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California Road Signs Practice Test

California Road Signs Test

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Question 1 of 45
  1. 1. What shape is the sign shown?
    Red sign with white STOP lettering.
  2. 2. How should you respond when approaching this sign?
    Downward-pointing triangle with a red border and YIELD lettering.
  3. 3. What kind of information does this sign communicate?
    Yellow diamond with two opposing arrows separated by a rounded black shape at the top.
  4. 4. What does this sign identify?
    Five-sided yellow-green sign with two walking figures.
  5. 5. What does this sign warn you about?
    Round yellow sign with a black X and an R on each side.
  6. 6. What does the red circle and slash on this sign indicate?
    White square with a bicycle beneath a red circle and diagonal slash.
  7. 7. What does this sign tell an approaching driver?
    Red circle with a horizontal white bar and DO NOT ENTER lettering.
  8. 8. What does this sign tell you about your direction of travel?
    Red rectangle with white WRONG WAY lettering.
  9. 9. What does this pavement marking indicate?
    A row of six white triangles across a gray road surface, with points facing downward.
  10. 10. Which movement does this sign restrict?
    White square with a right-turn arrow beneath a red circle and diagonal slash.
  11. 11. What does the number on this sign represent?
    White rectangle with black SPEED LIMIT lettering and the number 50.
  12. 12. What kind of message does this sign communicate?
    White rectangle with a curved left arrow and ONLY lettering.
  13. 13. What should you expect beyond this sign?
    Orange diamond with a black figure using a shovel beside a mound.
  14. 14. What information does this sign provide?
    Green rectangle listing three airline names with NEXT LEFT lettering.
  15. 15. What does this sign help drivers locate?
    Blue square with a white fuel-pump symbol.
  16. 16. What kind of destination does this sign identify?
    Brown rectangle with Winter Sports lettering, a snowflake symbol, and a right arrow.
  17. 17. What change in the road does this sign warn about?
    Yellow diamond with two opposing arrows separated by a rounded black shape at the top.
  18. 18. What should you anticipate when you see this sign?
    Yellow diamond with an upward arrow and a branch joining it from the right.
  19. 19. How should you drive in wet conditions after seeing this sign?
    Yellow diamond with a car above two winding black tracks.
  20. 20. What should you be prepared for beyond this sign?
    Yellow diamond with red, yellow, and green circles stacked in a black rectangle.
  21. 21. What change in available road width should you expect?
    Yellow diamond with black ROAD NARROWS lettering.
  22. 22. What should you anticipate at the bridge ahead?
    Yellow diamond with black NARROW BRIDGE lettering.
  23. 23. What does this sign tell you about the bridge?
    Yellow diamond with black ONE LANE BRIDGE lettering.
  24. 24. What vehicle dimension should you check after seeing this sign?
    Yellow diamond with 12 feet 6 inches between an upward arrow and a downward arrow.
  25. 25. What does this sign tell you about continuing along this road?
    Yellow diamond with black DEAD END lettering.
  26. 26. What does this NO OUTLET sign mean?
    Yellow diamond with black NO OUTLET lettering.
  27. 27. What road classification change is approaching?
    Yellow rectangle with FREEWAY ENDS 1 MILE lettering.
  28. 28. What must traffic on this roadway prepare to do?
    Yellow rectangle with ALL TRAFFIC MUST EXIT lettering.
  29. 29. What does this warning sign tell you?
    Yellow diamond with an upward black arrow above a red eight-sided symbol.
  30. 30. What should you prepare to encounter at the next junction?
    Yellow diamond with an upward black arrow above a red-bordered downward triangle.
  31. 31. What surface feature is ahead?
    Yellow diamond with black BUMP lettering.
  32. 32. How does the road surface change here?
    Yellow diamond with black DIP lettering.
  33. 33. What change in road surfacing should you expect?
    Yellow diamond with black PAVEMENT ENDS lettering.
  34. 34. Which part of the roadway may not support your vehicle normally?
    Yellow diamond with black SOFT SHOULDER lettering.
  35. 35. What difference between neighboring lane surfaces should you expect?
    Yellow diamond with black UNEVEN LANES lettering.
  36. 36. What does this sign mean?
    Yellow diamond with black NO CENTER LINE lettering.
  37. 37. What should you be alert for at the edge of the pavement?
    Yellow diamond showing a tilted vehicle beside the edge of a black horizontal surface.
  38. 38. Which assumption should you avoid after seeing this sign?
    Yellow diamond with black NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN AHEAD lettering.
  39. 39. What lane change should you anticipate ahead?
    Yellow diamond with one straight black line and a second line bending toward it.
  40. 40. How will traffic from the joining road enter?
    Yellow diamond with two upward arrows separated by a dashed line; the right arrow curves inward from the lower right.
  41. 41. What movement is indicated by the arm signal shown?A left arm extended horizontally.
  42. 42. What does this bent-arm signal indicate?A left arm bent at the elbow, with the forearm pointing upward.
  43. 43. What should you expect from a road user giving this arm signal?A left arm bent at the elbow, with the forearm pointing downward.
  44. 44. What does the arrow on this sign require?A black and white sign with ONE WAY inside a right-pointing arrow.
  45. 45. Which background color commonly identifies temporary construction or maintenance warning signs?
Review all 45 questions with answers

