Warning signs — Florida Permit Test

This sign warns that a traffic signal is at the intersection ahead, where poor visibility is likely, so slow down.

It is posted where you would come over a rise and find the light already changing.

Traffic Signal Ahead. A traffic signal is at the intersection ahead. Slow down; poor visibility is likely.

This sign means slow down and be ready to stop at the stop sign ahead.

It gives you the braking distance you would not have if the sign appeared without warning.

Stop Sign Ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop at the stop sign.

This sign gives the fastest safe speed for the curve ahead, and may be used with any warning sign.

It is advice from somebody who has measured the curve, which is more than you can do at speed.

Advisory Speed Sign. The fastest safe speed you should travel around the curve ahead.

This sign means the roadway is about to change to two-way traffic, so there will be oncoming traffic.

A road that felt like yours alone is about to have somebody coming the other way down it.

Two-Way Traffic Ahead. The roadway is about to change to two-way traffic; there will be oncoming traffic.

This sign means another traffic lane joins the one you are on, so watch for other traffic and yield the right-of-way when necessary.

Two lanes becoming one works only if somebody lets the other in, and the sign says it might be you.

Merging Traffic. Ahead another traffic lane joins the one you are on. Watch for other traffic and yield the right-of-way when necessary.

This sign means the right lane ends and traffic must merge left, and drivers in the left lane should let others in smoothly.

Somebody has to make room, and it goes badly when both drivers assume it is the other one.

Reduction of Lanes. The right lane ends and traffic must merge left. Drivers in the left lane should allow others to merge smoothly.

This sign gives advance notice of a roundabout, so prepare to slow down and possibly yield to traffic already in it.

The traffic already going around has the right of way, and you need the room to stop.

Roundabout Circle. Provides advance notice of a roundabout. Prepare to slow down and possibly yield to traffic in the roundabout.

This sign means the highway ahead is divided by a median or a physical barrier.

The barrier decides which side you can be on, and finding it late is how head-on crashes start.

Divided Highway Ahead. The highway ahead is divided by a median or physical barrier.

This sign means the divided highway ends 350 to 500 feet ahead, after which you will be on a roadway with two-way traffic, so keep to the right.

The barrier that was keeping oncoming traffic away is about to run out.

Divided Highway Ends. The divided highway ends 350 to 500 feet ahead. You will then be on a roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right.

This sign warns of a curve in the road ahead: slow your speed and do not pass other vehicles.

On a curve you cannot see far enough ahead to know whether the passing lane is empty.

Right Curve. The road will curve to the right. Slow your speed and do not pass other vehicles.

This sign warns of a sharp turn in the road ahead: slow your speed and do not pass other vehicles.

A sharp turn takes speed off you whether you planned it or not, so lose it before the bend.

Sharp Right Turn. The road will make a sharp turn to the right. Slow your speed and do not pass other vehicles.

This sign means a road crosses the main highway ahead, so look to the left and right for other traffic.

A crossing road is where a car appears from the side, which is the direction nobody is watching.

Cross Road. A road crosses the main highway ahead. Look to the left and right for other traffic.

This sign means a bikeway crosses the roadway ahead, so watch for bicyclists.

A rider crossing here is small, quiet and moving faster than a walker.

Bicycle Crossing. A bikeway crosses the roadway ahead. Watch for bicyclists.

This sign means watch for people crossing the street: slow down or stop to yield for pedestrians.

Somebody on foot has no metal around them and no way to stop your car for you.

Pedestrian Crossing. Watch for people crossing the street. Slow down or stop to yield for pedestrians.

This sign means the animal it shows is common in the area, so watch for animals crossing the road, especially at twilight and at night.

Twilight is when animals move and when your eyes are at their worst.

Animal Crossing. The animal pictured on the sign is common in the area; watch for animals crossing the road particularly during twilight and at nighttime.

This sign means that in wet weather you should drive slowly, avoid speeding up or braking quickly, and make turns at slow speeds.

On a slick surface the tires have less grip than your foot expects, and braking hard uses it all.

Slippery Surface. In wet weather, drive slowly. Don't speed up or brake quickly. Make turns at slow speeds.

This sign means the bridge ahead takes two lanes of traffic but with very little clearance, so stay in your lane.

There is room for both cars and almost nothing spare, so drifting is what causes the contact.

Narrow Bridge. The bridge is wide enough to accommodate two lanes of traffic, but with very little clearance. Stay in your lane.

This sign means the road goes downhill ahead, so slow down and be ready to shift to a lower gear to control your speed.

Riding the brakes all the way down a long grade is how brakes stop working at the bottom.

Hill/Downgrade. The road goes downhill ahead. Slow down and be ready to shift to lower gear to control speed.

This sign means you are near a school, so watch for children at all times, not just during school hours.

Children use the roads around a school in the evening and at weekends as well.

School Sign. You are near a school. Watch for children at all times, not just during school hours.

A sign of this kind notifies drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions near a work area.

The unusual condition is usually a person on foot a few feet from your wheels.

Construction and Maintenance Signs. The signs—usually diamond shaped and/or orange in color—notify drivers of unusual or potentially dangerous conditions near work areas.

What is at the intersection ahead of this sign?

A traffic signal you may not see in time. It is posted where you would come over a rise and find the light already changing. Official Florida Driver License Handbook, p.49: “Traffic Signal Ahead. A traffic signal is at the intersection ahead. Slow down; poor visibility is likely.”