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

This red and white sign means DO NOT ENTER. Traffic on that road or ramp is coming toward you, so you must not drive into it from your direction. You often see it at the wrong end of a one-way street or a highway exit ramp.

Wrong choices

• You may enter only after you stop: The sign does not allow entry after a stop. You may not enter at all from this direction.
• The road ahead is closed to trucks only: The sign applies to all vehicles, not only trucks.
• Parking is not allowed on this street: No parking signs look different. This sign tells you not to drive in.

An eight-sided (octagon) red sign means STOP. You must come to a full stop every time, then go only when the way is clear and you have yielded to traffic and pedestrians.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go on if no cars are coming: Slowing down is not enough. You must stop completely, even if the road looks clear.
• Stop only if another car is already there: You must stop whether or not other vehicles are there.
• Stop only during rush hour: A STOP sign applies at all hours.

The red and white triangle pointing down is a YIELD sign. Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first. Stop if you need to, and go only when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Stop every time, even if the road is clear: A full stop every time is what a STOP sign requires. At a yield sign you stop only when needed.
• Road work ahead: Road work signs are orange.
• You have the right of way: It is the opposite: the other traffic has the right of way.

Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds with black words or symbols. They warn of hazards ahead, such as curves, hills, merging traffic, or a divided highway.

Wrong choices

• Red octagons with white letters: A red octagon is the STOP sign.
• White rectangles with black letters: White rectangles are regulatory signs that state rules, such as speed limits.
• Green rectangles with white letters: Green signs give directions and distances.

Orange signs are used in work zones. They warn you about road work, workers, and equipment ahead. Slow down, watch for flaggers, and follow the posted signs.

Wrong choices

• A school zone is ahead: School zone signs are five-sided and yellow or fluorescent yellow-green.
• A hospital is nearby: Hospital and other service signs are blue.
• A park or recreation area is ahead: Park and recreation signs are brown.

The five-sided (pentagon) sign is used for a school zone or school crossing. Slow down and watch for children.

Wrong choices

• A railroad crossing: The railroad warning sign is round, and the crossbuck is X-shaped.
• A no passing zone: The no passing zone sign is a yellow pennant (a long sideways triangle).
• A sharp curve: Curve signs are yellow diamonds.

The round yellow sign with an X and two R letters warns that a railroad crossing is ahead. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.

Wrong choices

• Two roads cross ahead: A crossroad warning sign is a yellow diamond with a plus-shaped symbol.
• Do not enter: DO NOT ENTER is a red circle with a white bar.
• Rest area ahead: Rest area signs are blue or green guide signs.

A steady red light means stop. Stop before the stop line or crosswalk and stay stopped until the light turns green. You may turn right on red after a full stop only if no sign forbids it and the way is clear.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go through if no one is coming: You may not go straight through a red light, even if no one is coming.
• Speed up to clear the intersection: Speeding up at a red light is dangerous and against the law.
• Stop only if a police officer is there: The light applies whether or not police are present.

A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign. Come to a full stop, then go only when the way is clear.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go with care without stopping: Slowing down without stopping is what a flashing yellow light means.
• The light is broken, so you have the right of way: A flashing red light is working as intended. You do not have the right of way.
• Stop only if a train is coming: A flashing red traffic light applies to all traffic, not only near trains.

A steady yellow light warns that the light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely. If you are already too close to stop safely, go through with care.

Wrong choices

• Speed up to beat the red light: Speeding up to beat the red light is dangerous.
• Go, because yellow means the same as green: Yellow is a warning, not the same as green.
• Stop and wait for a police officer: A yellow light does not mean you must wait for an officer.