Oregon Road Signs Practice key terms

A sign that states a legal requirement or prohibition, such as a speed limit, stop, yield, or turn restriction. Drivers must obey these signs, and they are usually white with black or red legends.

A white rectangular sign with black numerals showing the maximum lawful speed in miles per hour under normal conditions. Oregon's default limits include 55 mph on rural highways unless posted otherwise.

A red octagonal sign requiring a complete stop at the stop bar, crosswalk, or edge of the intersecting roadway before proceeding when safe. It is the only standard eight-sided sign on the road.

A downward-pointing red-and-white triangular sign meaning you must slow down and give the right of way to traffic on the intersecting road, stopping only if necessary to avoid conflict.

A sign that assigns a lane to a specific movement or vehicle type, such as left-turn-only, right-turn-only, or bus-only. Overhead or roadside versions tell drivers which lane to choose before an intersection.

A sign restricting where or when vehicles may stand or park, often using red circles with slashes or time and day plates. Restrictions may apply to loading zones, fire lanes, or street sweeping hours.

A yellow diamond sign alerting drivers to a change or hazard ahead, such as a curve, hill, or narrowing road. It does not itself impose a legal limit but tells you to adjust speed and attention.

A yellow diamond showing a black arrow bending left or right, warning of a curve ahead. A plaque beneath it may show an advisory speed that is safe in good conditions.

A small yellow rectangular plaque mounted below a warning sign, showing a recommended maximum speed for the hazard, such as a sharp curve or ramp. It is advice, not a posted legal speed limit.

A yellow diamond warning that the roadway ahead loses a lane or becomes narrower, often paired with a lane-ends symbol. Drivers should merge early and avoid passing in the taper.

A yellow diamond showing a slope percentage, warning of a steep downgrade or upgrade ahead. Drivers of heavy vehicles should check brakes and choose a lower gear before descending.

A yellow diamond showing a car with wavy skid marks, warning that the pavement may be wet, icy, or otherwise low-traction. Reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering.

A rectangular yellow sign with a black arrow, placed along the outside of a sharp curve to show its direction and sharpness. A series of chevrons guides drivers through the turn.

An orange sign warning of construction, maintenance, or utility work ahead. Orange means temporary conditions, and penalties for speeding in an active work zone are often doubled.

A trained worker using a stop/slow paddle or flag to control traffic through a work zone. Obey the paddle and the flagger's signals as you would a stop sign or traffic light.

An orange or black-on-white sign directing traffic around a closed road or work zone along an alternate route. Follow posted detour markers rather than improvising through the closure.

The cones, barrels, barricades, signs, and markings that redirect traffic through or around a work zone. These devices override permanent markings and signs while the zone is active.

A cone, drum, tubular marker, or barricade used to guide vehicles along a path and separate them from workers or opposing traffic. Stripe direction and color indicate which side traffic should pass.

A sign giving directions, destinations, distances, or route information, typically green, blue, or brown. Guide signs help you plan lane choice and navigation rather than impose a rule.

A shield or other symbol identifying a numbered highway, such as an Interstate shield or an Oregon state route. The shape and color tell you which road system the route belongs to.

A small green sign at an interchange showing the exit number, often with a mile reference. Oregon numbers exits by milepost, so the number also tells you how far along the highway you are.

A blue sign showing available services such as gas, food, lodging, or hospitals near an exit. Blue indicates traveler services and does not by itself regulate driving behavior.

A brown sign pointing to parks, historic sites, or other points of interest. Brown is reserved for recreation and cultural guidance, so it never marks a regulatory requirement.

A white X-shaped sign with black lettering reading RAILROAD CROSSING, placed at the crossing itself. It means yield to trains; a stop is required if a train is approaching or signals are active.

A yellow circular sign with a black X and two R letters, warning that a railroad crossing is ahead. A plaque below may show the number of tracks or an advisory speed.

A large white X with the letters RR painted on the pavement before a crossing, warning drivers to look and listen. It is often paired with an advance warning sign.

A crossing where light rail trains share or cross the roadway, marked with signals, gates, and signs similar to freight railroad crossings. Trains are quiet and fast, so never stop on the tracks.

A fluorescent yellow-green sign marking the area near a school where children may be present. It is often combined with a school speed limit sign and flashing beacons during arrival and dismissal.

A posted lower speed limit, commonly 20 mph, that applies when children are present or when beacons flash. The limit ends at a sign marking the end of the zone.

A sign warning of a marked pedestrian crossing ahead, often showing a walking figure. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk, and passing a vehicle stopped there is dangerous and often illegal.

A white pavement symbol of a bicycle with two chevrons, placed in a travel lane to show that bicyclists and motor vehicles share that lane. It does not mean the lane is bike-only.

A white bicycle symbol with a straight or dashed arrow painted in a lane reserved for cyclists. Drivers may cross it only when turning, yielding to riders first.

The eight-sided shape used only for stop signs, making a stop recognizable from the back or at a distance. No other standard sign shares this shape.

The downward-pointing three-sided shape used for yield signs. Its unique outline lets drivers identify a yield even when the sign face is obscured or viewed from behind.

A horizontally elongated triangular sign, used for no-passing zones. It is the only pennant-shaped sign in the standard set.

The four-sided rotated square shape reserved for warning signs, normally yellow with black symbols. Seeing a diamond tells you a hazard or change is ahead.

A bright color used on signs for school zones, pedestrian crossings, and bicycle warnings to increase visibility. It replaces ordinary yellow in locations where children or cyclists are likely.

The color reserved for construction and maintenance warning signs and temporary traffic control devices. Orange signals a temporary condition that may change quickly.

Paint or raised material on the road surface that guides or regulates traffic, such as lane lines, arrows, and crosswalks. Markings work together with signs and signals and give way to them in conflicts.

A painted line separating travel lanes or marking the road edge. Yellow lines separate opposing traffic, white lines separate same-direction traffic, and dashed lines mean crossing is permitted when safe.

A solid white line painted across a lane at a stop sign, signal, or crosswalk. Stop with your vehicle behind the bar so pedestrians and cross traffic have room.

White lines or bars marking where pedestrians cross, often parallel lines or a ladder pattern. Drivers must yield to pedestrians within the markings and should not block them when stopping.

A solid yellow line on your side of the centerline, often paired with a pennant sign, meaning passing is prohibited. A broken yellow line on your side permits passing when safe.

A thin reflective post placed along the roadside to mark the edge of the pavement or a curve. Delineators supplement markings and are especially useful at night and in bad weather.