  1. What shape is the sign shown?

    Correct answer: Octagon

    The eight-sided octagon is reserved for STOP signs.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  2. How should you respond when approaching this sign?

    Correct answer: Slow down and give the right-of-way when needed

    A YIELD sign gives priority to road users who would conflict with your path. Reduce speed, check for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and stop if needed. Traffic behind you does not remove your duty to yield.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: Red YIELD Sign ↗

  3. What kind of information does this sign communicate?

    Correct answer: A hazard or road condition ahead

    Diamond-shaped yellow signs warn of conditions or hazards ahead.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  4. What does this sign identify?

    Correct answer: A school area or school crossing

    The pentagon shape is used for school areas and school crossings.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  5. What does this sign warn you about?

    Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead

    The circular railroad advance-warning sign tells you to slow, look, listen, and prepare to stop.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  6. What does the red circle and slash on this sign indicate?

    Correct answer: The action is prohibited

    The symbol inside shows an action that is not allowed.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  7. What does this sign tell an approaching driver?

    Correct answer: Do not enter this road or ramp

    The sign prohibits entry from the direction where it is posted.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  8. What does this sign tell you about your direction of travel?

    Correct answer: You are traveling against the legal direction of traffic

    A WRONG WAY sign faces traffic that has entered or is moving against the permitted direction.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  9. What does this pavement marking indicate?

    Correct answer: Where approaching traffic must yield or stop when required

    A yield line marks where approaching vehicles should yield or stop when necessary; the triangles point toward approaching traffic.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Section 3B.16 — Yield lines; Figure 3B-16 ↗

  10. Which movement does this sign restrict?

    Correct answer: The indicated turn is prohibited

    A red circle and slash over a movement symbol prohibits that movement.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  11. What does the number on this sign represent?

    Correct answer: The maximum lawful speed under normal conditions

    A posted SPEED LIMIT sign states the maximum lawful speed; California’s Basic Speed Law can require a lower speed when conditions are unsafe.

    Source: Section 8 — Manage Your Speed: Basic Speed Law ↗

  12. What kind of message does this sign communicate?

    Correct answer: A rule or regulation

    White rectangular signs commonly state rules drivers must obey.

    Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗

  13. What should you expect beyond this sign?

    Correct answer: Road workers or maintenance activity

    The worker-with-shovel symbol warns of workers ahead. Adjust speed for conditions and watch for people and equipment.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Section 6F.33 — Workers (W21-1) ↗

  14. What information does this sign provide?

    Correct answer: Directions, routes, and destinations

    Green guide signs help with routes, distances, exits, and destinations.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Section 2A.10 — Common uses of sign colors ↗

  15. What does this sign help drivers locate?

    Correct answer: Motorist services

    Blue signs often point to services such as fuel, food, lodging, or medical help.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Figure 2I-1 — General service signs ↗

