Ohio DMV Permit Test Sign Shapes, Colors, and Regulatory Signs Summary

The red eight-sided sign (an octagon) is the STOP sign. You must come to a complete stop, look for traffic and people walking, and go only when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and stop only if other traffic is coming: Slowing down and stopping only when needed is what a YIELD sign asks. A STOP sign always requires a full stop.
• A stop sign is ahead, so get ready to stop: A warning that a stop sign is ahead is a yellow diamond sign, not the red octagon itself.
• Drivers on the other road must stop for you: The STOP sign is a rule for you. It does not tell you whether drivers on the other road must stop.

The downward-pointing triangle is the YIELD sign. Slow down and be ready to stop. Let traffic and people walking go first, and stop only if you need to in order to give them the right of way.

Wrong choices

• Always come to a full stop, even if the road is clear: A full stop every time is required by a STOP sign. At a YIELD sign you may keep moving slowly if the way is clear.
• Speed up so you can merge before other cars arrive: Speeding up to beat other traffic is the opposite of yielding.
• Keep going, because cross traffic must stop for you: The YIELD sign is facing you, so you are the one who must give way.

White rectangular signs are regulatory signs. They state rules you must obey, such as SPEED LIMIT, ONE WAY, and NO TURN ON RED.

Tip: White rules, yellow warns, green guides.

Wrong choices

• A hazard or change in the road ahead: Hazards ahead are shown on yellow warning signs, which are usually diamond shaped.
• Directions and distances to cities: Directions and distances are shown on green guide signs.
• Where to find gas, food, and lodging: Gas, food, and lodging are shown on blue service signs.

The octagon (eight sides) is used only for STOP signs. Because the shape is unique, you can recognize a STOP sign from behind or when it is covered with snow.

Wrong choices

• Triangle pointing down: The downward triangle is used only for YIELD signs.
• Diamond: The diamond is used for warning signs.
• Pentagon (five sides): The five-sided shape is used for school zone and school crossing signs.

A SPEED LIMIT sign shows the highest legal speed in good conditions. Ohio law also says you must never drive faster than is reasonable for traffic, road, and weather, and you must be able to stop within the clear distance ahead.

Wrong choices

• You may drive up to 5 mph over 45 when the road is clear: No law allows you to go over the posted limit.
• You must drive exactly 45 mph: You do not have to drive at the limit. You must drive slower when conditions require it.
• 45 mph is a suggested speed only: A white SPEED LIMIT sign is a rule. Suggested speeds are shown on yellow plaques.

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

Wrong choices

• Rules you must obey: Rules are shown on white regulatory signs.
• Road work ahead: Road work is shown on orange signs.
• Parks and recreation areas: Parks and recreation areas are shown on brown signs.

Blue signs show services for drivers, such as gas, food, lodging, rest areas, and hospitals.

Wrong choices

• A sharp curve ahead: Curves ahead are shown on yellow warning signs.
• A school zone ahead: School zones use five-sided fluorescent yellow-green or yellow signs, not blue signs.
• A speed limit that you must obey: Speed limits are shown on white regulatory signs.

A red WRONG WAY sign means you have entered a road or ramp against the flow of traffic. Traffic is coming toward you, so pull over and turn around safely as soon as you can.

Wrong choices

• You took the wrong exit but may keep going: Keeping going is dangerous. The sign means traffic on this road comes toward you.
• The road ahead turns sharply, so slow down: Sharp turns are shown on yellow warning signs.
• Traffic is detoured, so follow the orange signs: Detours are shown on orange signs. WRONG WAY is a red rule sign.

In Ohio you may usually turn right on red after a full stop. But local authorities and the state may ban turns on red by posting a sign. When NO TURN ON RED is posted, you must wait for the green light before turning.

Wrong choices

• Turn right only if a pedestrian is not in the crosswalk: Even with an empty crosswalk, the sign does not allow a turn on red.
• Turn left only, because the sign applies to right turns: The sign bans turns on red. It does not give you permission to turn left.
• Turn right after stopping if no cars are coming: Turning right after a stop is normally allowed, but not where this sign is posted.

A red circle with a slash on a regulatory sign means no: the action shown inside, such as a left turn, a U-turn, or trucks, is not allowed.

Wrong choices

• The road ahead is closed to all vehicles: A road closure uses ROAD CLOSED signs. The slash only bans the action shown.
• The action shown is recommended: The red circle and slash forbid the action. They do not recommend it.
• The action shown is allowed only at night: The slash does not depend on time of day. Time limits would be written on a separate plaque.