Warning signs — Alabama Permit Test

This warning sign means a sharp turn to the left is ahead.

A sharp turn needs a much slower speed than the road before it, so slow down before you reach it.

Sharp turn to the left.

This warning sign means there is a curve to the right ahead.

Slowing before the curve keeps you from drifting over the center line or off the road.

Curve to the right.

The BUMP sign means there is a bump ahead, so slow down.

Hitting a bump at speed can bounce the car and loosen your control of it.

There is a bump ahead. Slow Down!

The STOP AHEAD sign means there is a STOP sign ahead.

The stop sign may be hidden by a hill or curve, so you get a warning in time to slow.

There is a STOP sign ahead.

An advisory speed plate under a turn sign advises the top safe speed at which you can make the turn.

The plate tells you how fast the turn can safely be taken, which is often well below the limit.

This advises you of the top safe speed at which you can make the turn.

Lane-ends signs warn that the number of highway lanes changes ahead, and they appear in a series as a repeating reminder to merge into the adjacent lane.

The repeated signs give you time to find a gap and merge smoothly rather than at the last second.

Number of highway lanes change ahead.

This warning sign means there is a traffic signal ahead.

A signal around a bend or over a hill can turn on you before you see it.

There is a traffic signal ahead.

The two-way traffic sign means you are leaving a separated one-way roadway and entering a two-way roadway; it also reminds drivers they are on a two-way road.

On a two-way road oncoming cars are in the next lane, so passing and lane use change.

You are leaving a separated one-way roadway and entering a two-way roadway.

The merge sign means you will be merging with traffic going the same way; drivers entering from the right must yield to traffic on the main route and use speed-change lanes to merge smoothly.

Merging works when the joining driver matches speed and fits into a gap instead of forcing in.

You will be merging with other traffic traveling in the same direction.

The cross road sign means another road crosses the highway ahead.

Cars can come from either side at a crossroad, so be ready to slow and look both ways.

Another road crosses the highway ahead.

This warning sign means a divided highway is ahead.

A median is about to separate the two directions, so keep to the right of it.

Divided highway ahead.

This warning sign means the divided highway ends.

Once the median ends, oncoming traffic is right beside you with nothing between.

Divided highway ends.

This warning sign means the road ahead goes downhill.

A long downgrade lets speed build, so shift down and control it before it gets away from you.

The road ahead goes downhill.

This warning sign means the road is slippery when wet.

Rain loosens oil on the surface, so braking and turning need extra care.

Slippery when wet.

The roundabout sign warns of a roundabout, a circular intersection that usually has no traffic signal and flows counterclockwise around a central island.

You will have to slow and yield to the traffic already circling before you join it.

Roundabout: A roundabout is a circular intersection that usually does not include a traffic signal and flows in a counter-clockwise direction around a central island.

The NO PASSING ZONE pennant is placed on the left side of a two-lane road to warn of the beginning of a no passing zone.

Being on the left puts it right where a driver about to pull out to pass will see it.

road to warn of the beginning of a NO PASSING ZONE.

What does this sign mean?

Sharp turn to the left ahead. A sharp turn needs a much slower speed than the road before it, so slow down before you reach it. Alabama Driver Manual, p.45: “Sharp turn to the left.”