Your planned route turns right at this junction, but this sign faces you. Which movement does it prohibit?
Correct answer: A right turn at this junction
The crossed-out right-turn arrow bans that movement. It is not a curve warning or an instruction to turn right.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2B-4 — R3-1 No right turn; national sign meaning ↗
An empty ramp has this sign facing your approach. What does it tell you before you enter?
Correct answer: Entry from your direction is prohibited
An empty roadway does not cancel DO NOT ENTER. The restriction applies to entering from the direction that faces this sign.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2B-11 — R5-1 Do not enter; national sign meaning ↗
You see this five-sided sign while approaching a developed area. What should it draw your attention to?
Correct answer: A school area or school crossing
The school warning uses a pentagon and walking figures. Supplemental plaques can identify a crossing location, advance distance or school zone; the pictured sign alone does not state a speed.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 7B-1 — S1-1 School warning; national sign meaning ↗
This round warning appears before a place you cannot yet see clearly. What feature lies ahead?
Correct answer: A highway-rail crossing
The X and two R letters identify advance warning of a railroad crossing. It is not the crossbuck installed at the tracks.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 8B-4 — W10-1 Railroad advance warning; national sign meaning ↗
On a clear road, you see the pictured white sign. What does its large number state?
Correct answer: A posted speed limit of 50 mph
SPEED LIMIT identifies a regulatory limit, not a route number or yellow advisory-speed warning. The number is not a promise that this speed is safe in every condition.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2B-3 — R2-1 Speed limit sign; national sign meaning ↗
During a trip, this orange symbol appears beside the road. Which activity should you expect nearby?
Correct answer: Workers carrying out road work
The shovel-and-worker symbol warns of workers. Its orange background fits temporary traffic-control and work-zone use.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 6F-4, sheet 3 — W21-1 Workers ahead; national sign meaning ↗
You need to refuel during a road trip. What service does the pictured symbol identify?
Correct answer: Gasoline service
The pump symbol is the general-service sign for gas. It does not promise a repair shop or identify a hospital.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2I-1 — D9-7 Gas service; national sign meaning ↗
You approach the road layout represented by this symbol. What change does the island at the top indicate?
Correct answer: Opposing traffic will be separated by a median or barrier ahead
This is the Divided Highway warning. On the similar Divided Highway Ends sign, the island appears at the bottom instead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W6-1 Divided highway begins; national sign meaning ↗
The branch in this symbol joins the main arrow from the right. What traffic movement should you anticipate?
Correct answer: Traffic from another roadway merging from the right
The joining branch represents merging traffic. Compare the Added Lane sign, which shows two separate arrows continuing alongside each other.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-8 — W4-1 Merging traffic sign; national sign meaning ↗
You encounter this car-and-wavy-tracks warning before a wet section of road. Which hazard does the symbol identify?
Correct answer: Unexpectedly slippery pavement
The wavy tire tracks warn of reduced grip, not a winding road alignment. A supplemental plaque may explain the cause, such as wet conditions or excess oil.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-5 Slippery roadway sign; national sign meaning ↗
Red, yellow and green circles are printed on this yellow warning sign. What does that combination tell you?
Correct answer: A traffic signal is ahead
The pictured colors are a symbol, not an illuminated traffic signal. This warning helps you anticipate the actual signal ahead.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W3-3 Signal ahead sign; national sign meaning ↗
Two-way traffic approaches the section beyond this warning. What change should drivers anticipate?
Correct answer: Less roadway width through the upcoming section
ROAD NARROWS concerns a reduction in road width. It does not indicate vertical clearance or promise an extra lane.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W5-1 Road narrows sign; national sign meaning ↗
You see this warning before the next bridge. What is the concern it identifies?
Correct answer: Restricted usable width at the bridge
NARROW BRIDGE warns about the width available at the structure. The sign does not by itself establish one-way traffic or identify a drawbridge.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W5-2 Narrow bridge sign; national sign meaning ↗
This sign is posted on a two-way road. What should you expect at the bridge?
Correct answer: Only a single traffic lane across the bridge
A one-lane bridge cannot be treated like an ordinary two-lane section. The warning alone does not give your direction priority.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W5-3 One-lane bridge sign; national sign meaning ↗
You are driving a tall vehicle toward the structure indicated by this sign. What does the displayed measurement describe?
Correct answer: The vertical clearance beneath an obstruction
The up-and-down arrows identify vertical clearance. Compare the actual height of your vehicle and load with the posted clearance before approaching the obstruction.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W12-2 Low clearance sign; national sign meaning ↗
You intend to continue along the road after this sign. Which change should you prepare for?
Correct answer: The paved surface changes to an unpaved surface
PAVEMENT ENDS concerns the surface, such as a transition to gravel or earth. It does not mean the same thing as DEAD END.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-3 Pavement ends sign; national sign meaning ↗
You are considering pulling off the travel lane near this warning. What condition does it alert you to?
Correct answer: The shoulder surface may not support the vehicle firmly
SOFT SHOULDER warns about the shoulder's surface condition. It is different from an elevation-drop warning or an instruction to use the shoulder.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-4 Soft shoulder sign; national sign meaning ↗
The vehicle in this symbol tilts beside a pavement edge. What does that tell you about the roadside?
Correct answer: The shoulder lies below the adjacent travel lane
This symbol identifies a shoulder drop-off. It warns about the change in level at the road edge, not the direction of a bend.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-6 — W8-17 Shoulder drop-off sign; national sign meaning ↗
You are traveling in the right lane when this warning appears. What does the taper represent?
Correct answer: Your lane ends and traffic must combine into fewer lanes
The Lane Ends symbol shows a reduction in lanes on the same roadway. Plan a safe merge; the sign does not give an immediate right-of-way over the continuing lane.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-8 — W4-2 Right lane ends sign; national sign meaning ↗
Two roadways are coming together. What does this sign say about the lane supplied for joining traffic?
Correct answer: It continues as a separate added lane
The two continuing arrows show that an immediate merge is not required at the convergence. This differs from the single-arrow Merge warning.
Source: FHWA MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-8 — W4-3 Added lane sign; national sign meaning ↗
