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Virginia driving lesson · Signals, Signs & Pavement Markings

Warning Signs: Curves, Intersections & Road Surface

A 3-minute lesson from the Virginia 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
Signals, Signs & Pavement Markings
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
10, 11

This group of warning signs shows the shape of the road ahead: curves, turns, and where other roads join yours. They also flag bumps, joints and slopes that can upset a car or especially a motorcycle. The symbol usually draws the road exactly as it will look.

Open joints on bridge
Open joints on bridge

Know the rule

Open Joints: slow down. Open joints on bridges or ramps could cause a motorcyclist to lose control.

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Know the rule

Expansion Joints: a joint across the lanes creates a bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Intersection signs

Intersection signs
SignMeaning
Intersection (cross or side road)Intersection ahead; watch for entering vehicles
Y IntersectionYou must bear right or left ahead
T IntersectionRoad ends at a stop sign; yield, then turn right or left
RoundaboutCircular intersection; yield, travel counter-clockwise
Right Curve – Side RoadRoad curves right; side road joins from the left
Handbook p. 11 ↗
T intersection
T intersection

Know the rule

Roundabouts (traffic circles) may have one or more lanes. Entering traffic must yield to traffic already in the circle and travel counter-clockwise.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
Roundabout ahead
Roundabout sign

Curve and turn signs

Curve and turn signs
SignMeaning
Sharp Right TurnSlow down for a sharp right turn
Sharp Right and Left TurnsRoad turns sharply right, then left
Right and Left CurvesRoad curves right, then left; slow down
Right Curve with Safe SpeedSlow to the safe speed shown
Winding RoadA series of turns or curves ahead
Handbook p. 11 ↗
Winding road and curve with advisory speed
Right curve and right curve with safe speed indicator

Know the rule

On all curves, slow down for better control.

Handbook p. 11 ↗

Know the rule

Low Ground Railroad Crossing: a steep slope where the tracks cross may cause the bottom of low vehicles to catch or drag on the tracks.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
Low-ground railroad crossing
Low ground railroad crossing

Put it into practice

A yellow diamond shows a curved arrow with '35 MPH' beneath it. The road curves right ahead; slow to 35 MPH before you enter the curve, not in the middle of it.

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 Y Intersection sign tell you?
  1. The road ends in a T-shaped intersection
  2. You must bear either right or left ahead
  3. A four-way stop is ahead
  4. The road narrows to one lane

Answer: You must bear either right or left ahead

A Y Intersection sign means you must bear either right or left ahead where the road splits.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
At a roundabout sign, what direction must entering traffic travel once inside the circle?
  1. Clockwise
  2. Either direction is allowed
  3. Counter-clockwise
  4. Whichever direction is shortest

Answer: Counter-clockwise

Roundabout signs indicate a circular intersection where traffic must travel counter-clockwise once inside.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
A Low Ground Railroad Crossing sign warns of what specific hazard?
  1. The crossing has no warning lights
  2. The tracks are abandoned and unsafe
  3. The tracks may be slippery when wet
  4. Low vehicles may drag or catch on the tracks

Answer: Low vehicles may drag or catch on the tracks

A steep slope at this type of crossing may cause the bottom of low vehicles to catch or drag on the tracks.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
A Winding Road sign warns of a single sharp curve rather than a series of curves.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

A Winding Road sign warns that the road ahead winds with a series of turns or curves, not just one.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
A T Intersection sign means the road you are on ends ahead, requiring you to turn right or left after yielding.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

A T Intersection sign means the roadway ends ahead and you must turn right or left after yielding to traffic and pedestrians.

Handbook p. 11 ↗
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