California Road Signs Practice Test (30 Signs)

This free test has 30 questions, and each one shows a drawing of a sign you will see on California roads. Choose what the sign tells you to do. After each answer you get a short explanation and the source it comes from: the California Driver’s Handbook or the Caltrans sign charts for California. You need 24 correct (80%) to pass.

The drawings are simplified illustrations made for practice. They are not official sign artwork, and real signs may differ in small details.

Unofficial practice test 30 questions · pass at 80% (24 correct)

0 / 30 answered · 0 correct

You have come to a complete stop at this sign at the limit line. What should you do before you pull forward?

Look for traffic coming from every direction Go at once, since stopping gave you the right-of-way Tap your horn so cross traffic knows you are going Wait ten seconds, then go without looking around
You are about to enter a road at this sign. A bicyclist on that road is riding toward the spot where you will enter. What should you do?

Keep going, because this sign only applies to cars Slow down and let the bicyclist go by before you enter Stop, then enter first because you stopped first Tap your horn and enter ahead of the bicyclist
You are about to turn onto a freeway ramp and see this sign posted at its entrance. What should you do?

Enter slowly with your hazard lights on Enter only if no cars are coming toward you Do not drive onto that ramp at all Stop first, then enter once the ramp is clear
You have just driven past this sign and realize you are heading against the flow of traffic. What should you do?

Keep driving slowly until you reach the next exit Stop in your lane and wait there for help to arrive Move onto the left shoulder and keep driving ahead Turn around or back out as soon as you safely can
This sign is posted at the corner of a street you want to turn onto. What does it tell you about that street?

Traffic on it moves only opposite to the arrow Traffic on it may travel only the way the arrow points Only one lane of that street is open to traffic You may enter it only from the far-right lane
You see this sign along a highway. What does it tell you?

65 mph is the highest speed allowed on this road 65 mph is the lowest speed allowed on this road 65 mph is advised only for the curve just ahead 65 mph applies only to trucks and buses here
You are behind a slow truck on a two-lane road where this sign is posted. What should you do?

Pass the truck if you can see far enough ahead Pass the truck by using the paved right shoulder Pass the truck only after it waves you around Stay behind the truck, because passing is not allowed
On a multilane road where this sign is posted, you are in the left lane. A driver comes up close behind you and wants to go faster. What should you do?

Speed up past the limit to stay ahead Tap your brakes so the driver backs off Move over to the right when it is safe Slow down sharply so they must go around
Your light is solid red at an intersection where this sign is posted. You have stopped at the limit line and want to turn right, and the crosswalk is empty. What should you do?

Wait for a green light before you make the turn Turn right now, since you already came to a stop Turn right if no cars are coming from your left Turn right after yielding to any oncoming cars
You are first in the left-turn lane at an intersection where this sign is posted, and you get a green arrow. What does the handbook say?

A U-turn is allowed because the arrow is green A U-turn is not allowed here, even on the arrow A U-turn is allowed if no car is within 200 feet A U-turn is allowed only after a complete stop
You reach an intersection where this sign is posted, and your light turns green. You had planned to turn left. What should you do?

Turn left once oncoming traffic has cleared Turn left only if no pedestrians are crossing Turn left only while the light is still green Skip the left turn here and use another route
You are stopped at a red light at an intersection where this sign is posted. You had planned to turn right, and the crosswalk is empty. What should you do?

Turn right after a full stop, since right on red is allowed Wait for the light to turn green, then turn right Do not turn right here; go straight or use another route Turn right on red once the crosswalk is clear
What should you do after you pass this sign?

Look and listen for a train, slow down, and be ready to stop Watch for children and stop for any in the crosswalk Slow down for a sharp curve in the road ahead Yield to vehicles entering from a road on your right
You are stopped at a crossing marked with this sign, and there are several sets of tracks. Which statement about trains is correct?

A train may come on any track, at any time, from either way Trains only use the track that is nearest to your car Trains pass only at the times posted at the crossing Each track carries trains in one direction only
Near this sign, a crossing guard signals you to stop, but you do not see any children. What should you do?

Keep going, since no children are in the road Slow to 25 mph and continue past the guard Stop and follow the crossing guard's direction Tap your horn so the guard knows you are coming
What does this sign warn you about?

The road ahead curves to the left A side road joins yours from the right You must turn right at the next corner The road ahead curves to the right
You see this sign on a rural road. What should you do?

Slow down for a sharp right turn in the road ahead Slow down for a sharp left turn in the road ahead Move left, because the right lane ends just ahead Speed up, because the road straightens out ahead
What does this sign tell you about the road ahead?

