North Carolina DMV Permit Test Sign Shapes, Colors, and Regulatory Signs Summary

This red and white triangle with its point at the bottom is the YIELD sign. Slow down and give the right of way to traffic on the road you are entering. If that traffic is close, stop and wait for it to pass.

Wrong choices

• Come to a full stop every time, even if no one is coming: A full stop every time is required at a STOP sign, not a YIELD sign.
• Speed up to merge ahead of the other traffic: Speeding up to cut in front of traffic is the opposite of yielding.
• Stop only if a police officer is present: The sign applies at all times, whether or not an officer is there.

The octagon, a sign with eight sides, is used only for STOP signs. You can know it is a STOP sign from its shape even from behind or when it is covered with snow.

Wrong choices

• Triangle: The triangle with its point down is used for YIELD.
• Diamond: Diamonds are used for warning signs.
• Pentagon (five sides): The five-sided shape is used for school zone and school crossing signs.

At a STOP sign the law requires a full stop. Do not move again until you are sure the way is clear.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and roll through if no one is coming: Rolling through without stopping is illegal even if the road looks empty.
• Stop only if there are pedestrians: You must stop whether or not people are crossing.
• Stop only at night: The sign applies at every hour of the day.

Unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted, you may turn right on a steady red light after a complete stop. You must yield to other traffic and to pedestrians using or starting to cross the intersection.

Wrong choices

• Turn right without stopping if the road is clear: You must come to a complete stop before turning on red.
• Wait for the green light, because turns on red are never allowed: Right turns on red are allowed unless a sign forbids them.
• Turn right only if a green arrow appears: A green arrow is not needed for a right turn on red after a full stop.

A red circle with a slash means the action shown is not allowed. Here the symbol is a left-turn arrow, so you may not turn left at this place.

Wrong choices

• Left turns are allowed only on a green arrow: The sign does not mention signals or arrows; it forbids the turn.
• The road curves to the left ahead: A curve warning is a yellow diamond, not a white square with a red circle.
• Left lane must turn left: A lane-use sign shows arrows over lanes without a red circle and slash.

The YIELD sign is a triangle with its point at the bottom, colored red and white, with the word YIELD in large letters.

Wrong choices

• Black and yellow: Black on yellow is used for general warning signs.
• Green and white: Green and white is used for guide signs that give directions.
• Orange and black: Black on orange is used for work zone signs.

Stop at a marked stop line if there is one. If there is no stop line or marked crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection at a point where you can see the intersecting street.

Wrong choices

• In the middle of the intersection: Stopping inside the intersection blocks cross traffic and is unsafe.
• Right beside the STOP sign, even if you cannot see: The goal is to stop where you can see; the sign's exact spot does not matter if your view is blocked.
• Fifty feet before the sign: There is no rule to stop fifty feet before the sign.

Rectangular and square signs that are black and white (or red and white) show speed limits and other rules, such as NO U-TURN. Failing to obey them is a traffic violation.

Wrong choices

• Directions to cities: Directions to cities are shown on green guide signs.
• Nearby hospitals and gas stations: Services such as hospitals are shown on blue signs.
• Hazards ahead, such as curves: Hazards ahead are shown on yellow diamond warning signs.

A red circle with a slash over a symbol means the action in the symbol is prohibited, such as a left turn or a U-turn.

Wrong choices

• The action shown is allowed only at night: The sign does not limit the rule to certain hours.
• The action shown is recommended: A slash forbids the action; it does not recommend it.
• There is a hazard ahead: Hazards ahead are shown on yellow diamond warning signs.

This black and white rule sign means you should drive in the right lane and use the left lane only to pass. North Carolina also says slower drivers on multi-lane highways should stay in the right lane unless passing or turning left.

Wrong choices

• Drive in the left lane unless you are turning right: The sign says the opposite: keep right, not left.
• Passing is not allowed on this road: The sign allows passing; it tells you which lane to pass in.
• Trucks must use the right lane, but cars may use any lane: The sign applies to all drivers, not only to trucks.