California Road Signs and Traffic Signals Test

California Road Signs and Signals

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1. A flashing red light means the same as:

A) A Do Not Enter sign

B) A Yield sign

C) A Stop sign

A flashing red signal light means STOP. After stopping, you may go when it is safe. A flashing red traffic light means the same as a stop sign.

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2. This sign means:

A) There is a work zone ahead

B) There is a bus stop ahead

C) There is a stop sign ahead

Stop sign ahead.

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3. What does this sign mean?

A) Lane ends

B) Two-way traffic

C) Added lane

Added lane sign. Two roadways come together, but you are not required to merge.

An additional lane begins. Watch for traffic in the new lane.

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4. This sign means:

A) Winding road

B) Slippery when wet

C) Soft shoulder

Slippery when wet.Drive more slowly than you would on a dry road.

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5. From a lane with this sign, you can:

A) Make a U-turn or go straight

B) Turn left or make a U-turn

C) Turn right

Combined U-Turn and Left Turn Sign. You must turn left or make a U-turn from this lane.

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6. You may continue carefully against a solid yellow light if:

A) You cannot stop safely

B) An emergency vehicle approaches

C) You speed up and beat the red light

A yellow traffic signal light means CAUTION. The light is about to turn red. Stop when you see a yellow traffic signal light if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely, cautiously cross the intersection.

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7. This sign means:

A) You must turn around

B) Making a U-turn is not allowed

C) Turning left is not allowed

No U-turn. You cannot turn around and go in the opposite direction.

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8. This sign marks:

A) The direction of travel in a roundabout

B) A sharp curve

C) A T-intersection

The directional arrow marks a sharp change in direction.

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9. This sign means that you:

A) Must wait for a green arrow before turning

B) Have the right-of-way on the green light

C) May turn left on a green light when safe

A left turn is permitted when you face a green signal, but you must yield to oncoming traffic.

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10. This sign means:

A) You may turn right without stopping

B) Stop before the limit line or crosswalk

C) Do not enter in this direction

Make a full stop before entering the crosswalk or at the limit line. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Check traffic in all directions before proceeding.

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11. What color are highway construction and maintenance signs?

A) Orange

B) Red

C) Green

Highway construction and maintenance signs are orange

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12. A flashing yellow light means:

A) Slow down and proceed with caution

B) Stop and remain stopped

C) Stop and go when safe

A flashing yellow signal light warns you to proceed with caution. You do not need to stop for a flashing yellow light. Still, you must slow down and be especially alert before entering the intersection.

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13. This sign means:

A) Slippery when wet

B) Steep hill

C) Winding road

Winding road. There are several curves ahead.

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14. What does this sign mean?

A) Divided highway ends

B) Crossroad

C) Side road

Divided highway ends. You will be on an undivided roadway with two-way traffic.

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15. Even if you have a green light, you should stop when:

A) You are in the wrong lane

B) You cannot get completely across

C) You must finish a phone call

Even with the green light, do not start across the intersection if vehicles are blocking your way. Only enter the intersection if you can get completely across before the traffic signal light turns red.

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16. What do white rectangular signs communicate?

A) General warnings

B) Rules you must obey

C) Directions to towns and cities

They communicate important rules you must obey.

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17. Where are you likely to see this sign?

A) At railroad crossings

B) In work zones

C) In parking areas

Many railroad crossings have a blue and white ENS sign to tell you what to do if there is an emergency on or near the tracks or if your vehicle has stalled on the tracks.

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18. This sign means:

A) Divided highway

B) Right lane ends

C) Narrow bridge

Reduction of lanes - Lane ends.

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19. When you see this sign, you must:

A) Pull off the roadway and stop

B) Not pass other vehicles

C) Not drive past the sign

Do not pass. This sign marks the beginning of a no-passing zone.

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20. This sign means:

A) The road is closed to all traffic

B) Only authorized vehicles may enter

C) You cannot enter in this direction

Do not enter. The road or street ahead is for one-way traffic traveling in the opposite direction.

Your score is

The average score is 86%

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This Practice Test

20 Road Signs and Traffic Signals Questions

This practice test checks your knowledge of some common road signs you will see on California highways and what different traffic lights mean. It has a mix of 20 easy to medium hard questions. Can you get a 100% score on this test?

All signs and traffic signals you must learn for your California DMV test are in the California Driver Handbook. Make sure you get the latest version from your CA DMV office or download it online.

Standard Three-Light Traffic Signals

While most people clearly understand the standard three-light signals (red, yellow, and green), you’d be surprised by how many test takers fail to answer questions about them correctly.

The most common misunderstanding is that a green light gives you the right of way, and it doesn’t. You may only proceed on the green light if it is safe and there is room on the other side of the intersection. Entering and blocking an intersection in heavy traffic is not allowed, even with a green light. You must always yield to vehicles that have lawfully entered the intersection before you.

The solid/steady yellow signal also confuses test takers. If you face a steady yellow signal, the light is about to change. You should only proceed if you cannot stop safely. Trying to beat the red signal is both dangerous and illegal. Read more: Driversprep.com – Drive Against A Steady Yellow Light.

Flashing Traffic Signals and Arrows

The results of renewal tests show that even experienced drivers can misunderstand flashing signals and lighted arrows.

Red signals always means stop. After stopping at a flashing red signal, you may proceed if the way is clear and safe. Turning against a red arrow is allowed in some states, but not in California.

Yellow signals mean caution. When you face a flashing yellow signal, slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. A steady yellow arrow means that the protected turning period (indicated by the green arrow) is ending. Stop if you can stop safely.

The flashing yellow arrow is a new signal in the USA. It means that you may turn in the direction of the arrow, but your turn is not protected (permissive and unprotected turn). You must yield to oncoming vehicles and turn only when there is a safe gap in traffic.

More DMV Questions about California Signs and Signals

  20 Road Sign Questions – 1

Cover photo: by Mateus Campos Felipe on Unsplash
Test illustrations: Hagbo

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