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Kentucky driving lesson · Traffic Control & Signs

Regulatory, guide & route signs

A 3-minute lesson from the Kentucky 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
Traffic Control & Signs
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
44, 45, 46

Regulatory signs state laws you must obey—traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, parking and more. They're square, rectangular or a special shape, white with black, red or green letters or symbols. A red circle with a red slash over a symbol prohibits that action.

Key regulatory signs

Key regulatory signs
SignMeaning
Stop: red, eight sides, white lettersStop at the line or crosswalk; yield in all directions
Yield: red/white downward triangleSlow down; let traffic with right-of-way pass
Speed Limit: black and whiteMaximum legal speed in ideal conditions
One-WayTraffic flows only the arrow's way; don't turn against it
Wrong WayYou are going in the wrong direction
Do Not EnterYou cannot enter that street or roadway
Shared Center Lane Left Turn OnlyLeft turns from either direction; no through or passing
Handbook p. 44 ↗

Know the rule

Wrong Way and Do Not Enter signs are often found at exit ramps and at the beginning of one-way streets.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
No left turn / No U-turn signs (composite)
No Left Turn and No U-Turn
Left turn only
Left Turn Only lane-use sign

Other regulatory signs in the handbook:

  • Left Turn Only, Thru & Left, Double Left Turns, Left Lane Must Turn Left
  • Keep Left, Keep Right, Keep Off Median
  • No Turns, No U Turn, No Turn On Red, No Left Turn, No Right Turn
  • Do Not Pass, Pass With Care, Slower Traffic Keep Right, Trucks Use Right Lane
  • No Bicycles, Walk On Left Facing Traffic
  • No Parking Any Time, Emergency Parking Only, Bus Stop, timed-parking signs
Handbook p. 46 ↗

Guide signs

Square or rectangular green, brown or blue signs that show intersecting roads, direct you to cities and towns, and point out points of interest, hospitals, service stations, restaurants and hotels.

Handbook p. 44 ↗

Know the rule

The shape and color of route number signs show the type of road—interstate, U.S., state, city, county or local. Plan your trip with a road map, then follow the route signs so you don't get lost.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Put it into practice

Leaving a stadium lot, you see a red-and-white WRONG WAY sign facing you on a ramp. It means you're going in the wrong direction—you've entered against traffic. Don't continue.

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.

Regulatory signs, such as speed limit and stop signs, are generally what color scheme?
  1. White with black, red or green
  2. Yellow with black letters only
  3. Orange with black letters only
  4. Blue with white letters only

Answer: White with black, red or green

Regulatory signs are square or rectangular (or specially shaped) and white with black, red, or green symbols.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
A stop sign in Kentucky is what shape and color?
  1. Eight-sided and red with white letters
  2. Round and yellow with black letters
  3. Triangular and red with white letters
  4. Diamond-shaped and orange with black letters

Answer: Eight-sided and red with white letters

A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
A yield sign is:
  1. A round yellow sign
  2. A blue rectangular sign
  3. A red and white downward-pointing triangle
  4. An eight-sided red sign

Answer: A red and white downward-pointing triangle

A yield sign is a red and white downward-pointing triangle telling you to slow and let other traffic pass first.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
At a stop sign, once stopped, you must yield the right of way to:
  1. Only pedestrians directly in front
  2. All crossing vehicles and pedestrians
  3. No one, once you have fully stopped
  4. Only vehicles approaching from the left

Answer: All crossing vehicles and pedestrians

After stopping at a stop sign, you must yield to crossing vehicles and pedestrians in all directions.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
Guide signs, which direct you to cities, services, and points of interest, are usually what colors?
  1. Purple and white
  2. Red, white, or black
  3. Green, brown, or blue
  4. Yellow and orange only

Answer: Green, brown, or blue

Guide signs are square or rectangular and are green, brown, or blue.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
A red circle with a red slash over a symbol on a regulatory sign means:
  1. The sign is temporary
  2. Caution is advised
  3. That action is recommended
  4. That action is prohibited

Answer: That action is prohibited

A red circle with a red slash over a symbol prohibits the pictured action.

Handbook p. 44 ↗
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