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Michigan driving lesson · Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings

Regulatory, guide and service signs

A 3-minute lesson from the Michigan 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, and Pavement Markings
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
57, 58

The handbook's sign challenge shows 54 real signs. This lesson covers the laws, directions and services among them; the next covers the yellow warning signs.

Regulatory signs:

  • Stop: stop completely; yield to traffic and pedestrians before going
  • Yield: slow down and let vehicles crossing your path go by
  • No Turn On Red: turning on a red light is prohibited
  • No Right Turn / No U Turn: those turns are prohibited
  • Left Turn Lanes: shows which lanes may turn left
  • Center Lane Left Turn Only: the center lane is only for left turns
  • Speed Limit 50: the legal limit on that stretch is 50 mph
  • One Way: traffic flows the same direction in all lanes
  • Parking permitted: e.g. two-hour parking from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Handbook p. 58 ↗

Passing, entry and access signs:

  • Do Not Pass: passing is prohibited
  • Pass With Care: on the right side; marks the end of a no-passing zone
  • Keep Left: pass only to the left of a road feature or obstruction
  • Do Not Enter: you may not enter where this is posted
  • Wrong Way: you've entered a lane of oncoming traffic
  • Authorized Vehicles Only: emergency crossover for police, emergency, maintenance
  • No Trucks: trucks are not allowed where this is posted
Handbook p. 58 ↗

Guide and service signs:

  • Gas Pump (blue): location of gas stations
  • Rest Area (blue): public restrooms
  • Exit (green): where the freeway exit is
  • Brookfield/Onondaga (green): direction to communities
  • Yellowstone National Park (brown): cultural or recreational place
  • M-32: state route marker
  • Reserved parking with wheelchair symbol: for people with disabilities
Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

Never drive across a freeway median or emergency crossover. To change direction, go to the next exit, get off and re-enter the freeway the other way.

Handbook p. 58 ↗

Know the rule

If you see a Wrong Way sign, get out of the oncoming lane the safest and quickest way possible.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
No turn on red
No Turn On Red
Pass with care
Pass With Care: end of the no-passing zone
Lane movement sign (turn only)
Center Lane Left Turn Only
Authorized vehicles only
Authorized Vehicles Only
Do not enter
Do Not Enter
Wrong way
Wrong Way

Put it into practice

You miss your freeway exit and spot a median crossover marked Authorized Vehicles Only. Don't use it. Drive to the next exit, get off and come back the other way.

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 "No Turn On Red" sign prohibit?
  1. Turning on a red light
  2. U-turns only
  3. All right turns at all times
  4. Left turns only

Answer: Turning on a red light

A No Turn On Red sign prohibits turning on a red light at that location.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
What does a "No U Turn" sign prohibit?
  1. U-turns
  2. Left turns
  3. Passing
  4. Right turns

Answer: U-turns

A No U Turn sign prohibits making U-turns at that location.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
What does a "Do Not Pass" sign mean?
  1. Speed is restricted
  2. Merge left immediately
  3. No trucks allowed
  4. Passing is prohibited

Answer: Passing is prohibited

A Do Not Pass sign prohibits passing.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
What does a "Pass With Care" sign indicate?
  1. The start of a no-passing zone
  2. A school crossing
  3. End of a no-passing zone
  4. A construction zone

Answer: End of a no-passing zone

A Pass With Care sign follows a Do Not Pass sign and marks the end of the no-passing zone.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
You miss your freeway exit. Can you use the "Authorized Vehicles Only" emergency crossover in the median to turn around?
  1. Yes, if you signal and yield first
  2. Yes, but only in daylight
  3. Yes, if there's no traffic either way
  4. No, it's for authorized vehicles only

Answer: No, it's for authorized vehicles only

Only authorized vehicles may use the emergency crossover; regular drivers must exit and reenter at the next exit.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
What does a "Wrong Way" sign indicate?
  1. You've entered a lane of oncoming traffic
  2. A dead end
  3. A detour ahead
  4. Construction ahead

Answer: You've entered a lane of oncoming traffic

A Wrong Way sign means you've entered a lane of oncoming traffic and should exit safely and quickly.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
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