Roadwise States Maryland Driving lessons Regulatory signs Maryland driving lesson · Signs, Signals & Markings
Regulatory signs A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Signs, Signals & Markings
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 21 Regulatory signs state traffic laws, and you must obey them. Most are black on white rectangles, but the two most important, STOP and YIELD, have shapes no other sign uses.
Stop sign Know the rule
The stop sign is the only 8-sided sign (white letters on red). Make a complete stop at the stop line; with no stop line, before the crosswalk; with neither, before entering the intersection. Yield and stay stopped until it is safe.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Yield sign Know the rule
The yield sign is the only 3-sided sign (red letters on white). Slow down, look left and right, and yield to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles. Proceed only when you can do so safely.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Speed limit sign Know the rule
A black-on-white rectangular speed limit sign gives the maximum speed for the part of the road where it is posted.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Regulatory signs shown in the handbook: No Right Turn, No Left Turn, No U-Turn, No Turns Left Turn Only Do Not Enter Wrong Way No Parking No Turn On Red Do Not Pass Stay to Right of Median Left Turn Yield on Green Bike Lane Handbook p. 21 ↗ Two-way left turn sign Vehicles traveling in either direction can use the center lane to turn left.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) sign You may use the lane only if your vehicle has the number of people marked on the sign.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ HOV 2+ lane sign Know the rule
Reserved parking signs mark spaces for people with disability parking permits.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ No Turn On Red sign Put it into practice
You're driving alone and see an HOV 2+ ONLY lane. You may not use it: the sign requires at least 2 people in the vehicle.
A useful reminder STOP is the only 8-sided sign and YIELD is the only 3-sided sign, so the shape alone tells you what to do.
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.
At a stop sign with no stop line and no crosswalk, where must you stop? Exactly at the sign itself Wherever you can see cross traffic best You do not need to stop if no traffic is present Before entering the intersection Answer: Before entering the intersection
Without a stop line or crosswalk, you must stop before entering the intersection.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ At a yield sign, what should you do? Slow down and yield to all road users Come to a complete stop every time Proceed without slowing since it's not a stop sign Only yield to vehicles, not pedestrians Answer: Slow down and yield to all road users
At a yield sign, slow down and yield to pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles before proceeding when safe.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What does a two-way left-turn lane sign indicate? Only one direction may use it to turn left Either direction may use it to turn left The lane is for passing only The lane is closed during rush hour Answer: Either direction may use it to turn left
A two-way left-turn sign shows that vehicles from either direction can use the center lane to turn left.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What does a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) sign require? A minimum speed for the lane A commercial vehicle only A minimum number of occupants No restrictions, any vehicle may use it Answer: A minimum number of occupants
You may only use an HOV lane if your vehicle has at least the number of people marked on the sign.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ What kind of sign tells you the maximum speed limit for a section of road? A round warning sign A diamond-shaped sign A brown recreation sign A rectangular regulatory sign, black letters on white Answer: A rectangular regulatory sign, black letters on white
Speed limit signs are rectangular, black-on-white regulatory signs.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ A 'No Turn on Red' sign overrides the general rule allowing right turns after stopping at a red light. True False Answer: True
A posted 'No Turn on Red' sign prohibits the turn even though right turns on red are generally allowed after a stop.
Handbook p. 21 ↗ Previous lesson Sign shapes & colors Next lesson Warning signs More in Signs, Signals & Markings About the source Roadwise’s Maryland course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 21. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Maryland’s MVA. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.
