Mississippi Road Signs Practice cheat sheet
Mississippi Road Signs Practice · Keep the key ideas within reach.
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legend and tell you the law: speed limits, stop, yield, prohibitions, and mandatory movements.
SPEED LIMIT signs show the maximum legal speed in mph; a separate plaque such as TRUCK SPEED LIMIT or MINIMUM SPEED may modify the rule.
A red octagon means STOP: come to a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk, then yield to vehicles and pedestrians before proceeding.
A red-and-white downward-pointing triangle means YIELD: slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right-of-way to cross traffic.
Circular signs with a red slash through a black symbol prohibit the action shown; without the slash the white circle is a mandatory instruction.
NO TURN ON RED and LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN plaques are regulatory: they change what you may legally do at that signal.
Mandatory-direction signs (white arrow on black, or black arrow on white) show the only permitted lane movement; obey the arrow for your lane.
A black-and-white ONE WAY rectangular sign indicates traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.
Warning Signs
Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black symbols or words; they alert you to a condition ahead, not a legal requirement.
A yellow diamond with a single curve arrow warns of a curve ahead; the arrow points in the direction the road bends.
Yellow diamond intersection signs: a cross (+) warns of a four-way crossing, a T warns the road ends, and a side-road symbol warns of entering traffic.
Pedestrian crossing warning signs are yellow diamonds with a walking figure; school crossing signs are fluorescent yellow-green diamonds.
Animal warning signs (deer, cattle) mean watch the shoulders and slow down, especially at dawn and dusk when animals move.
Road-condition warnings include slippery when wet, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and hill/downgrade signs showing the grade percentage.
A yellow diamond with two arrows in opposite directions warns of two-way traffic ahead after a divided or one-way section.
Advisory speed plaques (yellow rectangle below a warning sign) suggest a safe speed for the condition, not the legal limit.
Guide and Informational Signs
Guide signs are typically green rectangles with white letters giving destinations, distances, exits, and route directions.
Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; even numbers run east-west, odd numbers run north-south.
U.S. route markers are white shields with black numbers; state route markers vary by state and often use a circle or outline shape.
Blue signs with white symbols mark motorist services: gas, food, lodging, hospital, and phone.
Brown signs mark recreation and cultural points of interest such as parks, historic sites, and campgrounds.
Exit signs give the exit number, destination, and distance; a small yellow plaque on the exit sign may show an advisory exit speed.
Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers used to locate your position and report emergencies.
Construction and Work Zone Signs
Work zone warning signs are orange diamonds with black symbols or words, flagging a temporary condition ahead.
Channeling devices include orange-and-white striped drums, cones, and barricades; they define the path through the work area.
A flagger sign (orange diamond with a flag symbol) means a person controls traffic ahead; obey the flagger's signals.
Orange rectangular signs with black arrows show lane shifts or lane closures; a diagonal arrow means that lane is ending.
Work zone speed limits are regulatory even when posted on orange signs; fines are commonly doubled for speeding in a work zone.
A ROAD WORK AHEAD sign may be followed by distance plaques such as 1000 FT or 2 MILES telling how far the work zone begins.
A DETOUR sign (often orange or black on white) directs traffic along a temporary alternate route around the closure.
Railroad and School Zone Signs and Signals
A circular yellow railroad advance warning sign with a black X and RR letters warns of a crossing ahead; the plaque below gives the distance.
A white X-shaped crossbuck marks the crossing itself; treat it as a yield sign and give trains the right-of-way.
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 lowered crossing gates; a gate lowering means a train is approaching even if you cannot see it yet.
School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; the posted school speed limit applies when the lights flash or children are present.
A school crossing guard or crossing signal means stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk; children may enter the roadway unexpectedly.
Pavement markings at railroad crossings (an X and two R's) reinforce the advance warning; stop lines mark where to wait.
Sign Colors, Shapes, and Symbols
Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; white means regulatory or guide text; yellow means warning; orange means construction.
Fluorescent yellow-green marks school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings for high visibility.
Green marks guide and destination information; blue marks motorist services and disability parking; brown marks recreation.
Octagon = stop; downward triangle = yield; circle = railroad advance warning; X-shaped crossbuck = railroad crossing.
Pennant (triangle pointing right) = no passing zone; rectangle = regulatory or guide; diamond = warning.
A red circle with a slash means prohibited; a green circle or arrow means permitted or required movement.
Symbols (arrows, walking figures, bicycles, deer) carry meaning without words, so recognize the shape before reading text.
Pavement Markings and Traffic Signals Related to Signs
A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is allowed when safe.
A solid white line marks the right edge or separates lanes in the same direction; a broken white line allows lane changes.
White crosswalk markings and stop lines tell you where to stop for pedestrians and signals.
A solid red light means stop; a flashing red light means stop and proceed when clear, like a stop sign.
A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution; a yellow arrow means the protected turn is ending.
A green arrow means you have a protected turn; a green circle means proceed after yielding to oncoming traffic when turning left.
