Colorado Permit Test: Road Signs and Traffic Laws

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering road signs, traffic shapes, colors, regulatory speed limits, driving safety distances, and Colorado-specific laws for the permit test.

Red Octagon (8 sides)

Stop. Come to a complete stop.

Red and White Downward Triangle

Yield. Slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians.

Yellow Diamond

Warning of a hazard or change in the road ahead.

Orange Diamond or Rectangle

Temporary traffic control / construction / work zone.

White Rectangle with Black Lettering

Regulatory sign indicating information you must obey, such as speed limits or one-way directions.

Green Rectangle

Guide sign used for directions, distances, or destinations.

Blue Rectangle

Motorist services sign indicating gas, food, lodging, or hospitals.

Brown Rectangle

Recreation or cultural interest sign.

Yellow or Fluorescent Yellow-Green Pentagon (5 sides)

School zone or school crossing. Slow down and watch for children.

Yellow Pennant-Shaped Sign (Pointing Right)

No passing zone. Do not pass other vehicles.

Red Circle with a White Horizontal Bar

Do Not Enter sign. Do not drive into that roadway.

Red Circle with a Slash through a Symbol

Prohibited action, such as No U-turn, No Left Turn, or No Trucks.

Round Yellow Sign with Black "X" and "RR"

Railroad advance warning. Prepare to stop if a train is coming.

White Circular Sign with Black "X" and "RR"

Railroad crossing (crossbuck). Yield to trains.

Flashing Red Light

Treat like a stop sign. Stop completely and proceed when safe.

Flashing Yellow Light

Proceed with caution.

Steady Yellow Light

Stop if you can do so safely, as the intersection is about to turn red.

Red Arrow

Stop; do not turn in the direction of the arrow until it turns green.

Basic Speed Law

Drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for current conditions, even if it is below the posted limit.

Default Speed Limit - Business District

$$25\,mph$$

Default Speed Limit - Residential District

$$30\,mph$$

Narrow/Winding Mountain Roads or Blind Curves Speed Limit

$$20\,mph$$

School Zone Speed Limit

Usually $20\,mph$ (or as posted) when children are present or during school hours.

Urban Turn Signaling Distance

Signals must be given continuously for at least the last $100\,feet$ before a turn.

Highway/4-Lane Turn Signaling Distance

Signals must be given continuously for at least the last $200\,feet$ before a turn.

Dimming High Beams (Oncoming Traffic)

Dim headlights within $500\,feet$ of an approaching vehicle.

Dimming High Beams (Following)

Dim headlights within $200\,feet$ of the vehicle you are following.

Headlight Usage Requirement

Must be on from sunset to sunrise or whenever visibility is less than $1000\,feet$.

Parking Distance - Fire Hydrant

You must park at least $15\,feet$ away.

Parking Distance - Stop Sign / Railroad Crossing / Fire Station

You must park at least $30\,feet$ away.

Parallel Parking - Distance from Curb

The vehicle must be within $12\,inches$ of the curb.

Following Distance (Basic Rule)

The $3$-second rule (or more in bad conditions).

BAC Limit - DUI ($21+$)

$0.08\%$ or higher.

BAC Limit - DWAI ($21+$)

More than $0.05\%$ but less than $0.08\%$.

BAC Limit - Under $21$

$0.02\%$ or higher.

Colorado Implied Consent (Express Consent) Law

By driving, you consent to chemical testing (breath, blood, etc.) if requested by law enforcement; refusal results in license revocation.

Four-Way Stop Right-of-Way

If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.

Mountain Road Right-of-Way

When two vehicles meet on a narrow road where they cannot pass, the vehicle going uphill generally has the right-of-way.

Passing a Bicyclist Distance

You must give a bicyclist at least $3\,feet$ of space.

Passenger Vehicle Traction Law

When activated during storms, passenger vehicles must have adequate tires or traction devices on mountain corridors.

Supervised Practice Hours (Most Minors)

$50\,hours$ total, including $10\,hours$ at night.

Minor License Nighttime Curfew

Midnight to $5\,a.m.$ during the first year of the license.

Minor License Passenger Restriction (First 6 Months)

No passengers under $21$ unless they are siblings or a parent/guardian is in the car.