Virginia Motorcycle: Road Signs Practice Test

Question 1

Signs that pair blue with white lettering are posted to point you toward:

Accepted Answer

Services available to people on the road — Blue is the color used for services that a traveler may need. Green handles destination information and brown covers cultural or historic attractions.

Answer

Roadwork that has narrowed the lanes

Answer

A change in the posted speed

Answer

A crossing used by schoolchildren

Question 2

You pass a sign with a brown background and white lettering. What is it telling you about?

Accepted Answer

Somewhere of historical or cultural interest nearby — Brown is the color used for places of historical or cultural interest in the area. Green points to destinations and blue points to driver services.

Answer

A sharp curve coming up

Answer

Fuel, food and lodging at the next exit

Answer

A rule you are legally required to obey

Question 3

A traffic sign shaped like a diamond is there to tell you what?

Accepted Answer

That a hazard or changed condition lies ahead — The diamond outline is reserved for warnings. It flags a hazard or an unusual condition further along the road, so ease off and be ready to stop.

Answer

That you hold the right-of-way at the next junction

Answer

That parking is allowed along this stretch

Answer

That the road ahead is a marked bicycle route

Question 4

An advisory speed sign posted at a highway exit gives you:

Accepted Answer

The fastest speed that is safe for the exit — The number on that sign is the fastest speed considered safe for taking the exit, not the legal limit of the road you are leaving or joining.

Answer

The lowest speed you are allowed to travel

Answer

The mileage to the following exit

Answer

The limit on the road you are about to join

Question 5

A sign warns that horse-drawn buggies regularly use the road ahead. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Ease off the throttle and keep off the horn — Cut your speed and leave the horn alone, since the noise can spook the animal. When the way is genuinely clear, state law says to leave a minimum of three feet as you go by.

Answer

Sound the horn so the driver knows you are behind

Answer

Accelerate so you spend less time near the buggy

Answer

Flash your high beam as you approach

Question 6

A Rumble Strips Ahead sign warns of strips laid across the travel lane. How should you take them?

Accepted Answer

Ride over them at a slow speed — The strips are placed ahead of a work zone, a flagger or a closed lane to grab your attention. Cross them at reduced speed rather than steering around them.

Answer

Steer around them to protect your suspension

Answer

Stop short of them and wait for a gap

Answer

Change lanes so you miss them entirely

Question 7

The Open Joints warning sign is posted chiefly because those joints can:

Accepted Answer

Upset a rider enough to cost them control — Joints across a bridge deck or ramp are a two-wheeled hazard in particular, which is why the sign calls for slowing down before you reach them.

Answer

Hide the stop line from your view

Answer

Set off an automated speed camera

Answer

Damage the suspension of a heavy truck

Question 8

Which sign outline is used only for school zones and school crossings?

Accepted Answer

A five-sided pentagon — Virginia reserves the five-sided pentagon for schools. A second sign carrying an arrow may be added to pinpoint where children actually cross.

Answer

An eight-sided octagon

Answer

A three-sided triangle

Answer

A circle

Question 9

A slow-moving-vehicle sign must be displayed on a public road by vehicles that cannot exceed:

Accepted Answer

25 MPH — Farm machinery, animal-drawn wagons and highway maintenance vehicles limited to 25 MPH have to carry the emblem. Expect to adjust your speed or your position when you see one.

Answer

15 MPH

Answer

35 MPH

Answer

45 MPH

Question 10

Signs printed in pink with black symbols are set out around what kind of location?

Accepted Answer

The scene of a crash or other incident — Orange is used for planned construction work, while pink marks the temporary signing put out around a crash or other incident. Both call for reduced speed and extra care.

Answer

A school zone during arrival and dismissal

Answer

A rest area with public facilities

Answer

A railroad crossing without gates

Question 11

A warning sign in a vivid yellow-green shade with black symbols alerts you to:

Accepted Answer

Activity by schoolchildren, walkers or cyclists — That bright shade is a special class of warning sign used where schoolchildren, people on foot or people on bicycles are likely to be present.

Answer

A weight restriction on the bridge ahead

Answer

A toll plaza a short distance ahead

Answer

The end of a divided highway

Question 12

At a railroad crossing fitted with flashing lights and a gate, when may you go across?

Accepted Answer

Once the gate is back up and the lights have stopped — Stop as the lights begin flashing and before the gate comes down, then stay put until the gate is fully raised and the lights have gone out. Driving around a lowered gate is never permitted.

Answer

The moment the gate starts to lift

Answer

Any time you cannot see a train coming

Answer

By going around the gate if traffic is backing up

Virginia Motorcycle: Road Signs practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Signs that pair blue with white lettering are posted to point you toward:

2. You pass a sign with a brown background and white lettering. What is it telling you about?

3. A traffic sign shaped like a diamond is there to tell you what?

4. An advisory speed sign posted at a highway exit gives you:

5. A sign warns that horse-drawn buggies regularly use the road ahead. What should you do?

6. A Rumble Strips Ahead sign warns of strips laid across the travel lane. How should you take them?

7. The Open Joints warning sign is posted chiefly because those joints can:

8. Which sign outline is used only for school zones and school crossings?

9. A slow-moving-vehicle sign must be displayed on a public road by vehicles that cannot exceed:

10. Signs printed in pink with black symbols are set out around what kind of location?

11. A warning sign in a vivid yellow-green shade with black symbols alerts you to:

12. At a railroad crossing fitted with flashing lights and a gate, when may you go across?

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