Road Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings
Road Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings
This domain tests the signs and markings that control traffic and warn of motorcycle hazards. The exam may show a shape, color, or line pattern and ask what it means or what you should do.
Sign shapes and colors
- Red octagon: stop. Red-and-white triangle: yield.
- Yellow: warning-curves, intersections, slippery pavement, railroad crossings.
- White: regulatory-speed limits, lane use, turn restrictions.
- Green: guide signs; blue: services; orange: work zones.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead; a crossbuck marks the crossing itself.
Signals
- Solid red, green, and yellow have their usual meanings; a flashing red is a stop, and a flashing yellow means proceed with caution.
- Green arrows protect the indicated movement; a yellow arrow warns the protected movement is ending.
- At a malfunctioning signal, treat it as a stop, yield as needed, and proceed when safe.
Pavement markings
- Yellow lines separate opposite directions; white lines separate same-direction lanes or mark the edge.
- A solid line means do not cross; a dashed line means you may cross when safe. Double solid yellow means no passing for either direction.
- Stop bars, crosswalks, and railroad markings show where to stop or expect hazards.
Worked example
You see a double solid yellow line on a two-lane road. The line means passing is prohibited in both directions, even if the road looks clear. A dashed yellow line on your side would allow passing when safe.
Traps
- Treating a yellow warning sign as a speed limit.
- Crossing a solid white edge line to use a shoulder as a lane.
- Missing a flashing yellow signal and stopping unnecessarily.
- Confusing a railroad advance warning with the crossing itself.