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Arizona driving lesson · Speed Limits, Signs & Markings

Sign shapes & colors

A 2-minute lesson from the Arizona course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Speed Limits, Signs & Markings
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
40, 41

Traffic signs regulate traffic and give important information. The shape alone can tell you what a sign means — useful in heavy rain, dust storms or fog, when the shape may be all you can make out.

Sign shapes

Sign shapes
ShapeMeaning
OctagonReserved for STOP signs — come to a complete stop
TriangleYield right-of-way to cross or merging traffic
RectangleRegulates traffic, directs speed and direction
PennantMarks the beginning of a no passing zone
Diamond (yellow)Warns of a possible danger ahead
PentagonSchool crossing
CircleRailroad crossing ahead (advance warning)
Handbook p. 41 ↗
Stop
Octagon: STOP
Yield
Triangle: YIELD
No passing zone
Pennant: NO PASSING ZONE
Left or straight lane
Rectangular regulatory sign: go straight or turn left
No U-turn
Rectangular regulatory sign: no U-turn
No left turn
Rectangular regulatory sign: no left turn
No right turn
Rectangular regulatory sign: no right turn

Know the rule

Curve warning signs warn of turns in the roadway. Small yellow square signs below them may show the safe speed for the curve.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
Winding road
Diamond warning sign: winding road
Assorted warning signs (composite)
Diamond warning signs: signal ahead, two-way traffic, bike crossing, merge, "Y" intersection, start of divided highway
Low clearance
Diamond warning signs: crossroad to left, graded hill, end of divided highway, pedestrian crossing
Crossroad
Diamond warning sign: crossroad

Put it into practice

A thick dust storm leaves you barely able to see an eight-sided sign ahead. You can't read it, but the octagon shape means STOP — come to a complete stop.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What shape is always reserved for stop signs?
  1. Triangle
  2. Diamond
  3. Pentagon
  4. Octagon

Answer: Octagon

The octagon shape is reserved exclusively for stop signs.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
What shape requires you to yield the right-of-way to cross or merging traffic?
  1. Rectangle
  2. Circle
  3. Triangle
  4. Octagon

Answer: Triangle

The downward-pointing triangle shape is used for yield signs.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
What do rectangular traffic signs generally do?
  1. Indicate a no-passing zone
  2. Regulate speed and direction
  3. Only warn of construction ahead
  4. Mark the location of a railroad crossing

Answer: Regulate speed and direction

Rectangular signs regulate traffic and direct the driver's speed and direction.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
What does a pennant-shaped sign mark?
  1. The beginning of a no-passing zone
  2. A school crossing
  3. A railroad crossing
  4. A speed limit change

Answer: The beginning of a no-passing zone

The pennant shape marks the beginning of a no-passing zone.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
What color and shape are used to warn of a possible danger ahead, such as a curve or crossing?
  1. Red octagon
  2. Orange rectangle
  3. White circle
  4. Yellow diamond

Answer: Yellow diamond

Yellow, diamond-shaped signs warn of a possible danger ahead.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
A triangle-shaped sign requires you to come to a complete stop, the same as an octagon.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

A triangle requires yielding the right-of-way; only an octagon requires a complete stop.

Handbook p. 41 ↗
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