roadwise.Open study app

Iowa driving lesson · Signs, Signals & Markings

Warning signs and the slow-moving vehicle emblem

A 3-minute lesson from the Iowa course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Signs, Signals & Markings
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
9, 11

Warning signs are yellow with black lettering or symbols, and most are diamond-shaped. They mean a special situation or hazard is ahead: slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.

Road-layout warnings:

  • Intersection/Crossroad: another road crosses yours; watch for cross traffic
  • T-intersection ahead: the road doesn't go straight; prepare to turn right or left
  • Merging traffic: on the main road, be ready for vehicles blending into your lane
  • Lane ends: two lanes become one; traffic must yield when merging
  • Two-way traffic: you're leaving a one-way road for a two-way road; keep to the right
  • Divided highway begins: two-way traffic will be divided by a center strip
  • Divided highway ends: traffic no longer divided; watch for oncoming vehicles
  • Signal ahead: used on higher-speed roads; be ready for an intersection and a stop light
Handbook p. 9 ↗
Crossroad
Intersection/crossroad
Right lane ends
Lane ends
Merge
Merging traffic

Curves, hills, and road surface:

  • Gradual curve: road ahead curves gradually; be prepared for the change in direction
  • Chevron: added to curve signs to draw extra attention to a change in the road's direction
  • Ramp speed: the recommended speed on an exit ramp
  • Hill: road ahead goes downhill; check your brakes before going down
  • Slippery when wet: road becomes slippery in wet weather; slow down
Handbook p. 9 ↗
Chevron alignment
Chevron
Hill
Hill

Who else may be on the road:

  • Pedestrian crossing: people walking, running, riding, or using wheelchairs or micromobility devices
  • Deer crossing: deer may be crossing; slow down and watch carefully
  • Farm machinery: slow-moving farm equipment; reduce speed and pass slowly
  • Horse-drawn vehicle: slow horse-drawn vehicles; reduce speed and pass slowly
  • School bus stop ahead: a stopped bus will pick up or drop off; watch for children, be ready to stop
  • Advance school crossing: school area with a crossing ahead; watch for children (sign may be yellow)
Handbook p. 9 ↗
School bus stop ahead
School bus stop ahead

Know the rule

A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it travels 35 mph or less. You may see it on road maintenance equipment, farm vehicles, or horse-drawn wagons.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
35 mph

A vehicle with the slow-moving vehicle emblem travels this speed or less

Handbook p. 11 ↗
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
Slow-moving vehicle emblem

Put it into practice

Past a Farm Machinery sign you come up on a tractor with an orange triangle on the back. It's going 35 mph or less: slow down early, stay back, and pass slowly only where passing is allowed 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.

A T-intersection ahead sign warns you of what?
  1. An upcoming stop light only
  2. A four-way stop ahead
  3. A school bus stop ahead
  4. The road won't go straight

Answer: The road won't go straight

This sign warns that the road doesn't go straight ahead and you'll need to prepare to turn right or left.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
What should you do when you see a chevron sign along a curve?
  1. Watch for a change in the road's direction
  2. Prepare to merge with oncoming traffic
  3. Expect a railroad crossing just ahead
  4. Expect the road to become one-way

Answer: Watch for a change in the road's direction

Chevron signs draw added attention to a change in the road's direction, used alongside curve signs.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
What does the reflective orange triangle used as a slow-moving vehicle sign mean?
  1. The vehicle is over 10,000 pounds
  2. The vehicle is traveling 35 mph or less
  3. The vehicle is towing another vehicle
  4. The vehicle belongs to law enforcement

Answer: The vehicle is traveling 35 mph or less

A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it's traveling 35 mph or less.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
You see a Two-Way Traffic warning sign. What does it mean?
  1. Traffic ahead will be divided by a center strip
  2. You're entering a two-way road; keep right
  3. Two lanes will soon merge into one
  4. Passing is allowed in both directions

Answer: You're entering a two-way road; keep right

A Two-Way Traffic sign means you are leaving a one-way road and entering a two-way road, so keep to the right.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
A Hill warning sign shows the road ahead goes downhill. What should you do before going down?
  1. Shift into neutral
  2. Turn on your headlights
  3. Check your brakes
  4. Move into the left lane

Answer: Check your brakes

The Hill sign warns that the road ahead goes down a hill, and you should check your brakes before going down it.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
What does a Ramp Speed sign on an exit ramp show?
  1. The minimum speed on the interstate
  2. The speed limit after the ramp ends
  3. The recommended speed on the ramp
  4. The speed at which trucks must exit

Answer: The recommended speed on the ramp

A Ramp Speed warning sign gives the recommended speed on an exit ramp.

Handbook p. 9 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Signs, Signals & Markings

All Iowa lessons