The 67 road signs, signals and markings the California Driver's Handbook teaches, each drawn as it looks on the road, with what it means.
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Red signs stop you or forbid something. White signs state a law you must obey.
Restricted to high-occupancy vehicles during the posted hours.
White diamond symbol on the sign and painted in the lane.
Yield to a train that is on the crossing, or approaching and close to it.
White X-shaped sign at the crossing itself. A plate below shows the number of tracks.
You may not drive past this point in this direction.
White square with a red circle and a white bar across it.
Overtaking is prohibited from here until a PASS WITH CARE sign or the marking changes.
Black-on-white regulatory rectangle.
Pass this island, median or barrier on the right.
Black-and-white arrow sign on an obstruction.
Bicycles are prohibited on this road or path.
Bicycle symbol in a red circle-slash.
No left turn from this point, in this direction.
Left arrow in a red circle-slash.
You may not leave the vehicle standing here.
Red circle-slash over a P, or red-on-white text with arrows/times.
No right turn here, red light or green.
Right arrow in a red circle-slash.
The usual permission to turn on red is cancelled here.
White regulatory sign, often with a red circle-slash.
You may not reverse direction here.
Black U-arrow in a red circle-slash.
Traffic moves only in the arrow's direction.
Black-and-white horizontal arrow rectangle.
Parks, campgrounds, historical and scenic sites.
This guide series uses a trapezoid.
25 mph is the maximum in ideal conditions — not a target.
Black-on-white vertical rectangle. White regulates, yellow only warns.
Maximum legal speed on this freeway in good conditions.
Come to a complete stop. Wheels must stop rolling.
Red octagon — the only octagon on the road. Recognizable from the back and in the dark.
This is the exact stopping point when the signal is red.
White regulatory sign, usually with an arrow to the limit line.
You are driving against traffic. Back out or turn around when it is safe.
Red rectangle, white text.
Give way to traffic and pedestrians already there. Slow down, and stop if you must.
Red-and-white downward triangle — the only downward triangle.
Yellow diamond signs warn you about what is ahead.
Traffic is joining, but into its own new lane. No merging required.
Yellow diamond, a new lane appearing alongside.
Animals regularly cross here.
Yellow diamond with a deer (or cattle) symbol.
A bike route or path crosses or joins the roadway here.
Yellow diamond with a bicycle symbol.
Same message as the yellow version, upgraded because the conflict is frequent or has caused crashes.
Fluorescent yellow-green diamond.
An abrupt change in the road surface ahead.
Yellow diamond with a raised or dropped profile.
The road changes direction sharply right here.
Yellow rectangle with an arrowhead, mounted in the curve itself.
A road crosses yours ahead; traffic may enter from both sides.
Yellow diamond with a plus symbol.
A curve is coming at roughly the advisory speed.
Yellow diamond with a bending arrow. An advisory speed plate may hang below.
A median or barrier is about to separate the directions.
Yellow diamond, one road splitting around a median.
The median is ending — you are about to face oncoming traffic again.
Yellow diamond, two roads joining into one.
An unplanned incident is ahead — crash, spill, fire or police operation.
Fluorescent pink diamond.
A person will direct traffic ahead.
Orange diamond with a person holding a flag or paddle.
Your lane is about to disappear. Move over before it does.
Yellow diamond showing one lane tapering away.
Anything taller than the posted height will hit the structure.
Yellow diamond or rectangle stating a height, e.g. 12'6".
Another stream of traffic is about to join yours. Traffic already on the highway has the right of way.
Yellow diamond, two lines joining.
The bridge is narrower than the road you are on.
Yellow diamond with a pinched roadway.
You are entering a no-passing zone.
Yellow pennant — a sideways triangle. Mounted on the LEFT side of the road.
People cross here, often mid-block.
Yellow (or fluorescent yellow-green) diamond with a walking figure.
Children are likely to run into the road near here.
Yellow or fluorescent yellow-green diamond with children playing.
A railroad crossing is ahead. Shape alone identifies it.
It is a yellow and black circular sign for a railroad crossing.
A work zone is ahead. Conditions differ from the permanent signs.
Orange diamond, with AHEAD or a distance such as 1000 FT — orange always means temporary.
A circular intersection is coming.
Yellow diamond with circular arrows.
A road joins from one side only.
Yellow diamond with a T-branch to one side.
A traffic light is coming, possibly hidden by a curve, crest or trees.
Yellow diamond with a traffic-signal symbol.
The road ahead may be unexpectedly slippery.
Yellow diamond with a car and skid marks.
The edge is loose dirt or gravel and will not carry your weight.
Yellow diamond, text or symbol showing the shoulder giving way.
A long or steep descent is ahead.
Yellow diamond with a truck on a slope, often with a percentage plate.
A stop sign is coming that you cannot see yet.
Yellow diamond with a small red octagon symbol.
Your road ends ahead at another road. You must turn.
Yellow diamond with a T symbol.
The one-way or divided section ends; oncoming traffic returns.
Yellow diamond, two opposing arrows.
This sign warns of a winding road ahead.
Yellow diamond with an S-shaped arrow.
The five-sided shape is reserved for school.
School zone — children crossing.
A five-sided sign means you are near a school.
This vehicle usually travels at 25 mph or less.
Orange-and-red reflective TRIANGLE mounted on the rear of a vehicle.
Follow a person directing traffic, even if the light shows something else.
You may turn, but you must yield. Oncoming traffic has green.
Flashing amber arrow lens.
The turn is protected: oncoming traffic is held on red.
Green arrow lens.
Whether that specific lane is open in your direction right now.
Green arrow (open) or red X (closed) above a lane.
Controls people on foot — and tells you what pedestrians are about to do.
WALK figure / raised HAND, often with a countdown.
You may proceed if the intersection is clear.
Green lens, bottom of the head.
Stop and stay stopped until a signal lets you go. After you stop, you may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it.
Red lens, top of the signal head.
The light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely.
Amber lens, center of the head.
When a sign and the paint disagree, follow the sign. The paint still shows where you may drive.
This lane may only be used for the movement shown.
White arrow painted in the lane, sometimes with the word ONLY.
The transverse line marking where you must stop at a controlled intersection.
Green, blue and brown signs show directions, services and places of interest.
The normal route is closed; follow this alternate.
Orange rectangle reading DETOUR — often paired with an arrow panel showing the routing.
This marks the point where the exit leaves the main road.
Green rectangle, white lettering.
A hospital that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Blue rectangle with a white H.
Identifies an Interstate highway, e.g. I-5.
Red-white-and-blue shield.
Facilities ahead — restrooms, parking, sometimes fuel and food.
Blue rectangle with service symbols.
Identifies a US or California numbered highway, e.g. US-99, SR-132.
White shield (US routes) or the green spade used for California state routes.
From the California Driver's Handbook
Edition: 2025, REV. 6/2025 (© DMV 2025). We read it on August 14. Read it at the DMV. We're an independent study app and aren't connected to the DMV or any state agency. Rules change, so check anything that matters to you with the DMV.
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