Sign colors — District of Columbia Permit Test

A red sign means stop, yield, do not enter, or wrong way.

Red is kept for the signs that tell you to stop or not go on, so you react to it before you read it.

Stop, yield, do not enter, or wrong way

A yellow sign gives a general warning of what to expect ahead, such as a school or pedestrian crossing.

Yellow tells you something ahead may call for slowing down, before you are on top of it.

General warning of what to expect ahead, such as school or pedestrian crossings

A white sign is a regulatory sign, such as a speed limit or parking instructions.

White signs state the law, so ignoring one is breaking a rule, not missing advice.

Regulatory sign, such as speed limit or parking instructions

An orange sign warns of a construction or maintenance work area.

Orange tells you there may be workers, equipment and changed lanes ahead.

Construction and maintenance work area warning

A green sign gives guide information, such as distance or direction.

Knowing green means directions lets you scan for your exit without mistaking it for a warning.

Guide information, such as distance or direction

A blue sign shows motorist services.

Blue tells you where to find help such as a rest area, so you can plan a stop before you are tired.

Blue Motorist services

A brown sign marks recreational and cultural interest areas.

Brown points to parks and historic places, which helps you tell a park road from a main route.

Recreational and cultural interest areas

What does red on a road sign tell you?

Stop, yield, do not enter or wrong way. Red is kept for the signs that tell you to stop or not go on, so you react to it before you read it. DC Driver Manual, p.90: “Stop, yield, do not enter, or wrong way”