PA Road Signs Practice cheat sheet

Regulatory signs control traffic and are enforceable; they are typically white background with black legend and a red circle/slash for prohibitions.

A red circle with a diagonal slash means the action shown is prohibited; the slash runs from upper left to lower right.

STOP (R1-1) is the only octagon; the legend is white on red, and a stop must be made at the stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection.

YIELD (R1-2) is an inverted triangle; slow and prepare to stop only if necessary to let conflicting traffic pass.

Speed limit signs (R2-1) are white rectangles with black legend; posted limits are maximums under ideal conditions, not minimums.

DO NOT ENTER (R5-1) is a red square with a white horizontal bar and white legend; WRONG WAY (R5-2) is a red rectangle with white legend.

ONE WAY signs are black rectangles with a white arrow; a horizontal white bar on a red square (DO NOT ENTER) marks the reverse direction.

Turning and lane-use signs (e.g., NO LEFT TURN, mandatory turn arrows) are white with black symbols plus a red circle/slash when prohibited.

Regulatory sign violations carry the same legal weight as traffic signal violations; regulatory signs have the highest authority among sign types.

Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black legend or symbols, placed in advance of the condition they warn about.

Diamond shape alone signals a warning; an advisory speed plaque (yellow, black text) is not a legal limit but the recommended maximum for the condition.

Curve signs: a plain curve arrow warns of a turn; a curve with an advisory speed plaque indicates a safe speed to negotiate it.

Intersection warning signs show a black cross or side-road symbol; a T-symbol indicates a T-intersection ahead.

Winding road (S-curve), hill (steep grade percentage), and lane-reduction signs warn of geometry changes; grade percentages show steepness of descent.

Pedestrian, bicycle, deer, and farm-equipment warning signs are yellow diamonds with black pictograms, indicating possible crossing hazards.

Two-way traffic and divided-highway-end signs warn that the roadway configuration changes ahead.

A red-and-white triangle on a yellow diamond (YIELD ahead) or a stop-ahead plaque warns of a regulatory sign approaching.

Fluorescent yellow-green diamonds are used for pedestrian, bicycle, and school-related warnings to increase conspicuity.

Guide signs are green (freeway/expressway direction), blue (services), or brown (recreation/cultural) with white legend.

Green guide signs give route numbers, destinations, distances, and exit information; exit direction signs sit at the gore area.

Blue signs indicate motorist services: gas, food, lodging, hospital (H symbol), and rest areas.

Brown signs identify parks, historic sites, and recreational areas; they are informational, not regulatory.

White rectangular signs with black legend provide general information or regulations (e.g., speed limits, lane use).

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

Mile markers and exit numbers are small green or white signs used for navigation and emergency location reporting.

A yellow square with a black symbol is an object marker; orange or yellow-black object markers flag obstructions near the roadway.

Construction and maintenance signs are orange diamonds with black legend or symbols, warning of work ahead.

A flagger symbol sign or FLAGGER AHEAD sign warns that a person controls traffic; obey the flagger's signals over signs and signals.

Channelizing devices (cones, drums, barricades) define the work-zone travel path; orange and white stripes mark hazard boundaries.

Temporary traffic control uses orange signs and portable signals; speed limits in work zones may be reduced and are enforceable when posted.

A ROAD WORK AHEAD sign is a warning; a SHOULDER WORK or LANE CLOSED sign indicates a specific restriction in effect.

Detour signs are typically orange or black on white with arrows; follow posted detour routes when the normal route is closed.

Pilot cars and one-lane two-way operations use flaggers and signs; yield to oncoming traffic when directed.

Work-zone fines are commonly doubled when workers are present; posted signs state the increased penalty.

End Road Work signs mark the termination of the work zone and any reduced speed limit.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction.

A solid yellow line on your side means no passing; a broken yellow line means passing is permitted when safe.

Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing in both directions; a solid-and-broken pair permits passing only for the side with the broken line.

White dashed lane lines permit lane changes; solid white lines discourage or prohibit lane changes.

Edge lines: solid white marks the right edge; solid yellow marks the left edge of divided highways and one-way roads.

Crosswalks are marked with white transverse lines or a ladder pattern; stop lines are solid white bars before intersections.

Arrows painted on the pavement indicate required lane use (turn only, straight only, or combined).

HOV lanes are marked with a diamond symbol and signs; only eligible vehicles may use them during posted hours.

Railroad pavement markings consist of a white X, the letters RR, and a stop line where required.

Steady red: stop before the stop line or crosswalk; right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it.

Steady yellow: the signal is changing to red; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise proceed with caution.

Steady green: proceed if the intersection is clear; do not enter if traffic would block the intersection.

Flashing red is treated as a stop sign; flashing yellow means proceed with caution and yield as required.

A green arrow grants a protected turn; a red arrow prohibits the movement, and a yellow arrow warns the protected phase is ending.

A dark or non-functioning signal is treated as a stop-controlled intersection in many jurisdictions; treat as all-way stop.

Left-turn on green: yield to oncoming traffic unless a green arrow provides protection.

Pedestrian signals: a walking person means proceed; a flashing hand means do not start crossing; a steady hand means do not cross.

At a signalized intersection, do not block the box; enter only when you can clear the intersection.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds; a school pentagon shape is unique to school areas.

School speed limit signs are enforceable when flashing beacons are active or during posted hours; the limit applies only in the zone.

A crossing guard's signals and stop paddle carry the same authority as a traffic signal; stop when directed.

Pedestrian crossing signs (yellow diamond with walking figure) warn of crosswalks; yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

Bicycle signs: a yellow diamond with a bicycle warns of bike traffic; a green bike-lane marking or sharrow indicates shared lanes.

A bicycle lane is marked with a solid white line and bicycle symbol; motor vehicles may not drive in it except to cross.

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

A NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSING sign prohibits pedestrian crossing at that location.

Shared-use path signs indicate multi-use trails; cyclists yield to pedestrians unless otherwise posted.

A round yellow warning sign with a black X and RR indicates a railroad crossing ahead; it is placed in advance of the crossing.

A white X-shaped crossbuck sign marks the crossing itself; treat it as a yield sign and yield to trains.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop; do not proceed until the lights stop flashing and the way is clear.

A lowered gate arm means stop and remain stopped; never drive around or under a lowered gate.

A crossing with no signals or gates requires stopping, looking, and listening before crossing.

Trains always have the right of way; a train's speed and distance are deceptive, so never attempt to beat one.

Pavement markings (white X and RR) and a stop line indicate where to stop before the tracks.

Multiple tracks require checking each track separately; a second train may follow the first.

Do not stop on railroad tracks; ensure space to clear the tracks before proceeding.

Octagon = STOP; inverted triangle = YIELD; these are the only two shapes with single mandatory meanings.

Diamond = warning; rectangle (horizontal or vertical) = regulatory or guide information.

Pentagon (point up) = school zone or school crossing; round = railroad advance warning.

Crossbuck (X shape) = railroad crossing; shield shapes mark route types (Interstate, U.S., state).

Red = stop, yield, or prohibition; yellow = warning; orange = construction/work zone.

Green = guide/direction; blue = motorist services; brown = recreation and cultural interest.

White = regulatory background or information; black = legend and symbols on most signs.

Fluorescent yellow-green = pedestrian, bicycle, and school warnings for high conspicuity.

Color and shape together convey meaning before the legend is read; recognize shape first, then color, then text.