Shapes of signs — Illinois Permit Test

This sign means stop, and a driver must make a complete stop at the stop line, or before the crosswalk, or before entering the intersection where there is neither.

The three places are a fallback list in order. Stopping at the last one is stopping where you can see what is coming.

This eight-sided red sign means STOP. You must make a complete stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.

This sign means yield the right of way, and a driver must let all traffic and pedestrians go before proceeding.

Yielding is not stopping, but it becomes stopping whenever anything is coming. The sign puts the whole decision on you.

This three-sided sign means YIELD the right of way. You must let all traffic and pedestrians go before proceeding.

This sign is an advance warning that a railroad track crosses the roadway ahead, and in rural areas it may stand up to 750 feet before the crossing.

Seven hundred and fifty feet is a long way at highway speed, which is the point. The sign is placed for the time it takes to stop.

This round sign indicates a RAILROAD CROSSING ahead. RAILROAD CROSSING signs are yellow with a black crossbuck “X” and the letters “RR.” It is an advance warning sign that means a railroad track will cross the roadway ahead. In rural areas, the sign may be up to 750 feet before the railroad crossing.

This sign warns of hazards or possible hazards on or near the roadway, and a driver should slow down and use caution.

It does not say what the hazard is, only that there is one. Slowing down is the response that works for any of them.

This diamond-shaped sign means WARNING. It may be yellow, yellow-green, or orange with black wording or symbols. This sign warns you about hazards or possible hazards on or near the roadway. Slow down and use caution when you see this type of sign.

This sign marks a no passing zone and appears on the left side of a two-lane, two-way roadway where no passing pavement markings are also used.

It is on the left because that is the lane you would be borrowing. Seeing it there means the markings beside you are solid.

This three-sided sign is yellow with black letters and indicates a NO PASSING ZONE. The sign will appear on the left side of a two-lane, two-way roadway at the beginning of the area where “no passing” pavement markings are also used.

This sign means school zone or school crossing, and where it shows two children walking with a downward arrow the driver is at the crossing itself.

The two versions look almost the same and mean different things. The arrow is what says the crossing is here rather than nearby.

This five-sided sign is yellow or yellow-green with black symbols. It means either SCHOOL ZONE or SCHOOL CROSSING. If the sign shows two children walking, a school is nearby. If the sign shows two children walking with a downward pointing arrow, you are at a school crossing.

What does this sign require a driver to do?

Make a complete stop. The three places are a fallback list in order. Stopping at the last one is stopping where you can see what is coming. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.63: “This eight-sided red sign means STOP. You must make a complete stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.”