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Mississippi driving lesson · Traffic Signs

Sign shapes & colors

A 2-minute lesson from the Mississippi 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
2 minutes
Course unit
Traffic Signs
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
27

Signs come in eight standard shapes and eight standard colors, and each one has a specific meaning. Learn them and you can read a sign from far away, even from behind, before you can read its words.

Know the rule

The U.S. is gradually converting to international-style signs that use pictures and symbols instead of words. New designs carry word messages until the public is familiar with them.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Sign colors

Sign colors
ColorMeaning
RedStop
GreenDirectional guidance and permitted movement
YellowGeneral warning
BlueMotorist services guidance
BlackRegulation
WhiteRegulation
OrangeConstruction or maintenance warning
BrownPublic recreation and scenic guidance
Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

If you see red on a traffic device, STOP.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Sign shapes

Sign shapes
ShapeUsed for
OctagonExclusively STOP signs
Equilateral triangleExclusively YIELD signs
PennantWarning of a NO PASSING ZONE ahead
DiamondExclusively warning of hazards on or near the road
Horizontal rectangleUsually guide signs
Vertical rectangleUsually regulatory signs, such as speed limits
PentagonSchool crossings and school zones ahead
RoundWarning of a railroad crossing ahead
Handbook p. 27 ↗
Octagon shape (stop)
Octagon: STOP only
Triangle, pennant, and diamond shape reference
Triangle (YIELD), pennant (no passing zone) and diamond (hazard)
Pentagon shape (school)
Pentagon: school zones and crossings
Circle shape (railroad crossing)
Round: railroad crossing ahead

Put it into practice

Far ahead you see the back of a pentagon-shaped sign. Even without reading it, you know a school zone or school crossing is ahead: start watching for children and be ready to slow down.

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.

Which sign shape is used exclusively for STOP signs?
  1. Pentagon
  2. Diamond
  3. Triangle
  4. Octagon

Answer: Octagon

The octagon is used exclusively for STOP signs.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
Which sign shape is used exclusively for YIELD signs?
  1. Pennant
  2. Diamond
  3. Equilateral triangle
  4. Round

Answer: Equilateral triangle

The equilateral triangle is reserved exclusively for YIELD signs.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
A diamond-shaped sign along the road generally warns of:
  1. A speed limit change
  2. An existing or possible hazard on or near the roadway
  3. Motorist services ahead
  4. A no-passing zone only

Answer: An existing or possible hazard on or near the roadway

The diamond shape is used to warn of a hazard that exists on or adjacent to the roadway.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
What does a pennant-shaped sign warn you of?
  1. A railroad crossing ahead
  2. A speed limit reduction
  3. A no-passing zone ahead
  4. A school zone ahead

Answer: A no-passing zone ahead

The pennant shape specifically warns of a no-passing zone ahead.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
A round-shaped sign along the highway is warning you of what?
  1. A hospital ahead
  2. A rest area ahead
  3. A one-way street
  4. A railroad crossing ahead

Answer: A railroad crossing ahead

Round signs are used exclusively to warn of a railroad crossing ahead.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
Orange signs indicate public recreation and scenic guidance.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Orange indicates construction or maintenance warnings; brown is used for recreation and scenic guidance.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
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