Indiana Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs tell drivers what they must do or must not do; they are enforceable rules, not suggestions.

White background with black legend and black border marks most regulatory signs, such as speed limits and turn restrictions.

Red and white signs carry prohibitions: STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER, and WRONG WAY all use red as the commanding color.

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

Speed limit signs show the maximum lawful speed in miles per hour under normal conditions; lower posted limits apply in work and school zones.

A black-and-white ONE WAY arrow sign indicates traffic flows only in the arrow direction; facing arrows warn of opposing one-way flow.

YIELD requires slowing and giving the right-of-way; stop only if traffic, pedestrians, or a safe gap requires it.

STOP means a complete halt at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway before proceeding when clear.

A red octagon always means STOP and a red-and-white downward triangle always means YIELD, regardless of legend.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legends or symbols in rural and general use; they alert to conditions ahead.

A yellow diamond with a black arrow bent to the right or left warns of a curve ahead; a reverse curve sign shows an S-shape.

Winding road signs show a squiggly arrow and indicate a series of curves rather than a single curve.

Yellow diamond signs with a pedestrian, bicycle, deer, or farm equipment symbol warn of those hazards crossing or sharing the road.

A yellow diamond showing a downward slope warns of a steep hill; truck escape ramp or grade percentage may be posted separately.

Advisory speed plaques are yellow rectangles with black numbers mounted below warning signs; they are recommended, not the legal limit.

Chevron signs (black on yellow, one-direction arrow) mark the outside of sharp curves and guide drivers through the turn.

Two-way traffic and lane-ends signs warn that a passing or merging lane is ending; merge left or right as directed.

Fluorescent yellow-green is used for pedestrian, bicycle, and school warning signs to increase visibility.

Guide signs give directions, distances, destinations, and services; they are informational rather than regulatory.

Green guide signs mark destinations, exits, and mileage on interstates and major highways.

Blue signs mark motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, camping, and hospitals.

Brown signs identify recreational, cultural, and historical points of interest.

White rectangular signs with black legends provide regulatory or informational messages such as speed limits and lane use.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; U.S. route markers are white shields with black numbers.

Exit number signs appear above or beside exit direction signs and indicate the exit's milepost or sequential number.

Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers placed along the shoulder at one-mile intervals.

Orange is the standard color for construction and maintenance warning signs, including workers, flaggers, and lane closures.

A diamond-shaped orange sign with a worker symbol warns of road work ahead; reduce speed and watch for equipment.

Flagger signs show a person holding a sign or flag and warn that traffic is being manually controlled.

Channelizing devices include cones, drums, barricades, and tubular markers; they define the travel path through a work zone.

A white rectangular sign with black legend reading 'FINES DOUBLE IN WORK ZONE' indicates increased penalties for violations.

Temporary rumble strips and portable changeable message signs are common work-zone traffic control devices.

Work zone speed limits are posted in advance of the work area; they remain in effect until an end-work-zone sign appears.

A flagger's STOP/SLOW paddle controls traffic; obey the paddle even when no other signal is present.

Detour signs are typically orange or black-on-white and direct traffic around a closed route.

Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon signs mark school zones and school crossings.

A pentagon-shaped sign with a pedestrian symbol indicates a school crossing ahead.

School zone speed limits are posted on white regulatory signs and apply during posted hours or when children are present.

Crosswalk signs and in-street pedestrian crossing signs require drivers to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

A pedestrian crossing sign (yellow diamond with walking figure) warns of a crosswalk ahead, not necessarily a school zone.

Stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm; proceed only when the lights stop and arm retracts.

School bus stop-arm violations are enforced on both sides of a two-way road; divided highways may exempt opposing traffic.

Crossing guards use hand signals and stop paddles; drivers must obey their directions.

Watch for children walking or biking near schools during arrival and dismissal hours.

A circular yellow sign with a black X and two R's marks a railroad crossing ahead.

A white X-shaped crossbuck sign with black letters marks the crossing itself; yield to trains.

Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing mean stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gate is fully raised.

Never drive around a lowered gate or attempt to beat a train; trains cannot stop quickly.

Pavement markings before a railroad crossing include a large white X and the letters RR.

A sign reading '3 TRACKS' or similar under a crossbuck indicates multiple tracks; watch for a second train.

Some crossings have no gates or lights; stop, look, and listen before crossing.

A yellow diamond sign with a train symbol warns of a railroad crossing ahead where sight distance is limited.

Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; it appears on STOP, YIELD, DO NOT ENTER, and WRONG WAY signs.

Yellow warns of hazards ahead; most warning signs are yellow diamonds.

Orange marks construction and maintenance zones.

Green guides to destinations and distances on highways.

Blue indicates motorist services such as fuel, food, and lodging.

Brown identifies recreational and cultural areas.

White with black legend indicates regulatory requirements or information.

A red octagon is STOP; a red-and-white downward triangle is YIELD; a yellow diamond is a warning; a yellow pentagon is a school zone.

A white X-shaped crossbuck marks a railroad crossing; a circular yellow sign with an X warns of one ahead.

A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe.

Two solid yellow lines mean no passing in either direction; a solid and broken yellow line permits passing only on the side with the broken line.

White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction; solid white means stay in lane, broken white means lane changes are allowed.

A solid white line at an intersection or edge marks the stop line or crosswalk boundary.

A red traffic signal means stop; a flashing red signal means stop, then proceed when clear.

A yellow traffic signal means the light is about to turn red; stop if it is safe to do so.

A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution; a green arrow means protected movement in the arrow direction.

A steady green signal means proceed when clear; a green arrow gives the right-of-way for that movement.

Pavement arrows indicate required lane movements; a straight-arrow lane does not permit turning.

A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe.

Two solid yellow lines mean no passing in either direction; a solid and broken yellow line permits passing only on the side with the broken line.

White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction; solid white means stay in lane, broken white means lane changes are allowed.

A solid white line at an intersection or edge marks the stop line or crosswalk boundary.

A red traffic signal means stop; a flashing red signal means stop, then proceed when clear.

A yellow traffic signal means the light is about to turn red; stop if it is safe to do so.

A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution; a green arrow means protected movement in the arrow direction.

A steady green signal means proceed when clear; a green arrow gives the right-of-way for that movement.

Pavement arrows indicate required lane movements; a straight-arrow lane does not permit turning.