Road Signs cheat sheet

Regulatory signs are typically white background with black legend, or red/white for prohibitions; they state a legal requirement and violation is enforceable.

Red circle with a diagonal slash means the depicted action is prohibited; a red circle alone (no slash) means the action is mandatory or permitted only as shown.

STOP sign: red octagon with white legend; the only sign shape reserved exclusively for stop. Full stop at the limit line, crosswalk, or edge of the roadway, whichever comes first.

YIELD sign: red-and-white downward-pointing triangle; slow and give right of way, stopping only if necessary. Never used for stop.

SPEED LIMIT signs are white rectangles with black legend; posted limit is the maximum lawful speed in ideal conditions, not a minimum or a target.

Rectangular white signs with black text such as DO NOT ENTER (red circle with white bar), WRONG WAY, ONE WAY, and KEEP RIGHT are regulatory, not warning.

Movement and lane-use signs (left-turn only, straight or turn, no U-turn, no right turn on red) are regulatory and override general rules where posted.

Regulatory signs take priority over warning and guide signs; when a regulatory sign conflicts with a pavement marking, the sign generally controls.

Parking and standing controls (no parking, no stopping, tow-away, permit zones) are regulatory; times and day limits on the sign define when enforcement applies.

Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds with black symbols or legend, placed in advance of the condition; they advise, they do not impose a legal limit.

A yellow diamond with a black arrow indicates a curve; a single arrow is a simple curve, an S-shaped arrow is a reverse (double) curve.

Advisory speed plaques (yellow rectangle below a warning sign) show a recommended maximum for the condition; exceeding it can be cited as unsafe for conditions.

Diamond shape is reserved for warning; a diamond with an added rectangular plaque modifies the warning (distance, condition, or direction).

Intersection warnings: crossroad, side road, T-intersection, and Y-intersection symbols each show the actual geometry of the approaching junction.

Merge and lane-end warnings: added-lane and merge symbols show traffic joining; RIGHT LANE ENDS indicates the lane terminates ahead.

Hill, downgrade percentage, and slippery-when-wet signs warn of grade and surface conditions; the percentage is grade, not a speed.

Pedestrian, bicycle, deer, and animal crossing warnings indicate a possible presence, not a guaranteed crossing point; reduce speed and scan.

Chevron alignment signs (large yellow or black-on-yellow arrows) mark the outside of a sharp curve and show the direction of travel through it.

Guide signs are typically green (freeway/expressway) or blue (services) with white legend; they give directions and information, not legal commands.

Green guide signs give destinations, route numbers, distances, and exits; exit-direction signs include an exit number and a directional arrow.

Blue signs indicate motorist services (fuel, food, lodging, hospital, phone); brown signs indicate recreation, cultural, and scenic points.

Interstate route markers use a red-and-blue shield; the number and a direction word (north/south/east/west) identify the route.

Mile markers and exit numbers on Interstates generally correspond to the milepost of the exit, aiding distance and location reference.

White-on-green diagrammatic signs show the lane arrangement for an upcoming split or exit; follow the arrow for the lane serving your destination.

Informational signs such as HOV lane, toll, and lane-use information state rules for specific facilities; read them before entering the lane.

Service signs with symbols and distances identify the next available service; they are informational and do not guarantee 24-hour operation.

Guide signs are placed far enough in advance of a decision point to permit a safe lane change; missing one means continuing to the next exit.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge.

A solid line means no crossing or lane change; a broken (dashed) line means crossing is permitted when safe.

Double solid yellow: no passing or crossing in either direction. One solid plus one broken yellow: passing permitted only on the side with the broken line.

White dashed lines separate same-direction lanes; a solid white line marks the edge of the roadway or a lane where crossing is discouraged or prohibited.

Crosswalk markings: parallel transverse lines or a ladder pattern; stop before the crosswalk line, not on it, when yielding to pedestrians.

Stop lines (wide solid white bars) mark where to stop for a signal or sign; the stop is made behind the line.