  16. What kind of destination does this sign identify?

    Correct answer: Recreational or cultural destinations

    Brown guide signs are used for parks, recreation, and cultural-interest locations.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Figure 2M-2 — Recreation and cultural guide signs ↗

  17. What change in the road does this sign warn about?

    Correct answer: A divided roadway begins ahead

    A divided roadway is ahead. On the similar divided-highway-ends sign, the median symbol is at the bottom instead.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W6-1 divided highway; W6-2 divided highway ends ↗

  18. What should you anticipate when you see this sign?

    Correct answer: Traffic entering your lane area

    Watch for traffic joining the roadway and adjust speed or space when safe.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-8 — W4-1 merging traffic ↗

  19. How should you drive in wet conditions after seeing this sign?

    Correct answer: Reduce speed and avoid sudden maneuvers

    Wet pavement may reduce traction, so slow down and steer or brake smoothly.

    Source: Section 8 — Slippery Roads: reduce speed and avoid sudden maneuvers ↗

  20. What should you be prepared for beyond this sign?

    Correct answer: Expect a signal and be ready to stop

    The warning gives you time to notice the upcoming signal and adjust safely.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W3-3 signal ahead ↗

  21. What change in available road width should you expect?

    Correct answer: A narrower roadway ahead

    This warning concerns the width of the road ahead, not vehicle height or a complete closure.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W5-1 Road narrows ↗

  22. What should you anticipate at the bridge ahead?

    Correct answer: A bridge with a narrower roadway

    NARROW BRIDGE warns about the roadway width at the bridge. It is different from a drawbridge or clearance warning.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W5-2 Narrow bridge ↗

  23. What does this sign tell you about the bridge?

    Correct answer: Its roadway has only one lane

    The warning identifies a bridge with only one lane. It does not by itself turn the entire road into a one-way street or grant you priority over approaching traffic.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W5-3 One lane bridge ↗

  24. What vehicle dimension should you check after seeing this sign?

    Correct answer: Vertical clearance

    Opposing vertical arrows and a height identify a clearance warning. The number on this example is not the clearance of every bridge or overhead obstruction.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W12-2 Low clearance ↗

  25. What does this sign tell you about continuing along this road?

    Correct answer: The road ends rather than continuing through

    DEAD END identifies a road that terminates. It is not a sign directing traffic to a new through route.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W14-1 Dead end ↗

  26. What does this NO OUTLET sign mean?

    Correct answer: The roads ahead do not provide a through route to another exit

    NO OUTLET warns that the road network ahead does not lead through to another exit. It is not the same instruction as DO NOT ENTER.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W14-2 No outlet ↗

  27. What road classification change is approaching?

    Correct answer: The freeway ends one mile ahead

    Read both the road-status message and the distance. The one-mile wording is an example of an advance warning, not a universal distance.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W19-1 Freeway ends ahead ↗

  28. What must traffic on this roadway prepare to do?

    Correct answer: Prepare to leave the roadway using the indicated exit route

    The message applies to all traffic, rather than only vehicles already in an optional exit lane. Follow the posted route rather than assuming a through route remains available.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W19-5 All traffic must exit ↗

  29. What does this warning sign tell you?

    Correct answer: A stop sign is ahead

    The yellow diamond provides advance warning. The red octagonal sign at the stopping location is the regulatory STOP sign.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W3-1 Stop ahead ↗

  30. What should you prepare to encounter at the next junction?

    Correct answer: A yield sign is ahead

    The arrow and yield symbol are an advance warning of a yield sign. They do not grant the approaching driver right-of-way.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W3-2 Yield ahead ↗

  31. What surface feature is ahead?

    Correct answer: A raised irregularity in the road

    A bump is a raised surface irregularity. Compare it with DIP, which identifies a depression.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-1 Bump ↗

  32. How does the road surface change here?

    Correct answer: A depression in the road surface

    DIP warns of a low depression in the roadway rather than a raised bump or a change in lane count.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-2 Dip ↗

  33. What change in road surfacing should you expect?

    Correct answer: A transition away from a paved surface

    The message concerns the road surface. Do not confuse the end of pavement with a DEAD END warning.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-3 Pavement ends ↗

