Minnesota Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs are rectangular with a white background and black legend (or red/black on white for prohibitions); they state a requirement or prohibition that is enforceable by law.

Red circle with a diagonal slash over a black symbol = the symbol's action is prohibited; the slash alone marks a prohibition, not a warning.

STOP sign: red octagon, white legend; a full stop is required at the stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection if neither exists.

YIELD sign: red-and-white downward-pointing triangle; slow down, be prepared to stop, and give the right-of-way to traffic on the intersecting road.

SPEED LIMIT signs are white rectangles with black numerals; the posted number is the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions, not a required speed.

DO NOT ENTER (red square with white horizontal bar) marks a one-way roadway against you; WRONG WAY signs are posted further in to reinforce it.

ONE WAY signs (black arrow on white) and mandatory turn signs (black arrow on white, often with a red circle) direct required movements; lane-use signs with a red X mean the lane is closed to your direction.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legends or symbols on standard two-lane roads; they alert to a condition ahead and do not by themselves change the speed limit.

A yellow diamond with a black right-angle arrow indicates a turn or curve ahead; an advisory speed plaque (yellow, black numerals) below the symbol is the recommended safe speed for that curve.

Chevron alignment signs (black chevron on a yellow rectangle) are placed through a curve to show its direction; they supplement, not replace, the curve warning sign.

Winding road (S-curve) symbol warns of a series of curves; a reverse turn symbol shows a turn followed immediately by an opposite turn.

Hill and grade signs show the percent of downgrade (e.g., 6% GRADE) and warn that a lower gear may be needed to control speed on the descent.

Narrow bridge, lane ends, and merge signs warn of reduced roadway width or disappearing lanes; be prepared to merge or yield as directed.

Two-way traffic and divided highway begins/ends signs mark transitions in traffic flow; passing rules change where the roadway becomes undivided.

Guide signs are typically green with white legends on freeways and expressways; they give destinations, distances, exits, and directions rather than rules.

Interstate route markers are the red-white-and-blue shield; even numbers run east-west, odd numbers run north-south, and three-digit numbers are loops or spurs off a parent route.

U.S. route markers are the white shield on black; state route markers in Minnesota are a white square with a blue border and the route number.

Exit numbers on Minnesota Interstates are generally based on mileposts measured from the south or west state line, so they increase as you travel north or east.

A green exit-direction sign with a diagonal arrow shows the exit lane; a sign with a straight-up arrow indicates a through lane.

Service signs (blue) show gas, food, lodging, and hospital availability; recreational and cultural interest signs are brown.

Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers; they identify your location for reporting emergencies and matching exit numbers.

Work zone signs are orange diamonds with black legends; they warn of construction, maintenance, or flagging operations ahead.

An orange diamond reading ROAD CONSTRUCTION AHEAD or a worker symbol means reduce speed and increase following distance immediately, before reaching the activity area.

Channelizing devices (cones, drums, barricades) and temporary pavement markings may override permanent markings; follow the devices and flagger, not the old painted lines.

A flagger holding a sign or a paddle controls traffic; a STOP paddle means stop and remain stopped until the flagger turns it to SLOW or signals you through.

Fines are doubled in Minnesota work zones when workers are present and the zone is posted; posted work-zone speed limits are enforceable even when no workers are visible.

Flagger ahead and one-lane road ahead signs warn that opposing traffic may share a single lane; expect a pilot car or alternating movement.

End road work signs mark the return to normal traffic patterns; do not resume full speed until you pass the sign and conditions allow.

Pentagon-shaped signs (yellow with black symbol) mark school zones and school crossings; they are the only standard pentagon shape in the U.S. sign system.

A school zone speed limit applies during posted hours or when children are present, whichever the sign specifies; the reduced limit is enforceable as posted.

A crossing guard or school patrol has authority to stop traffic; stop when signaled and remain stopped until all children have cleared the roadway.

Fluorescent yellow-green signs mark pedestrian, bicycle, and school crossings; the color is used to increase conspicuity over standard yellow.

A pedestrian crossing sign warns of a marked crosswalk ahead; Minnesota law requires drivers to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is prohibited.

Bicycle signs include the share-the-road symbol and bike lane markings; bicyclists generally have the same rights and duties as motor vehicle drivers.

A yellow diamond with a walking figure and a diagonal slash (or a NO PEDESTRIANS sign) indicates pedestrians are prohibited from that roadway or facility.

The round yellow railroad advance warning sign (black X and RR) is placed before the crossing; a smaller number plaque beneath it shows the distance in feet to the tracks.

The crossbuck (white X with RAILROAD CROSSING legend) marks the crossing itself and has the same meaning as a yield sign: yield to trains.

Flashing red lights at a crossing require a stop; a lowered gate means stop and never drive around or under it.

A train must be given the right-of-way at every crossing; a train cannot stop quickly, and its apparent speed and distance are hard to judge at night.

Never stop on tracks: wait until there is room to clear the tracks completely on the far side before proceeding.

Some crossings have no lights or gates (passive crossings); slow down, look both ways, and listen before crossing, and open the window if needed to hear a train.

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, get everyone out and away from the tracks immediately, then call 911 and the number posted on the crossing signal housing.

Steady red = stop; a steady red arrow means stop for that movement. A flashing red is treated as a stop sign: stop, then proceed when clear.

Steady yellow warns the signal is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed through the intersection with caution.

A flashing yellow signal or arrow means proceed with caution; you do not have to stop, but you must yield to conflicting traffic and pedestrians.

A steady green arrow gives a protected movement in the arrow's direction; a green circle allows through movement but you must yield when turning left across oncoming traffic.

A dark or non-functioning signal is treated as an all-way stop in Minnesota; stop, then proceed in order of arrival.

Solid yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; a solid yellow line on your side means no passing. Broken yellow lines permit passing when safe.

Solid white lines mark the right edge of the roadway and separate same-direction lanes where lane changes are discouraged; broken white lines separate same-direction lanes where changing lanes is permitted.

Shape carries meaning: octagon = stop, downward triangle = yield, diamond = warning, rectangle = regulatory or guide, pentagon = school, round = railroad advance warning, crossbuck = railroad crossing.

Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; yellow means warning; orange means construction or maintenance; green means guide or permitted movement; blue means services or information.

Fluorescent yellow-green marks school, pedestrian, and bicycle warnings; brown marks recreational and cultural sites; white and black are used for regulatory legends.

A red circle with a slash means prohibited; a red slash without a circle also marks prohibition on some signs.

Symbols replace words on many signs: a curved arrow for a turn, a truck on a downgrade for steep grade, a deer for animal crossing, and a divided-highway symbol for a median ahead.

A yellow diamond with a black symbol and a supplemental plaque carries the meaning of the plaque (distance, advisory speed, or condition) in addition to the symbol.

An X-shaped crossbuck or a round yellow sign with RR indicates a railroad crossing; these are the only shapes tied specifically to rail crossings.

Read the sign, then act before reaching it: regulatory signs require compliance at the sign or line, while warning signs call for a speed or lane adjustment ahead of the hazard.

When a sign and a traffic control device conflict, follow the device (flagger, officer, or temporary signal) directing traffic at that moment.

A posted advisory speed in a curve is a recommended maximum for ideal conditions; reduce further for rain, snow, ice, or darkness.

Increase following distance in work zones, school zones, and at railroad crossings; stopping suddenly for a flagger or gate requires room behind you.

At a stop sign or flashing red, stop at the stop line; if there is no line, stop at the crosswalk, and if neither, stop before entering the intersection.

When a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, stop in both directions on an undivided road and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, and do not enter an intersection unless you can clear it before the light changes.