Question 1 of 20Road signs
California road signs test: free practice
California road signs test: free practice with 20 sign questions.
Road-sign questions
Question 2 of 20Road signs
What does this sign mean?
Question 3 of 20Road signs
What should you be ready to do after you pass this sign?
Question 4 of 20Road signs
What is not allowed where this sign is posted?
Question 5 of 20Road signs
You pass this sign, but rain is falling hard and you cannot see well. What should you do?
Question 6 of 20Road signs
At night you pass this sign just after you turn onto a ramp. What is the best thing to do?
Question 7 of 20Road signs
What may you not do where this sign is posted?
Question 8 of 20Road signs
What does this white X-shaped sign mark?
Question 9 of 20Road signs
This sign is posted at a crossroad. Which move may you not make?
Question 10 of 20Road signs
This orange sign shows a person with a shovel. What does it warn you about?
Question 11 of 20Road signs
This pennant-shaped sign is on the left side of the road. What does it mark?
Question 12 of 20Road signs
What does this sign tell you about the road?
Question 13 of 20Speed and following distance
In California, the limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a railroad crossing when you cannot see the tracks for how far?
Question 14 of 20Road signs
What does this sign tell you?
Question 15 of 20Road signs
You are on a one-way street and see this sign. What does it mean?
Question 16 of 20Road signs
What does this sign warn you about?
Question 17 of 20Road signs
What does this sign tell you to do?
Question 18 of 20Road signs
Why is this sign placed on the left side of the road?
Question 19 of 20Road signs
When should you be most alert for animals near this sign?
Question 20 of 20Road signs
Your lane has this sign over it. What must you do at the intersection?
1 of 20
Answer each question to see the explanation. Keyboard: A–D or 1–4 to answer, N next, P previous.
Answers and explanations (text version)
The correct answer to each question above, why it is right, and where it comes from. Try the test first.
Question 1: D. A railroad crossing is ahead
The round yellow sign with an X warns of a railroad crossing ahead. Slow down, look and listen for trains.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 2: D. The right lane ends ahead
The right edge line bends in toward the center, which means the right lane ends ahead and drivers in it must move left.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 3: D. Follow the signals of a worker directing traffic
This sign warns of a flagger ahead. A flagger directs traffic with signals that you must obey.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Work zone signs
Question 4: D. Turning left
This sign bans left turns. You may go straight or turn right if those moves are allowed.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 5: D. Drive slower than the posted speed
The posted speed is the most you may drive in good conditions. In heavy rain you must drive slower than that to stay safe.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 6: A. Pull over, then turn around safely
The wrong way sign means you are heading into oncoming traffic. Pull to the side right away, then turn around safely.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 7: D. Turn around to go back the way you came
This sign bans U-turns. You may not turn around to go back the way you came at that spot.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 8: B. A railroad crossing
The white X-shaped crossbuck marks the place where the road crosses railroad tracks.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 9: B. A right turn
This sign bans right turns at that spot, so you must go straight or turn left if allowed.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 10: B. People working on or near the road
This sign warns of workers on or near the road. Slow down and give them space.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Work zone signs
Question 11: C. The start of a no-passing zone
The pennant sign marks the start of a no-passing zone. Do not begin to pass from this point on.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 12: C. All traffic moves the way the arrow points
A one way sign means all traffic on that road moves only in the direction the arrow shows.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 13: C. 400 feet in both directions
The limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a crossing if you cannot see 400 feet both ways, unless gates, signals or a flagger control it.
Handbook: Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks
Question 14: C. A school is near and children may cross
This school sign means a school is near and children may be crossing. Slow down and obey any school speed limit.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 15: C. Traffic will soon come toward you on this road
The two-way traffic sign warns that oncoming traffic will soon use the same road as you.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 16: A. People may be crossing the road ahead
This pedestrian crossing sign warns that people may be crossing. Slow down and yield to anyone in the crosswalk.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 17: C. Pass to the right of the island ahead
A keep right sign means you must pass to the right of the island, divider or object ahead.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
Question 18: C. So a driver about to pass will see it
A driver getting ready to pass looks to the left, so the no-passing zone pennant is placed there where it will be seen.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 19: D. At dawn and at dusk
Deer move most at dawn and at dusk, so take extra care at those times where this sign is posted.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs
Question 20: C. Turn left
A left turn only sign means every vehicle in that lane must turn left at the intersection.
Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Regulatory signs
US road signs, signals and pavement markings as shown in the California Driver's Handbook. 16 correct (80%) is our practice mark, not an official pass mark.
United States road signs and what they mean
Our own simplified drawings of the signs learners meet most. The full list, with meanings, is in the United States sign library; the official reference is the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600).
Regulatory signs
Come to a complete stop at the line, crosswalk or intersection edge, then go only when the way is clear.
Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians that have the right-of-way go first, stopping if needed.
The highest legal speed on this road under ideal conditions.
You must not drive into this road or ramp from this direction.
You are driving against traffic; stop safely and turn around.
Traffic on this road moves only in the direction of the arrow.
Left turns are not allowed here.
Right turns are not allowed here.
Turning around to go back the way you came is not allowed here.
You may not turn while the signal is red, even after stopping.
Pass to the right of the island or obstruction ahead.
Overtaking other vehicles is not allowed on this stretch.
You may not park here; stopping briefly to load or unload may still be allowed where local rules say so.
Vehicles in this lane must turn left.
Marks the crossing itself; yield to any train and stop if one is coming.
Warning signs
Marks the start of a stretch where passing is not allowed; it sits on the left side of the road.
The road bends gently to the right ahead; slow down before the bend.
The road turns sharply right ahead; slow down a lot before the turn.
A series of bends lies ahead; keep speed down until the road straightens.
Another road crosses yours ahead; watch for traffic from both sides.
A road joins from the right ahead; expect vehicles entering.
The road you are on ends ahead at a crossing road; be ready to turn left or right.
Traffic from another lane or ramp will join yours ahead; adjust speed so both can merge safely.
The right lane ends ahead; drivers in it must move left when safe.
A median will separate the two directions of traffic ahead; keep right of it.
The median ends ahead and traffic in both directions will share one road.
You are leaving a one-way road; oncoming traffic will use the same road ahead.
There is a traffic light ahead; be ready to stop.
A stop sign is coming up; slow down and prepare to stop.
A yield sign is coming up; slow down and be ready to give way.
People may be crossing ahead; slow down and yield to anyone in the crosswalk.
A school is near and children may be crossing; slow down and obey any school speed limit.
A railroad crossing is ahead; slow down, look and listen for trains.
The surface gets slick in rain; slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering.
Deer often cross here, especially at dawn and dusk; slow down and watch the roadsides.
A steep downgrade is ahead; check your speed and use a lower gear.
The bridge ahead is narrower than the road; slow down and watch for oncoming vehicles.
Marks the outside of a sharp curve and shows the direction to steer.
Temporary signs
Construction is ahead; slow down, expect changes and obey work-zone signs.
A worker is directing traffic ahead; follow their signals.
People are working on or next to the road; slow down and give them space.
The usual route is closed; follow the detour signs in the arrow direction.