Nevada Road Signs Practice Test key terms

A sign that states a law or rule you must obey, such as a speed limit, stop requirement, or turn restriction. These are usually white rectangles with black or red markings, and disobeying one is a traffic violation.

A sign that alerts you to a change in road conditions ahead, such as a curve, hill, or merge. Most are yellow diamonds with black symbols, and they tell you to slow down or prepare rather than to stop.

A sign that gives directions, distances, destinations, or services rather than commands. Green signs typically mark routes and exits on freeways, blue signs show services, and brown signs point to parks and recreation areas.

An eight-sided red sign with white letters requiring a complete halt at the marked stop line or crosswalk. You must stop before entering the intersection and yield to traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

A downward-pointing triangle sign telling you to slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic on the crossing road. You need not stop unless vehicles or pedestrians are approaching, but you must be ready to.

A white rectangular sign posting the maximum lawful speed under good conditions. The posted number is an upper limit, not a target, and you may be cited for driving faster than is safe for weather or traffic.

A small yellow rectangular sign placed below a warning sign that suggests a safe speed for the hazard ahead, such as a sharp curve or ramp. It is a recommendation for conditions, not the legal maximum for the road.

A yellow rectangular sign with a black arrow shape used on curves to show the direction of the turn. A series of chevrons helps you judge how sharp the curve is, especially at night or in bad weather.

The standard shape for warning signs in the United States. The diamond outline is reserved for warnings so drivers can recognize a hazard message by shape alone, even when the symbol is partly obscured.

A yellow-green pentagon or diamond sign marking an area where children cross or walk near a school. When children are present or the beacon flashes, reduced speeds apply and you must watch closely for pedestrians.

A round yellow sign with a black X and two R letters warning that tracks cross the road ahead. It means you should slow, look, and listen, and be prepared to stop for an approaching train.

A white X-shaped sign with black letters reading RAILROAD CROSSING, placed at the tracks themselves. It has the same legal force as a yield sign: you must give the right-of-way to trains.

A signal such as flashing red lights, a bell, or a gate that operates when a train approaches. You must stop when the lights flash or the gate lowers, and never drive around a lowered gate.

An orange sign warning of construction, maintenance, or workers on or near the road. Orange marks work zones, and higher fines plus reduced speed limits commonly apply where workers are present.

A person holding a sign or paddle who directs traffic through a work zone. You must obey the flagger's signals, which can override normal signs, signals, and right-of-way rules in the area.

A small sign or reflector panel placed on a fixed object near the road, such as a bridge pier or culvert end. It makes the hazard visible at night and is usually black and yellow or white and red.

A thin reflector post along the roadside that outlines the edge of the roadway or a curve. Reflectors help you track the road at night, in rain, or in fog when lane markings are hard to see.

A signal light that controls traffic at an intersection or crossing through a sequence of colors. You must obey the light, and a dark or flashing signal means treat the intersection with extra caution under the applicable rule.

A solid red signal requiring a full stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection. You may not enter the intersection until the light turns green, except that a right turn on red is allowed where permitted after stopping and yielding.

A red signal that blinks on and off, meaning the same as a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop, then proceed only when it is safe and after yielding to traffic that has the right-of-way.

A yellow signal that blinks on and off, warning you to slow down and proceed with caution. It does not require a stop by itself, but you should check for crossing traffic, pedestrians, or a hazard ahead.

A solid yellow signal warning that the light is about to turn red. You should stop if you can do so safely; if you are too close to stop safely, proceed through the intersection with care rather than skidding to a halt.

A signal arrow that gives a protected turn in the direction shown. Traffic turning on the arrow may proceed without yielding to oncoming vehicles, but must still yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk.

A rule allowing a right turn after a complete stop at a red light when no sign prohibits it. You must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and cross traffic before turning, and the same rule generally applies to left turns from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

A painted line on the pavement that separates lanes, marks edges, or indicates turning and passing rules. Lane markings have the same legal effect as signs and signals, and crossing a solid line improperly is a violation.

A line separating traffic moving in opposite directions. A broken yellow line allows passing when safe, a solid yellow line on your side means no passing, and double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions.

A line separating traffic moving in the same direction. Dashed white lines may be crossed to change lanes when safe, while solid white lines discourage or prohibit lane changes and mark the road edge or shoulder.

A solid line marking the outer boundary of the travel lane, usually white on the right and yellow on the left of a divided road. It shows where the roadway ends and the shoulder begins.

The rule that you must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Rain, ice, fog, traffic, or poor visibility can make a legal speed unsafe and subject to citation.

A posted maximum speed that applies no matter how good the conditions are. Unlike a prima facie limit, you can be cited for exceeding it even if the road and weather are clear and traffic is light.

The gap you keep behind the vehicle ahead, measured in seconds of travel time. The three-second rule is a common guide in good conditions, and the gap should grow in rain, darkness, or when following large trucks.

Driving too closely behind another vehicle so that you could not stop in time if it braked suddenly. It reduces your view of the road and is a common cause of rear-end crashes and road-rage incidents.

The legal priority to go first in a given situation, such as at an intersection or crosswalk. It is something you yield to others rather than something you take, and failing to yield can cause a crash and a citation.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. The first vehicle to arrive and stop goes first; if two arrive at the same time, the one on the right has the right-of-way, and you yield to vehicles already in the intersection.

A marked or unmarked path where pedestrians cross the road. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and passing a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is illegal and dangerous.

The point where two traffic streams combine into one lane. Vehicles already on the main road generally have the right-of-way, and entering drivers must adjust speed and yield rather than forcing their way in.

A circular intersection where traffic flows one direction around a center island. Entering vehicles yield to traffic already circulating, and you should not stop inside the circle except to avoid a collision.

A light that shows other drivers your intention to turn or change lanes. Signal at least 100 feet before a turn in Nevada, and cancel it afterward so others are not misled about your path.

Moving from one travel lane to another. Check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and yield to vehicles already in the lane you want before moving over, and avoid changing lanes in an intersection.

The area beside and behind your vehicle that mirrors do not show. You must turn your head to check it before changing lanes, and you should avoid lingering in another driver's blind spot.

A stretch of road where passing is prohibited, marked by solid yellow lines on your side or by signs. Passing there is illegal because sight distance is limited, such as on hills, curves, and at intersections.

Overtaking and moving ahead of another vehicle traveling the same direction. It is legal only when the way is clear, markings permit it, and you can return to your lane with a safe gap before oncoming traffic arrives.