies it as a school zone warning.

School speed limits apply during posted hours or when beacons flash; outside those times the normal speed limit applies unless otherwise posted.

A yellow diamond with a pedestrian symbol warns of a pedestrian crossing ahead; stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.

A yellow diamond with a diagonal arrow and pedestrian symbol indicates a diagonal crossing or a crossing where pedestrians walk at an angle.

Crosswalk markings are white parallel bars or a ladder pattern; a stop line is a solid white bar across the lane before the crosswalk.

A yellow diamond showing children walking warns of a school or playground area; reduce speed and watch for children entering the roadway.

In Illinois, drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited when a pedestrian is present.

A round yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR is the railroad advance warning sign; it warns of a crossing ahead.

A white X-shaped crossbuck with the words RAILROAD CROSSING marks the crossing itself; yield to trains and stop if a train is approaching.

A yellow diamond with a black X and a smaller crossbuck below indicates a railroad crossing is ahead; slow down and look both ways.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop; do not proceed until the lights stop flashing and the way is clear.

A crossing gate arm lowered or lowering means stop and remain stopped until the gate is fully raised and the lights stop flashing.

A sign reading 2 TRACKS or 3 TRACKS below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks; a second train may follow the first.

A yellow diamond with a train symbol and EXEMPT plate means certain vehicles (such as buses or hazmat) may not be required to stop, but other drivers must still yield.

Never stop on railroad tracks; if traffic is backed up beyond the crossing, wait before crossing so you can clear the tracks completely.

A solid yellow center line separates traffic moving in opposite directions; a broken yellow line allows passing when safe.

A double solid yellow center line means no passing in either direction; a solid yellow line on your side means no passing from your lane.

White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; a broken white line allows lane changes, and a solid white line discourages them.

A solid white line across your lane at an intersection is a stop line; stop behind it, not on or past it.

Red curbs mean no stopping, standing, or parking; yellow curbs allow short stops for loading or unloading; white curbs allow brief stops to pick up or drop off passengers.

A flashing red signal means stop, then proceed when safe, like a stop sign; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

A steady red arrow means stop and do not turn in that direction; a steady green arrow means you may proceed in that direction only.

A steady yellow signal warns that the light is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, and do not enter the intersection on red.

Octagon = STOP; the eight-sided shape is used only for stop signs, so it is recognizable from any angle.

Inverted triangle (point down) = YIELD; the unique shape identifies the sign even when snow or dirt obscures the legend.

Diamond = warning; yellow diamonds warn of hazards, and orange diamonds warn of work zones.

Rectangle = regulatory or guide; white rectangles are regulatory, green rectangles are guide, and orange rectangles are work-zone regulations.

Pentagon = school zone or school crossing; the five-sided shape marks school areas and school crossings.

Round = railroad advance warning (yellow circle with black X and RR); crossbuck signs are X-shaped white boards at the crossing.

Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; yellow means warning; orange means construction; green means guide; blue means services; brown means recreation.

Fluorescent yellow-green marks school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings to increase visibility.