Warning signs — Wisconsin Permit Test

The cross road sign warns of a place where two or more roads cross.

Another road is about to join yours, with drivers on it who may not stop. The sign comes before you can see them.

Intersection / Cross Road – A place where two or more roads cross.

The divided highway sign warns that traffic ahead is split by a physical barrier such as a guardrail.

The road is about to become two one-way roads. Turning across it where it is divided takes you the wrong way up one.

Divided Highway – Two lanes where the traffic is going in opposite directions on the highway. The traffic ahead will come across a physical barrier such as a guardrail.

The slippery when wet sign warns that the road ahead might be slippery, and a driver should slow down.

Some surfaces lose grip the moment they are damp. The warning arrives while there is still room to slow.

Slippery When Wet – The road ahead might be slippery.

The signal ahead sign means stop lights are ahead and a driver should be ready to slow down and stop.

A signal hidden by a hill or a bend gives no warning of its own. This sign is the warning.

Signal Ahead – Stop lights are ahead. Be ready to slow down and stop.

The deer crossing sign marks areas where deer are very likely to cross the road.

A deer that crosses is rarely alone, and it does not look before it steps out. The sign says this is where it happens.

Deer Crossing – In these areas deer are very likely to cross the road.

The sharp turn sign can show a left or a right arrow, and a driver should be ready to slow down for the turn.

A sharp bend taken at road speed throws the car wide. Reading the arrow tells you which way to expect it.

Sharp Turn – This sign can show a left or right arrow.

The lane ends sign shows a right or left lane ending, and a driver moves to the other lane when it is safe.

The lane runs out whether or not you have found a gap. Moving early beats merging at the last cone.

Lane Ends – This sign can show a right or left lane ending. Move to the other lane when it is safe to do so.

The merge sign shows a right or left lane merging, and a driver moves over to the next lane when it is safe.

Two streams of traffic are about to become one. Knowing which side it comes from tells you where to look.

Merge – This sign can show a right or left lane merge. Make sure to move over to the next lane when it is safe to do so.

The hill sign appears where there is a hill ahead, and a driver slows down if needed to stay safe.

A long downgrade builds speed on its own and cooks the brakes if you fight it at the bottom. Slowing at the top is easier.

Hill – You will see this sign when there is a hill ahead.

The 2-way traffic sign appears where a driver leaves a one-way roadway and enters a roadway with opposing traffic.

Drivers who have had the whole road to themselves forget the other half is coming back. This sign is where it returns.

2-Way Traffic – You will see this sign when you are leaving a one-way roadway and entering a roadway with opposing traffic.

The curved road sign means the road will slowly move to the right or left, and a driver slows down if needed.

A gentle bend does not need the speed a sharp one does, but it still needs the wheel. The sign tells you which is coming.

Curved Road – The road will slowly move to the right or left.

The stop ahead sign means a stop sign is ahead, and a driver slows down in order to stop safely.

A stop sign hidden behind a rise arrives with no time to brake. This sign buys back the distance.

Stop Ahead – There is a stop sign ahead. Slow down so that you can safely stop.

The roundabout ahead sign carries a counterclockwise symbol and a rectangular plate reading Roundabout Ahead.

A driver who meets one without warning enters too fast to yield. The sign gives time to slow and pick a lane.

Roundabout Ahead – The diamond contains a counterclockwise symbol. The rectangle below says, “Roundabout Ahead.”

The pedestrian crossing sign shows a person walking with an arrow below, and a driver yields to crossing pedestrians.

A crossing away from a corner is one drivers do not expect. The arrow points at where people step out.

Pedestrian Crossing – The sign shows a pedestrian in the main diamond and an arrow in the rectangular sign below. This arrow indicates where the crossing is. Yield to crossing pedestrians.

The school crossing sign shows pedestrians with an arrow below and marks a school zone or school crossing.

Children cross here in numbers and at set times of day. They do not judge gaps the way adults do.

School Crossing, School Zone (May be fluorescent green or yellow) – This sign shows pedestrians in the main sign and an arrow below. This is specific to school zones and crossings. Yield to crossing pedestrians.

What does this sign warn a driver about?

Two or more roads crossing ahead. Another road is about to join yours, with drivers on it who may not stop. The sign comes before you can see them. Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, p.22: “Intersection / Cross Road – A place where two or more roads cross.”