DMV Signs Flashcards
Stop
Yield
Rectangle (Regulatory or Guide): Vertical signs generally give instructions or tell you the law.
Rectangle (Regulatory or Guide): Horizontal signs may give directions or information.
Diamond (Warning): These signs warn you of special conditions or hazards ahead. Slow down and drive with caution. Be ready to stop.
Pentagon (School Zone/School Crossing): This five-sided shape marks school zones and warns you about school crossings.
Pentagon (School Zone/School Crossing): This five-sided shape marks school zones Two signs may be used together to show the actual location of the crosswalk.
Regulatory or guide signs inform you of the law; 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.
Regulatory or guide signs inform you of the law; 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: These signs tell you the maximum legal speed that you may drive on the road where the sign is posted when weather conditions are good. Some roads have electronic speed limit signs that change based on weather or traffic conditions. During rain, snow and ice, you may receive a ticket for driving too fast for the conditions even if you are driving at or less than the posted speed limit.
Do Not Enter - These signs mean you cannot drive in that direction. If you drive past these signs, you are going in the wrong direction and could get into a head-on crash with vehicles headed your way. Cautiously turn around.
Wrong Way: These signs mean you cannot drive in that direction. If you drive past these signs, you are going in the wrong direction and could get into a head-on crash with vehicles headed your way. Cautiously turn around.
One Way: Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.
One Way: Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.
No Left Turn: Left turns are against the law. In Virginia, U-turns are considered two left turns and are illegal if this sign is posted.
No Right Turn: Right turns are illegal. Do not make a right turn when you see this sign.
No U-Turn: U-turns are illegal. Do not make a U-turn when you see this sign.
No Turn on Red: You may not turn on the red light. Wait for the signal to turn green.
Do Not Pass: This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.
Left Turn Yield on Green: This sign is used with a traffic signal. It tells you that the traffic turning left at a green light does not have the right-of-way and must yield to traffic coming from the other direction. Stop and look for oncoming traffic, then proceed with caution.
Keep Right: A traffic island, median or barrier is ahead. Keep to the side indicated by the arrow.
Lane Use Control: These signs are used where turns are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes. Traffic in the lane must turn in the direction of the arrow.
Lane Use Control: These signs are used where turns are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes. Traffic in the lane must turn in the direction of the arrow.
High Occupancy Vehicle: These signs indicate lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers as specified on the sign.
Disabled Parking: Parking spaces marked with these signs are reserved for people with disabled parking permits.
Advisory Speed: This sign indicates the maximum safe speed for a highway exit.
Reduced Speed Limit Ahead: Prepare to reduce your speed; the speed limit is changing ahead.
Stop Ahead - A stop sign is ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.
Yield Ahead - A stop sign or yield sign is ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.
Signal Ahead: Traffic signals are ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.
No Passing Zone: This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.
Merge: Two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging safely.
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.
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.
Divided Highway Ends: The highway ahead no longer has a median or divider. Traffic goes in both directions. Keep right.
Roundabout: These signs indicate a circular intersection with an island in the center is ahead. Also called traffic circles, these intersections may have one or more lanes. Entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to traffic already in the circle and travel in a counter clockwise direction.
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 of you.
Low Clearance Sign: The overpass ahead has a low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown on the sign.
Hill: A steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes.
Deer Crossing: Deer cross the roadway in this area. Slow down, be alert and be ready to stop.
Pedestrian Crossing: Watch for people entering a crosswalk or crossing your path. Slow down and be prepared to stop.
Pedestrian Crossing: Watch for people entering a crosswalk or crossing your path. Slow down and be prepared to stop. A second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the crosswalk.
Bicycle Crossing/Bike Path: Bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic in this area. Drive with caution.
Bicycle Crossing/Bike Path: Bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic in this area. Drive with caution. A second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the bike crossing.
Open Joints: Slow down. Open joints on bridges or ramps could cause a motorcyclist to lose control of the motorcycle.
