Traffic Signs
Sign Shapes
The shape of a traffic sign communicates important information about the sign's message. In poor visibility conditions, such as heavy fog, you may be able to make out only the shape of a sign. Part one of DMV’s driver licensing knowledge exam consists of a 10-question test on traffic signs. You must answer all ten questions correctly before you can take part two. The traffic sign questions are selected from the following information.
Octagon: Stop
The octagon (eight-sided) shape always means stop. You must come to a complete stop at the sign, stop line, pedestrian crosswalk or curb. Then, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle or pedestrian approaching from either direction.
The octagon (eight-sided) shape always means stop. You must come to a complete stop at the sign, stop line, pedestrian crosswalk or curb. Then, yield the right-of-way to any vehicle or pedestrian approaching from either direction.
At some intersections you’ll find a plaque beneath the stop sign that says “All Way”
or “4 Way.” At these intersections all vehicles on all roads leading in to the
intersection must stop. The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Triangle: Yield
Slow down to a speed reasonable for the conditions and yield the right-of-way. Stop if necessary.
Slow down to a speed reasonable for the conditions and yield the right-of-way. Stop if necessary.
Rectangle: Regulatory or Guide
Vertical signs generally give instructions or tell you the law. Horizontal signs may give directions or information.
Vertical signs generally give instructions or tell you the law. Horizontal signs may give directions or information.
Diamond: Warning
These signs warn you of special conditions or hazards ahead. Drive with caution and be ready to slow down. (Pedestrian and bicycle signs may also be displayed in fluorescent yellow-green.)
These signs warn you of special conditions or hazards ahead. Drive with caution and be ready to slow down. (Pedestrian and bicycle signs may also be displayed in fluorescent yellow-green.)
Pentagon: School Zone and School Crossing
The pentagon (five-sided) shape marks school zones and warns you about school crossings. Signs may display horizontal lines indicating the point at which a crosswalk exists. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of the crosswalk. (Signs may also be displayed in yellow-gold.)
The pentagon (five-sided) shape marks school zones and warns you about school crossings. Signs may display horizontal lines indicating the point at which a crosswalk exists. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of the crosswalk. (Signs may also be displayed in yellow-gold.)
Crossbuck and Circle: Railroad Crossing
Both of these signs indicate that you are approaching a railroad crossing. Slow down,look and listen for trains.
Both of these signs indicate that you are approaching a railroad crossing. Slow down,look and listen for trains.
Regulatory Signs
These signs inform you of the law; therefore, you must obey their instructions. Remember that a red circle with a slash means NO--the symbol inside the circle tells you what is prohibited.
Speed Limit
This indicates the maximum legal speed that you may travel on the road where this sign is posted assuming weather conditions are favorable. During rain, snow and ice, you may receive a ticket for overdriving the conditions even if you are driving at or less than the posted speed limit.
This indicates the maximum legal speed that you may travel on the road where this sign is posted assuming weather conditions are favorable. During rain, snow and ice, you may receive a ticket for overdriving the conditions even if you are driving at or less than the posted speed limit.
Do Not Enter--Wrong Way
These signs are used often in combination and identify a one-way street, expressway ramp or the wrong direction or wrong side of a divided highway. Do not drive past either of these signs -- turn around.
These signs are used often in combination and identify a one-way street, expressway ramp or the wrong direction or wrong side of a divided highway. Do not drive past either of these signs -- turn around.
One Way
Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.
Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.
No Left Turn
Left turns and U-turns prohibited. In Virginia U-turns are considered as two left turns and are prohibited if this sign is posted.
Left turns and U-turns prohibited. In Virginia U-turns are considered as two left turns and are prohibited if this sign is posted.
No Right Turn
Right turns prohibited.
Right turns prohibited.
No U-Turn
U-turns prohibited.
U-turns prohibited.
No Turn on Red
You may not turn during the red light. Wait for the signal to turn green.
You may not turn during the red light. Wait for the signal to turn green.
No Passing
This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane.
This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane.
Left Turn Yield on Green
This sign is used in combination with a traffic signal. It emphasizes that traffic turning left on the circular green light does not have the right-of-way and must yield to oncoming traffic.
This sign is used in combination with a traffic signal. It emphasizes that traffic turning left on the circular green light does not have the right-of-way and must yield to oncoming traffic.
Keep Right
A traffic island, median or obstruction is ahead. Keep to the side indicated by the arrow.
A traffic island, median or obstruction is ahead. Keep to the side indicated by the arrow.
Lane-Use Control
These signs are used where turning movements are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes.
These signs are used where turning movements are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes.
High Occupancy Vehicle
Indicates lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with the minimum number of occupants specified on the sign.
Indicates lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with the minimum number of occupants specified on the sign.
Disabled Parking
Parking spaces marked with these signs are reserved for individuals with disabled parking privileges.
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Parking spaces marked with these signs are reserved for individuals with disabled parking privileges.
Warning Signs
Warning signs alert you to possible hazards ahead. Slow down and watch for other signs or signals that may follow.
Advisory Speed
Indicates the maximum safe speed for an entrance or exit on the expressway.
Indicates the maximum safe speed for an entrance or exit on the expressway.
Signal Ahead
Traffic signals are ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.
