Ohio DMV Permit Test Warning, School, and Work Zone Signs Summary

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.

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.

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.

This yellow diamond shows a plus-shaped symbol. It warns that another road crosses your road ahead. Slow down and watch for vehicles entering or crossing.

Wrong choices

• A railroad crossing is ahead: A railroad crossing ahead is shown by a round yellow sign with an X and two R letters.
• A hospital is nearby: Hospitals are shown on blue service signs.
• You must stop at the next intersection: This sign warns of an intersection. It does not require you to stop. A STOP sign or signal would.

This yellow diamond shows a red octagon above an arrow. It warns that a STOP sign is ahead, often around a curve or over a hill where you cannot see it yet. Slow down and get ready to stop.

Wrong choices

• You must stop right here at this sign: The yellow sign is only a warning. You stop at the STOP sign itself, farther ahead.
• Traffic ahead may go straight only: Straight-only rules are shown on white lane-use signs, not yellow warning signs.
• A one-way street begins ahead: One-way streets are marked by white ONE WAY signs.

This sign shows two arrows pointing in opposite directions. It warns that the road ahead carries two-way traffic, for example where a one-way road or a divided highway ends. Keep right, because oncoming traffic will be on your left.

Wrong choices

• Traffic ahead is one way in your direction: One-way traffic is shown with a white ONE WAY sign and a single arrow.
• A passing lane begins ahead: A passing lane is announced with a rectangular sign with words. This sign shows traffic in both directions.
• A divided highway begins ahead: A divided highway begins sign shows the road splitting around a center island.

The round yellow sign with an X and two R letters warns that a railroad crossing is ahead. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.

Wrong choices

• You must stop at the railroad tracks every time: This sign is a warning. You must stop when a train is coming, signals flash, or gates are down, not every time.
• An intersection with a four-way stop is ahead: An intersection warning uses a diamond sign, not a round one.
• A road closure is ahead: Road closures use ROAD CLOSED signs, often with orange or white barricades.

The pennant is a yellow sideways triangle placed on the left side of the road. It marks the start of a no passing zone. Do not pass until the zone ends.

Wrong choices

• A school crossing is ahead: School crossings use five-sided signs.
• The left lane ends ahead: A lane ending is shown with a diamond-shaped warning sign.
• You may pass on the left from here: The sign means the opposite: passing is not allowed.

Flaggers direct traffic in work zones with a STOP/SLOW paddle. When the paddle shows SLOW, move ahead slowly and with care, watching for workers and equipment. When it shows STOP, stop and wait.

Wrong choices

• Ignore the flagger and follow the traffic signal ahead: In a work zone, you must follow the flagger's directions.
• Pass the flagger quickly to clear the work zone: Speeding through a work zone puts workers and drivers in danger.
• Stop and wait until the paddle shows STOP: STOP means stop. SLOW means move ahead carefully.

The white crossbuck marks the crossing itself. Ohio law says that when a train is plainly visible and close to the crossing, or signals warn of a train, you must stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail. Do not go until it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and cross quickly before the train arrives: Racing a train is never safe, and the law requires you to stop.
• Stop within 5 feet of the nearest rail so you can see better: Stopping closer than 15 feet is too close to the tracks.
• Sound your horn and keep going: A horn does not make crossing safe. You must stop and wait.