Signs, signals and markings
Road Signs Practice Test 2025
Practice reading US road signs, traffic signals, pedestrian signals and lane markings: what each one means and what it tells you to do.
99 practice questions with pictures, written in our own words from the sign, signal and lane marking pages of the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025). Every answer shows the handbook page it comes from. Free, no sign-up.
- 99 questions
- 25 per attempt
- 65 signs explained
Start the road signs practice test
25 questions. No sign-up needed.
Choose how you want to practice:
Keyboard: press 1-4 or A-D to answer.
Road signs and their meanings
Every sign, signal and marking in the test, grouped by kind, with what it means in plain words and the page of the California Driver's Handbook that explains it.
Regulatory signs
Rules you must obey. Red and white signs such as DO NOT ENTER give an instruction to follow, a red ring with a slash forbids whatever its picture shows, and white rectangular signs set many other rules. (Handbook pages 35 and 38.)
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STOP
Come to a complete stop at the limit line or before the crosswalk. With neither, stop before the intersection, then check traffic in every direction.
Handbook page 35
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YIELD
Slow down and be prepared to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians go first, then continue.
Handbook page 35
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DO NOT ENTER
Do not drive onto the road or ramp where this sign stands.
Handbook page 38
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WRONG WAY
You are going against traffic. Once it is safe, turn around or back out. At night, road reflectors that glow red in your headlights also tell you this.
Handbook page 38
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No U-Turn
No U-turns here. On these signs, the red ring and slash ban whatever the picture inside shows.
Handbook page 38
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No Left Turn
No left turns here. On these signs, the red ring and slash ban whatever the picture inside shows.
Handbook page 38
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No Right Turn
No right turns here. On these signs, the red ring and slash ban whatever the picture inside shows.
Handbook page 38
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ONE WAY
A rule sign: traffic on this road may go only the way the arrow points.
Handbook page 38
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DO NOT PASS
A rule sign: you may not pass other vehicles here.
Handbook page 38
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KEEP RIGHT
A rule sign: stay to the right, on the side the arrow shows.
Handbook page 38
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SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT
If you drive slower than the traffic around you, use the right lane.
Handbook page 50
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LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN
A rule sign: when you turn left on a green light, you must yield.
Handbook page 38
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NO TURN ON RED
Where this sign is posted, you may not turn right on a red light.
Handbook page 33
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NO PARKING ANY TIME
Do not park here, not even to leave your car for a moment.
Handbook page 28
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DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION
Do not enter the intersection unless there is room to get all the way across before the light turns red.
Handbook page 39
Warning signs
Diamond-shaped signs warn of particular dangers and road conditions ahead. Obey every warning sign, whatever its shape or color. (Handbook pages 35 and 38.)
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Slippery When Wet
The road surface ahead gets slippery when wet. On a wet road, slow down by 5 to 10 mph.
Handbook page 61
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Merging Traffic
Warning sign: merging traffic ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Divided Highway
Warning sign: a divided highway ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Two Way Traffic
Warning sign: two-way traffic ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Lane Ends
Warning sign: a lane that ends ahead.
Handbook page 37
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End Divided Highway
Warning sign: the end of the divided highway ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Traffic Signal Ahead
Warning sign: a traffic signal ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Pedestrian Crossing
Warning sign: a pedestrian crossing ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Added Lane
Warning sign: an added lane ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Crossroad
Warning sign: a crossroad ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Stop Ahead
Warning sign: a STOP sign ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Yield Ahead
Warning sign: a YIELD sign ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Directional Arrow
A warning sign shaped as a long rectangle rather than a diamond, with a large arrow on it.
Handbook page 37
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Curve
Warning sign: a curve ahead.
Handbook page 37
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Winding Road
Warning sign: a winding road ahead.
Handbook page 37
Work zone signs
Construction and maintenance signs warn of workers, slow equipment and closed lanes ahead. Slow down and follow the directions of flaggers. (Handbook pages 36 and 49.)
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Flagger Ahead
Warns of road workers ahead. Slow down, and do what workers such as flaggers tell you to do.
Handbook page 49
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ROAD MACHINERY AHEAD
Road machinery is working ahead. Slow down, leave extra space and expect sudden stops.
Handbook page 49
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ROAD CLOSED AHEAD
A construction and maintenance sign: the road ahead is closed.
Handbook page 36
School signs
A five-sided sign means a school is near. (Handbook page 38.)
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School Crossing
A school is close by: slow down, and stop for any children crossing in the crosswalk.
Handbook page 38
Railroad crossings
A round yellow and black sign or an X-shaped sign means you are coming to a railroad crossing. (Handbook page 38.)
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Railroad Crossing Ahead
A railroad crossing is ahead. Look and listen, slow down, be ready to stop, and let any train go by first.
