California Car / Permit practice
California Car / Permit: Road Signs practice test
Learn the shapes, colors, and meanings of regulatory, warning, and guide signs — from stop and yield to construction and school-zone signs.
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
20 questions · pass with 16 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
Choose your level
Up to 20 questions on this topic, with feedback after every answer.
Study offline
California Practice Test Pack — 2026 Printable Edition
$4.99 · One-time purchase. Instant download.
Our own printable edition — nobody paid us to show it to you, and everything in it is free to read here too.
Study questions with answers
12 sample Road Signs questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.
Show all 12 questions with answers
1. A blue rectangular sign along the highway usually shows:
Correct answer: Motorist services like gas, food, or lodging
Blue signs point you to motorist services such as gas, food, lodging, and hospitals.
2. A pennant-shaped sign (a horizontal triangle pointing right) posted on the left side of the road warns that:
Correct answer: You are entering a no-passing zone
The pennant-shaped 'No Passing Zone' sign is placed on the left side of the road. It marks the start of a stretch where you may not pass other vehicles.
3. Green highway signs are generally used to:
Correct answer: Give directions and distances
Green signs are guide signs. They give directions, distances, and destinations, such as exits and the miles to a city.
4. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign showing a red STOP symbol mean?
Correct answer: A stop sign is ahead; prepare to stop.
A stop sign is ahead; prepare to stop. (This is the "Stop Ahead" sign.)
5. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign showing a traffic signal (red, yellow, green) mean?
Correct answer: A traffic signal is ahead; prepare to slow or stop.
A traffic signal is ahead; prepare to slow or stop. (This is the "Signal Ahead" sign.)
6. You approach a white circular sign showing a bicycle crossed out in red. What does it tell you to do?
Correct answer: Bicycles are not allowed on this road.
Bicycles are not allowed on this road. (This is the "No Bicycles" sign.)
7. You approach a white rectangular sign posting a weight limit in tons. What does it tell you to do?
Correct answer: Vehicles over the posted weight may not use this road or bridge.
Vehicles over the posted weight may not use this road or bridge. (This is the "Weight Limit" sign.)
8. What does a red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign always mean?
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop
A red octagon always means STOP. Come to a complete stop at the limit line or crosswalk, then go only when it is safe.
9. A yellow, diamond-shaped sign is used to:
Correct answer: Warn of possible hazards or changes ahead
Yellow diamond-shaped signs are general warning signs. They alert you to conditions ahead, such as a curve, intersection, or pedestrian crossing.
10. If you accidentally drive onto a roadway against the flow of traffic and see DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs, you should:
Correct answer: Back out or turn around when it is safe to do so
These signs mean you have started driving against the flow of traffic. Once conditions allow, reverse course carefully and get turned back around; after dark, the pavement reflectors will glow red toward you instead of white, tipping you off that you are headed in the wrong direction.
Source: California Driver Handbook — Regulatory Signs
11. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign showing a red-and-white yield symbol mean?
Correct answer: A yield sign is ahead; be prepared to yield.
A yield sign is ahead; be prepared to yield. (This is the "Yield Ahead" sign.)
12. You approach a white rectangular sign reading 'DO NOT PASS'. What does it tell you to do?
Correct answer: Passing other vehicles is prohibited beyond this sign.
Passing other vehicles is prohibited beyond this sign. (This is the "Do Not Pass" sign.)
More Car / Permit topics
Practice Road Signs in another state
Every California question is written from the official California driver handbook and checked against its current edition. DMV Test Free is a free, independent study resource — not affiliated with any DMV or government agency. About DMV Test Free
Study offline
California Practice Test Pack — 2026 Printable Edition
$4.99 · One-time purchase. Instant download.
Our own printable edition — nobody paid us to show it to you, and everything in it is free to read here too.