Learners Permit Test

red light

Come to a complete stop at the stop line. Remain stopped as long as the signal is red, unless turns are allowed.

Right turn on red

You may turn right while the traffic signal displays a red light. Before turning, you must come to a complete stop. You may not turn right on red if signs are posted at the intersection that read "No Turn on Red," or if a red arrow pointing to the right is displayed.

Left turn on red

You may turn left at a red light if you are on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street while the traffic signal displays a red light. Before turning, you must come to a complete stop. You may not turn left on red if signs are posted at the intersection that read "No Turn on Red," or if a red arrow pointing to the left is displayed.

Flashing red light

Stop-go when the way is clear

Flashing red arrow

Come to a complete stop, yield the right-of-way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection, and proceed in the direction of the arrow when the way is clear.

Yellow light

Prepare to stop

yellow arrow

The protection of a green arrow will end. If you intend to turn in the direction of the arrow, be prepared to stop.

Flashing yellow light

slow down and proceed with caution

Flashing yellow arrow

You may turn in the direction of the arrow, if the way is clear.

green light

to go

Green Arrow

Protected turn/go in direction of arrow

Out of service signals

treat as if it were an all way stop unless law enforcer is directing traffic

Lane use signals

indicate lanes where you can and cannot drive during different hours of the day.

Red X

Never drive in this lane

Yellow X or Yellow Diagonal Downward Arrow

These signals mean that you should move out of the lane as soon as safely possible.

Green Arrow

You are permitted to drive in a lane marked with a green arrow signal.

Left-turn Arrow

You are permitted to enter in a lane marked with a one-way or two-way arrow only to turn in the direction of the arrow.

Red with white

stop, yield, do not, and no

Black with white

regulatory information (speed limit etc)

Yellow with black

warning

Green with white letters

destination types of information

blue with white lettering

roadside-service sign

Brown with white

historical or cultural interest signs

orange with black letters

Work zone or construction zone signs are usually displayed in:

Pink with black

to warn of areas where there is an incident

stop sign

"Come to a full stop at an intersection controlled by this sign. Let other vehicles or pedestrians pass if they are in your path."

yield sign

Decrease speed as you reach an intersection. Prepare to stop. The right of way is given to pedestrians and vehicles. You may have to stop so be prepared

vertical signs

give instructions or tell you the law

Horizontal signs

give directions or information

Diamond sign

warning sign

pentagon sign

school zone and school crossing

Regulatory signs

Tell drivers what they may or may not do

red circle with a slash

NO symbol. symbol inside shows what is prohibited

do not enter

do not enter. You may not drive into the street

wrong way

do not go this way

one-way traffic

A circulation system in which all vehicles move in the same direction.

no left turn

Left turns are against the law. In Virginia, U-turns are considered as two left turns and are illegal if this sign is posted.

no right turn

Right turns are illegal. Do not make a right turn when you see this sign.

No U-Turn

U-turns are illegal. Do not make a U-turn when you see this sign.

No turn on red

You may not turn on the red light

do not pass

This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.

Left Turn Yield on Green

Traffic turning left at a green light does not have the right of way and must yield to traffic coming from the other direction.

keep right

A traffic island, median or obstruction divides the road ahead. Keep Right

Lane Use Control

These signs are used where turns are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes. Traffic in the lane must turn in the direction of the arrow.

High Occupancy Vehicle

These signs indicate lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers as specified on the sign.

Disabled Parking

reserved for people with disabled parking permits

warning signs

normally are yellow and diamond-shaped, with black letters or symbols.

Advisory Speed

This sign indicates the maximum safe speed for a highway exit.

Reduced Speed Limit Ahead

Prepare to reduce your speed; the speed limit is changing ahead.

Stop Ahead/Yield Ahead

A stop sign or yield sign is ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.

Signal Ahead

Traffic signals are ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.

no passing zone

This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.

merge

Two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging safely.

Lane Reduction

The right lane ends soon. Drivers in the right lane must merge left when space opens up. Drivers in the left lane should allow other vehicles to merge smoothly.

divided highway begins

The highway ahead is split into two separate roadways by a median or divider and each roadway is one-way. Keep right.

divided highway ends

The highway ahead no longer has a median or divider. Traffic goes in both directions. Keep right.

slippery when wet

When pavement is wet, reduce your speed. Do not brake hard or change direction suddenly. Increase the distance between your car and the one ahead of you.

Low Clearance Sign

The overpass ahead has a low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown on the sign.

hill

A steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes.

Deer Crossing

Deer cross the roadway in this area. Slow down, be alert and be ready to stop.

pedestrian crossing

Watch for people entering a crosswalk or crossing your path. Slow down and be prepared to stop. A second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the crosswalk.

Bicycle Crossing/Bike Path

Bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic in this area. Drive with caution. A second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the bike crossing.

