Maine Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legends and tell drivers what they must or must not do; a red circle with a slash means the action is prohibited.

R2-series SPEED LIMIT signs state the maximum lawful speed in mph; Maine default statutory limits apply where no sign is posted (25 mph in business and residential districts, 45 mph on other public ways unless otherwise posted).

Lane-use signs: a white-on-black one-way arrow panel marks a one-way roadway; a yellow diamond with a black arrow curving back marks a reverse turn; a white square with a left-turn arrow and slash prohibits that turn.

NO PASSING ZONE uses a yellow pennant (triangle) shape, the only pennant-shaped sign in the U.S. system; it is placed on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic at the start of the no-passing zone.

Weight and height limits appear on white regulatory rectangles (for example R12-series weight limit, R11-series height); a black-on-white downward-pointing arrow with a dimension shows the maximum clearance.

A red circle with a slash over a symbol, or the word NO with a symbol, is a prohibition; the same symbol without the slash is a requirement or permission.

YIELD means slow or stop and give the right-of-way; STOP means a full stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection.

A white rectangular sign with a black bicycle symbol and the word LANE marks a mandatory bike lane; a shared-lane marking (sharrow) is a pavement symbol, not a regulatory sign.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black symbols or legends; they alert drivers to a condition ahead and do not themselves change the speed limit.

Curve warnings: a single arrow curving right or left marks a turn; an arrow with a speed plate (advisory speed) below it shows the recommended safe speed through the curve, not the legal limit.

Winding road (S-curve) and reverse curve signs use two arrows; a hairpin or 270-degree loop uses a sharper arrow symbol.

Intersection warnings: a crossroad symbol (four-way), a side-road symbol (T or Y), and a roundabout symbol (three arrows in a circle) each mark a different junction type ahead.

Merge and lane-end warnings: two arrows converging mean traffic merges from the right or left; a lane-end symbol shows a lane dropping out; added-lane signs show a new lane appearing.

Narrow bridge and underpass warnings use a symbol of a road pinching inward; a clearance plate may show the restricted width or height.

Hill warnings: a steep-grade symbol shows the percent grade (for example 8% GRADE) and direction; truck escape ramp signs are yellow with a black truck symbol.

Road-surface warnings include SLIPPERY WHEN WET, loose gravel, and pavement ends; these are yellow diamonds and call for reduced speed, not a legal limit.

Orange is the color reserved for construction and maintenance zones; orange diamond signs warn, orange rectangular signs regulate, and orange channelizing devices guide traffic.

A flagger holding a STOP/SLOW paddle has the same authority as a stop sign; drivers must obey the paddle and stop where directed, not merely slow down.

Channelizing devices include cones, tubular markers, drums, and barricades; a Type III barricade with diagonal stripes closes a road, while chevron drums guide traffic around a curve.

Temporary traffic signals in work zones control alternating one-lane traffic; a red light means stop even if no workers are visible.

Work zone speed limits posted on orange signs are enforceable; fines are commonly doubled when workers are present, so the posted work-zone limit governs.

Flagger stations use an advance warning sign (usually with a distance plate) followed by the flagger; drivers should be prepared to stop before reaching the flagger.

Arrow boards and changeable message signs direct lane shifts; a flashing arrow pointing left or right means move out of the closed lane in that direction.

Pavement markings in work zones may be temporary and orange or black; temporary markings override faded permanent lines when workers are present.

School signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons (school advance) and school speed limit signs; the pentagon shape is used only for school zones and school crossings.

A school crossing sign shows walking children; a school bus stop ahead sign warns of stopped buses; both are fluorescent yellow-green.

Crosswalk signs are fluorescent yellow-green or yellow with a pedestrian symbol; in-street pedestrian crossing signs are placed in the roadway at the crosswalk.

A crossing guard with a stop paddle has authority to stop traffic; drivers must stop and remain stopped until the guard and children have cleared the roadway.

Shared-lane markings (sharrows) are white bicycle-and-chevron symbols painted in a travel lane to show that bicyclists may use the full lane.

A bicycle lane sign is white and regulatory; a yellow diamond with a bicycle symbol warns of bicyclists crossing or sharing the road ahead.

Pedestrian signals: a walking person means proceed; a raised hand means do not start crossing; a flashing hand means finish crossing but do not begin.

No-passing and parking restrictions near schools and crosswalks may be posted separately; a curb painted yellow or red indicates parking restrictions, not a crosswalk.

The crossbuck is a white X-shaped sign with black letters reading RAILROAD CROSSING; it marks the crossing and drivers must yield to trains.

A crossbuck with a number plate below it (for example 2 TRACKS) tells how many tracks are present; more than one track means a second train may follow the first.

Advance warning signs are yellow circles with a black X and R R, placed ahead of the crossing with a distance plate (for example 500 FEET).

Pavement markings at crossings include a white X with R R on each side and a stop line; drivers stop at the stop line, not on the tracks.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the gates are fully raised; never drive around a lowered gate.

A gate arm lowered across the lane is a positive stop; crossing when gates are down or lights are flashing is illegal and dangerous.

Light rail and streetcar crossings may use the same crossbuck and signals but often lack gates; trains can approach quietly, so look both ways before crossing.

A white rectangular sign reading EXEMPT or a blue emergency-notification sign at a crossing provides driver information; the blue sign lists a phone number to report emergencies.

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

The interstate shield is red, white, and blue with the word INTERSTATE and a route number; even numbers run east-west and odd numbers run north-south.

A three-digit interstate number beginning with an even digit is a loop or bypass; beginning with an odd digit is a spur into a city.

Exit signs on interstates are green with white text; exit numbers generally correspond to mileposts along the route.

Mileposts are small green signs with white numbers placed at one-mile intervals; they help locate a position for emergencies and directions.

Service signs are blue with white symbols (gas, food, lodging, hospital, phone); recreational and cultural signs are brown with white legends.

Route markers for state and U.S. highways differ in shape and color from the interstate shield; U.S. routes use a white shield with black numerals.

A white rectangular sign with a black arrow and destination name is a directional guide sign; a green sign with an exit tab and arrow marks an upcoming exit.

Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; white means regulation; yellow means warning; orange means construction; green means guide and direction; blue means services; brown means recreation; fluorescent yellow-green means school and pedestrian.

Octagon is used only for STOP; inverted triangle only for YIELD; pennant (horizontal triangle) only for NO PASSING ZONE; round only for railroad advance warning; pentagon only for school zones.

Diamond shapes are warning signs; vertical rectangles are regulatory; horizontal rectangles are guide signs; the crossbuck X marks railroad crossings.

A red circle with a diagonal slash over a black symbol means the action is prohibited; the same symbol without a slash means the action is required or permitted.

Symbols are standardized: a black arrow curving means a turn or curve; a walking figure means pedestrian; a bicycle means bicycle; a train symbol means railroad.

A yellow diamond with a black border and symbol is a warning; the same message on a white rectangle with black text is regulatory.

A red-and-white YIELD sign and a red-and-white STOP sign both require giving right-of-way; STOP requires a complete stop, YIELD requires slowing and stopping only if necessary.

A black-on-yellow chevron sign (a large arrow) marks a sharp change in alignment; chevrons are placed on the outside of curves to guide drivers.