THE 121 MOST COMMON

US road
a t 


signs
w h
n o w c t
K expe
to

QUESTIONS
Lose the fear of the unknown. Study the most common DMV questions 

so you'll know what to expect on the big test day.

DRIVING-TESTS. ORG
 Please do not try to take these
documents into the knowledge
exam room to cheat with
The term “cheat sheet” used to mean a sheet of notes that you kept with you to
cheat on an exam. Today, it has also come to mean a quick reference or ready
reference of the most important or frequently used items. That’s how we intend
our “cheat sheets” to be used: As quick references for you to browse to help
you study for your written knowledge test.

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Warning Warning signs highlight existing conditions, such as a curve, school, dead-end street, or
traffic signal. They can also warn of possible dangers such as bumps, bicycles, low-flying

signs aircraft, or emergency vehicles. These signs are either yellow or fluorescent yellow-green
in color and are usually diamond shaped.

1. Divided highway ends 2. Median ahead 3. Road shoulder much 4. Winding road
ahead This sign indicates that the lower than road surface The road zigzags ahead. Keep
This sign indicates that the divided highway ends; traffic Watch for the difference in right.
divided highway ends; traffic travels in both directions on road levels.
travels in both directions on the same road ahead. Keep
the same road ahead. Keep right.
right.

5. Right and left curves 6. Directional arrow sign 7. Yield the right-of-way or 8. Stop sign ahead
ahead The arrow shows the direction stop Prepare to come to a complete
This warning sign indicates of travel. This sign is placed at a T- stop near the stop sign before
curves in the road. In this case, intersection. It means you proceeding farther.
the road ahead curves to the should yield the right-of-way or
right and then to the left. Slow stop before turning right or left
down. onto the main road.

9. Maximum recommended 10. Soft shoulder 11. Narrow bridge ahead 12. Bicycle crossing
safe speed This sign indicates a soft This warning sign indicates that This sign indicates a bicycle
This sign shows the maximum shoulder. The dirt on the side a narrow bridge is ahead. The crossing. This sign warns you
recommended safe speed for of the road is soft. Don't leave bridge is just wide enough to in advance that a bikeway
entrance or exit on an the pavement except in an accommodate two lanes of crosses the roadway ahead.
expressway. Slow down to the emergency. traffic but with very little
speed shown (in this case, 30 clearance.
mph).

The 121 most common US road signs questions 1

13. Traffic merging ahead 14. Speed zone ahead 15. Two-way traffic ahead 16. Yield sign ahead
If you are on the main road and A speed zone is ahead. The The sign warns of two-way This sign indicates a yield sign
see this sign, be prepared for smaller sign indicates what the traffic ahead. Watch for traffic ahead. Prepare to yield to
other vehicles entering your speed limit will be. Prepare to going in the opposite direction. other vehicles already on the
lane. slow down. road.

17. Speed advisory at 18. Playground ahead 19. Overpass clearance 20. Handicapped crossing
roundabout This warning sign indicates a You are approaching an The sign indicates a
This is a speed advisory sign at playground ahead. overpass. The clearance from handicapped crossing ahead.
a roundabout. The the roadway surface to the Reduce your speed and
recommended speed limit in overpass is 13 feet 6 inches. proceed with caution.
the roundabout is 15 mph

21. Bicycle crossing 22. Cross traffic ahead 23. Deer crossing ahead 24. Slow-moving equipment
This sign indicates a bicycle This sign indicates that a This sign means that deer This warning sign indicates that
crossing. This sign warns you crossroad is ahead. Watch for often cross the roadway in this farm equipment may cross the
in advance that a bikeway cross traffic entering the area. Stay alert and slow down road. Be ready to slow down
crosses the roadway ahead. roadway. if you see a deer. forslow-moving equipment.

25. Pedestrian crossing 26. No-passing zone for all 27. School zone ahead 28. Traffic may flow on both
ahead vehicles This pentagonal sign warns sides
This sign means that a This pennant-shaped sign that you are entering a school This sign means that traffic on
pedestrian crosswalk is ahead. indicates that passing is not zone. the road may flow on both
You must yield to pedestrians allowed on this section of sides of the sign.
in the crosswalk. roadway.

The 121 most common US road signs questions 2

29. Railroad crossing ahead 30. T-intersection ahead 31. Road turn ahead 32. Slippery road ahead
This sign means that a railroad This sign indicates that the The road ahead changes The road surface is slippery
crossing is ahead. Proceed road you are traveling on will direction sharply. You must when it is wet. This sign is
with caution and be alert for end soon. Prepare to turn right slow down to a safe speed. often located near bridges and
approaching trains. or left. Yield to cross traffic. overpasses.

33. Y-intersection ahead 34. Railroad crossing ahead 35. Road slopes downhill 36. Traffic control signal
The road ahead splits into two This sign may be posted ahead ahead ahead
different directions. Be alert for of a railroad crossing. You must This sign warns of a steep A traffic signal is ahead. Watch
vehicles changing lanes and slow down, look, listen, and be downgrade ahead. Slow down for a red or yellow traffic light
prepare to turn in one direction prepared to stop at the and consider downshifting into and be prepared to stop if
or the other. crossing. a lower gear. necessary.

