New York DMV Permit Test Road Signs Summary

An eight-sided (octagon) red sign means STOP. You must come to a full stop at the stop line. If there is no line, stop before the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop where you can see traffic before entering the intersection. Then go only when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go on if no one is coming: Slowing down is not enough. You must stop completely, even if the road looks clear.
• Stop only if other cars are at the intersection: You must stop every time, whether or not other traffic is there.
• Stop only if a pedestrian is waiting to cross: The sign applies at all times, not only when pedestrians are present.

A downward-pointing red and white triangle 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: always come to a full stop: That is the eight-sided red sign. At a yield sign you stop only if needed.
• Do not enter this road: That is a different sign, a red circle with a white bar.
• Merge: traffic must speed up: A yield sign tells you to give way, not to speed up.

The pennant-shaped yellow sign is placed on the left side of the road. It marks the start of a no passing zone. Do not pass other vehicles there.

Wrong choices

• Road narrows ahead: A narrowing road is shown on a yellow diamond sign, not a pennant.
• Two-way traffic ahead: Two-way traffic is shown with two opposite arrows on a yellow diamond.
• Lane ends, merge right: A lane ending is shown on a yellow diamond sign.

Orange signs warn of a work zone (road construction or maintenance). Slow down, watch for workers and equipment, and follow the signs and flaggers.

Wrong choices

• There is a school zone ahead: School signs are yellow or fluorescent yellow-green, not orange.
• There are gas and food services ahead: Services are shown on blue signs.
• There is a park or recreation area ahead: Recreation areas are shown on brown signs.

The round yellow sign with an X and RR is the railroad crossing warning sign. It is placed before the crossing. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.

Wrong choices

• A crossroad (intersection) ahead: A crossroad is shown with a plus (+) symbol on a yellow diamond.
• A road that is closed ahead: Road closures use different signs, often orange or white.
• A rest area ahead: Rest areas are shown on blue or green guide signs.

This yellow warning sign means two-way traffic ahead. You may be leaving a one-way road. Traffic will be coming toward you, so keep to the right.

Wrong choices

• Divided highway begins: A divided highway is shown with lanes split by a center island.
• Keep right of the divider: Keep right is a white regulatory sign with an arrow around a divider.
• Passing is allowed in both lanes: This sign does not tell you passing is allowed.

Blue signs show motorist services, such as gas, food, lodging (a place to sleep), and hospitals.

Wrong choices

• A warning sign: Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds.
• A regulatory sign you must obey: Regulatory signs are usually white with black or red, not blue.
• A work zone sign: Work zone signs are orange.

Green signs are guide signs. They show directions, exits, route information, and distances to places.

Wrong choices

• Hazards on the road ahead: Hazards are shown on yellow warning signs.
• Rules such as speed limits: Rules are shown on white regulatory signs.
• Road work ahead: Road work is shown on orange signs.

This warning sign means the road is slippery when wet. In rain or snow, slow down, keep more space, and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns.

Wrong choices

• A winding road is ahead: A winding road is shown with a snake-shaped arrow, not a car.
• Cars may be entering from the side: Entering traffic is shown with a side road or merge symbol.
• Speed bumps are ahead: Bumps are shown with the word BUMP or a bump symbol.

White rectangular signs with black (or red) letters are regulatory signs. They give rules you must obey, such as speed limits, turn rules, and parking rules.

Wrong choices

• A warning sign about a hazard ahead: Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds, not white rectangles.
• A guide sign that gives directions: Guide signs are usually green.
• A suggestion that you may ignore: Regulatory signs are the law. You must obey them.