Traffic signals are ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.
No Passing
This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane.
This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane.
Merge
Two lanes of traffic are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging smoothly.
Two lanes of traffic are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging smoothly.
Lane Reduction
The right lane ends soon. Drivers in the right lane must merge left when space opens up. Drivers in the left lane should allow other vehicles to merge smoothly.
The right lane ends soon. Drivers in the right lane must merge left when space opens up. Drivers in the left lane should allow other vehicles to merge smoothly.
Divided Highway Begins
The highway ahead is split into two separate roadways by a median or divider and each roadway is one-way. Keep right.
The highway ahead is split into two separate roadways by a median or divider and each roadway is one-way. Keep right.
Divided Highway Ends
The highway ahead becomes a single roadway with traffic going in both directions. Keep right.
The highway ahead becomes a single roadway with traffic going in both directions. Keep right.
Slippery when Wet
When pavement is wet, reduce your speed. Do not brake hard or change direction suddenly. Increase the distance between your car and the one ahead. These actions are needed on all wet roads and especially on roads where this sign is posted.
When pavement is wet, reduce your speed. Do not brake hard or change direction suddenly. Increase the distance between your car and the one ahead. These actions are needed on all wet roads and especially on roads where this sign is posted.
Low Clearance sign
The overpass ahead has a low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height indicated on the sign.
The overpass ahead has a low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height indicated on the sign.
Hill
A steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes.
A steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes.
Low Ground Railroad Crossing
Steep grade adjoining railroad bed may create a hang-up situation for vehicles with low ground clearance and a long wheelbase.
Steep grade adjoining railroad bed may create a hang-up situation for vehicles with low ground clearance and a long wheelbase.
Deer Crossing
Deer regularly cross the highway in this area. Slow down and be ready to stop.
Deer regularly cross the highway in this area. Slow down and be ready to stop.
Pedestrian Crossing
Watch for people crossing your path. Be prepared to slow down and stop. Signs may display horizontal lines indicating the point where a crosswalk exists. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of the crosswalk.
Watch for people crossing your path. Be prepared to slow down and stop. Signs may display horizontal lines indicating the point where a crosswalk exists. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of the crosswalk.
Bicycle Crossing/Bike Path
Bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic in this area. Drive with caution. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of bike crossing. (Signs may also be displayed in yellow-gold.)
Bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic in this area. Drive with caution. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of bike crossing. (Signs may also be displayed in yellow-gold.)
School Zone--School Crossing
Slow down -- the speed limit is usually 25 MPH. Watch out for children crossing the street or playing. Be ready to stop. Obey signals from any crossing guards. Signs may display horizontal lines indicating the point where a crosswalk exists. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of the crosswalk. (Signs may also be displayed in yellow-gold.)
Slow down -- the speed limit is usually 25 MPH. Watch out for children crossing the street or playing. Be ready to stop. Obey signals from any crossing guards. Signs may display horizontal lines indicating the point where a crosswalk exists. Signs may have a separate downward-pointing arrow plaque which indicates the actual location of the crosswalk. (Signs may also be displayed in yellow-gold.)
Open Joints
Slow down—open section joints on bridges or ramps could be of sufficient size to cause rider to lose control of motorcycle.
Slow down—open section joints on bridges or ramps could be of sufficient size to cause rider to lose control of motorcycle.
Expansion Joints
Used when a joint across lanes creates a significant bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.
Used when a joint across lanes creates a significant bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.
Crossroad
A four-way intersection is ahead. Watch for cross-traffic. Be ready to yield the right-of-way.
A four-way intersection is ahead. Watch for cross-traffic. Be ready to yield the right-of-way.
Side road
A road joins from the right. Be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling on.
A road joins from the right. Be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling on.
Y Intersection
You must bear either right or left ahead.
You must bear either right or left ahead.
T Intersection
The roadway you are traveling on ends ahead. Signal before turning right or left.
The roadway you are traveling on ends ahead. Signal before turning right or left.
Right Curve/Side Road
The road ahead curves right and a side road joins from the left within the curve. Be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling.
The road ahead curves right and a side road joins from the left within the curve. Be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling.
Sharp Right Turn
Be prepared for a sharp turn to the right in the road ahead.
Be prepared for a sharp turn to the right in the road ahead.
Sharp Right and Left Turns
The road ahead turns sharply right, then left.
The road ahead turns sharply right, then left.
Right and Left Curves
The road ahead curves right, then left.
The road ahead curves right, then left.
Right Curve (with safe speed indicator)
The road ahead curves right. Slow down to the safe speed indicated.
The road ahead curves right. Slow down to the safe speed indicated.
Winding Road
The road ahead winds with a series of turns or curves.
The road ahead winds with a series of turns or curves.
On all curves, slow down for better control.
Many localities and the Virginia Department of Transportation use electronic message boards mounted above the roadway or on the shoulder of the road to indicate hazardous driving conditions ahead (such as crashes, delays or road construction). Watch for these messages and obey the warning.
Rough Road, Bump, or Uneven Lanes
Used when certain road conditions, such as gravel or milled pavement, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.
Used when certain road conditions, such as gravel or milled pavement, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.