  34. Which part of the roadway may not support your vehicle normally?

    Correct answer: The shoulder beside the travel lane

    The warning applies to the shoulder surface beside the traveled roadway. It is not an invitation to use that area as an extra lane.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-4 Soft shoulder ↗

  35. What difference between neighboring lane surfaces should you expect?

    Correct answer: Adjacent lane surfaces at different levels

    The warning refers to a difference in lane-surface elevation, not a difference in speed limits or who may use each lane.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-11 Uneven lanes ↗

  36. What does this sign mean?

    Correct answer: The road has no centerline marking

    An absent centerline is the condition being warned about. It does not establish one-way operation or unrestricted passing permission.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-12 No center line ↗

  37. What should you be alert for at the edge of the pavement?

    Correct answer: A lower shoulder next to the pavement edge

    The symbol and plaque warn of an elevation drop at the shoulder, rather than a required lane maneuver.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-17 Shoulder drop-off ↗

  38. Which assumption should you avoid after seeing this sign?

    Correct answer: That the old lane arrangement still applies

    The warning alerts familiar drivers as well as new visitors to a changed arrangement ahead. Pay attention to current signs and markings instead of relying on memory.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W23-2 New traffic pattern ↗

  39. What lane change should you anticipate ahead?

    Correct answer: One lane ends instead of continuing separately

    The taper shows a lane ending. On the added-lane symbol, the incoming path continues as a separate lane alongside the through lane.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-8 — W4-2 Lane ends ↗

  40. How will traffic from the joining road enter?

    Correct answer: Entering traffic has an added lane

    The separate continuing paths distinguish an added lane from the merging-traffic warning, where the incoming path joins the through path.

    Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-8 — W4-3 Added lane ↗

  41. What movement is indicated by the arm signal shown?

    Correct answer: A left turn

    A left arm held straight out signals a left turn.

    Source: Signaling — Left Turn ↗

  42. What does this bent-arm signal indicate?

    Correct answer: A right turn

    A left arm bent upward signals a right turn. Bicyclists may also point their right arm straight to the right.

    Source: Signaling — Right Turn ↗

  43. What should you expect from a road user giving this arm signal?

    Correct answer: They intend to slow down or stop

    A left arm bent downward communicates slowing or stopping. Leave adequate following space.

    Source: Signaling — Slowing or Stopping ↗

  44. What does the arrow on this sign require?

    Correct answer: Travel only in the direction shown on that roadway

    A ONE WAY arrow identifies the permitted traffic direction, not a suggested route.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Section 2B.40 — ONE WAY signs ↗

  45. Which background color commonly identifies temporary construction or maintenance warning signs?

    Correct answer: Orange

    Orange is used for temporary traffic-control warnings; blue and brown serve other sign purposes.

    Source: MUTCD 2009 Section 2A.10 — Sign Colors ↗

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45 questions · Signs and hand signals

California Road Signs Practice Test

Practice sign recognition with answer explanations, or use the illustrated guide to review shapes, colors and safe responses.

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California road signs study guide

STOP sign

Red octagon

Make a complete stop at the limit line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection.

YIELD sign

Red-and-white triangle

Reduce speed and give the right-of-way. Stop when necessary.

Regulatory signs

Usually white, red, or black

These signs state rules you must obey, such as turn, entry, or parking restrictions.

Warning signs

Usually yellow diamonds

Expect a road condition or hazard ahead and adjust your speed and position.

Work-zone signs

Usually orange

Slow down, follow temporary directions, and watch for workers and lane shifts.

School signs

Five-sided or fluorescent yellow-green

Watch for children, crossings, school buses, and reduced speed requirements.

Signs that are easy to confuse

Compare the actual symbol before starting the quiz. These individual views use the existing official FHWA panels, not redrawn lookalikes. The code helps you find the same sign in the full reference.

Browse all 57 illustrated sign explanations

Visual source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 figures 2C-5, 2C-6 and 2C-8, checked September 10, 2026. This is a recognition aid, not a complete sign catalog or a substitute for current California driving rules.

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