NJ Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs are rectangular with a white background and black or red legend (or black background with white legend for some, such as ONE WAY); they state a legal requirement, not a suggestion.

Speed limit signs show the maximum lawful speed in mph under ideal conditions; driving below that maximum can still be a violation if conditions make it unsafe (basic speed law).

A STOP sign requires a full stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway before proceeding; a rolling stop is a violation.

YIELD signs require slowing and giving the right-of-way to cross traffic; stop only if necessary to avoid conflict.

Lane-use control signs (turn-only arrows, straight-only arrows, HOV diamond) indicate movements permitted from that lane; violating a turn-only arrow is a moving violation.

Parking-restriction signs specify time limits, days, permit requirements, and no-parking zones; a red circle with a slash means the action is prohibited.

A red slash through a black symbol on a white sign means that maneuver (such as a U-turn) is prohibited.

DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs mark one-way traffic flow; entering against them is a serious violation and a common cause of head-on crashes.

Warning signs are typically yellow diamonds with black symbols or a black legend; they alert drivers to conditions ahead and do not by themselves change the speed limit.

A curve warning sign with a suggested speed plaque (advisory speed) indicates a safe speed for that curve under good conditions; the advisory speed is not a legal maximum.

Intersection warning signs (crossroad, side road, T-intersection, Y-intersection) indicate the geometry of the upcoming intersection; drivers must be prepared to yield as applicable.

Pedestrian crossing and school zone signs require extra vigilance; in a school zone, the posted school speed limit applies during hours indicated by the sign or when beacons flash.

Road-condition warnings include slippery when wet, ice, loose gravel, and falling rocks; the appropriate response is to reduce speed before reaching the hazard.

Work-zone signs (orange diamonds) warn of construction; reduced speed limits and flaggers in work zones are enforceable, and fines are often doubled when workers are present.

A chevron sign (large arrow) marks a sharp change in alignment and indicates the direction of the curve; it supplements, not replaces, curve warning signs.

A divided-highway or two-way traffic warning indicates a change in traffic pattern ahead; drivers should position correctly and not assume a one-way pattern continues.

Guide signs are green with white legend and provide destination, distance, and exit information; they are informational, not regulatory.

Service signs are blue with white symbols (fuel, food, lodging, hospital, phone) and indicate nearby services.

Recreation and cultural interest signs are brown with white legend.

Interstate route markers are the red, white, and blue shield; even-numbered interstates generally run east-west, and odd-numbered interstates generally run north-south.

Interstate numbering increases from south to north for north-south routes and from west to east for east-west routes; three-digit interstates are spurs or loops around a parent route.

A three-digit interstate with an even first digit (such as I-495) is generally a loop or bypass; with an odd first digit (such as I-395) it is generally a spur into a city.

U.S. route markers are the white shield with black legend; state route markers vary by state and are usually a distinct shape or color.

Mile markers and exit numbers on interstates generally correspond to mileposts, so exit numbers increase as you travel in the direction of increasing mileposts.

A solid yellow centerline separates traffic moving in opposite directions and indicates no passing; a broken yellow line permits passing when safe.

A solid white line marks the right edge of the roadway or separates lanes where lane changes are discouraged; a broken white line separates lanes in the same direction and permits lane changes when safe.

Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; a single solid yellow with a broken yellow permits passing only on the side with the broken line.

A steady red signal means stop; a steady yellow means the signal is about to turn red and drivers should stop if they can do so safely; a steady green means proceed if the intersection is clear.

A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign; a flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution.

A green arrow permits the indicated movement; a red arrow prohibits that movement, and a yellow arrow warns that the protected movement is ending.

A traffic officer's signals override traffic signals and signs; drivers must obey the officer's directions even if they conflict with a signal.

A stop line, crosswalk, or limit line marks where vehicles must stop for a signal or sign; stopping beyond the line into the crosswalk or intersection is a violation.

At an uncontrolled intersection, the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way; if two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

A vehicle turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, unless a protected left-turn arrow gives the right-of-way.

A vehicle entering a roadway from a driveway, alley, or private road must yield to traffic already on the roadway.

At a four-way stop, vehicles proceed in the order they arrived; simultaneous arrivals yield to the right.

Passing is prohibited on a solid yellow line, on hills and curves with limited sight distance, at intersections, at railroad crossings, and where signs prohibit it.

