Road Markings and Traffic Regulations

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to road markings and traffic rules to aid in studying.

Solid yellow line

No passing; stay in your lane.

Broken yellow line

You can pass if it’s safe.

Double solid yellow lines

No passing either way.

Solid white line

Don’t change lanes.

Broken white line

You can change lanes.

Edge lines

Show the edge of the road.

Center divider

Separates lanes going opposite ways.

Painted curb (red)

No stopping.

Painted curb (blue)

Disabled parking only.

Painted curb (white)

Quick passenger pick-up/drop-off.

Painted curb (green)

Short-term parking.

Painted curb (yellow)

Loading/unloading only.

Crosswalk

Where people walk across the street.

Stop line (limit line)

Stop here at a stop sign or red light.

Bike lane

Lane for bikes only.

Sharrows (shared lane)

Bikes and cars share the lane.

HOV lane

Carpool lane (2+ people).

Two-way left turn lane

Shared lane in the middle for left turns.

Reversible lanes

Lanes that change direction at different times.

Railroad pavement marking

Tells you a train crossing is ahead.

Stop sign

Come to a full stop.

Yield sign

Slow down and let others go first.

Speed limit sign

The fastest you’re allowed to drive.

Wrong Way

You’re going the wrong direction.

Do Not Enter

Don’t go here.

One Way

Traffic only goes one direction.

No U-Turn

Can’t turn around.

No Left/Right Turn

Can’t turn that way.

No Parking

You can’t park here.

Road Closed

The road is blocked.

HOV signs

Carpool lane only.

Weight/height restriction

Big/heavy vehicles not allowed.

Curve ahead

Road turns soon.

Winding road

Lots of curves ahead.

Merge

Another lane joins yours.

Lane ends

Your lane is ending.

Pedestrian crossing

People cross here.

School zone / school crossing

Slow down; kids nearby.

Deer crossing

Watch for animals.

Railroad crossing

Trains may come.

Traffic signal ahead

Light coming up.

Stop/Yield ahead

Stop or yield sign coming.

Slippery when wet

Road gets slick when raining.

Divided highway begins/ends

A center divider starts or ends.

Narrow bridge

Bridge gets skinny.

Hill/steep grade

Big hill ahead.

Road construction/work zone

Workers or construction ahead.

Highway markers

Show highway number.

Exit signs

Tell you where to leave the freeway.

Mile markers

Show what mile you’re on.

Hospital/gas/food/lodging

Tell you where services are.

Destination/distance

Tell you how far cities are.

Rest area signs

Stop area with bathrooms.

Steady red light

Stop.

Flashing red

Stop, then go when safe.

Solid green

Go if clear.

Green arrow

Turn safely.

Yellow light

Light turning red; slow down.

Flashing yellow

Be careful; go slow.

Pedestrian signals

Walk / Don’t Walk signs.

Countdown pedestrian signal

Tells how many seconds to cross.

Traffic signal blackout

Light is off; act like a stop sign.

Right of way

Who gets to go first.

Yielding

Letting others go before you.

Three-point turn

Turning around in 3 moves.

U-turn

Turning around in one big turn.

Passing

Going around a slower car.

Blind spots

Places you can’t see in mirrors.

Lane change

Moving to a different lane.

Parking uphill/downhill

Turning wheels so car won’t roll.

Parallel parking

Parking between two cars on the street.

Backing up

Going in reverse.

Signaling

Turning your blinker on before you turn.

Following distance

Space between you and the car ahead.

Stopping distance

How far it takes to stop.

Right-of-way at intersections

Who goes first at a crossroad.

Roundabout rules

Cars inside go first.

School bus rules

You must stop for a stopped school bus.

Emergency vehicle rules

Pull over for sirens.

Railroad crossing rules

Stop if a train is coming.

Pedestrian right-of-way

People walking go first.

Speed rules

How fast you can drive in different areas.

Seat belt law

Everyone must wear a seat belt.

Child safety seat law

Kids must use a booster/child seat.

DUI / BAC limits

No drinking/drugs and driving.

Basic speed law

Go only as fast as is safe.

Prima facie speed limits

Default speed if no sign is posted.

ABS

Brakes that stop wheels from locking.

Hydroplaning

Sliding on water.

Skidding

Tires lose grip and slide.

Traction

How well tires stick to the road.

Blind intersections

An intersection you can’t fully see.

Controlled intersection

Has signs or lights.

Uncontrolled intersection

No signs or lights.

Freeway on-ramp/off-ramp

Getting on/off the freeway.

Gore area

The triangle area you must NOT drive on.

Shoulder

Side of the road.

Work zone

Area with road workers.

Rumble strips

Bumpy lines that warn you if you drift off.