Turn arrows painted in a lane are regulatory; a lane marked with a left-turn arrow may only be used to turn left.

Painted curbs: red means no stopping or parking, yellow means stopping for loading only, white means passenger pickup/drop-off, blue marks disabled parking.

Railroad pavement markings include an X pattern and the letters RR; they warn of a crossing and are paired with advance warning signs.

Steady red: stop before the limit line or crosswalk; right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it, and left on red only from a one-way to a one-way where allowed.

Steady yellow: the signal is about to turn red; stop if it can be done safely, otherwise proceed with caution. It does not mean accelerate.

Steady green: proceed if the intersection is clear; yield to pedestrians and to vehicles already lawfully in the intersection.

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

Green arrow: protected movement in the arrow direction; a red arrow prohibits that movement even if other movements have a green.

A dark or non-functioning signal is treated as an all-way stop in many jurisdictions; the first to arrive proceeds first.

Left-turn signals: a green arrow is protected; a flashing yellow arrow means permissive left turn yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Pedestrian signals: walking-person symbol means proceed; flashing hand means do not start, finish crossing; steady hand means do not enter the crosswalk.

At a signalized intersection, do not enter the box unless you can clear it; blocking the intersection is a violation even on green.

Work zone signs are typically orange diamonds with black legend; they warn of construction, maintenance, or workers ahead.

Channelizing devices (cones, drums, barricades, tubular markers) define the temporary path; their color and pattern indicate direction of travel.

Flaggers have the same authority as a signal or sign; a flagger's STOP/SLOW paddle must be obeyed.

Temporary traffic control may override permanent markings and signs; follow the orange devices and posted temporary limits.

Work zone speed limits are posted and enforceable; fines are commonly doubled when workers are present, per posted signs.

Lane-closure signing uses advance warning, taper, buffer space, and work area in sequence; do not change lanes inside the taper unless directed.

Detour signs are usually orange or black-on-white with an arrow; follow the detour marker rather than attempting the closed route.

Pilot cars and one-lane, two-way operations require following the pilot vehicle and not passing it.

End-of-work-zone signs mark resumption of normal rules; temporary limits remain enforceable until the END sign or posted terminus.

School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green pentagons or diamonds showing children; the pentagon shape is reserved for school zones and school crossings.

School zone speed limits apply during posted hours or when beacons flash; outside those times the normal limit applies.

A crossing guard has authority to stop traffic; obey the guard's signal and the posted crosswalk markings.

Stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and extended stop arm on an undivided road; on a divided highway, opposing traffic need not stop.

Flashing yellow lights on a school bus mean the bus is preparing to stop; be prepared to stop and do not pass.

Pedestrian crossing signs and marked crosswalks require yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk; unmarked crosswalks at intersections carry the same duty in many jurisdictions.

Pedestrian signal heads and countdown timers govern the crossing phase; a countdown shows remaining seconds, not permission to start.

Sidewalk and trail signs, and no-pedestrian signs on freeways or tunnels, are regulatory where posted.

Reduced-speed school zones may be enforced by camera or officer; the limit applies only when the sign's condition (time or beacon) is met.

Round yellow warning sign with a black X and RR marks a railroad crossing ahead; a plaque below may show track count or EXEMPT status.

Crossbuck sign (white X, black letters RAILROAD CROSSING) marks the crossing itself and has the same meaning as a yield sign.

Flashing red lights at a crossing mean stop; do not proceed until the lights stop and the way is clear, even if no train is visible.

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

A stop sign at a crossing requires a full stop before the tracks; a yield sign requires yielding to trains.

Pavement markings (X and RR) and advance warning signs precede the crossing; they indicate the distance to the tracks.

Trains cannot stop quickly; at a crossing, stop only if necessary, and never stop on the tracks.

Light rail and trolley crossings use similar signals and markings; treat them as railroad crossings.

If your vehicle stalls on the tracks, exit immediately and move away from the tracks in the direction of an approaching train's travel, not along the track.