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California DMV Road Sign Practice

California has no separate sign test. Sign questions sit inside the written knowledge test, and every one of them comes from the handbook. Practice them here: see a sign, recall what it means, then check.

Sign 1 of 80 right so far

What do this shape and color tell you? Say it out loud first.

Keyboard: Space shows the answer, then 1 if you had it or 2 if not.

How California tests road signs

There are three tests for a California license: vision, knowledge and the drive test. There is no sign identification exam, so signs reach you as multiple-choice questions inside the knowledge test, where 80 percent passes and you get three attempts per application.

The DMV is blunt about where the questions come from: all of them are taken from the handbook, and a field office employee can tell you the page an answer is on. So the set below follows the handbook's own sign pages rather than a shape drill. Learn what each sign tells you to do, since that is what the question asks.

The shape and color cards use the handbook's own headings and wording, pages 35 and 38. The regulatory and warning cards come from its sign charts on pages 36 and 37. The handbook opens the section with a warning worth keeping: obey every warning sign regardless of its shape or color.

Read the full California permit test guide →

Every sign in this practice set

Shapes and colors

STOP sign
Make a full stop before entering the crosswalk or at the limit line. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Check traffic in all directions before proceeding. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 35)
Red YIELD sign
Slow down and be ready to stop to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before you proceed. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 35)
Red and white regulatory sign
Follow the sign's instruction. For example, DO NOT ENTER means do not enter the road or ramp where the sign is posted. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)
Red circle with a red line through it
The picture inside the circle shows what you cannot do, and may be shown with words. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)
Yellow and black circular sign, or X-shaped sign
You are approaching a railroad crossing. Look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop. Let any trains pass before you proceed. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)
5-sided sign
You are near a school. Drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)
Diamond-shaped sign
Warns you of specific road conditions and dangers ahead. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)
White rectangular sign
Communicates many important rules you must obey, such as the speed limit or how a lane may be used. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)

Regulatory signs

DO NOT ENTER
Do not enter the road or ramp where the sign is posted. With a WRONG WAY sign it means you are facing oncoming traffic: when it is safe, back out or turn around. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)
No U-turn
You may not make a U-turn here, in either direction. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
No left turn
You may not turn left at this intersection. Plan another route, since a U-turn may also be barred here. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
No right turn
You may not turn right at this intersection, on a red light or a green one. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
NO TURNS
Continue straight ahead. No turn is allowed here in any direction. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
ONE WAY
Traffic runs only in the direction of the arrow. Never turn against it. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
DO NOT PASS
Passing is not allowed from here until a sign or a line says it is. Stay in your lane behind the vehicle ahead. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
Left turn only (arrow and ONLY)
This lane may only be used to turn left. Get out of it before the intersection if you are going somewhere else. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
Straight or left turn lane
From this lane you may go straight ahead or turn left, and nothing else. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
KEEP RIGHT
Pass to the right of the divider, island or obstruction ahead. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
SLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHT
If you are moving slower than the traffic around you, use the right lane and leave the left lanes for faster vehicles. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
EMERGENCY PARKING ONLY
Stop here only for an emergency. It is not a rest stop or a place to wait for someone. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 36)
Railroad crossing crossbuck
Marks the tracks themselves. Look, listen, slow down and be ready to stop, and let any train pass before you cross. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 38)

Warning signs

Stop ahead
A stop sign is coming, often before you can see it. Slow down now so you can stop at the line. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Yield ahead
A yield sign is coming. Slow down and be ready to give way to traffic on the other road. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Traffic signal ahead
A traffic light is coming. Slow down and be ready to stop, especially where a hill or curve hides it. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Crossroad
A road crosses ahead. Watch for vehicles entering from either side. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Merging traffic
Traffic joins your road ahead. Adjust your speed or change lanes to leave a gap. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Lane ends
Your lane runs out ahead. Merge into the next one early, while there is still room. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Divided highway
The road ahead splits into two one-way roadways with a divider. Keep right of it. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
End divided highway
The divider ends and the road becomes two-way. Keep right and expect oncoming traffic. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Two way traffic
The one-way road you are on becomes a two-way road. Stay right of the center line. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Curve
The road curves in the direction shown. Slow down before the curve, not in it, and keep to any speed posted below. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Winding road
A series of curves, not just one. Hold a steady lower speed through all of them. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Slippery when wet
The surface loses grip in rain. Slow down, leave more space, and steer and brake gently. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)
Pedestrian crossing
People cross here. Slow down, be ready to stop, and never pass a vehicle stopped at the crossing. (California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, June 2025), p. 37)

Official DMV sources

Drive Prep is not affiliated with the California DMV. The drawings here are simplified for study, and the DL 37 chart is dated 2009, so check the handbook for the current version of any sign. Always confirm current rules with the DMV.