Handbook page 38
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Railroad Crossbuck
You are coming to a railroad crossing. Look and listen for trains, reduce speed, and get ready to stop.
Handbook page 38
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Railroad Crossing Signal
Stop and wait. Stay off the tracks until the red lights quit flashing, even if the gate lifts.
Handbook page 51
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Railroad Emergency Notification Sign
Tells you what to do in an emergency on or close to the tracks, or when your car stalls on them.
Handbook page 38
Signs on vehicles
Some signs ride on vehicles: they tell you something about the vehicle that carries them. (Handbook pages 45 and 50.)
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Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem
Marks the back of a slow vehicle, such as a road maintenance vehicle, that usually goes 25 mph or less.
Handbook page 45
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Hazardous Load Placard
Warns that a truck may be carrying a dangerous load, such as gas or explosives. Vehicles showing it must stop before they cross railroad tracks.
Handbook page 50
Traffic signals
Traffic lights at intersections. Even on green, stop for anyone already in the intersection. (Handbook pages 33 and 34.)
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Solid Red Light
Stop. After stopping at the limit line, you may turn right when it is safe, yielding to pedestrians, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
Handbook page 33
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Red Arrow
Stop and do not turn. Wait for a green light or a green arrow.
Handbook page 33
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Flashing Red Light
Come to a stop, then go on when it is safe.
Handbook page 33
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Solid Yellow Light
The light will turn red soon. Stop if you can do it safely; if you cannot, cross the intersection carefully.
Handbook page 33
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Yellow Arrow
Your protected turn is about to end. If you can't stop safely, or you have already entered the intersection, complete the turn with care.
Handbook page 33
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Flashing Yellow Light
Go ahead with caution: slow down and stay alert. You do not have to stop.
Handbook page 34
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Flashing Yellow Arrow
You may turn left, but oncoming traffic is not stopped. Yield to it first, then turn carefully.
Handbook page 34
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Solid Green Light
Go, but still stop for anyone in the intersection, and do not enter unless you can get all the way across before the light turns red.
Handbook page 34
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Green Arrow
Go in the direction of the arrow. Oncoming traffic has a red light, so your turn is protected.
Handbook page 34
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Traffic Light Not Working
Stop as you would at an intersection with STOP signs on every side, then go carefully when it is safe.
Handbook page 34
Pedestrian signals
Signals for people crossing on foot. As a driver, you still yield to pedestrians in the street. (Handbook page 35.)
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WALK (Walking Person)
People on foot may cross the street.
Handbook page 35
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DON'T WALK (Raised Hand)
People on foot may not cross. When it flashes, nobody should start crossing, and drivers must still yield to anyone in the street.
Handbook page 35
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Countdown Numbers
Shows how many seconds are left to finish crossing the street.
Handbook page 35
Lane markings
Lane markings on the road surface. A yellow center line divides traffic going opposite ways; white lines mark lanes going the same direction. (Handbook pages 13 and 14.)
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Single Solid Yellow Line
Marks the center of a two-way road. Do not pass if you have only one lane in your direction and the solid line is on your side.
Handbook page 13
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Double Solid Yellow Lines
Keep to the right of them and do not drive across them. A few exceptions apply, such as turning left across one set to make a U-turn or to get into or out of a driveway or private road.
Handbook page 13
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Broken Yellow Line
You may pass from the lane next to the broken line, when it is safe.
Handbook page 13
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Solid and Broken Yellow Lines
The driver with the broken line next to their lane may pass when it is safe. The driver with the solid line on their side may not pass if theirs is the only lane going that way.
Handbook page 13
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Two Sets of Double Yellow Lines
Two pairs of solid double yellow lines, two feet or more apart, form a barrier. Never drive on or across it, or turn left or U-turn through it, except at an opening made for that.
Handbook page 13
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Single Solid White Line
Separates lanes of traffic moving the same way, including on one-way streets.
Handbook page 13
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Double Solid White Lines
A lane barrier, for example next to a carpool (HOV) lane or near freeway ramps. Do not change lanes across it.
Handbook page 14
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Broken White Line
Divides lanes of traffic heading the same way where there are at least two lanes in that direction.
Handbook page 14
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End of Lane Markings
Marks a lane that is ending. Expect to leave the freeway or to have your lane run out, and watch for a sign saying to exit or merge.
Handbook page 14
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Yield Line
Shows approaching drivers the spot to yield or stop. Its triangles aim toward those drivers.
Handbook page 14
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Center Left Turn Lane
A lane down the center of a two-way street, used to get ready for and make left turns or U-turns. Drive in it no farther than 200 feet.
