NC Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs tell drivers what they must do, must not do, or must yield; they are enforceable and carry legal penalties for violation.

Most regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legends and black borders; the exceptions are STOP (red/white), YIELD (red/white), DO NOT ENTER (red/white), and ONE WAY (black/white).

STOP requires a complete halt at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersecting roadway, whichever comes first; rolling stops are violations.

YIELD requires slowing and giving right of way; stop only if traffic, pedestrians, or a safe gap requires it.

SPEED LIMIT signs show the maximum legal speed in mph under normal conditions; they do not set a minimum, and lower limits apply in school and work zones when posted.

NO TURN ON RED, LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN, and similar signs modify the default signal rule; the sign controls over the general rule.

Lane-use control signs (LEFT TURN ONLY, straight-or-turn arrows) assign the movement permitted from that lane; entering a turn-only lane obligates the turn.

A red circle with a slash over a symbol means the action is prohibited; a green circle means the action is permitted.

Warning signs alert to hazards ahead; most are yellow diamonds with black legends or symbols, placed in advance of the condition.

Horizontal alignment signs show a black curve arrow: a single curve for a simple bend, a reverse curve (S) symbol for two bends in opposite directions.

Advisory speed plaques under curve or exit signs show a safe recommended speed for the hazard, not the legal maximum.

Intersection warning signs show the road geometry ahead (side road, T-intersection, Y-intersection, crossroad) so drivers can plan lane position.

Hill, downgrade (percent grade), and truck-rollover warning signs identify steep grades where braking and gear selection matter.

Object markers and type 3 barricades mark hazards or road ends; chevron signs delineate the outside of a sharp curve at night.

A deer or animal symbol warns of frequent wildlife crossings; a pedestrian or bicycle symbol warns of those road users ahead.

Yellow pennant-shaped signs (NO PASSING ZONE) are the only pennant shape and mark the start of a no-passing zone on two-lane roads.

Guide signs provide route, destination, distance, and service information; they are not regulatory and impose no legal duty.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; U.S. route markers are black-and-white shields; state routes vary by state.

Green guide signs give destinations, distances, and exits; blue signs give motorist services (fuel, food, lodging, hospital); brown signs give recreation and cultural points.

Exit direction signs show exit numbers and lane assignments; an exit number plaque can be attached to the top of an advance exit sign.

Mile markers count distance from the state line or route origin and are used to report locations in emergencies.

White-on-green overhead signs with down arrows assign lanes to destinations; drivers should be in the correct lane before the sign.

Service signs with symbols (gas pump, fork and knife, bed, telephone) indicate facilities available at the next exit.

A white rectangular sign with black text giving a route number and an arrow is a directional guide sign, not a regulatory command.

Work zone signs are orange with black legends or symbols; the orange color distinguishes temporary traffic control from permanent warning.

A flashing arrow panel directs traffic to merge or change lanes; a flashing arrow pointing right means move right.

Channelizing devices include cones, drums, and tubular markers; they define the travel path and must not be crossed.

Flaggers use a red flag or a paddle: STOP on the red side, SLOW on the orange side; a flagger's signal overrides a traffic signal.

Reduced-speed and lane-closure signs in work zones are enforceable; fines are commonly doubled when workers are present.

A ROAD WORK AHEAD or DETOUR sign warns of changed conditions; detour signs use the same orange color and follow a marked route.

Temporary traffic signals and one-lane two-way operations in work zones require stopping for the signal or flagger even if the way looks clear.

End of work zone signs (END ROAD WORK) mark the resumption of normal traffic control; speed limits return to the permanent posting.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; the pentagon shape is used exclusively for school advance and school crossing signs.

A school speed limit sign with a flashing beacon or a posted time applies only during the stated times or when the beacon is flashing.

A school crossing sign marks a crossing where guards or students cross; drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crossing.

Crosswalk warning signs are yellow diamonds with a pedestrian symbol; in-street pedestrian signs are placed in the roadway centerline at uncontrolled crossings.

Pedestrians in a marked crosswalk have the right of way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian clears their lane and the adjacent lane.

A crossing guard's raised hand or STOP paddle has the force of a traffic signal; drivers must stop and not proceed until released.

Yellow-green pedestrian signs and high-visibility crosswalk markings indicate school or high-pedestrian areas requiring reduced speed.

The round yellow railroad advance warning sign (RXR) means a highway-rail crossing is ahead; slow and be prepared to stop.

A crossbuck (X-shaped white sign with black RAILROAD CROSSING legend) marks the crossing itself and has the same meaning as a yield sign.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop; a lowered gate means stop and do not go around or under it.

