The flashcards
Print them, cut along the dashed lines, and quiz yourself or a student. Each card links to the full guide for that sign.
- StopA stop sign means come to a complete stop at the stop line (or the crosswalk, or the edge of the intersection if there is no line), then go only when the way is clear.
- All-Way StopAn all-way stop (a stop sign with an ALL WAY plaque, often called a four-way stop) means traffic from every direction must stop.
- YieldA yield sign means slow down and give the right of way to pedestrians and to traffic on the road you are entering.
- Do Not EnterA do not enter sign means you must not drive onto that road or ramp in the direction you are heading.
- Wrong WayA wrong way sign facing you means you are driving against the flow of traffic on a one-way street, ramp or divided road.
- One WayA one way sign means traffic may move only in the direction the arrow points.
- Do Not PassA do not pass sign means you may not pass other vehicles travelling in your direction on that stretch of road.
- No Turn on RedA no turn on red sign means you may not turn during the red light, in any direction the sign covers.
- No U-TurnA no U-turn sign means you may not make a complete turn to go back the way you came.
- No Left TurnA no left turn sign means left turns are prohibited at this intersection.
- No Right TurnA no right turn sign means right turns are prohibited at this intersection.
- Speed LimitA speed limit sign shows the maximum legal speed for that stretch of road under ideal conditions.
- Stop AheadA stop ahead sign means a stop sign is coming up that you may not be able to see yet, because of a curve, a hill or something blocking the view.
- Yield AheadA yield ahead sign means a yield sign is coming up.
- Signal AheadA signal ahead sign means a traffic signal is coming up that you may not see in time because of a curve or hill.
- Curve RightA curve right sign means the road bends to the right ahead.
- Curve LeftA curve left sign means the road bends to the left ahead.
- Sharp Right TurnA sharp right turn sign means the road turns sharply to the right ahead.
- Winding RoadA winding road sign means there are three or more curves in a row ahead.
- CrossroadA crossroad sign means another road crosses yours ahead, so traffic may enter from both sides.
- Side RoadA side road sign means a smaller road joins yours ahead, on the side shown on the sign.
- T IntersectionA T intersection sign means your road ends ahead at a T: it does not continue straight through, and you will have to turn left or right.
- Y IntersectionA Y intersection sign means the road ahead forks into two roads, or another road joins at an angle.
- MergeA merge sign means traffic from another road or ramp may merge into your lane ahead.
- Two-Way TrafficA two-way traffic sign means a one-way street or roadway ends ahead and you will then share the road with oncoming traffic.
- Dead EndA dead end sign means the road ahead has no through route.
- No Passing ZoneA no passing zone sign marks the start of a stretch where passing is prohibited, because you cannot see far enough ahead to pass safely.
- Railroad Crossing AheadA railroad crossing ahead sign means a railroad crossing is coming up.
- Railroad Crossing Sign (Crossbuck)A railroad crossbuck marks the crossing itself.
- Road Work AheadA road work ahead sign means workers or equipment are on or near the road ahead.
- Slow-Moving Vehicle EmblemThe slow-moving vehicle emblem is a warning on the back of a vehicle that travels slowly on public roads, such as farm equipment or construction machinery.
Free road sign flashcards from quizcram.com/tools/road-sign-flashcards
Try 5 permit test practice questions
What is the maximum speed on most California highways unless posted otherwise?
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D. 65 mph The maximum speed on most California highways is 65 mph unless a sign posts a different limit (some freeways allow 70 mph only where posted). 55 mph is the default for two-lane undivided highways, not standard highways, which is why it is a common wrong choice. Always obey a posted sign when it differs from this default.
What BAC can get a driver age 21+ arrested for DUI in California?
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A. 0.08% A driver 21 or older can be arrested for driving under the influence at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher. This is the 'per se' limit, meaning no other proof of impairment is needed. 0.05% is below the adult limit, while 0.10% and 0.15% also count but are not the legal threshold.
What minimum following distance should you keep in good conditions?
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B. 3 seconds Keep at least a 3-second following distance in good conditions. Pick a fixed point on the road; you should reach it no sooner than 3 seconds after the car ahead passes it. One or two seconds leaves too little time to react and brake at normal speeds, and you should add more seconds in rain, fog, or heavy traffic.
When parallel parking, how close must your wheels be to the curb?
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B. Within 18 inches When you finish parallel parking, your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb. Parking farther out leaves your car sticking into traffic, while the 6-inch and 12-inch options are stricter than the law actually requires. Eighteen inches is the maximum allowed gap from the curb.
Who has the right-of-way at an unmarked crosswalk?
Show answer
A. The pedestrian Pedestrians have the right-of-way in any crosswalk, marked or unmarked, and an unmarked crosswalk still exists at most intersections even without painted lines. 'The driver always' and 'whoever arrives first' are wrong because the law puts pedestrian safety first. Slow down, yield, and let the pedestrian finish crossing.
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Common questions
Press the print button and choose your printer, or choose Save as PDF to keep a copy. The page prints only the cards, three to a row. Cut along the dashed lines and fold or glue the meaning to the back if you want a quiz card.
They are the standard US signs from the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which every state uses. Permit tests ask about these shapes, colors and meanings, though your state's manual is the one to study.
Yes. Print as many copies as you like for teaching. If you share them online, please link back to this page.
Learn the shapes and colors first (octagon for stop, triangle for yield, diamond for warnings, pennant for no passing), because a test often shows a blank sign. Then learn the meanings and what to do at each one.
Sources, checked 2026-10-29: Federal Highway Administration, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and the state driver manuals cited on each road sign page. QuizCram is not affiliated with the agencies or standards bodies named here.
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