Pennsylvania DMV Permit Test Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings Summary

An eight-sided (octagon) red sign means STOP. You must come to a full stop every time, then go only when the way is clear and you have yielded to traffic and pedestrians.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go on if no cars are coming: Slowing down is not enough. You must stop completely, even if the road looks clear.
• Stop only if a pedestrian is waiting to cross: The sign applies at all times, not only when pedestrians are waiting.
• Stop only if another car is already at the intersection: You must stop whether or not other vehicles are there.

This red and white triangle pointing down is a YIELD sign. Slow down and give the right of way to traffic and pedestrians. Stop if you need to, and go only when it is safe.

It is the only sign shaped like a triangle pointing down.

Wrong choices

• Come to a full stop every time, even if the road is clear: A full stop every time is what the eight-sided STOP sign requires. At a yield sign you stop only when needed.
• Speed up so you can merge ahead of other traffic: A yield sign tells you to give way, not to speed up.
• Keep going, because traffic on the other road must wait for you: It is the other way around: you must let the other traffic go first.

Warning signs are usually diamond shaped with black words or symbols on a yellow background. They warn of hazards ahead, such as curves, hills, or merging traffic.

Wrong choices

• Round, with white letters on a green background: Green signs are guide signs that show directions and distances.
• Rectangles with white letters on a blue background: Blue signs point to driver services such as gas, food, and hospitals.
• Eight-sided, with white letters on a red background: That describes the STOP sign, which is a regulatory sign.

The pentagon (five-sided) sign is the only sign of that shape on the road. It means you are approaching a school zone. Its background may be yellow or fluorescent yellow-green. Slow down and watch for children.

Wrong choices

• A railroad crossing is ahead: The railroad advance warning sign is round, not five-sided.
• A no passing zone begins: The no passing zone sign is shaped like a pennant (a long sideways triangle).
• The road ends ahead: A road-ends warning would be a diamond warning sign, not a pentagon.

A flashing red light has the same meaning as a STOP sign. Come to a complete stop, look both ways, and go only after the intersection is clear.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go through with care without stopping: That describes a flashing yellow light. At a flashing red you must stop first.
• The light is broken, so you may ignore it: A flashing red light is a working signal. You must obey it.
• Stop only if cross traffic has a green light: You must stop every time, no matter what other drivers see.

A flashing yellow light means caution. Slow down, look, and go ahead with care. You do not have to stop unless a pedestrian or vehicle is in your way.

Wrong choices

• Stop and wait for the light to turn green: You do not have to stop and wait at a flashing yellow light.
• Speed up before the light turns red: Never speed up for a yellow light. A flashing yellow asks you to slow down.
• The road is closed ahead: A flashing yellow light does not mean the road is closed.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. If you see a yellow line on your left, oncoming traffic is on the other side of it.

Wrong choices

• Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction: Lanes moving in the same direction are separated by white lines.
• Parking spaces from travel lanes: Parking spaces are usually marked with white lines, not the yellow center line.
• Bicycle lanes from car lanes: Bicycle lanes are marked with white lines and symbols.

A double solid yellow centerline marks the center of a two-way road where passing is not allowed in either direction, even if there is no NO PASSING sign.

Wrong choices

• You may pass if no cars are coming: Even if the road looks clear, you may not pass across a double solid yellow line.
• Only the driver in the right lane may pass: The rule applies to traffic in both directions.
• You may pass only during daylight: The time of day does not change this marking.

When a solid yellow line is on your side of the center, you may not pass. Drivers on the other side, where the line is broken, may pass when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• You may pass if it is safe: That applies to drivers with the broken line on their side, not you.
• You may pass only on the right: Passing on the right is not allowed on a two-lane road like this.
• You may pass only if you use your horn: Using your horn does not make passing legal.

This is a warning sign: a yellow diamond with black symbols. The symbol shows a traffic light, so it warns of a traffic signal ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop, especially when the light ahead may be hard to see.

Wrong choices

• A school zone ahead: A school zone sign is five-sided (a pentagon), not a diamond with a traffic light.
• A road work zone ahead: Work zone signs are orange, not yellow.
• A railroad crossing ahead: The railroad warning sign is round and yellow with an X and two R letters.