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Ohio DMV Permit Test: Warning, School, and Work Zone Signs Concepts

Importance ★★★★★ · 35% (estimate)

Overview

Warning signs tell you about a hazard or change in the road before you reach it, so you have time to slow down. This chapter covers yellow diamond warning signs, school and pedestrian signs, railroad warning signs, and orange work zone signs.

Most warning signs are yellow diamonds with a black symbol. A plus-shaped symbol means a crossroad ahead, a red octagon above an arrow means a STOP sign ahead, and two arrows pointing opposite ways mean two-way traffic ahead. A yellow plaque with a speed under a warning sign shows the advised safe speed for that curve or hazard.

Some warning signs use other shapes and colors. The five-sided sign marks a school zone or school crossing, and fluorescent yellow-green is used for school, pedestrian, and bicycle warnings. The round yellow sign with an X and two R letters warns of a railroad crossing ahead, and the yellow pennant on the left side of the road marks the start of a no passing zone.

Orange signs mark work zones, where lanes may close and workers may be on the road. Follow every sign and flagger: a STOP paddle means stop, and a SLOW paddle means move ahead slowly and carefully. At a railroad crossing, when a train is close or signals warn of one, stop between 15 and 50 feet from the nearest rail.

Key concepts

  • Yellow diamond

    The usual shape and color for warning signs. It warns of a hazard or change ahead, such as a crossroad, a stop sign ahead, two-way traffic, a slippery road, or a lane ending.

    Memory tipYellow diamond: something is coming, slow down.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA) · as of 2023

  • Advisory speed plaque

    A yellow plaque with a speed, placed under a warning sign. It shows the advised safe speed for the curve or hazard. It is not the speed limit for the whole road.

    Memory tipYellow number under a curve sign: slow to that speed.

  • School signs

    The five-sided (pentagon) sign marks a school zone or school crossing. Fluorescent yellow-green is used for school, pedestrian, and bicycle warnings.

    Memory tipFive sides, like a schoolhouse.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA) · as of 2023

  • Railroad warning signs

    The round yellow sign with an X and two R letters warns that a railroad crossing is ahead. The white X-shaped crossbuck marks the crossing itself. When a train is close or signals warn of one, stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail.

    Memory tipRound sign: tracks ahead. Train coming: stop 15 to 50 feet back.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.62 · as of 2026

  • No passing zone pennant

    A yellow sign shaped like a sideways triangle, placed on the left side of the road. It marks the start of a no passing zone.

    Memory tipPennant on the left: no passing from here.

  • Work zone signs and flaggers

    Orange signs mark work zones. A flagger's STOP paddle means stop. The SLOW paddle means move ahead slowly and carefully, watching for workers and equipment.

    Memory tipOrange means workers: slow down and follow the flagger.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA) · as of 2023

See it in a picture

Five labeled signs: yellow diamond for a general warning, orange diamond for a work zone, yellow-green five-sided sign for a school zone or crossing, round yellow sign with an X and two R letters for a railroad crossing ahead, and yellow pennant reading NO PASSING ZONE.
Warning signs come in a few shapes and colors, and each one tells you what kind of hazard is ahead.

Often tested

  • Yellow diamond signs warn of hazards or changes ahead.
  • A red octagon above an arrow on a yellow sign means a STOP sign is ahead.
  • Two arrows pointing opposite ways mean two-way traffic ahead: keep right.
  • The five-sided sign means a school zone or school crossing.
  • Orange signs mark work zones.
  • The yellow pennant on the left side of the road starts a no passing zone.

Easy to confuse: Warning sign colors

ColorUsed forExample
YellowGeneral warningsCrossroad, stop ahead, curve
OrangeWork zonesRoad work ahead, flagger ahead
Fluorescent yellow-greenSchool, pedestrian, and bicycle warningsSchool crossing

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedTraffic Signs and Signals › Warning, School, and Work Zone Signs★★★★★

Question 1. What do yellow diamond-shaped signs usually tell you?

  1. ① The way to the nearest city
  2. ② A place to buy gas or food
  3. ③ A rule you must obey, such as a speed limit
  4. ④ A hazard or change in the road is ahead
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ A hazard or change in the road is ahead

Key point: Yellow diamond = warning of what is ahead

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs. They tell you about a hazard or change in the road ahead, such as a curve, an intersection, or a lane ending. Slow down and be ready to react.

Wrong choices

  • The way to the nearest city: Directions to cities are on green guide signs.
  • A place to buy gas or food: Gas and food are shown on blue service signs.
  • A rule you must obey, such as a speed limit: Rules such as speed limits are on white regulatory signs.
Practice questionReviewedTraffic Signs and Signals › Warning, School, and Work Zone Signs★★★★★

Question 2. What do orange signs on the road mean?

  1. ① A park or recreation area ahead
  2. ② A school zone ahead
  3. ③ A hospital ahead
  4. ④ A work zone with road work or workers ahead
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ A work zone with road work or workers ahead

Key point: Orange signs = work zone

Orange signs mark work zones. Expect lane closures, workers, equipment, and flaggers. Slow down, obey the signs, and pay close attention.

Wrong choices

  • A park or recreation area ahead: Parks and recreation areas are shown on brown signs.
  • A school zone ahead: School zones use five-sided fluorescent yellow-green or yellow signs.
  • A hospital ahead: Hospitals are shown on blue service signs.
Practice questionReviewedTraffic Signs and Signals › Warning, School, and Work Zone Signs★★★★★

Question 3. What does a five-sided (pentagon) sign mean?

  1. ① A hospital zone
  2. ② A school zone or school crossing
  3. ③ A no passing zone
  4. ④ A railroad crossing
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ② A school zone or school crossing

Key point: Five-sided sign = school zone or school crossing

The five-sided (pentagon) sign is used for school zones and school crossings. Slow down, watch for children, and be ready to stop.

Wrong choices

  • A hospital zone: Hospitals are shown on blue service signs.
  • A no passing zone: A no passing zone is marked with a yellow pennant (sideways triangle).
  • A railroad crossing: Railroad crossings use a round yellow sign ahead and a white X-shaped crossbuck at the tracks.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →

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