School Zone/School Crossing

Watch out for children crossing the street or playing. Be ready to slow down or stop. Obey speed limits and signals from any crossing guards. A second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the sidewalk.

Open Joints

Slow down. Open joints on bridges or ramps could cause a motorcyclist to lose control of the motorcycle.

Expansion Joints

This sign is used when a joint across lanes creates a bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.

intersection

the point at which two lines or roads meet and cut across each other

Y Intersection

You must bear either right or left ahead.

T intersection

The roadway you are traveling on ends ahead. Signal before turning right or left.

roundabout

These signs indicate a circular intersection with an island in the center is ahead. Entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to traffic already in the circle.

Right Curve - Side Road

The road ahead curves right and a side road joins from the left within the curve. Be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling on.

Sharp Right Turn

Slow down and be prepared for a sharp right turn in the road ahead.

Sharp Right and Left Turns

Slow down and be prepared for the road ahead to turn sharply right, then left.

Right and Left Curves

The road ahead curves right, then left. Slow down.

Right Curve with Safe Speed Indicator

The road ahead curves right. Slow down to the safe speed limit indicated.

winding road

The road ahead winds with a series of turns or curves. On all curves, slow down for better control.

Low Ground Railroad Crossing

A steep slope where the railroad tracks cross the road may cause the bottom of low vehicles to get caught or drag on the tracks.

railroad crossing

Advance warning signs are placed before a railroad crossing. These signs warn you to look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails.

Railroad Crossbuck

This sign is a warning of a railroad crossing. Look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails.

Railroad Crossbuck and Flashing Lights

Flashing lights may be used with crossbuck signs. Always stop when the light begins to flash and be alert for approaching trains. Do not proceed until all trains or any other vehicles using the rails have passed, the tracks are clear, and the lights are no longer flashing. Be especially alert at multi-track crossings because a second train could be approaching from the opposite direction.

Crossbuck, Flashing Lights and Gate

Gates are used with flashing light signals at some crossings. Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers. Remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing. Do not attempt to drive around the lowered gate.

Rough Road, Bump, or Uneven Lanes

These signs are used when certain road conditions, such as loose gravel or road construction, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.

Road Construction Ahead - Detour

These signs indicate a change in the traffic pattern or route ahead. Slow down. Unusual or potentially dangerous conditions are ahead.

Flashing Arrow Panels

Large flashing arrow panels or flashing message signs in work zones direct drivers to proceed into different traffic lanes and inform them that part of the road ahead is closed.

Flaggers

Flaggers are construction workers who normally wear orange or yellow vests, or yellow-green shirts or jackets. They use STOP/SLOW paddles and red flags to direct traffic through the work zone and to let other workers or construction vehicles cross the road.

Traffic Control Devices

Barricades, vertical signs, concrete barriers, drums and cones are the most common devices used to guide drivers safely through work zones. When driving near the devices, keep your vehicle in the middle of the lane and obey the posted speed limit. As you leave the work zone, stay in your lane and maintain your speed. Don't change lanes until you are completely clear of the work zone.

message boards

You may see portable or permanent message boards along roadways. They provide information about traffic, road, weather or other hazardous conditions. Always obey any directions posted on these message boards.

slow moving vehicle

vehicles moving at 25 mph or slower. adjust speed

Pavement Markings

Road markings guide and warn drivers as well as regulate traffic. Markings may be red, blue, yellow or white. They may be used alone or in combinations. Each has a different meaning.

Red markings

are generally not used; but, some communities do use red curbs to indicate no parking zones.

Red reflectors

on the pavement show areas not to be entered or used. They are positioned on the road surface so that only traffic flowing in the wrong direction would observe them.

Blue markings

indicate parking spaces for people with disabilities

Yellow center lines

mean two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions.

Broken yellow center lines

passing on the left is allowed in either direction when the way ahead is clear

A broken yellow line alongside a solid yellow line

means that passing is allowed from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line.

Double solid yellow lines

mark the center of the road and separate traffic traveling in two different directions. Passing is not allowed in either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn.

Broken white lines

separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction

Dotted white lines

They are used to show lane assignment in intersections and interchanges where there might otherwise be a tendency to drift out of a lane or an area of intended use. Often they are used to guide two turning lanes through the intersection. Dotted white lines are also used to denote the opening of a turn lane at an intersection and entrance/exit lanes at interchanges.

Solid white lines

show turn lanes and discourage lane changes near intersections, and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous. Solid white lines also mark the right edge of pavement. Arrows used with white lines indicate which turn may be made from the lane. Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces also are marked by white lines.

White lane arrows are curved or straight

If you are in a lane marked with a curved arrow or a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the direction of the arrow. If your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may turn or go straight.

Double white lines

are two solid white lines that indicate a lane barrier between a