North Carolina DMV Permit Test Warning, School, Railroad, and Work Zone Signs Summary

The five-sided (pentagon) sign warns of a school zone or school crossing. Watch closely for children, and remember that in many school zones the speed limit is lower during school hours.

Wrong choices

• A playground for adults: The five-sided shape is used for schools, not adult play areas.
• A hospital zone: Hospitals are shown on blue service signs.
• A pedestrian mall where cars are not allowed: This sign warns of children crossing; it does not close the road to cars.

Most warning signs are diamonds, normally black on yellow. They warn of a hazard or change in the road ahead.

Wrong choices

• Octagon: The octagon is used only for STOP.
• Circle: The round sign is used for the railroad advance warning.
• Upright rectangle: Upright rectangles are mostly used for rule signs, such as speed limits.

Orange signs with black messages are used only for work zones. When you see one, stay alert, slow down, and be ready for lane shifts, workers, and flaggers.

Wrong choices

• A school zone is ahead: School signs are yellow-green with five sides.
• A rest area is ahead: Rest areas are shown on guide signs.
• The speed limit is about to rise: Speed limits are shown on white rule signs.

The round yellow sign with an X and RR gives advance warning of a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

Wrong choices

• Road repairs are ahead: Road work is shown with orange work zone signs.
• Right lane closed: A lane closure is shown on a diamond or rectangular sign with words or lane symbols.
• A rest room is nearby: Rest rooms are shown on blue service or guide signs.

The two arrows point in opposite directions, so the sign warns that traffic moves both ways ahead. You will share the road with oncoming vehicles, so stay on your side.

Wrong choices

• You are entering a one-way street: A one-way street is marked with a black and white ONE WAY sign.
• Two lanes going your way are ahead: Two lanes going the same way would show arrows pointing the same way.
• Passing is allowed in both lanes ahead: The sign shows opposite traffic; it does not say passing is allowed.

The sign shows a car with wavy skid marks behind it. It warns that the road is slippery when wet. In rain, slow down, increase your following distance, and avoid sudden braking or steering.

Wrong choices

• A car wash is ahead: Businesses such as car washes are not marked with warning signs.
• The road has sharp curves for several miles: Curves are shown with a curved arrow, not a car with skid marks.
• Loose gravel may hit your windshield: This sign is about traction on a wet road, not flying gravel.

The crossbuck is a white X-shaped sign reading RAILROAD CROSSING. It stands at the crossing itself. A smaller sign below it shows if there is more than one track.

Wrong choices

• About a mile before the railroad crossing: The round yellow RR sign is the advance warning before the crossing.
• Only at crossings with gates: Crossbucks are used at crossings with or without gates.
• On the train: The sign stands beside the road, not on the train.

STOP AHEAD is a warning sign placed well before a STOP sign when a curve or other objects block your view of it. Begin slowing down so you can stop at the STOP sign.

Wrong choices

• You must stop at this sign: The warning sign itself is not where you stop; you stop at the STOP sign.
• A police checkpoint is ahead: The sign warns of a STOP sign, not a checkpoint.
• The road ends: A road that ends has its own warning sign.

The yellow pennant is posted on the left side of the road, where a driver about to pass will see it. It points to where the no-passing zone begins, where a solid yellow line starts in your lane.

Wrong choices

• The right side: The DO NOT PASS rule sign is on the right; the pennant is on the left.
• Above the center of the road: The pennant is mounted at the roadside, not over the road.
• On either side, depending on the county: Its placement does not change by county.

The no-passing zone sign is a yellow pennant, a long triangle lying on its side. It adds emphasis to the rectangular DO NOT PASS rule sign.

Wrong choices

• A diamond: Diamonds are used for most other warning signs.
• A circle: The circle is used for the railroad advance warning.
• A pentagon: The pentagon is used for school signs.