Maryland Road Signs Practice flashcards

34 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

STOP sign shape

The STOP sign is the only octagon used on U.S. roadways. Its eight sides make it recognizable from any angle, including the back, so drivers can identify it even when the legend is obscured.

YIELD sign meaning

An inverted red-bordered triangle requiring you to slow and give right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians. You must stop only if necessary to avoid conflict; failing to yield when required is a violation.

DO NOT ENTER sign

A red square with a white horizontal bar and the words DO NOT ENTER. It marks the wrong end of a one-way street or restricted roadway; passing it is illegal and dangerous.

Speed limit sign

A white rectangle with black numerals stating the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions. Driving faster than the posted limit is illegal regardless of traffic; driving slower may still be unsafe.

No U-Turn sign

A white regulatory sign with a red circle and slash over a U-shaped arrow. It prohibits making a U-turn at that location; the restriction applies to all vehicles unless a plaque states otherwise.

Warning sign color

Most warning signs are yellow diamonds with black symbols or words. Yellow signals a condition ahead requiring attention or speed reduction, not a legal command.

Advisory speed plaque

A yellow rectangular plaque with black numerals mounted below a warning sign. It gives the recommended maximum speed for that curve or condition, often lower than the posted limit.

Reverse curve sign

A yellow diamond showing an S-shaped arrow, warning of two curves in opposite directions in close succession. Slow before the first curve; the second may be sharper than it appears.

Merging traffic sign

A yellow diamond showing an arrow joining your lane from the side. Traffic from the entering lane will merge into your path; adjust speed or change lanes to allow a safe merge.

Lane ends sign

A yellow diamond showing a lane terminating and an arrow indicating the merge direction. Unlike an added lane sign, it means your lane will end and you must merge.

Object marker stripes

Diagonal stripes on a hazard marker or barricade slant downward toward the side on which traffic should pass. The low end of the stripes points to the safe side.

Green guide sign

Green rectangular signs give destinations, route numbers, exit numbers, and distances. On freeways they direct traffic to exits and through routes; they are informational, not regulatory.

Blue service sign

Blue signs mark traveler services such as fuel, food, lodging, hospitals, and rest areas. They identify available facilities ahead and are placed before the exit serving them.

Brown recreational sign

Brown signs identify parks, historic sites, and recreational or cultural attractions. They guide tourists to destinations and often appear near exits serving those facilities.

Interstate route shield

The red, white, and blue shield marks Interstate highways. Even-numbered interstates generally run east-west; odd-numbered ones generally run north-south; three-digit numbers are spurs or loops.

Changeable message sign

An electronic highway sign displaying real-time information such as crashes, closures, or delays. The message is advisory but reflects current conditions and should prompt speed or route adjustments.

Orange work zone signs

Orange diamonds with black symbols warn of construction and maintenance activity. Orange is reserved for work zones, distinguishing temporary conditions from permanent yellow warnings.

Flagger sign

A yellow-orange diamond showing a person holding a flag, warning that a flagger controls traffic ahead. The flagger's directions override signs and signals; stop or proceed as signaled.

Work zone doubled fines

Maryland doubles fines for moving violations in posted work zones when workers are present. The higher penalty applies throughout the marked zone, not only near the work activity.

Channelizing devices

Cones, drums, and barricades that define the travel path through a work zone. They separate traffic from workers and equipment; crossing or striking them is a violation.

Pilot car procedure

In short single-lane work zones, a pilot car leads traffic through in one direction at a time. Follow it at the gap it sets and do not pass it.

School zone sign shape

A yellow-green pentagon marks school zones and school crossings. The five-sided shape is reserved for school warnings, making it recognizable even when partly obscured.

School zone speed limit

A posted lower limit that applies during stated hours or when children are present. Flashing beacons, where installed, define the enforceable period; fines may be doubled.

Crossing guard authority

A crossing guard's signals override signs and traffic signals. Drivers must stop when signaled and remain stopped until the guard clears the roadway and releases traffic.

School bus red lights

Flashing red lights and an extended stop arm mean stop in both directions on an undivided road. On a divided highway, oncoming traffic separated by a median need not stop.

Yellow center line

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid yellow line on your side prohibits passing; a broken yellow line permits passing when safe.

Solid white edge line

A solid white line marking the right edge of the roadway. It separates the travel lane from the shoulder; crossing it is permitted only when necessary, such as for a stop.

Flashing red signal

A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign: stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe. It is common at malfunctioning or low-volume intersections.

Steady yellow signal

A steady yellow light warns that the signal is changing to red. Stop if you can do so safely; if you cannot, proceed through the intersection without accelerating.

Green arrow signal

A green arrow gives a protected right-of-way for the indicated movement. Oncoming traffic faces a red light during the protected phase, so the turn or movement is unobstructed.

Red X lane signal

A red X above a lane means the lane is closed to your direction of travel. A green arrow means the lane is open; a yellow X means the lane is ending and you should move.

Railroad crossbuck

A white X-shaped sign reading RAILROAD CROSSING marks the crossing itself. It means yield to trains; trains always have the right-of-way and cannot stop quickly.

Multiple track sign

A plaque reading 2 TRACKS or 3 TRACKS warns that more than one train may pass. After one train clears, a second may follow in either direction before the crossing is safe.

Bridge ices before road

A warning sign noting that bridge decks freeze before the road surface because cold air circulates beneath them. Reduce speed and avoid sudden braking on bridges in cold weather.