Special regulatory signs — Texas Permit Test

A school zone sign shows a speed that is in effect when the yellow light on it is flashing.

The lower limit only applies while children are arriving or leaving. The flashing light is what switches it on.

School Zone: The speed shown is in effect when the yellow light is flashing

The use of a wireless communication device is prohibited in a school zone where a sign says so.

A phone in a school zone means eyes anywhere but on the children. Texas posts it as a rule rather than advice.

The use of a wireless communication device is prohibited in the school zone

Where a sign says drivers should not change lanes or turn across double white lines, they must not.

The double white marks a place where crossing puts you in front of traffic that cannot see you coming.

Drivers should not change lanes or turn across the double white lines

An all-way or 4-way plaque on a stop sign means all traffic must stop before proceeding in the order they arrived, and if two vehicles arrive together, the driver yields to the vehicle on the right.

Everybody stops, so arrival order is all that is left. A tie is broken by looking right.

arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right

An emergency stopping only sign means the shoulder should be used only by vehicles that must stop for a mechanical breakdown, tire trouble, lack of fuel, or another emergency.

A car parked on the shoulder for any other reason is an obstacle at highway speed. Texas names what counts.

should only be used by vehicles required to stop because of mechanical breakdown, tire trouble, lack of fuel, or other emergencies

A crossover sign marks a place where a driver may cross over to the other side of a divided highway.

Crossing a divided highway anywhere else means driving through the median. The sign marks the one place it is allowed.

This sign marks a place where you may cross over to the other side of the divided highway

A road closed sign means the road ahead is not open to any traffic, and a driver should look for a detour or another route.

Closed means closed, whatever the vehicle. Driving around the sign is its own offense in Texas.

The road ahead is not open to any traffic. Look for a detour or other route

A form one line sign instructs drivers that all traffic on the same roadway must merge into one lane.

Two lanes are becoming one and there is no choice about it. Merging early is what keeps it moving.

Instructs drivers that all traffic on the same roadway must merge into one lane

A protected left on green arrow sign means a driver turning left is protected from oncoming traffic, which must stop, but should still use caution.

Protected means the other lane has a red. It does not mean the intersection is empty.

While turning left, you are protected from oncoming traffic that must stop for vehicles at an intersection

A sign showing the speed at which an exit ramp may be traveled tells a driver how fast the ramp itself can safely be taken.

The ramp speed is far below the highway speed and it arrives fast. Reading it late is how cars leave the ramp.

Indicates the speed at which the exit ramp from a highway may be traveled safely

A no trucks sign means trucks are prohibited from using or entering the roadway where it is displayed.

Some streets cannot carry the weight and some corners cannot take the length. The sign closes the road to them.

Trucks are prohibited from using or entering the roadway where this sign is displayed.

A driver may not park, stop, or leave a vehicle idling in a space reserved for disabled individuals unless the vehicle has a disabled license plate or windshield identification card.

A car in that space forces somebody back into traffic to get out. The plate or the card is the only thing that makes it lawful.

Do not park, stop, or allow your vehicle to stand idling in a parking space reserved for disabled individuals unless your vehicle has a disabled license plate or windshield identification card

When does a Texas school zone speed limit apply?

When the yellow light on the sign is flashing. The lower limit only applies while children are arriving or leaving. The flashing light is what switches it on. Texas Driver Handbook, p.31: “School Zone: The speed shown is in effect when the yellow light is flashing”