California DMV · Class C · Based on the 2025 California Driver’s Handbook

California road signs and traffic signals

On the California written test, sign questions usually ask what to do, not just what a sign is called. Learn the shapes and colors first: red means stop, prohibit or yield; yellow diamonds warn; white rectangles state rules you must obey; a 5-sided sign means a school. Below are the signs and signals in the handbook, each with what to do.

Shapes and colors at a glance

Octagon (8 sides), red: STOP. Always a full stop.
Downward triangle, red and white: YIELD. Slow down and be ready to stop.
Red circle with a line through it: the action shown is not allowed.
Diamond, yellow: warning about the road ahead.
Pentagon (5 sides): school zone or school crossing.
Round yellow sign or white X: railroad crossing ahead.
White rectangle: a rule you must obey, such as a speed limit.
Orange: road work zone. Red and orange triangle: slow-moving vehicle.

Traffic signal lights

Solid red light

Steady red circle

What to do: Stop at the limit line. You may turn right after a full stop if no NO TURN ON RED sign is posted, yielding to pedestrians.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Solid Red Light

Red arrow

Steady red arrow

What to do: Stop. Do not turn in the direction of the arrow, not even right, until a green light or green arrow appears.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Red Arrow

Flashing red light

Blinking red circle

What to do: Treat it like a STOP sign: stop completely, then go when it is safe.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Flashing Red Light

Solid yellow light

Steady yellow circle

What to do: The light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely; if you cannot, cross the intersection cautiously.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Solid Yellow Light

Flashing yellow light

Blinking yellow circle

What to do: Slow down and proceed with caution. You do not need to stop.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Flashing Yellow Light

Flashing yellow arrow

Blinking yellow arrow

What to do: You may turn, but the turn is not protected. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians first.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Flashing Yellow Arrow

Solid green light

Steady green circle

What to do: Go, but still yield to vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians already in the intersection. Do not enter if you cannot get completely across before the light turns red.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Solid Green Light

Green arrow

Steady green arrow

What to do: Go in the direction of the arrow. This is a protected turn: oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Green Arrow

Pedestrian signals

WALK / walking person

White walking figure

What to do: Pedestrians may cross the street.

Handbook: Pedestrian Signals and Signs

DON'T WALK / raised hand

Orange raised hand (steady or flashing)

What to do: Pedestrians may not start crossing. When it flashes, the light is about to change; drivers must still yield to pedestrians already crossing.

Handbook: Pedestrian Signals and Signs

Regulatory signs (red and white)

STOP

Red octagon (8 sides)

What to do: Make a full stop at the limit line; if there is none, before the crosswalk; if there is no crosswalk, before the intersection. Check traffic in all directions before going.

Handbook: Signs – STOP Sign

YIELD

Red and white downward triangle

What to do: Slow down and be ready to stop to let any vehicle, bicyclist or pedestrian pass before you proceed.

Handbook: Signs – Red YIELD Sign

DO NOT ENTER

Red circle with a white bar

What to do: Do not enter the road or ramp where the sign is posted. You would be going against traffic.

Handbook: Signs – Red and White Regulatory Sign

WRONG WAY

Red rectangle with white letters

What to do: You are driving against traffic. When it is safe, back out or turn around. At night, road reflectors shining red also mean you are going the wrong way.

Handbook: Signs – WRONG WAY Sign

NO U-TURN

U-turn arrow inside a red circle with a slash

What to do: U-turns are not allowed here. The picture inside a red circle with a line shows what you cannot do.

Handbook: Signs – Red Circle with a Red Line Through It

NO RIGHT TURN

Right-turn arrow inside a red circle with a slash

What to do: Right turns are not allowed here.

Handbook: Signs – Red Circle with a Red Line Through It

NO TURN ON RED

White rectangle, black and red text

What to do: You may not turn while the light is red. Wait for the green light.

Handbook: Traffic Signals – Solid Red Light

SPEED LIMIT

White rectangle with black numbers

What to do: The maximum legal speed in good conditions. Drive slower when traffic, weather or the road make that speed unsafe.

Handbook: Signs – White Rectangular Sign

ONE WAY

Black and white arrow sign

What to do: Traffic on this street moves only in the direction of the arrow.

Handbook: Signs – White Rectangular Sign

KEEP RIGHT

White rectangle with an arrow passing an island

What to do: Stay to the right of the island or divider ahead.

Handbook: Signs – White Rectangular Sign

Warning signs

Railroad crossing (crossbuck)

White X-shaped sign

What to do: Railroad tracks cross the road here. Look, listen, slow down and be ready to stop. Let any train pass before you go.

Handbook: Signs – Yellow and Black Circular Sign or X-shaped Sign

Railroad crossing ahead

Round yellow sign with an X and two R's

What to do: A railroad crossing is ahead. Slow down, look and listen, and prepare to stop.

Handbook: Signs – Yellow and Black Circular Sign or X-shaped Sign

School zone / school crossing

Yellow-green pentagon (5 sides) with children

What to do: You are near a school. Drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk.

Handbook: Signs – 5-sided Sign

Pedestrian crossing

Yellow diamond with a walking person

What to do: Watch for people crossing the road and be ready to yield.

Handbook: Signs – Warning Signs