Traffic Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
This domain tests sign and marking recognition by shape, color, and meaning, plus signal obedience. Instructor candidates must explain not only what a device means but what action it requires.
Sign shapes and colors
- Octagon means stop; inverted triangle means yield; pennant means no passing; diamond means warning; pentagon means school zone; circle means railroad advance warning.
- Red means stop or prohibition; yellow means warning; fluorescent pink or orange means incident or work zone; green means direction or permission; blue means services; brown means recreation or cultural site.
- Regulatory signs are generally white with black or red; warning signs are usually yellow with black; guide signs are green, blue, or brown.
Signals and markings
- Solid red: stop. Flashing red: stop, then proceed when safe. Solid yellow: prepare to stop. Flashing yellow: proceed with caution. Green arrow: protected movement in the arrow direction.
- Yellow center lines separate opposing traffic; white lines separate same-direction traffic or mark the edge. Broken lines may be crossed when safe; solid lines generally may not.
- A shared center left-turn lane is for left turns only, not passing or travel.
Worked example
A driver faces a flashing yellow left-turn arrow. The arrow does not protect the turn; the driver may turn left only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. If the arrow were a solid green arrow, oncoming traffic would be stopped and the turn would be protected. The distinction is the word “flashing” and the duty to yield.
Traps that cost marks
Do not confuse a flashing yellow arrow with a protected green arrow. Do not treat orange work-zone signs as ordinary yellow warnings. Do not say a solid yellow light means “speed up.” Do not cross a solid yellow center line to pass unless a specific exception applies.
Exam focus
Link each device to a driver action: stop, yield, warn, guide, or prohibit.