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Ohio driving lesson · Rules of the Road

Regulatory, prohibitory & warning signs

A 3-minute lesson from the Ohio 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
Rules of the Road
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
14

Signs speak through shape and color before you can read a word. Red and white usually mean a law you must obey; a red circle with a slash means NO; a yellow diamond warns of danger ahead.

Know the rule

Traffic signs indicate traffic rules, hazards, roadway location, directions, and the location of services. Their shape, color, symbols and instructions give clues to their meaning.

Handbook p. 14 ↗

Regulatory signs

Signs that regulate the movement of traffic and give notice of traffic laws or regulations.

Handbook p. 14 ↗

Common regulatory signs

Common regulatory signs
SignMeaning
STOP (red octagon)All traffic in this lane must stop before proceeding
SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 20Observe posted school-zone limit in restricted hours
DO NOT ENTERUsed at one-way road intersections & freeway exit ramps
ONE WAYIndicates a one-way road
YIELD (red/white triangle)Stop only if other traffic is affected; yield to all
Handbook p. 14 ↗
Stop
STOP: all traffic in this lane must stop
Yield
YIELD: stop only if other traffic is affected
Do not enter
DO NOT ENTER: used at one-way roads and freeway exit ramps

Prohibitory signs

Signs with a red circle and slash, which represents the word NO. The action shown is prohibited.

Handbook p. 14 ↗

Prohibitory signs shown in the manual:

  • No left turn
  • No U-turn
  • No right turn
  • No bicycles
Handbook p. 14 ↗
No U-turn
No U-turn

Warning signs

Signs that warn of possible danger ahead. Usually yellow with black lettering or symbols, and diamond shaped.

Handbook p. 14 ↗

Warning signs shown in the manual:

  • Roundabout ahead; road curves ahead; downhill grade ahead
  • Intersection ahead — turn left or right (T); road branches ahead (Y)
  • Traffic travels in opposite directions (two-way traffic)
  • One lane bridge — the vehicle nearest the bridge has the right-of-way
  • No passing zone (pennant) — passing is prohibited
  • Bicycle crossing; pedestrian crossing ahead; limited clearance ahead
  • Sharp right turn ahead; railroad crossing (round, yellow, RR)
Handbook p. 14 ↗
No passing zone
NO PASSING ZONE pennant: passing is prohibited
One lane bridge
ONE LANE BRIDGE: the vehicle nearest the bridge has the right-of-way

Put it into practice

A yellow ONE LANE BRIDGE sign comes up and an oncoming car is closer to the bridge than you are. That car has the right-of-way — wait for it to cross before you enter.

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 red circle with a slash through a symbol on a sign mean?
  1. The action is allowed only at certain hours
  2. The illustrated action is prohibited
  3. Construction is ahead
  4. The road is closed

Answer: The illustrated action is prohibited

A red circle with a slash represents 'NO' — whenever it appears, the illustrated action is prohibited.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
What shape and color are most warning signs?
  1. Red and octagonal
  2. Orange and rectangular
  3. Yellow diamond
  4. White and triangular

Answer: Yellow diamond

Warning signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and are diamond shaped.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
Regulatory signs give notice of traffic laws or regulations that drivers must obey.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Regulatory signs regulate the movement of traffic and give notice of traffic laws or regulations.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
You see a warning sign with a black bicycle symbol on a yellow diamond background. What does it indicate?
  1. A prohibition on bicycles
  2. A possible hazard ahead, like a bicycle crossing
  3. A designated bike lane begins
  4. Bicycles must use the sidewalk

Answer: A possible hazard ahead, like a bicycle crossing

Yellow diamond-shaped signs are warning signs that alert drivers to possible dangers ahead, such as a bicycle crossing.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
Regulatory signs are always yellow and diamond-shaped, just like warning signs.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Regulatory signs are distinct from warning signs; the handbook describes warning signs specifically as yellow diamonds.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
What shape are prohibitory signs typically associated with?
  1. A yellow diamond
  2. A red circle with a diagonal slash
  3. A green rectangle
  4. An orange triangle

Answer: A red circle with a diagonal slash

Prohibitory signs use a red circle with a slash to represent 'NO' for a prohibited action.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
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