Florida DMV Permit Test Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings Summary

An eight-sided red sign is a STOP sign. You must come to a complete stop at the stop line (or before the crosswalk or intersection), then go only when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go through if no one is coming: Slowing down is what a yield sign asks for. An eight-sided sign always means a full stop.
• Stop only if a car is coming from the right: You must stop every time, even when no other traffic is in sight.
• Watch for a railroad crossing ahead: Railroad crossings are marked by a round yellow sign or a white X-shaped crossbuck, not an octagon.

A downward-pointing triangle is a YIELD sign. Slow down, be ready to stop, and let vehicles and pedestrians that are already there go first. Stop only if you need to.

Wrong choices

• Merge without changing speed because other traffic must let you in: The yield sign puts the duty on you, not on the other drivers.
• No passing zone ahead: A no passing zone sign is a yellow pennant (sideways triangle) on the left side of the road.
• Stop completely every time, even if the road is clear: A full stop every time is the rule for a stop sign. At a yield sign you stop only if traffic or people require it.

A flashing red light is treated like a stop sign. Stop completely, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and go when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Wait until the light turns green: A flashing red light does not change to green. You stop, then go when the way is clear.
• Slow down and go through carefully without stopping: That is how to treat a flashing yellow light, not a flashing red light.
• Go first because the cross traffic has a red light: Flashing red means you must stop. It does not give you the right of way.

A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution. You do not need to stop, but watch for cross traffic and pedestrians.

Wrong choices

• Stop completely, then go when it is safe: A full stop is required at a flashing red light, not a flashing yellow light.
• The light is about to turn red, so speed up: Speeding up is never the right answer at a yellow light.
• The road is closed ahead: A road closure is shown by barricades and signs, not by a flashing yellow light.

A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely. If you are too close to stop safely, carefully continue through the intersection.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go through, the same as a flashing yellow: A steady yellow means the signal is changing to red. It is different from a flashing yellow.
• Speed up to get through before it turns red: Racing the light is dangerous. Yellow is a warning to stop if you safely can.
• You may turn left without yielding: A steady yellow does not give anyone the right of way.

The line on your side of the center controls you. A solid yellow line on your side means you may not pass. A broken line on the other side means drivers going the other way may pass when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• You may pass when it is safe; the other side may not: It is the other way around. The line closest to you controls your driving, and a solid line on your side means no passing.
• Neither side may pass: No passing for both directions is shown by two solid yellow lines.
• The center is a shared left-turn lane: A shared center turn lane is marked with a solid and broken yellow line on both sides of the lane.

Two solid yellow center lines mean no passing for traffic in either direction. Do not cross them except to turn left into a driveway or side road when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Only drivers going north may pass: Neither direction may pass across double solid yellow lines.
• The road is one way: Yellow center lines separate traffic going in opposite directions, so the road is two-way.
• Drivers may pass if the road ahead looks clear: Two solid yellow lines mean no one may cross them to pass, even when the road looks clear.

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs. They tell you about a hazard or change ahead, such as a curve, a merge, or a crossing, so you can slow down and get ready.

Wrong choices

• Directions to a highway or a city: Guide signs that give directions are green.
• A rule you must obey, such as the speed limit: Rules like speed limits are shown on white rectangular signs, not yellow diamonds.
• Gas, food, or a hospital nearby: Motorist services are shown on blue signs.

Orange signs mark work zones. Slow down, watch for workers and equipment, and follow the flaggers and signs. Fines for speeding in a work zone with workers present are higher.

Wrong choices

• A hospital is ahead: Hospital signs are blue service signs.
• A school is nearby: School signs are fluorescent yellow-green and five-sided, not orange.
• A scenic or recreation area is ahead: Recreation and scenic areas are marked with brown signs.

A five-sided (pentagon) sign warns of a school zone or school crossing. Slow down and watch for children.

Wrong choices

• A railroad crossing is ahead: Railroad crossings use a round yellow advance sign and a crossbuck.
• Yield to oncoming traffic: Yield signs are downward triangles.
• No passing zone: The no passing zone sign is a sideways yellow pennant.