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Michigan driving lesson · Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings

Warning 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
5
Source pages
58, 59

Warning signs are mostly yellow diamonds. They tell you what's coming — a curve, a merge, a crossing or a low bridge — so you can slow down or change lanes before you get there.

Road shape and surface:

  • Road Turns Left: sharp turn to the left
  • Road Curves Ahead: sharp curve left, then right
  • Winding Curve Ahead, 35 MPH: limit your speed to 35 mph
  • Obstacle in Roadway: island or obstruction ahead; drive to either side
  • Divided Highway Ends: becomes two lanes of traffic
  • Two-Way Traffic: two-way traffic begins; keep right
  • Hill: steep downslope; check brakes and gear down if needed
  • Slippery When Wet; Bridge Ices Before Road (even when roads are clear)
Handbook p. 59 ↗

Intersections and merging:

  • Intersection Ahead: watch for cross traffic
  • Side Road Ahead: a side road joins from the right
  • Roundabout Ahead; Stop Ahead; Yield Ahead
  • Merging Traffic: traffic merges from the right
  • Lane Ends Merge Left: yield to traffic in the left lane
  • Right Lane Ends: lane ends in 500 feet; prepare to merge left
Handbook p. 59 ↗

Speeds, clearances and road users:

  • Exit 25 MPH: don't exceed 25 mph on the exit
  • Low clearance 12'6": maximum height under a bridge or structure
  • No Passing Zone (yellow pennant, left side of road)
  • RR (round): a railroad crossing is ahead
  • Bicyclists, Pedestrians, Bicyclists and Pedestrians crossing: drive carefully
  • School Children Present / School Crossing: obey crossing guards
  • Road Work Ahead (orange): crews working in the area
  • Slow-Moving Vehicle (orange triangle): vehicles no faster than 25 mph
Handbook p. 59 ↗

Know the rule

A yellow No Passing Zone pennant is on the left side of the road and warns you not to pass because conditions make passing hazardous.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Winding road (advisory speed)
Winding Curve Ahead with a 35 mph advisory speed
No passing zone
No Passing Zone pennant
Low clearance
Low clearance: 12 feet 6 inches
Right lane ends
Right Lane Ends in 500 feet
Right lane ends
Lane Ends Merge Left
Hill
Hill: steep downslope ahead
School zone
School Children Present
Slow-moving vehicle emblem
Slow-Moving Vehicle emblem

Put it into practice

You're driving a rented box truck that is 13 feet tall and see a 12'6" sign ahead. The structure's clearance is lower than your truck — find another route.

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 sign warns "Bridge Ices Before Road." What does this actually mean?
  1. A bridge can ice while the road is clear
  2. Bridges ice later than the surrounding road
  3. It only applies to trucks
  4. Only applies during active snowfall

Answer: A bridge can ice while the road is clear

This sign cautions that a bridge can be icy even if the surrounding roads are clear.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
A "Winding Curve Ahead" sign also posts a speed. What does that posted speed mean?
  1. The minimum speed for the curve
  2. Limit your speed to that number in the curve
  3. The new limit for the rest of the highway
  4. The speed trucks must use in the curve

Answer: Limit your speed to that number in the curve

A winding curve ahead sign with a posted speed (e.g. 35 mph) tells you to limit your speed through that curve.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
A height-limit sign shows "12'6"." What does this indicate?
  1. The width of the roadway
  2. The maximum clearance under a bridge or structure
  3. The length of the upcoming bridge
  4. The minimum vehicle height allowed

Answer: The maximum clearance under a bridge or structure

This sign shows the maximum clearance allowed under a bridge or other structure.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
Where is a yellow "No Passing Zone" pennant sign located, and what does it mean?
  1. On the right side; a school zone is ahead
  2. On the right side; passing is allowed
  3. On the left; passing is prohibited
  4. On the left side; a merge is ahead

Answer: On the left; passing is prohibited

This yellow pennant is on the left side of the road and cautions that passing is hazardous and prohibited there.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
A "Right Lane Ends" sign says the lane ends in 500 feet. What should you do?
  1. Prepare to merge right
  2. Prepare to merge left
  3. Speed up to pass cars on the left
  4. Stay in the lane until it ends

Answer: Prepare to merge left

This sign warns the right lane is ending in 500 feet, so you should prepare to merge left.

Handbook p. 59 ↗
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