37. Upcoming side road 38. Trucks entering 39. Multi-use path crossing 40. Freeway exit ramp
This sign shows an upcoming highway ahead ahead Signs like this provide advisory
side road at a T-intersection. This sign indicates that trucks This sign means that bicyclists speeds at freeway exits and en-
Watch for other vehicles may enter or cross the and pedestrians frequently trance ramps. They show the
entering from that road. roadway ahead. Slow down cross the road in this area. maximum recommended safe
and watch for trucks. Proceed with caution and be speed to drive in ideal weather
ready to stop. conditions.

41. Curve to the right ahead 42. Circular intersection 43. Bump on the road 44. Main road curves to the
This sign means that there is a ahead ahead left ahead
curve to the right ahead. A This sign means that there is a This sign indicates a bump on This sign means that the main
recommended safe speed for roundabout (circular the road ahead. Slow down to road curves to the left with a
the curve may appear just intersection) ahead. Slow down avoid loss of control. side road entering from the
below the sign. and prepare to yield to traffic right. Approach with extra
already in the roundabout. caution.

T h e 1 2 1 m o st c o m m o n U S r oa d s i g n s q u e st i o n s 3
45. Fire station nearby 46. Side road near a 47. Dip on the road ahead 48. Right lane ends ahead
This sign indicates a fire station crossing ahead This sign means that there is a This sign indicates that the
in the vicinity. This sign warns that a side low place in the road. You must right lane ends ahead. All
road crosses a railroad track. slow down to prevent an traffic in the right lane must
Use caution if you turn onto the uncomfortable jolt and possibly merge left.
side road. losing control of your vehicle.

49. Cattle crossing ahead 50. Low ground clearance 51. Speed change ahead 52. Sharp right turn ahead
This sign indicates that you railroad crossing This sign indicates that a This sign indicates that a sharp
should be alert for cattle This sign indicates a raised reduced speed zone begins right turn is ahead. Slow down,
crossing the road. railroad crossing. Low-slung ahead. Prepare to slow down be alert, and proceed with
vehicles might get stuck to the speed limit indicated. caution.
attempting to cross the tracks.

53. Curve to the left ahead 54. 270 degree loop ahead 55. Advisory speed limit 56. Hairpin curve ahead
This sign means that the road This warning sign means that This sign states a Prepare for a very sharp curve
up ahead will be curving in the the road loops around ahead. recommended speed for the that practically reverses your
direction of the arrow. Slow to a safe speed. roadway ahead (35 miles per direction. Slow down and
hour in this case). proceed with caution.

57. Blind person area 58. Watch for ice 59. Object marker sign 60. Paved surface ends
The sign indicates that people This warning sign is posted on This is an object marker sign, ahead
with visual disabilities may be roadways that frequently which warns of objects in the This warning road sign may be
crossing this street or become icy. Slow down and roadway or very close to the posted where a paved road
intersection. watch carefully for ice. edge of the roadway. turns into a gravel road or dirt
road.

The 121 most common US road signs questions 4

Temporary/ Most of the warning signs can also be found with orange
backgrounds for temporary use in situations such as
construction signs construction zones.

61. Work zone ahead 62. Road crew at work 63. Detour ahead 64. Flag person ahead
Orange signs are posted in ahead This type of sign shows an This sign warns that there is a
temporary traffic control Workers are performing alternate route during road flag person ahead. Flag
maintenance on the roadway. closures and construction. persons help traffic move
zones such as roadwork Reduce your speed and Follow these signs. safely through work areas.
zones and emergency- change lanes away from
response zones. Slow down workers.
and pay close attention.

65. Road closure ahead

This sign indicates that the
road is closed ahead but there
is an alternate route 1,000 feet
ahead.

Regulatory signs Regulatory signs give directions to motorists, pedestrians,

and cyclists that they must obey. They can also tell you
about relevant traffic laws.

66. Turn left or go straight 67. Turn right or go straight 68. Drive straight through 69. Left turn only
This sign regulates traffic and This sign regulates traffic and the intersection This sign indicates that all
directs you to turn left or go directs you to turn right or go This sign means that no turns traffic must make a left turn
straight. straight. are allowed; you must drive here.
straight through the
intersection.

The 121 most common US road signs questions 5

70. U-turn only 71. U-turn 72. Right turn 73. Move only in the
This lane control sign indicates This sign allows you to make a This supplemental arrow on a directions indicated
that all vehicles in this lane U-turn here if it is safe to do so. route marker assembly means These are lane direction signs.
must make a U-turn. you are ap- proaching a right Vehicles in the left lane must turn
turn to continue on that route. left, and vehicles in the right lane
may go straight or turn right.

