Maryland Car / Permit practice
Maryland 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
18 questions · pass with 14 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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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.
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1. A diamond-shaped highway sign is used mainly to communicate what?
Correct answer: A warning about a hazard or unusual condition ahead
Diamond signs warn of special conditions or hazards ahead, so a driver should be ready to slow down and respond appropriately.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
2. The white X-shaped sign found at railroad tracks (a crossbuck) serves what purpose?
Correct answer: It identifies where a railroad crossing is located
The crossbuck marks the exact spot of a highway-rail grade crossing, showing drivers where the tracks meet the road.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
3. A red-and-white 'Wrong Way' sign facing a driver indicates what?
Correct answer: The driver is going the wrong direction and must not proceed
Red is used for wrong way and do-not-enter messages; a wrong-way sign means the driver is heading against traffic and must not continue.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
4. A vertical rectangular sign with black lettering on a white background usually does what?
Correct answer: States a traffic rule the driver must follow
Rectangular signs standing taller than they are wide give instructions or state the rules of the road, and drivers must obey them.
5. A three-sided sign shaped like a triangle pointing down tells a driver to do what?
Correct answer: Slow down and give the right-of-way, stopping if necessary
The downward triangle is used only for yield signs. Slow down, look both ways, and give the right-of-way, stopping if needed before going on.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
6. A sign marking a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane means a driver may use that lane only when what is true?
Correct answer: The vehicle carries the number of people posted on the sign
HOV lanes may be used only by vehicles carrying at least the number of occupants shown on the sign.
7. A brown-colored highway sign most often directs drivers to what?
Correct answer: Parks and places of recreational or cultural interest
Brown signs identify recreational areas and sites of cultural interest, such as parks and historic locations.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
8. A round (circular) traffic sign is used to alert drivers to what?
Correct answer: An upcoming railroad crossing
The circular shape warns that a railroad crossing lies ahead, so a driver should be prepared to look for trains and stop if necessary.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
9. A sign showing a two-way left-turn lane in the center of the road means what?
Correct answer: Vehicles headed either way may enter that center lane to turn left
A center two-way left-turn lane may be used by vehicles traveling in either direction to make a left turn.
10. When a driver sees orange signs on the road, what do they usually indicate?
Correct answer: A construction or maintenance work area
Orange is reserved for construction and maintenance work areas, so orange signs mean a driver should expect changed conditions ahead.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
11. What does a pennant-shaped sign along the roadway mark?
Correct answer: The start of an area where passing is prohibited
The pennant shape marks the beginning of a no-passing zone, warning drivers not to pass other vehicles there.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
12. A five-sided sign shaped like a pentagon is used to warn drivers about what?
Correct answer: A school zone or a place where students cross
The pentagon shape identifies school zones and marks school crossings so drivers slow down and watch for children.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signs: Colors and Shapes
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