Montana Road Signs Practice flashcards

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

Regulatory sign purpose

Regulatory signs tell drivers what they must do or must not do. They are enforceable, and disobeying one is a traffic violation even if no officer is present.

STOP sign shape

The STOP sign is the only octagon on the road. It is red with white letters and requires a full stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersecting roadway.

YIELD sign meaning

The inverted triangle YIELD sign requires slowing and stopping only if necessary to let cross traffic and pedestrians clear. A rolling merge without yielding is a violation.

DO NOT ENTER sign

A white square with a red circle and a white horizontal bar marks a one-way street exit or ramp. Entering there is a serious wrong-way violation.

Speed limit sign color

Speed limit signs are white rectangles with black legends reading SPEED LIMIT and the number. Where no sign is posted, the statutory limit for that road type applies.

Warning sign color and shape

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legends or symbols. They are placed in advance of a hazard and advise rather than command a specific action.

Advisory speed plaque

A yellow plaque with black text under a warning sign gives a recommended speed for the warned condition. It does not override a posted regulatory speed limit.

Curve warning sign

A yellow diamond with a black arrow bending left or right warns of a curve ahead. An advisory speed plaque beneath it gives the recommended curve speed.

No passing zone pennant

The yellow pennant is a warning sign marking the start of a no-passing zone. Passing is prohibited until the zone ends, as marked by pavement lines.

Guide sign color

Guide signs are typically green with white legends on conventional highways and interstates. They give route, destination, distance, and service information.

Interstate route marker

The interstate shield is red, white, and blue. The route number and the word EAST, WEST, NORTH, or SOUTH indicate the route direction.

Blue service signs

Blue signs with white symbols mark gas, food, lodging, hospital, and phone services. They are informational guide signs and do not impose a mandatory action.

Brown recreation signs

Brown signs with white legends mark parks, historical sites, and recreation areas. They are guide signs that inform drivers of nearby attractions.

Mile marker sign

Mile markers are small green rectangles with white numerals. They help drivers report their exact location to emergency dispatchers.

Work zone sign color

Work zone signs are orange diamonds with black legends or symbols. Orange is reserved for temporary traffic control and warns of construction, maintenance, or utility activity.

Flagger authority

A flagger with a STOP/SLOW paddle has legal authority to stop and release traffic. Obey the flagger over any conflicting permanent sign.

Detour sign

A detour sign, often orange or black on white with a DETOUR legend and an arrow, directs traffic around a closure. Follow the marked route rather than the blocked road.

Work zone speed fines

Work zone speed limits are enforceable, and fines may be doubled when workers are present, as noted on posted plaques.

Channelizing devices

Cones, drums, barricades, and tubular markers guide traffic through a work zone. Orange and white stripes on barricades show the direction traffic should pass.

Octagon and triangle shapes

The octagon is reserved for STOP and the inverted triangle for YIELD. These two shapes are recognizable from the back and are not used for other signs.

Sign shape meanings

Diamond means warning; vertical rectangle means regulatory; horizontal rectangle means guide; pennant means no-passing zone; circle means railroad advance warning.

Sign color meanings

Red means stop, yield, prohibition, or wrong way. Yellow means warning, orange means work zone, green means guide, blue means services, and brown means recreation.

Red circle and slash

A red circle with a red slash over a black symbol means the depicted action is prohibited, such as no left turn, no U-turn, or no parking.

Crossbuck sign

The X-shaped crossbuck is white with black letters reading RAILROAD CROSSING. It marks the crossing itself and has the same force as a YIELD sign.

Yellow line meaning

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid yellow line on your side means no passing; a broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe.

White line meaning

White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge. A solid white edge line should not be crossed except to enter a shoulder or turn lane.

Object marker stripes

A yellow object marker with black diagonal stripes marks an obstacle. The stripes slope downward toward the side on which traffic should pass.

Curb paint colors

Red curb paint means no stopping, standing, or parking. Yellow curb paint marks a loading zone, and blue paint marks an accessible parking space.

Advance railroad warning

The round yellow sign with a black X and two R's (RXR) is placed in advance of a railroad crossing. It warns drivers to prepare to stop if needed.

Multiple track plaque

A number plaque on the crossbuck, such as 3 TRACKS, indicates multiple tracks. Expect a second train after the first one passes before proceeding.

Railroad gate and lights

Flashing red lights at a crossing require a stop. A lowered gate requires a stop and no proceeding until the gate is fully raised and the tracks are clear.

School zone sign

A school zone sign is fluorescent yellow-green with a pedestrian symbol. It warns of a school crossing ahead, and posted school speed limits are enforceable during posted hours.