Warning signs — Colorado Permit Test

Warning signs cover school zones, curves, slippery surfaces, merging traffic and pedestrian-dense areas.

A warning sign is the road telling you what is about to be different. Nothing on it is an order, so the response is to slow down and look.

These signs are yellow or fluorescent green with black symbols, school zone, curves, slippery surfaces, merging traffic, or pedestrian-dense areas

A merging traffic sign warns of vehicles entering from a side street.

The merging driver is looking over their shoulder, not at you. Knowing they are coming lets you make room before they arrive.

For instance, a merging traffic sign warns of vehicles entering from a side street

Slippery surfaces are one of the hazards warning signs are used for.

A surface that grips in the dry can let go in the wet, and there is no way to see it coming. The sign is the only notice you get.

These signs are yellow or fluorescent green with black symbols, school zone, curves, slippery surfaces, merging traffic, or pedestrian-dense areas

Advisory speed signs show the safe speed around curves, corners and off-ramps in ideal conditions.

It is advice rather than a limit, and it is advice for a dry road. In rain or ice the safe speed is lower than the number shown.

These cautionary signs show the safe speed around curves, corners and off-ramps in ideal conditions

Bicycle and pedestrian crossing signs are used where both bicyclists and pedestrians might be crossing the roadway, such as where a shared use path meets a street.

A path crossing a road brings people out from between buildings or trees, where you would not look for them. The sign says to look there.

They are used where both bicyclists and pedestrians might be crossing the roadway, such as at an intersection with a shared use path

School zones are one of the areas warning signs are used for.

Children step into a road without checking, and they are short enough to be hidden by a parked car. A school zone is where to expect both.

These signs are yellow or fluorescent green with black symbols, school zone, curves, slippery surfaces, merging traffic, or pedestrian-dense areas

Bicycle and pedestrian crossing signs are posted where bicyclists might be crossing the roadway.

A bicycle crossing your path is moving faster than a walker and is harder to see. The sign puts you on notice before the crossing itself.

Bicycle and pedestrian crossing signs: These signs have a yellow background with black symbols

What is this sign warning you about?

A curve in the road ahead. A warning sign is the road telling you what is about to be different. Nothing on it is an order, so the response is to slow down and look. Colorado Driver Handbook, p.8: “These signs are yellow or fluorescent green with black symbols, school zone, curves, slippery surfaces, merging traffic, or pedestrian-dense areas”