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

An eight-sided (octagon) red sign is a STOP sign. You must come to a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersection, then go only when the way is clear.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and keep going if no one is coming: Slowing down without stopping is a "rolling stop" and is against the law.
• Stop only if other cars are at the corner: You must stop every time, even when no other cars are there.
• Watch for a hazard ahead and keep your speed: Warning signs are yellow diamonds. A red octagon always means stop.

A downward-pointing red and white triangle is a YIELD sign. Slow down, be ready to stop, and let traffic and pedestrians that are already there go first. You stop only if you need to.

Wrong choices

• Come to a full stop every time, even if no one is coming: A yield sign does not demand a stop every time. You stop only when traffic makes it necessary.
• Speed up so that other drivers have to make room: Forcing other drivers to make room is the opposite of yielding and can cause a crash.
• The road ahead narrows to one lane: A lane-narrowing warning is a yellow diamond sign, not a red and white triangle.

A five-sided (pentagon) sign is used only for school zones and school crossings. Slow down and watch for children who may run into the street.

Wrong choices

• A railroad crossing is just ahead: A railroad crossing warning is a round yellow sign with an X and the letters RR.
• A no-passing zone is starting: A no-passing zone is marked by a yellow pennant (sideways triangle) on the left side of the road.
• A hospital entrance is coming up: Hospital signs are blue square or rectangle service signs.

The round yellow sign with an X and two R's is an advance warning for a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.

Wrong choices

• A crossroad intersection: A crossroad warning is a yellow diamond with a plus-shaped symbol, not a round sign.
• A road closed to all traffic: Road closed signs are white rectangles or orange signs, not round yellow ones.
• A rest area with restrooms: Rest area signs are blue or green guide signs.

Orange signs are used for work zones (road construction and maintenance). Slow down, follow the posted signs, and watch for workers and equipment.

Wrong choices

• You are near a school or playground: School signs are yellow or fluorescent yellow-green and five-sided.
• There is a park or recreation area nearby: Recreation and park signs have a brown background.
• Gas, food, and lodging are at the next exit: Motorist services such as gas and food are shown on blue signs.

A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign. Come to a complete stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and go when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and go through carefully without stopping: Slowing down without stopping is the rule for a flashing yellow light, not red.
• Stop and wait there until the light turns green: A flashing red light does not change to green. You go after stopping when it is safe.
• Stop only if a car is coming from the side street: You must stop every time, whether or not cross traffic is coming.

A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely. If you are already too close to stop safely, go through carefully.

Wrong choices

• Speed up so you get through before the red light: Speeding up to beat the light is dangerous and a common cause of crashes.
• Keep going at the same speed; yellow means go: Yellow is a warning, not permission to keep going as if the light were green.
• The signal is broken and acts like a stop sign: A steady yellow is a normal part of the signal cycle, not a sign of a broken light.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes going the same direction and mark the right edge of the road.

Wrong choices

• Traffic on both sides moves in the same direction: Lanes going the same way are separated by white lines, not yellow.
• The lane is reserved for bicycles only: Bike lanes are marked with white lines and a bicycle symbol.
• You are at the right edge of the road: The right edge of the road is marked with a solid white line.

A solid yellow line on your side of the center means no passing for drivers in your lane. The broken yellow line on the other side means drivers going the other way may pass when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• You may pass if the road ahead looks clear: A clear road does not matter; the solid line on your side still means no passing.
• You may pass only during daylight hours: The rule applies day and night.
• You may pass only slow trucks and tractors: There is no exception for passing trucks or tractors.

The pennant-shaped yellow sign is the only sideways-triangle sign. It sits on the left side of the road and marks the start of a no-passing zone. Do not begin to pass after this point.

Wrong choices

• Two lanes merge into one ahead: Merge warnings are yellow diamond signs on the right side of the road.
• A narrow bridge is coming up: Narrow bridge warnings are yellow diamond signs.
• You must yield to oncoming cars: Yield signs are red and white triangles pointing down.