A white X-shaped sign with a number plaque shows the number of tracks at the crossing; multiple tracks mean a second train may follow.

A STOP or YIELD sign at a crossing controls the approach; where present, it replaces the crossbuck's yield meaning with a full stop.

A blue sign with a white 'R' and 'X' (Emergency Notification System) gives a phone number to report an emergency or a stalled vehicle at the crossing.

Never stop on the tracks; if the gate lowers on your vehicle, drive through the gate rather than remain on the tracks.

Trains cannot stop quickly; a train's speed and distance make it appear farther away and slower than it is.

Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; white means regulation; yellow means warning; orange means construction; green means guide and permitted movement.

Fluorescent yellow-green marks school, pedestrian, and bicycle warnings; fluorescent pink marks incident management; purple marks electronic toll collection.

Blue indicates motorist services and evacuation routes; brown indicates recreation and cultural interest areas.

Octagon is used only for STOP; the inverted triangle only for YIELD; the pennant only for NO PASSING ZONE; the round shape for railroad advance warning.

The diamond shape is reserved for warning signs; the vertical rectangle for regulatory signs; the horizontal rectangle for guide signs.

A red circle with a diagonal slash means prohibited; a green circle means permitted; a red slash through a black symbol is a common prohibition form.

Symbols and pictographs (bicycle, deer, arrow) convey the hazard without words, allowing recognition at a distance and across languages.

A yellow diamond with a black symbol and an advisory plaque combines a warning with a recommended speed for the hazard.

A solid yellow centerline means no passing in either direction; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe.

A double solid yellow line prohibits passing and crossing in both directions; a solid-plus-broken yellow line permits passing only on the side with the broken line.

White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; a solid white line marks the right edge or a lane that should not be crossed.

A broken white line separates lanes of same-direction traffic and may be crossed when safe; a solid white line at an intersection marks the stop line.

A crosswalk is marked by two parallel white lines or a ladder pattern; pedestrians in it have the right of way.

A stop line is a solid white line across the lane; vehicles must stop behind it, and if absent, before the crosswalk or intersection.

A yellow diamond HOV symbol or diamond marking in a lane marks a high-occupancy vehicle lane with occupancy and time restrictions.

Pavement arrows and ONLY legends match the lane-use signs; drivers must follow the arrow for the lane they occupy.

Regulatory signs tell drivers what they must do, must not do, or must yield; they are enforceable and carry legal penalties for violation.

Most regulatory signs are white rectangles with black legends and black borders; the exceptions are STOP (red/white), YIELD (red/white), DO NOT ENTER (red/white), and ONE WAY (black/white).

STOP requires a complete halt at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersecting roadway, whichever comes first; rolling stops are violations.

YIELD requires slowing and giving right of way; stop only if traffic, pedestrians, or a safe gap requires it.

SPEED LIMIT signs show the maximum legal speed in mph under normal conditions; they do not set a minimum, and lower limits apply in school and work zones when posted.

NO TURN ON RED, LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN, and similar signs modify the default signal rule; the sign controls over the general rule.

Lane-use control signs (LEFT TURN ONLY, straight-or-turn arrows) assign the movement permitted from that lane; entering a turn-only lane obligates the turn.

A red circle with a slash over a symbol means the action is prohibited; a green circle means the action is permitted.

Warning signs alert to hazards ahead; most are yellow diamonds with black legends or symbols, placed in advance of the condition.

Horizontal alignment signs show a black curve arrow: a single curve for a simple bend, a reverse curve (S) symbol for two bends in opposite directions.

Advisory speed plaques under curve or exit signs show a safe recommended speed for the hazard, not the legal maximum.

Intersection warning signs show the road geometry ahead (side road, T-intersection, Y-intersection, crossroad) so drivers can plan lane position.

Hill, downgrade (percent grade), and truck-rollover warning signs identify steep grades where braking and gear selection matter.

Object markers and type 3 barricades mark hazards or road ends; chevron signs delineate the outside of a sharp curve at night.

A deer or animal symbol warns of frequent wildlife crossings; a pedestrian or bicycle symbol warns of those road users ahead.

Yellow pennant-shaped signs (NO PASSING ZONE) are the only pennant shape and mark the start of a no-passing zone on two-lane roads.

Guide signs provide route, destination, distance, and service information; they are not regulatory and impose no legal duty.

Interstate route markers are red, white, and blue shields; U.S. route markers are black-and-white shields; state routes vary by state.

Green guide signs give destinations, distances, and exits; blue signs give motorist services (fuel, food, lodging, hospital); brown signs give recreation and cultural points.

Exit direction signs show exit numbers and lane assignments; an exit number plaque can be attached to the top of an advance exit sign.