When passing, a driver must not exceed the speed limit and must return to the right lane only when safely clear of the passed vehicle.

Emergency vehicles with lights and siren have the right-of-way; drivers must pull to the right and stop until the vehicle passes, and must not follow closely.

Pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right-of-way; drivers must yield and must not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

The basic speed law requires driving at a speed reasonable and prudent for conditions, regardless of the posted limit; the posted limit is a maximum for ideal conditions.

The three-second rule: maintain at least three seconds of following distance behind the vehicle ahead under normal conditions; increase to four or more seconds in rain, snow, darkness, or when following large vehicles.

Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane; a driver must not share a lane with a motorcycle and must check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes.

Bicycles are vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles; drivers must give at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist where required by law.

Large trucks and buses have large blind spots (no-zones) on both sides, behind, and in front; if you cannot see the driver's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

When a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, drivers in both directions must stop unless separated by a physical median or barrier, as specified by state law.

Pedestrians have the right-of-way in crosswalks; drivers must slow down and be prepared to stop when approaching a crosswalk or a pedestrian waiting to cross.

At railroad crossings, drivers should slow down, look both ways, and never stop on the tracks; a train always has the right-of-way.

In New Jersey, a driver is presumed intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher; commercial drivers are held to a lower threshold (0.04%).

For drivers under 21, New Jersey enforces a zero-tolerance standard; any detectable BAC can result in license suspension and other penalties.

Impairment begins below the legal limit; alcohol, cannabis, prescription medications, and over-the-counter drugs can all impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination.

Implied consent laws require drivers to submit to a chemical test when lawfully arrested for suspected DUI; refusal can result in license suspension and other penalties.

Distracted driving includes texting, handheld phone use, eating, grooming, and interacting with navigation or entertainment systems; New Jersey law prohibits handheld phone use while driving.

Drowsy driving impairs reaction time and attention similarly to alcohol; warning signs include yawning, lane drifting, and difficulty keeping eyes open, and the safe response is to stop and rest.

Open container laws prohibit possessing an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle; penalties apply even if the driver is not impaired.

A DUI conviction carries penalties that can include fines, license suspension, ignition interlock, and mandatory education or treatment programs, with penalties increasing for repeat offenses.

Parking means leaving a vehicle unattended; standing means a temporary stop with the driver remaining in or near the vehicle; stopping means halting briefly to load or unload passengers.

Parking is generally prohibited within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet of a stop sign or traffic signal, and on a sidewalk or crosswalk.

Parking is prohibited on the roadway side of a parked vehicle (double parking) and in front of a driveway.

When parking on a hill facing downhill, turn the wheels toward the curb; facing uphill with a curb, turn the wheels away from the curb; with no curb, turn wheels toward the edge of the roadway.

At a railroad crossing with flashing red lights, a lowered gate, or a flagger, drivers must stop and remain stopped until the signals stop and the gate is fully raised.

A crossbuck sign (X-shaped) marks a railroad crossing; drivers must yield to trains, and a stop is required if a train is approaching.

Drivers must not stop or park on railroad tracks or within the crossing area; if a vehicle stalls on the tracks, occupants should exit and move away from the tracks immediately.

A vehicle must not pass another vehicle stopped at a railroad crossing or at a crosswalk.

At a crash scene, stop, check for injuries, call 911, and exchange information; leaving the scene of a crash involving injury or death is a criminal offense (hit-and-run).

New Jersey requires drivers to report a crash to police when it results in injury, death, or property damage above the statutory threshold; reporting requirements vary by state.

Move vehicles off the roadway if they are drivable and it is safe to do so; otherwise turn on hazard lights and set out reflective triangles or flares if available.

Seat belts are required for the driver and front-seat passengers; New Jersey law requires all occupants to wear seat belts, and a police officer may stop a vehicle for a seat belt violation.

Children under 8 years old and under 57 inches tall must use an appropriate child restraint system; rear-facing seats are required for young children as specified by the manufacturer and state law.

A child restraint must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and the vehicle owner's manual; the safest location is generally the rear seat.

If a vehicle begins to skid, ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction of the skid; do not slam on the brakes.

If a vehicle's brakes fail, pump the brakes, downshift to a lower gear, and use the emergency brake gradually; if a tire blows out, grip the wheel firmly and slow down gradually.