Painted arrows in a lane are mandatory: follow the arrow or change lanes before the solid line begins.
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legend and tell you the law: speed limits, stop, yield, prohibitions, and mandatory movements.
SPEED LIMIT signs show the maximum legal speed in mph; a separate plaque such as TRUCK SPEED LIMIT or MINIMUM SPEED may modify the rule.
A red octagon means STOP: come to a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk, then yield to vehicles and pedestrians before proceeding.
A red-and-white downward-pointing triangle means YIELD: slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right-of-way to cross traffic.
Circular signs with a red slash through a black symbol prohibit the action shown; without the slash the white circle is a mandatory instruction.
NO TURN ON RED and LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN plaques are regulatory: they change what you may legally do at that signal.
Mandatory-direction signs (white arrow on black, or black arrow on white) show the only permitted lane movement; obey the arrow for your lane.
A black-and-white ONE WAY rectangular sign indicates traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.
Warning Signs
Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black symbols or words; they alert you to a condition ahead, not a legal requirement.
A yellow diamond with a single curve arrow warns of a curve ahead; the arrow points in the direction the road bends.
Yellow diamond intersection signs: a cross (+) warns of a four-way crossing, a T warns the road ends, and a side-road symbol warns of entering traffic.
Pedestrian crossing warning signs are yellow diamonds with a walking figure; school crossing signs are fluorescent yellow-green diamonds.
Animal warning signs (deer, cattle) mean watch the shoulders and slow down, especially at dawn and dusk when animals move.
Road-condition warnings include slippery when wet, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and hill/downgrade signs showing the grade percentage.
A yellow diamond with two arrows in opposite directions warns of two-way traffic ahead after a divided or one-way section.
Advisory speed plaques (yellow rectangle below a warning sign) suggest a safe speed for the condition, not the legal limit.
Guide and Informational Signs
Guide signs are typically green rectangles with white letters giving destinations, distances, exits, and route directions.
Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; even numbers run east-west, odd numbers run north-south.
U.S. route markers are white shields with black numbers; state route markers vary by state and often use a circle or outline shape.
Blue signs with white symbols mark motorist services: gas, food, lodging, hospital, and phone.
Brown signs mark recreation and cultural points of interest such as parks, historic sites, and campgrounds.
Exit signs give the exit number, destination, and distance; a small yellow plaque on the exit sign may show an advisory exit speed.
Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers used to locate your position and report emergencies.
Construction and Work Zone Signs
Work zone warning signs are orange diamonds with black symbols or words, flagging a temporary condition ahead.
Channeling devices include orange-and-white striped drums, cones, and barricades; they define the path through the work area.
A flagger sign (orange diamond with a flag symbol) means a person controls traffic ahead; obey the flagger's signals.
Orange rectangular signs with black arrows show lane shifts or lane closures; a diagonal arrow means that lane is ending.
Work zone speed limits are regulatory even when posted on orange signs; fines are commonly doubled for speeding in a work zone.
A ROAD WORK AHEAD sign may be followed by distance plaques such as 1000 FT or 2 MILES telling how far the work zone begins.
A DETOUR sign (often orange or black on white) directs traffic along a temporary alternate route around the closure.
Railroad and School Zone Signs and Signals
A circular yellow railroad advance warning sign with a black X and RR letters warns of a crossing ahead; the plaque below gives the distance.
A white X-shaped crossbuck marks the crossing itself; treat it as a yield sign and give trains the right-of-way.
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 lowered crossing gates; a gate lowering means a train is approaching even if you cannot see it yet.
School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; the posted school speed limit applies when the lights flash or children are present.
A school crossing guard or crossing signal means stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk; children may enter the roadway unexpectedly.
Pavement markings at railroad crossings (an X and two R's) reinforce the advance warning; stop lines mark where to wait.
Sign Colors, Shapes, and Symbols
Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; white means regulatory or guide text; yellow means warning; orange means construction.
Fluorescent yellow-green marks school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings for high visibility.
Green marks guide and destination information; blue marks motorist services and disability parking; brown marks recreation.
Octagon = stop; downward triangle = yield; circle = railroad advance warning; X-shaped crossbuck = railroad crossing.
Pennant (triangle pointing right) = no passing zone; rectangle = regulatory or guide; diamond = warning.
A red circle with a slash means prohibited; a green circle or arrow means permitted or required movement.
Symbols (arrows, walking figures, bicycles, deer) carry meaning without words, so recognize the shape before reading text.
Pavement Markings and Traffic Signals Related to Signs
A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is allowed when safe.
A solid white line marks the right edge or separates lanes in the same direction; a broken white line allows lane changes.
White crosswalk markings and stop lines tell you where to stop for pedestrians and signals.
A solid red light means stop; a flashing red light means stop and proceed when clear, like a stop sign.
A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution; a yellow arrow means the protected turn is ending.
A green arrow means you have a protected turn; a green circle means proceed after yielding to oncoming traffic when turning left.
Painted arrows in a lane are mandatory: follow the arrow or change lanes before the solid line begins.
