Sign shapes — District of Columbia Permit Test

In poor visibility, such as heavy fog, you may be able to make out only the shape of a sign.

When fog washes out the words and color, the outline is what is left to tell you what the sign says.

In poor visibility conditions, such as heavy fog, you may be able to make out only the shape of a sign.

An eight-sided (octagonal) sign always means stop; stop at the sign, stop line, crosswalk or before entering the intersection.

Only one sign has this shape, so even from behind or in the dark you know cross traffic will not stop for you.

The octagonal (eight-sided) shape always means stop.

A triangle-shaped sign means yield: slow down, or stop if necessary, and give the right of way to vehicles crossing your path.

The driver at the triangle is the one who waits, so the cross traffic does not expect you to pull out.

Slow down, or stop if necessary, and give the right of way to vehicles crossing your path.

A diamond-shaped sign warns of special conditions or hazards ahead, and you may have to slow down.

A diamond gives you notice of a curve, crossing or hazard while there is still time to slow for it.

These signs warn you of special conditions or hazards ahead.

Vertical rectangular signs are generally used to give instructions or tell you the law.

A tall rectangle is usually a rule, such as a speed limit, that you can be stopped for breaking.

Vertical signs are generally used to give instructions or tell you the law.

Horizontal rectangular signs may give directions or information.

A wide rectangle is usually guidance, such as where a road goes, rather than an order.

In the horizontal position, the signs may give directions or information.

A five-sided (pentagon) sign warns of school zones and marks school crossings.

Children near a school can step out with no warning, and this shape tells you to expect them.

The pentagon (five-sided) shape warns you of school zones and marks school crossings.

A round black-on-yellow sign is used only to warn that there is a railroad crossing ahead.

This is the one round sign, and seeing it means start looking for a train before you reach the tracks.

Black on yellow is used only to warn that there is a railroad crossing ahead.

Why is it worth knowing what each sign shape means?

In fog you may see only the shape. When fog washes out the words and color, the outline is what is left to tell you what the sign says. DC Driver Manual, p.92: “In poor visibility conditions, such as heavy fog, you may be able to make out only the shape of a sign.”