Traffic sign types — South Carolina Permit Test

The shape, color, symbols and words on traffic signs give clues to the type of information they provide.

Recognizing a sign's type at a distance gives you time to react before you can read its words.

The shape, color, symbols, and words on these signs give clues to the type of information they provide.

Warning signs tell you of possible danger ahead and are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols.

Warning signs give advance notice of a hazard so you can slow down before you reach it.

These signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and are typically diamond shaped.

Some warning signs, such as those for school zones, school crossings and pedestrian crossings, may be fluorescent yellow.

The brighter color draws attention to places where children and pedestrians may step into the road.

Some warning signs may be fluorescent yellow, such as school zones, school crossings, and pedestrian crossings.

Regulatory signs tell you about specific laws you must obey, such as rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed and parking.

Unlike warning signs, which advise, a regulatory sign states a law, and ignoring it is a violation.

These signs tell you about specific laws that you must obey, such as rules for traffic direction, lane use, turning, speed, parking, and other special situations.

Some regulatory signs have a red circle with a red slash over a symbol, which prohibits that action.

The circle and slash read the same in any language, so the prohibition is clear before the symbol is studied.

Some regulatory signs have a red circle with a red slash over a symbol, which prohibit certain actions.

Guide signs are green, brown or blue and give information on intersecting roads, cities and towns, and points of interest.

Knowing a guide sign only gives directions and services keeps you from mistaking it for a warning or a rule.

Guide Signs—These signs are square or rectangular and are green, brown, or blue.

What gives clues to the type of information a traffic sign provides?

Its shape, color, symbols and words. Recognizing a sign's type at a distance gives you time to react before you can read its words. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.63: “The shape, color, symbols, and words on these signs give clues to the type of information they provide.”