74. move only in the 75. Move only in the 76. Two-way left turn lane 77. Move only in the
directions indicated directions indicated This sign indicates a two-way directions indicated
These are lane direction signs. Traffic in the right lane must left turn lane in the center of a If you see this sign, you must
Vehicles in the left lane must turn right, and traffic in the left road. Along with the sign, the follow the direction of the
turn left, and vehicles in the lane may either go straight or two-way left turn lane is arrow for your lane.
right lane may go straight or also turn right. marked with yellow lines and
also turn left. white arrows.

78. Keep to the right of the 79. Keep to the left of the 8 0. One way 8 1. Speed limit
traffic island traffic island This one-way sign warns that This sign shows that the legal
This sign indicates that the This sign indicates that the traffic on this way must move speed limit is 50 mph. This is
road or highway is divided by road or highway is divided by only in the direction of the the maximum speed at which
an island and approaching an island and approaching arrow. you can travel under ideal
vehicles must keep right. vehicles must keep left. conditions.

8 2. Minimum speed limit 8 3. Nighttime speed limit 8 4. Speed limit near school 85. Speed limit when
M inimum speeds are intended This sign means you should D on’t exceed the posted children are present
to keep traffic flowing drive no faster than 45 mph speed limit near schools when Don’t exceed the posted
smoothly. This sign means you when driving at night. the lights are flashing. speed limit near schools when
must drive no slower than the children are present. In this
indicated speed (40 mph in this case, the maximum allowable
case). speed is 15 mph.

The 121 most common US road signs questions 6

86. Fines double in work 87. Slower traffic keep right 88. Bike lane 89. High-occupancy vehicle
zones If you are traveling slower than This sign marks a bicycle lane. (HOV) lane
This sign tells you that most traffic, you should stay in You can use the lane marked You can drive in this lane if
speeding fines are doubled in the right lane so faster traffic with this sign if you are riding a there are two or more people
construction zones. Especially can pass you on the left. bicycle. in your vehicle. These lanes
avoid speeding through those are for carpools and high-
areas. occupancy vehicles.

90. Only buses or carpool 91. No turn on red 92. Wear seat belt 93. Railroad crossing
vehicles If you would like to turn right at You must wear a seat belt. Be ready to stop at a railroad
The lane is reserved for certain an intersection with this sign, crossing ahead and be alert for
purposes or certain vehicles. you must wait for the light to approaching trains.
The lanes are usually reserved turn green.
for buses or carpool vehicles
during rush hour traffic.

94. Roundabout 95. Do not enter 96. Stop 97. No parking

A circular intersection This sign indicates that you You must stop before the sign You may stop here only
(roundabout) is ahead. Prepare cannot enter the roadway on and yield the right-of-way to momentarily to pick up or drop
to enter. which the sign is posted. other vehicles before off passengers or cargo.
proceeding.

98. No right turn 99. No left turn 100. U-turn not allowed 101. Yield
You are prohibited from You are prohibited from You are prohibited from This triangular sign means that
making a right turn here. making a left turn here. making a U-turn here. you must slow down and yield
the right-of-way to oncoming
traffic.

The 121 most common US road signs questions 7

102. No stopping 103. Trucks not allowed 104. Bicycles not allowed 105. Pedestrians not
This sign keeps traffic flowing A red circle with a diagonal red This sign means that bicyclists allowed
smoothly. You are not allowed slash over a truck indicates are not allowed on this This sign alerts pedestrians not
to stop in the directions that trucks are not allowed on roadway. to cross at the sign.
indicated by this sign. the road where this sign is
posted.

106. No driving on railroad 107. No parking between 108. No hitchhiking 109. No standing
tracks posted times If you drive past this sign, it This sign means that you may
This sign means thatyou are You cannot park beside this means no hitchhiking is only stop here momentarily to
not allowed to drive on the sign between the posted times. permitted here. Do not pick up pick up or drop off passengers.
railroad tracks. hitchhikers.

The 121 most common US road signs questions 8

Information signs

110. Gas station 111. Food 112. Lodging 113. Telephone

This sign shows the location of This sign indicates the This sign indicates that there This sign indicates that
a gas sta- tion. availability of food. are lodging facilities ahead. telephone service is available
ahead.

114. Hospital 115. Handicapped parking 116. Rest area ahead 117. Interstate highway
This sign indicates a hospital zone This sign indicates a rest area number
ahead. This sign means that you are open on the right. This sign represents interstate
prohibited from parking in a highway route number 95,
handicapped zone unless you usually called Inter- state 95 or
have the appropriate permit. I-95.

118. Rest area 119. Dynamic message sign 120. Exit number 121. Airport ahead
This sign indicates a rest area Dynamic message signs This sign represents a highway This guide sign means you are
one mile ahead. provide important information exit number. By using the approaching an airport.
to travelers. Messages can be milepost number and the exit
changed to reflect current number, you can see how far
condi- tions, route traffic, you are from the exit you want
construction schedules, to use.
incidents, etc.

The 121 most common US road signs questions 9