Expansion Joints: This sign is used when a joint across lanes creates a bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.
Intersections: An intersection is ahead. Be alert for vehicles entering the road on which you are traveling.
Intersections: An intersection is ahead. Be alert for vehicles entering the road on which you are traveling.
Y Intersection: You must bear either right or left ahead.
T Intersection: The roadway you are traveling on ends ahead at a stop sign. You must turn right or left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
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 on.
Sharp Right Turn: Slow down and be prepared for a sharp right turn in the road ahead.
Sharp Right and Left Turns: Slow down and be prepared for the road ahead to turn sharply right, then left.
Right and Left Curves: The road ahead curves right, then left. Slow down.
Right Curve with Safe Speed Indicator: 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. On all curves, slow down for better control.
Low Ground Railroad Crossing: A steep slope where the railroad tracks cross the road may cause the bottom of low vehicles to get caught or drag on the tracks.
Railroad Crossing: Advance warning signs are placed before a railroad crossing. These signs warn you to look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails.
Railroad Crossbuck: This sign is a warning of a railroad crossing. Look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails. Trains may be approaching from either direction. If there is more than one track, trains may be approaching from either direction on either track
Railroad Crossbuck and Flashing Lights: Flashing lights may be used with crossbuck signs. Always stop when the light begins to flash and be alert for approaching trains. Do not proceed until all trains or any other vehicles using the rails have passed, the tracks are clear, and the lights are no longer flashing. Be especially alert at multi-track crossings because a second train could be approaching from the opposite direction.
Crossbuck, Flashing Lights and Gate: Gates are used with flashing light signals at some crossings. Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers. Remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing. Do not attempt to drive around the lowered gate.
Rough Road, Bump, or Uneven Lanes: These signs are used when certain road conditions, such as loose gravel or road construction, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.
Rough Road, Bump, or Uneven Lanes: These signs are used when certain road conditions, such as loose gravel or road construction, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.
Rough Road, Bump, or Uneven Lanes: These signs are used when certain road conditions, such as loose gravel or road construction, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.
Road Construction Ahead – Detour: These signs indicate a change in the traffic pattern or route ahead. Slow down. Unusual or potentially dangerous conditions are ahead.
Road Construction Ahead – Detour: These signs indicate a change in the traffic pattern or route ahead. Slow down. Unusual or potentially dangerous conditions are ahead.
Flashing Arrow Boards: Large flashing arrow boards or flashing message signs in work zones direct drivers to proceed into different traffic lanes and inform them that part of the road ahead is closed.
Flaggers: Flaggers are highway workers who normally wear orange or yellow vests, or yellow-green shirts or jackets. They use STOP/SLOW paddles or red flags to stop or direct traffic through the work zone and to let other workers or construction vehicles cross the road.
Photo Speed Enforcement: This sign indicates that automated photo enforcement is in place for speeding in a work zone. Always obey the posted speed limit in a work zone.
Traffic Control Devices: Barricades, vertical signs, concrete barriers, drums and cones are the most common devices used to guide drivers safely through work zones. When driving near the devices, keep your vehicle in the middle of the lane and obey the posted speed limit. As you leave the work zone, stay in your lane and maintain your speed. Don’t change lanes until you are completely clear of the work zone.
Rumble Strips Ahead signs warn motorists of black or orange strips placed across the travel lanes in advance of work zones, including a flagger or lane closure. Rumble strips should be driven over slowly, not swerved around. Rumble Strips Ahead signs warn motorists of black or orange strips placed across the travel lanes in advance of work zones, including a flagger or lane closure. Rumble strips should be driven over slowly, not swerved around.
Slowing Moving Vehicles traveling at 25 mph or less, such as farm equipment, horse-drawn vehicles or highway work vehicles must display these signs when using a public highway. Be prepared to adjust your speed or position when you see a vehicle with one of these signs.
