Road Signs, Signals and Markings
What this domain tests
Sign and marking questions test instant recognition: the shape and colour tell you the sign family before you read the symbol. You must also know that a police officer’s signals override traffic lights and signs.
Sign families
- Circular signs with a red border are prohibitory: no entry, speed limit, no parking, no overtaking.
- Triangular signs with a red border are warnings: bend, junction, pedestrian crossing, slippery road.
- Rectangular blue or green signs give information or direction; blue circles often impose a mandatory instruction.
- The STOP sign is a red octagon. Give Way is an inverted triangle. A red circle with a white horizontal bar means no entry.
Traffic lights and markings
- Red means stop before the stop line. Amber means stop unless you are so close that stopping safely is impossible; it is not a signal to accelerate. Green means proceed only if the junction or crossing is clear.
- A continuous white centre line must not be crossed. A broken white line may be crossed if safe. Yellow lines and zig-zag markings restrict parking, especially near crossings and stops.
- A zebra crossing gives pedestrians priority once they are on it; approach ready to stop.
Worked example
A driver sees amber at a junction and accelerates. Reasoning: amber warns that red is about to follow. The lawful and safe response is to stop if the vehicle can do so safely. Accelerating risks entering on red and colliding with crossing traffic. The exception is being too close to stop safely, in which case proceed cautiously and clear the junction.
Traps that cost marks
Confusing no entry with no parking; ignoring road markings because a sign is absent; proceeding on green without checking the exit is clear; failing to obey a police officer directing traffic; treating a flashing signal as a normal green.
Key points
- Shape and colour identify the sign family before the symbol.
- Red octagon = STOP; inverted triangle = Give Way.
- Continuous white line = no crossing; broken line = cross only if safe.
- Amber means stop if safe; it does not mean accelerate.
- Police signals override lights and signs.
- Give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing.