Chapter 5: Signs, Signals, and Road Markings

A shared, universal language is necessary for the safe and orderly flow of traffic. In North Carolina, this language is communicated through traffic signs, signals, and pavement markings. Understanding their meaning is not optional; it is a fundamental requirement for legal driving, essential for passing the driver’s test, and critical for preventing confusion and life-threatening collisions on the road.

Sign Colors and Shapes

The color and shape of a traffic sign provide the first and most important clues to its meaning, often allowing a driver to understand the message even before they can read the text. Recognizing them instantly is a key defensive driving skill.

Sign Shapes

• Octagon (8 sides) — Exclusively for Stop signs. A driver must come to a full and complete stop.
• Triangle (point down) — Exclusively for Yield signs. A driver must slow down and be prepared to stop, yielding the right-of-way to other traffic.
• Circle — Exclusively for Railroad Advance Warning signs. It indicates a railroad crossing is ahead.
• Pennant (sideways triangle) — Posted on the left side of the road to indicate the beginning of a No Passing Zone.
• Diamond — Used for warning signs. These signs alert drivers to potential hazards or changes in road conditions ahead, such as a curve or a slippery road.
• Pentagon (5 sides) — Used for School Zone and School Crossing signs.
• Rectangle (vertical) — Generally used for regulatory signs, such as Speed Limit signs.
• Rectangle (horizontal) — Generally used for guide signs, providing directions or information.