Traffic Signs, Signals, and Road Markings
What this domain tests
The DOTM written exam tests whether you can read a Nepali road before you act: sign shape and colour, signal phase, and the meaning of painted lines. A correct answer is the safe action, not just the sign name.
Signs by shape and colour
- Red circle or octagon: prohibition or stop. A red circle with a number is a maximum speed limit.
- Red triangle: warning of a hazard ahead, such as a bend, school, or narrow bridge.
- Blue circle: mandatory instruction, such as turn left or keep left.
- Rectangle or square: information, such as a hospital, fuel station, or place name.
- Inverted triangle: give way. Octagon: stop completely.
Signals and markings
At a red light, stop before the stop line or zebra crossing. Amber means stop unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe; it is not a signal to accelerate. Green means proceed only if the junction exit is clear. Flashing amber means proceed with caution. A police officer's hand signal overrides the light. A solid line should not be crossed; a broken line may be crossed when safe. A stop line, zebra crossing, and yellow box junction must be kept clear.
Worked example
You approach a junction on green. The light turns amber as you reach the stop line, and a pedestrian is already on the zebra crossing. The safe answer is to stop behind the line. Reasoning: the crossing is occupied, so proceeding would fail to yield; amber requires stopping when you can do so safely.
Traps that cost marks
Treating amber as go, confusing warning triangles with prohibitory circles, and ignoring a traffic officer because the light is green are common errors.