Handbook page 16
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Carpool (HOV) Lane Diamond
Marks a carpool (HOV) lane. Enter and leave it only at the marked entrances and exits, never across double solid lines.
Handbook page 16
Topics covered
- Warning signs 19 questions
- Lane markings 19 questions
- Regulatory signs 18 questions
- Traffic signals 15 questions
- Railroad crossings 9 questions
- Pedestrian signals 9 questions
- Work zone and school signs 6 questions
- Signs on vehicles 4 questions
Sample questions
One question from each part of the test. Try to answer before opening the explanation.
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Sample question 1
Which meaning matches this sign?
- ALane ends
- BAdded lane
- CTwo way traffic
- DEnd divided highway
Show answer
Answer: B. Two arrows point the same way, and the left one curves in with a lane line between them. This is the Added Lane sign: an extra lane joins the road.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, page 37 (Section 7, Warning Signs).
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Sample question 2
May the driver of the blue car make a U-turn across these lines?
- AYes, anywhere if no traffic is coming
- BYes, but only to reach a driveway
- COnly at a designated opening
- DNo, never, not even at an opening
Show answer
Answer: C. You may not drive on or across this barrier, turn left over it or U-turn across it. The only exception is a designated opening.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, page 13 (Section 6, Double Solid Yellow Lines).
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Sample question 3
Your light is green, but traffic is backed up past this sign, and you cannot get all the way across before the light turns red. What should you do?
- AGo ahead, because your light is green
- BPull into the intersection and wait there
- CEnter if you can get at least halfway across
- DWait until there is room to cross completely
Show answer
Answer: D. Stopping in an intersection when you cannot clear it before the light turns red is illegal. Stay back until there is space for your whole car on the other side.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, page 39 (Section 7, Intersections).
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Sample question 4
This red light is flashing. What must you do when you come to it?
- AStop, then go when it is safe
- BSlow down and go on without stopping
- CStop and wait for the light to turn green
- DGo, but yield to oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: A. A flashing red light works like a STOP sign. Come to a full stop, and after that you may go once it is safe.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, page 33 (Section 7, Flashing Red Light).
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Sample question 5
You are coming up to this sign. What should you do?
- ASpeed up to get across the tracks quickly
- BStop only if the gates are down
- CKeep your speed and honk your horn
- DSlow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop
Show answer
Answer: D. The X-shaped sign marks a railroad crossing. Check both ways, listen for a train, reduce your speed and be prepared to stop.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, page 38 (Section 7, Yellow and Black Circular Sign or X-shaped Sign).
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Sample question 6
What do the numbers on this pedestrian signal show?
- AThe seconds you must wait before you may cross
- BThe seconds left for crossing the street
- CThe number of the crosswalk
- DThe speed limit at the crossing
Show answer
Answer: B. The countdown tells pedestrians how much crossing time remains, so they can judge whether there is time to get across.
Source: California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, page 35 (Section 7, Numbers).
How to prepare
- Learn the shapes first: a diamond warns, a five-sided sign means a school, a round yellow sign or an X means a railroad crossing.
- Then learn what each sign asks you to do, not only its name: stop, yield, slow down, or follow a rule.
- Use practice mode: after each answer it shows the explanation and the handbook page.
- Read your own state’s driver handbook too: the knowledge test for your permit is based on it.
Frequently asked questions
Are these the questions on the real test?
No. Real test questions are not public. We write our own questions from a driver handbook, so they cover the same material without being copies of test questions.
Are road signs the same in every state?
Sign shapes, colors and symbols follow a national standard, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices from the Federal Highway Administration. Traffic laws still differ from state to state, so study your own state’s handbook as well.
Which handbook are the answers from?
From the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, California Department of Motor Vehicles). Each answer gives the page. The sign pictures are our own drawings of the standard US designs, not copies of the handbook’s pictures.
How do you check the answers?
Each question is written from one handbook page, and a script checks that the words backing its answer are really on that page. Then an independent AI review answers it from that page alone, and another review compares every drawing with the handbook. See our editorial policy. Found a mistake? Tell us.
Ready to test your sign knowledge?
25 questions with pictures. Free, no sign-up.
Sources
- California Driver's Handbook, DL 600 English, rev. 6/2025, California Department of Motor Vehicles (retrieved 2026-10-14; handbook page on the issuer’s website): cited by our questions and the sign chart.
- Sign shapes and colors: the national standard, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Federal Highway Administration (mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov). Our drawings follow its standard designs.
- State motor vehicle services, USAGov: Links to the motor vehicle agency (DMV) of every state, where you take the test.
California Driver's Handbook, California Department of Motor Vehicles, licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. License: CC BY-NC 4.0. We do not reproduce the handbook: our questions, answers, explanations and drawings are our own, and each answer names the handbook page so you can read it there.