Warning signs — Illinois Permit Test

This sign marks a crosswalk, and because crosswalks are not always at intersections a driver must watch both sides of the street for pedestrians.

A crosswalk in the middle of a block catches drivers who only look at corners. The sign is the only warning it is there.

Pedestrian Crosswalk This sign tells you there is a crosswalk. Crosswalks are not always located at intersections, so you must watch both sides of the street for pedestrians.

This sign warns of an approaching traffic control signal that may not be visible yet, and a driver should start slowing down.

In fast traffic the signal comes into view too late to stop for. The advance sign is the extra distance.

These signs warn you of approaching traffic control signals. Although the traffic signal may not yet be visible, the traffic signs are close enough to require you to start slowing down.

A sign like this stands close enough to the control it warns of that a driver has to start slowing down before the signal itself comes into view.

At speed the signal appears too late to stop for. This sign is the extra distance, which is why it is set so far back.

Although the traffic signal may not yet be visible, the traffic signs are close enough to require you to start slowing down.

This sign warns of an intersection ahead where traffic may be crossing or a turn may be required.

On a rural road an intersection can appear with no buildings around it to give it away. The sign is what tells you traffic may cross.

Intersections Ahead These four signs warn you of intersections ahead where traffic may exist or a right or left turn may be required. A sign naming the intersecting road also may be posted.

Signs like this are posted before turns and curves, and the shape of the arrow tells a driver what to expect.

Reading the arrow is the whole skill: one bend, two bends or a whole winding stretch. It is faster than reading words at speed.

Turns and Curves Certain signs are posted before turns and curves. The shape of the arrow tells you what to expect.

A small sign like this may be posted below a turn or curve warning to show the maximum safe speed.

The posted limit describes a straight road, and the curve has its own number. Ignoring it is how cars leave the road on a bend.

A small sign showing the maximum safe speed may also be posted below the arrow.

This sign warns of conditions that can make a driver lose control, and a driver should slow down on wet pavement because stopping takes longer.

All roads are slippery when wet, and this sign marks the ones that are worse. Braking distance is what actually changes.

Slippery Pavement All roads are slippery and dangerous when wet. This sign warns you of conditions that can cause you to lose control of your car. Slow down when coming upon wet pavement because it takes longer to stop.

This sign warns of a dangerous hill that may be long, steep or have sharp curves, and a driver should slow before starting down it.

Slowing at the bottom is too late, because brakes fade on a long descent. The sign exists so you arrive already slow.

Downgrade This sign warns you of a dangerous hill. It may be very long or steep, or have sharp curves. Slow your speed before starting down the hill.

This sign warns that the bridge ahead has a narrow roadway, generally about 2 feet less than the width of the approach pavement.

Two feet is most of the room you had beside you. On a bridge there is no shoulder to use if you misjudge it.

Narrow Bridge This sign warns you that an approaching bridge has a narrow roadway. A bridge width is generally 2 feet less than the width of the approach pavement.

This sign warns of a reduction in the number of traffic lanes ahead, and a driver should be ready to change lanes or let others merge.

The lane loss may be temporary roadworks or permanent. Either way somebody has to move, and knowing early is what makes it painless.

Reduction in Lanes These signs are used on multi-lane highways to warn you of a reduction in the number of traffic lanes in the direction of travel. Reduction in lanes can be temporary, due to construction or maintenance activities, or permanent.

This sign tells a driver that two lanes going the same direction will soon become one, and where these signs appear before an expressway ramp the driver already on the expressway should slow to let the ramp traffic merge.

Merging works when one side yields and the other makes room. On a ramp the manual says which side gives.

Merging Lanes This sign tells you that two lanes of traffic going the same direction will soon merge into one lane. Be ready to either change lanes or allow other traffic to merge into your lane. Merge signs may appear on expressways just before expressway ramps. The driver on the expressway should slow down to let the driver on the ramp merge.

This sign is posted before a divided highway begins, where a center strip separates traffic going in opposite directions.

The road you are on is about to split in two. Knowing which half is yours before you reach it is the point.

Divided Highway Divided highways have a center strip that separates traffic going in opposite directions. The first sign is posted before a divided highway begins.

This sign is posted just before a divided highway ends, and a driver should take care nearing the end of it.

The end of a divider is where two-way traffic starts again. Drivers used to the median stop expecting anything coming at them.

The second sign is posted just before the divided highway ends. Be careful nearing the end of a divided highway.

This sign tells a driver they are leaving a divided roadway and approaching a two-way highway.

On a divided road nothing comes at you. This is the sign that says that has stopped being true.

Two-Way Roadway This sign informs you that you are leaving a divided roadway and approaching a two-way highway.

What does this sign tell a driver to watch for?

Pedestrians on both sides of the street. A crosswalk in the middle of a block catches drivers who only look at corners. The sign is the only warning it is there. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.68: “Pedestrian Crosswalk This sign tells you there is a crosswalk. Crosswalks are not always located at intersections, so you must watch both sides of the street for pedestrians.”