Mile markers count distance from the state line or route origin and are used to report locations in emergencies.

White-on-green overhead signs with down arrows assign lanes to destinations; drivers should be in the correct lane before the sign.

Service signs with symbols (gas pump, fork and knife, bed, telephone) indicate facilities available at the next exit.

A white rectangular sign with black text giving a route number and an arrow is a directional guide sign, not a regulatory command.

Work zone signs are orange with black legends or symbols; the orange color distinguishes temporary traffic control from permanent warning.

A flashing arrow panel directs traffic to merge or change lanes; a flashing arrow pointing right means move right.

Channelizing devices include cones, drums, and tubular markers; they define the travel path and must not be crossed.

Flaggers use a red flag or a paddle: STOP on the red side, SLOW on the orange side; a flagger's signal overrides a traffic signal.

Reduced-speed and lane-closure signs in work zones are enforceable; fines are commonly doubled when workers are present.

A ROAD WORK AHEAD or DETOUR sign warns of changed conditions; detour signs use the same orange color and follow a marked route.

Temporary traffic signals and one-lane two-way operations in work zones require stopping for the signal or flagger even if the way looks clear.

End of work zone signs (END ROAD WORK) mark the resumption of normal traffic control; speed limits return to the permanent posting.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; the pentagon shape is used exclusively for school advance and school crossing signs.

A school speed limit sign with a flashing beacon or a posted time applies only during the stated times or when the beacon is flashing.

A school crossing sign marks a crossing where guards or students cross; drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crossing.

Crosswalk warning signs are yellow diamonds with a pedestrian symbol; in-street pedestrian signs are placed in the roadway centerline at uncontrolled crossings.

Pedestrians in a marked crosswalk have the right of way; drivers must stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian clears their lane and the adjacent lane.

A crossing guard's raised hand or STOP paddle has the force of a traffic signal; drivers must stop and not proceed until released.

Yellow-green pedestrian signs and high-visibility crosswalk markings indicate school or high-pedestrian areas requiring reduced speed.

The round yellow railroad advance warning sign (RXR) means a highway-rail crossing is ahead; slow and be prepared to stop.

A crossbuck (X-shaped white sign with black RAILROAD CROSSING legend) marks the crossing itself and has the same meaning as a yield sign.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop; a lowered gate means stop and do not go around or under it.

A white X-shaped sign with a number plaque shows the number of tracks at the crossing; multiple tracks mean a second train may follow.

A STOP or YIELD sign at a crossing controls the approach; where present, it replaces the crossbuck's yield meaning with a full stop.

A blue sign with a white 'R' and 'X' (Emergency Notification System) gives a phone number to report an emergency or a stalled vehicle at the crossing.

Never stop on the tracks; if the gate lowers on your vehicle, drive through the gate rather than remain on the tracks.

Trains cannot stop quickly; a train's speed and distance make it appear farther away and slower than it is.

Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; white means regulation; yellow means warning; orange means construction; green means guide and permitted movement.

Fluorescent yellow-green marks school, pedestrian, and bicycle warnings; fluorescent pink marks incident management; purple marks electronic toll collection.

Blue indicates motorist services and evacuation routes; brown indicates recreation and cultural interest areas.

Octagon is used only for STOP; the inverted triangle only for YIELD; the pennant only for NO PASSING ZONE; the round shape for railroad advance warning.

The diamond shape is reserved for warning signs; the vertical rectangle for regulatory signs; the horizontal rectangle for guide signs.

A red circle with a diagonal slash means prohibited; a green circle means permitted; a red slash through a black symbol is a common prohibition form.

Symbols and pictographs (bicycle, deer, arrow) convey the hazard without words, allowing recognition at a distance and across languages.

A yellow diamond with a black symbol and an advisory plaque combines a warning with a recommended speed for the hazard.

A solid yellow centerline means no passing in either direction; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe.

A double solid yellow line prohibits passing and crossing in both directions; a solid-plus-broken yellow line permits passing only on the side with the broken line.

White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; a solid white line marks the right edge or a lane that should not be crossed.

A broken white line separates lanes of same-direction traffic and may be crossed when safe; a solid white line at an intersection marks the stop line.

A crosswalk is marked by two parallel white lines or a ladder pattern; pedestrians in it have the right of way.

A stop line is a solid white line across the lane; vehicles must stop behind it, and if absent, before the crosswalk or intersection.

A yellow diamond HOV symbol or diamond marking in a lane marks a high-occupancy vehicle lane with occupancy and time restrictions.

Pavement arrows and ONLY legends match the lane-use signs; drivers must follow the arrow for the lane they occupy.