Warning signs — North Carolina Permit Test

The STOP AHEAD sign is placed far ahead of a stop sign when the driver’s view of the stop sign is blocked by a curve or other objects.

A stop sign you cannot see until the last second is a stop sign you will run. This sign is the early warning.

One of the most important caution signs is the “STOP AHEAD” sign. It is placed far ahead of a stop sign when the driver’s view of the stop sign is blocked by a curve or other objects.

The pennant-shaped NO PASSING ZONE sign emphasizes the DO NOT PASS sign and points to the beginning of the no-passing zone.

The pennant points at the exact spot the solid line begins. From there on, the oncoming lane is off limits.

The pennant is located on the left side of the road and points to the beginning of the no-passing zone (solid yellow line in your lane).

Diamond-shaped warning signs, black on yellow, warn of conditions ahead; this one warns that a traffic signal is ahead.

On a fast road, a signal around a bend can be red before you see it. The warning gives you time to be ready to stop.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you that traffic is merging into your road from the side ahead.

Merging traffic arrives at an angle and may need your lane. Knowing it is coming lets you make room before it does.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you that the right lane ends ahead and traffic in it must merge left.

A lane that ends without warning becomes a line of cars merging at the barrier. The sign moves the merge back to where there is room.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you that a divided highway begins ahead, with traffic separated by a median.

Past this sign the oncoming lanes move to the other side of a median. Keep right of it; the left side is theirs.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you that the divided highway ends ahead and you will again share the road with oncoming traffic.

After miles of a median between you and oncoming cars, this sign says the median is about to disappear. Keep right.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you that two-way traffic is ahead, so oncoming vehicles will be using the other lane.

Leaving a one-way street or a divided road, this is the reminder that the lane beside you now carries cars coming toward you.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

The yellow wildlife crossing sign is placed where animal collisions are common; this one warns that deer may cross the road ahead.

The sign is not decoration. It is placed where deer have been hit before, which is where they will be hit again.

SIGNS – Look for the yellow wildlife crossing signs! Sign placement is purposeful – certain areas are well-known hot spots for vehicle collisions.

This warning sign tells you the road curves to the right ahead; slow down before you enter the curve.

The sign comes before the curve so the slowing can happen on the straight. Braking in the bend is what the sign prevents.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you a sharp turn to the right is ahead, sharper than a curve, so slow down before it.

The bent arrow means the road turns hard, not gently. The speed that suits a curve is too much for a turn.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you a steep downgrade is ahead; shift to a lower gear at the top rather than riding the brakes down.

Brakes held down a long hill overheat. The sign is your cue to let a low gear hold the car back instead.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you the road may be slippery when wet, so slow down and avoid sudden braking or steering.

Some stretches of road hold water or lose their grip in rain. The sign marks the ones the engineers know about.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you a bicycle crossing is ahead, where bicyclists may be crossing or entering the road.

A bike path meets the road here. The rider crossing it is small, quick and easy to miss until the sign tells you to look.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

This warning sign tells you a crossroad intersects the road ahead, so watch for traffic entering from either side.

A rural crossroad can be hidden by trees until you are on it. The sign gives you the intersection before the view does.

Diamond-shaped signs are also caution or warning signs. They are normally black on yellow, but when they are black on orange, they warn of conditions for construction or maintenance areas. When you see one of these signs, drive with extra care.

Why is this sign posted?

A stop sign ahead is hidden from view. A stop sign you cannot see until the last second is a stop sign you will run. This sign is the early warning. North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.84: “One of the most important caution signs is the “STOP AHEAD” sign. It is placed far ahead of a stop sign when the driver’s view of the stop sign is blocked by a curve or other objects.”