A hospital is located just off the road Another road crosses yours at an intersection The road you are on ends at a cross street A railroad track crosses the road there
You are approaching this sign. What does it tell you?

Another road crosses yours and you can go straight A side road joins your road from the right only Your road ends ahead where it meets a crossing road Your lane splits into two separate lanes ahead
What should you be ready to do after passing this sign?

Yield to traffic merging from the right Stop for a railroad crossing just ahead Pay a toll at a booth a short way ahead Stop at a STOP sign that is coming up
What is this sign warning you about?

A railroad crossing with flashing lights is ahead Traffic lights control an intersection ahead A flagger is directing traffic in a work zone An emergency vehicle station is just ahead
What should you expect after passing this sign?

Traffic from the right may merge onto your road Your right lane will end and you must move left The road will curve sharply toward the right Oncoming traffic will share the road with you
You are driving in the right lane when you pass this sign. What should you do?

Stay in your lane, because the left lane ends Move onto the right shoulder and keep going Get ready to merge into the lane on your left Speed up to pass every car in the left lane
What does this sign tell you about the road ahead?

Traffic in both directions will share one roadway The right lane ends and traffic must merge left Another road crosses yours at an intersection A median will separate the two directions of traffic
What should you expect on the road ahead after this sign?

Traffic moving in both directions on the same road A one-way road with two lanes going your way A median separating the two directions of travel A lane set aside for passing slower vehicles
You pass this sign on a street where the next block has no marked crosswalks. What should you be ready to do?

Keep your speed, since people may only cross at marked crosswalks Slow down or stop so a person crossing can get across safely Sound your horn to warn anyone standing near the road Cross the center line to stay far away from the curb
What does this pennant-shaped sign tell you?

You may pass if the road ahead looks clear to you Passing is allowed here, but only on the right side A school zone begins and the limit drops to 25 mph You are entering a stretch where passing is not allowed
You see this sign as you approach a stretch of highway. What should you do?

Keep your speed, since workers will stay out of the road Speed up so you get through the area more quickly Slow down, leave extra space, and expect sudden stops Use the shoulder to get around any slower traffic
You see this orange sign on your route. What should you be prepared for?

Traffic will soon be routed off your usual road The road ahead is open only to large trucks A rest area with services is coming up soon Your road becomes a divided highway ahead
What does this blue sign tell you?

A helicopter landing pad is just ahead A hospital can be reached from this road A highway patrol office is just ahead A hotel or motel is at the next exit

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Read a sign by its shape

You can often tell what a sign means before you can read it. Under the federal sign rules that California follows, several shapes are used for only one kind of sign:

Example	Shape	What it tells you
	Eight-sided (octagon)	Used only for STOP. Stop completely at the limit line or crosswalk, then check every direction before you go.
	Triangle pointing down	Used only for YIELD. Slow down and be ready to stop so vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians can go first.
	Round (circle)	Used only to warn that a railroad crossing is ahead. Look and listen, slow down and be ready to stop for a train.
	X-shaped (crossbuck)	Marks the railroad crossing itself. Expect a train on any track, at any time, from either direction.
	Five-sided (pentagon)	Used only for school signs. A school is near: drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk.
	Pennant (sideways triangle)	Used only for NO PASSING ZONE. It marks a stretch of road where you may not pass.
	Diamond	Warning signs. They tell you about the road or hazards ahead, such as a curve, a merge or a signal.
	Rectangle or square	White rectangles show rules you must obey. Rectangles are also used for guide signs and some warning signs.

A red circle with a red line through it means you may not do what the symbol inside shows, such as a U-turn or a turn to the left. The handbook also reminds drivers to obey every warning sign, whatever its shape or color. Shape rules: MUTCD Section 2A.09; driving rules: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7 (Signs).

What sign colors mean

Color	General meaning
Red	Stop, yield or something you may not do (DO NOT ENTER, WRONG WAY, the red circle with a slash).
White with black	Regulatory: a rule you must obey, such as a speed limit.
Yellow	General warning about the road ahead.
Fluorescent yellow-green	Warnings about pedestrians, bicyclists, playgrounds, school buses and schools.
Orange	Temporary traffic control, such as road work and detours.
Green	Direction guidance and movements that are allowed.
Blue	Services for road users, such as a hospital, and evacuation routes.
Brown	Recreation and cultural areas, such as parks.

Source: MUTCD Section 1A.12, Color Code (Federal Highway Administration). The full set of California signs is in the Caltrans California MUTCD sign charts.

Keep studying

Signs are only one part of the knowledge test. Try the full California practice tests, and read how many questions are on the California permit test.