Regulatory Signs
Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legend and tell you the law: speed limits, stop, yield, prohibitions, and mandatory movements.
SPEED LIMIT signs show the maximum legal speed in mph; a separate plaque such as TRUCK SPEED LIMIT or MINIMUM SPEED may modify the rule.
A red octagon means STOP: come to a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk, then yield to vehicles and pedestrians before proceeding.
A red-and-white downward-pointing triangle means YIELD: slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right-of-way to cross traffic.
Circular signs with a red slash through a black symbol prohibit the action shown; without the slash the white circle is a mandatory instruction.
NO TURN ON RED and LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN plaques are regulatory: they change what you may legally do at that signal.
Mandatory-direction signs (white arrow on black, or black arrow on white) show the only permitted lane movement; obey the arrow for your lane.
A black-and-white ONE WAY rectangular sign indicates traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.
Warning Signs
Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black symbols or words; they alert you to a condition ahead, not a legal requirement.
A yellow diamond with a single curve arrow warns of a curve ahead; the arrow points in the direction the road bends.
Yellow diamond intersection signs: a cross (+) warns of a four-way crossing, a T warns the road ends, and a side-road symbol warns of entering traffic.
Pedestrian crossing warning signs are yellow diamonds with a walking figure; school crossing signs are fluorescent yellow-green diamonds.
Animal warning signs (deer, cattle) mean watch the shoulders and slow down, especially at dawn and dusk when animals move.
Road-condition warnings include slippery when wet, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and hill/downgrade signs showing the grade percentage.
A yellow diamond with two arrows in opposite directions warns of two-way traffic ahead after a divided or one-way section.
Advisory speed plaques (yellow rectangle below a warning sign) suggest a safe speed for the condition, not the legal limit.
Guide and Informational Signs
Guide signs are typically green rectangles with white letters giving destinations, distances, exits, and route directions.
Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; even numbers run east-west, odd numbers run north-south.
U.S. route markers are white shields with black numbers; state route markers vary by state and often use a circle or outline shape.
Blue signs with white symbols mark motorist services: gas, food, lodging, hospital, and phone.
Brown signs mark recreation and cultural points of interest such as parks, historic sites, and campgrounds.
Exit signs give the exit number, destination, and distance; a small yellow plaque on the exit sign may show an advisory exit speed.
Mile markers are small green signs with white numbers used to locate your position and report emergencies.
Construction and Work Zone Signs
Work zone warning signs are orange diamonds with black symbols or words, flagging a temporary condition ahead.
Channeling devices include orange-and-white striped drums, cones, and barricades; they define the path through the work area.
A flagger sign (orange diamond with a flag symbol) means a person controls traffic ahead; obey the flagger's signals.
Orange rectangular signs with black arrows show lane shifts or lane closures; a diagonal arrow means that lane is ending.
Work zone speed limits are regulatory even when posted on orange signs; fines are commonly doubled for speeding in a work zone.
A ROAD WORK AHEAD sign may be followed by distance plaques such as 1000 FT or 2 MILES telling how far the work zone begins.
A DETOUR sign (often orange or black on white) directs traffic along a temporary alternate route around the closure.
Railroad and School Zone Signs and Signals
A circular yellow railroad advance warning sign with a black X and RR letters warns of a crossing ahead; the plaque below gives the distance.
A white X-shaped crossbuck marks the crossing itself; treat it as a yield sign and give trains the right-of-way.
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 lowered crossing gates; a gate lowering means a train is approaching even if you cannot see it yet.
School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; the posted school speed limit applies when the lights flash or children are present.
A school crossing guard or crossing signal means stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk; children may enter the roadway unexpectedly.
Pavement markings at railroad crossings (an X and two R's) reinforce the advance warning; stop lines mark where to wait.
Sign Colors, Shapes, and Symbols
Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; white means regulatory or guide text; yellow means warning; orange means construction.
Fluorescent yellow-green marks school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings for high visibility.
Green marks guide and destination information; blue marks motorist services and disability parking; brown marks recreation.
Octagon = stop; downward triangle = yield; circle = railroad advance warning; X-shaped crossbuck = railroad crossing.
Pennant (triangle pointing right) = no passing zone; rectangle = regulatory or guide; diamond = warning.
A red circle with a slash means prohibited; a green circle or arrow means permitted or required movement.
Symbols (arrows, walking figures, bicycles, deer) carry meaning without words, so recognize the shape before reading text.
Pavement Markings and Traffic Signals Related to Signs
A solid yellow center line means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is allowed when safe.
A solid white line marks the right edge or separates lanes in the same direction; a broken white line allows lane changes.
White crosswalk markings and stop lines tell you where to stop for pedestrians and signals.
A solid red light means stop; a flashing red light means stop and proceed when clear, like a stop sign.
A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution; a yellow arrow means the protected turn is ending.
A green arrow means you have a protected turn; a green circle means proceed after yielding to oncoming traffic when turning left.
Painted arrows in a lane are mandatory: follow the arrow or change lanes before the solid line begins.