Road Signs – Know the Basic Shapes
Nine Basic Shapes You Should Know
The basic shapes and colors of traffic signs are important.You should know signs by their appearances so when driving you can recognize them at a distance even when visibility is poor. If snow covers a sign, the shape can help you decide the most likely meaning of the sign.
In United States, road signs can have:
10 different colors
9 different shapes
Each shape and each color has an exact meaning. You should learn all of the shapes and colors for your DMV exam and for your future safety on the road.
In many states, you should expect one or two questions about shapes and colors on the knowledge test. Pay special attention to signs that have exclusive use, like the sign that warns of a railroad crossing ahead, the stop sign, and the yield sign.
Octagon: Exclusively used for Stop.
Equilateral Triangle (One point down): Exclusively used for Yield.
Circle: Exclusively used for Grade Crossing Advance Warning. [ Read more ]
Pennant Shape (Isosceles Triangle): Exclusively used for No Passing. [ Read more ]
Pentagon (pointed up): Exclusively used for School Advance Warning Sign.
Crossbuck (two rectangles in an X configuration): Exclusively used for Grade Crossing.
Diamond: Warning signs.
Rectangle (including square): Used for Regulatory signs (often vertical), Guide signs (often horizontal), and Warning signs.
Trapezoid: Used for Recreational and Cultural Interest Area signs, and National Forest Route signs.
Route Signs
Route signs can also have different shapes.
The Interstate route sign is a cutout shield, with the route number in white letters on a blue background.
U.S. routes are marked with black and white shields (the left sign below).
State route sign are often square, but designs are established locally and the state signs may have different shapes. Even if questions about route signs rarely show up on a DMV test, make sure you can tell them apart.
Other route signs mark County routes and National Forest routes.
Check Your Knowledge
A. Three-sided
B. Five-sided
C. Square
D. Round
A. Railroad crossing ahead
B. Yield ahead
C. Do not enter
D. School or school crossing
A. Work zone
B. No passing zone
C. Yield
D. School zone
A. A Warning
B. A Regulation
C. A Direction or distance
D. A Duty to yield
A. A School crossing
B. A No-passing zone
C. A Detour
D. A Sharp curve
Correct Answers
Question 1: Correct answer is C. Square
Question 2: Correct answer is A. Railroad crossing ahead
Question 3: Correct answer is D. School zone
Question 4: Correct answer is A. A Warning
Question 5: Correct answer is B. A No-passing zone
If you want study help for your DMV test, there are 50 practice tests available for your state.
regarding the Georgia Driver’s Test. Taking the test over and over does not teach me anything. How can I get the answers to study?
Read the drivers manual. “Getting” the answers will “teach” you even less.
Is thanks
I’ve never been through so much hell, in my experience to pass the DMV test. First I was given a test as if I am a truck driver. Second test had a question “making a left turn on a solid Red light into the left lane.” I was shocked. I’m 77 years young, I have never seen where a driver could make a left turn on a Red light into a one-way street. I mean a solid Red light. If I’m wrong I need to see it for myself.
This office in Diamond Bar CA, is trying their best to take my licence on account of a situation I have with the Walnut Sherriff CA station. The first test I failed the lady barely wanted me to see the questions I missed, holding them in her hand as if I were going to steal them. I was livid. They’re really trying to take my licence, on account of me taking the Walnut Sheriff station to court. Whereby
They lied in court, when the Judge requested us to answer to our names.
They called the name of I recall JOHN SALLEBY, the imposter identified himself as JOHN SALLEBY lied to the court in identifying himself as JOHN SALLEBY.
Ldt SALLEBY had been to my house, the man imposter had not.
I have a perfect driving record, they’re
causing me to take the test on account of a simple TIA They saw on my report they asked for. I’m telling you this because I believe they’re wrong in how that office handled me. Almost refusing to let me see the questions I missed, except for the second test, not giving me real time to study.
Because of them my life is turned upside down, and somebody needs to know….To whom it may concern….
[…Mailing Address removed…]
FORWARD THIS TO WHOEVER IT CONCERNS
In response to the first part: In California, left turns against red can be made from a one-way street onto a one-way street. This rule applies in most states.
Original comment was moderated and mailing address removed. It is not a good idea to post a personal mailing address.
What’s a CHEVRON SIGN ???
Chevron signs mark sharp curves (turns).
Thanks alot you are doing good work,l wish the whole world could follow your footsteps God’s children could be saved from careless drivers who get license being not qualified hence cause accident on roads killing innocent people.Otherwise am doing my best to see l pass exam anytime l come for interview.
What color are the signs for motorist an pedestrians
seems I need to find a book on signs! do not find in drivers license book
wow seems like each year there are more sings to learn about this family has traveled from CA to Pa for the last 10 years great seeing our country
I was to pass the payment test