Road signs by shape and color

A sign’s outline and color tell you its job before you can read it.

By the ChowChow Labs editorial team · Updated November 7, 2026 · How we check our content

Short answer: Sort a sign by what you can see from far away. Red means stop, yield or do not. White rectangles state a rule. Yellow diamonds warn. Orange means road work. Yellow-green five-sided signs mean a school is near.

Shapes and colors at a glance

What you seeWhat it tells you
Red, eight sidesStop. No other sign has this outline.
Triangle, point downYield: others go first.
White rectangleA rule you must follow, such as a speed limit or a banned turn.
Red circle and slashThe action shown is banned.
Yellow diamondA warning about the road ahead.
Yellow pennantA no-passing zone is starting.
Orange diamondWork zone: expect changes to lanes and speed.
Five sides, yellow-greenSchool area or crossing.
Yellow circle with an XRailroad tracks are coming up.

Rule signs

  • Red octagon with white border and the word STOP.
    Stop

    Stop fully, then go when the way is clear.

  • Downward-pointing triangle with red border, white center, and YIELD text.
    Yield

    Slow down, and stop if traffic needs you to.

  • Red circle with a horizontal white bar and DO NOT ENTER text.
    Do not enter

    This road or ramp is closed to you from this end.

  • Red rectangular sign with white WRONG WAY text.
    Wrong way

    You are facing traffic. Get out of its path safely.

  • White rectangle with a left-turn arrow covered by a red circle and diagonal slash.
    No left turn

    The turn shown is not allowed here.

  • Black horizontal rectangle with a white arrow pointing right and the words ONE WAY inside the arrow.
    One way

    All traffic follows the arrow.

Warning signs

A warning sign does not give an order, but you are expected to react: ease off, look further ahead, and get ready to stop or steer. A small speed plaque under a curve sign is advice for good conditions, so go slower in rain or at night.

  • Yellow diamond with a curving right arrow and a separate yellow advisory plaque marked 35.
    Curve with advisory speed

    The plaque suggests a speed for good conditions.

  • Yellow diamond showing a car above two wavy tire tracks.
    Slippery when wet

    Grip drops in rain. Be smooth and slow down.

  • Yellow diamond showing a straight upward arrow with a branch joining it from the right.
    Merge

    Traffic will join your road ahead.

  • Yellow diamond showing a vertical signal with red, yellow, and green lamps.
    Signal ahead

    A traffic light is coming up. Be ready to stop.

  • Yellow diamond with two opposing vertical arrows, one down and one up.
    Two-way traffic

    Oncoming traffic will share this road.

  • Yellow diamond with an up arrow and a down arrow above and below the text 12 FT 6 IN.
    Low clearance

    Check that your vehicle fits under the height shown.

School, work zone and railroad

  • Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon showing two people walking.
    School

    Watch for children and any posted limits.

  • Orange diamond labeled ROAD WORK AHEAD.
    Road work

    Slow down and follow directions.

  • Round yellow sign with a black X and an R on either side.
    Railroad ahead

    A round warning placed before the tracks.

  • Two white diagonal boards forming an X, reading RAIL ROAD and CROSS ING.
    Crossbuck

    Marks the crossing itself. Trains go first.

Checked against the Texas Driver Handbook (DL-7, revised January 2026). Laws change, so check Texas DPS for the current rules before you rely on a number. Sources: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5.

Check yourself

Try these 8 questions from our free mock exams, then tap Show answer. For more, take the road signs practice test.

  1. Question 1 · Road Signs

    Red octagon with white border and the word STOP.

    What action does the pictured sign require?

    1. A. Stop fully, then go when the way is clear
    2. B. Slow down without stopping
    3. C. Stop only when another car is visible
    4. D. Continue because the sign is a warning
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop fully, then go when the way is clear

    The octagonal red stop sign requires a complete stop at the proper stopping position, then yielding before entry.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

  2. Question 2 · Road Signs

    Downward-pointing triangle with red border, white center, and YIELD text.

    What does the pictured sign tell an approaching driver to do?

    1. A. Always go first
    2. B. Accelerate into the gap
    3. C. Slow and yield, stopping if necessary
    4. D. Stop and wait for a green light
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Slow and yield, stopping if necessary

    A yield sign requires giving way to traffic with priority. Stop when needed for safety.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

  3. Question 3 · Road Signs

    Red circle with a horizontal white bar and DO NOT ENTER text.

    What does this sign mean for the roadway immediately ahead?

    1. A. Enter only at low speed
    2. B. Do not enter from this direction
    3. C. Enter if no police officer is present
    4. D. Only trucks may enter
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Do not enter from this direction

    Do Not Enter identifies a prohibited entrance, often the wrong end of a one-way road or exit ramp.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

  4. Question 4 · Road Signs

    Red rectangular sign with white WRONG WAY text.

    You face this sign after turning onto a roadway. What should you recognize?

    1. A. The road is closed only to trucks
    2. B. You are traveling against the permitted direction and must correct safely
    3. C. The sign warns only pedestrians
    4. D. You should speed up until the next exit
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You are traveling against the permitted direction and must correct safely

    Wrong Way warns that you are moving against traffic. Avoid further exposure and correct the error safely.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

  5. Question 5 · Road Signs

    Fluorescent yellow-green pentagon showing two people walking.

    What area does this five-sided sign warn about?

    1. A. A railroad yard
    2. B. A school area or school crossing
    3. C. A hospital loading zone
    4. D. A truck-only intersection
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A school area or school crossing

    Pentagon-shaped signs identify school areas and crossings. Watch carefully for children and obey posted controls.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

  6. Question 6 · Road Signs

    Yellow right-pointing pennant with black NO PASSING ZONE text.

    What restriction is announced by this pennant-shaped sign?

    1. A. A no-passing zone
    2. B. A minimum speed zone
    3. C. A mandatory passing lane
    4. D. A road reserved for buses
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A no-passing zone

    A pennant warns of a no-passing zone. Do not begin a prohibited pass.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

  7. Question 7 · Road Signs

    Orange diamond labeled ROAD WORK AHEAD.

    What should you anticipate after this orange diamond sign?

    1. A. An increase in the speed limit
    2. B. Road work and possible changes to lanes or traffic control
    3. C. A recreational area with no traffic rules
    4. D. A road reserved for bicycles
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Road work and possible changes to lanes or traffic control

    Orange warning signs identify construction and maintenance conditions. Reduce speed as needed and follow directions.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

  8. Question 8 · Road Signs

    Round yellow sign with a black X and an R on either side.

    What should you anticipate beyond this circular warning sign?

    1. A. A railroad crossing ahead
    2. B. A roundabout that requires stopping
    3. C. A mandatory right turn
    4. D. A hospital entrance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A railroad crossing ahead

    The round yellow railroad advance warning sign alerts you to tracks ahead. Be ready to obey crossing controls.

    Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Chapter 5: Signals, Signs, and MarkersReviewed November 2026Report an error

Next: Right-of-way rules. Left turns, driveways, emergency vehicles, school buses and roundabouts.

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