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District of Columbia driving lesson · Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings

More warning signs & route markers

A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia 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
3 minutes
Course unit
Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
55, 56

These warning signs flag hazards like hills, slick pavement, animals and slow vehicles. Route markers identify the type of road you're on by their shape and colors.

Hazard warnings

Hazard warnings
SignWhat to do
Steep Hill AheadSteep grade ahead; check your brakes
Slippery When WetSlow down; no hard braking or sudden turns
Bicycle Crossing/Bike PathBikes cross or ride beside traffic here
Pedestrian CrossingLook; be prepared to stop for pedestrians
Animal CrossingWatch for that animal, especially dusk to dawn
Drive With CautionAnimals, joggers, cyclists, walkers may be near
Handbook p. 55 ↗

Know the rule

On wet pavement (Slippery When Wet), also increase the distance between your car and the one ahead.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
Hill
Steep Hill Ahead
Slippery when wet
Slippery When Wet
Pedestrian crossing
Pedestrian Crossing
Deer crossing
Animal Crossing

Know the rule

A slow moving vehicle emblem must be shown by vehicles traveling 25 MPH or less on a public highway, such as farm equipment, horse-drawn vehicles or highway work vehicles. Be ready to adjust your speed or position.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
Slow moving vehicle emblem

Route markers

Route markers
MarkerLooks like
InterstateShield: INTERSTATE white on red; blue base, white number
U.S. RouteBlack numbers on the white U.S. shield
State RouteBlack letters on a white rectangle
DC 295Anacostia Freeway; DC's only other numbered route
Handbook p. 56 ↗

Know the rule

DC 295 (the Anacostia Freeway) is currently the only numbered route in the District that is not an Interstate or U.S. Highway.

Handbook p. 56 ↗
Interstate route marker
Interstate route marker
County route marker
DC 295 route marker

Put it into practice

You come over a rise behind a tractor showing an orange-and-red triangle. It's moving 25 mph or less. Slow down early and pass only where it's legal and safe.

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 does a slow moving vehicle emblem indicate about a vehicle's typical speed?
  1. 25 mph or less
  2. 10 mph or less
  3. 35 mph or less
  4. 45 mph or less

Answer: 25 mph or less

Slow moving vehicle emblems mark vehicles like farm equipment traveling at 25 mph or less.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
What does the handbook tell you to do when you see a 'Steep Hill Ahead' sign?
  1. Shift into neutral
  2. Check your brakes
  3. Turn on your hazard lights
  4. Speed up before the grade

Answer: Check your brakes

Steep Hill Ahead means a steep grade is ahead; check your brakes.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
What does an Interstate route marker look like?
  1. Black numbers on a white U.S. shield
  2. Black letters on a white rectangle
  3. A red-and-blue shield with a white number
  4. A green rectangle with white numbers

Answer: A red-and-blue shield with a white number

Interstate markers are shields with INTERSTATE in white on red at the top and the route number in white on a blue bottom.

Handbook p. 56 ↗
An Animal Crossing sign tells you to watch especially for that animal at what times?
  1. At dusk, dawn and night
  2. Around midday
  3. Only in winter months
  4. During rush hours

Answer: At dusk, dawn and night

Watch for the pictured species crossing the road, particularly during dusk, dawn, and night-time hours.

Handbook p. 55 ↗
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