Use this visual guide to study the California road signs, sign shapes, traffic signals, and driver hand signals that appear in DMV study material. Learn what each shape or signal means, then check yourself with focused practice questions.
QUICK ANSWER
California DMV study material emphasizes both the instruction on a sign and visual clues such as shape and color. A five-sided sign warns of a school area, a diamond-shaped sign warns of road conditions or danger, a white rectangular sign communicates rules you must obey, and a yellow-and-black circular or X-shaped sign warns of a railroad crossing. DMV also teaches three driver hand signals: left arm straight out for a left turn, bent upward for a right turn, and bent downward for slowing or stopping.
VISUAL STUDY
California road sign shapes and meanings
The six examples below are original study redrawings of specific signs shown on California DMV form DL 37: STOP, YIELD, SCHOOL XING, CROSSROAD, SPEED LIMIT 50, and RAILROAD CROSSING. They are study aids, not substitutes for the official chart. The current online Driver’s Handbook also describes a five-sided school-area sign; that separate shape is covered in the study notes below.
STOP sign
Red octagon. Make a full stop before proceeding when it is safe.
YIELD sign
Red-and-white inverted triangle. Slow down and be ready to stop for road users with the right-of-way.
SCHOOL XING warning
Yellow school-crossing warning shown on DL 37, with a SCHOOL XING plaque below the symbol.
CROSSROAD warning
Yellow diamond with a black cross warns that a crossroad is ahead.
SPEED LIMIT 50 sign
White rectangular regulatory sign showing a posted maximum speed.
RAILROAD CROSSING warning
Yellow circular warning sign with a black X and RR indicates a railroad crossing ahead.
HAND SIGNALS
California driver hand signals
DMV says to use hand-and-arm signals when your vehicle signals are not working or are difficult to see. The diagrams below show the driver’s left arm.
Left turn
Extend your left arm straight out.
Right turn
Bend your left arm upward at the elbow.
Slow or stop
Bend your left arm downward at the elbow.
STUDY NOTES
California road sign shapes and meanings
Shape is a fast clue to a sign’s purpose. The California Driver’s Handbook specifically identifies five-sided school signs, diamond-shaped warning signs, white rectangular regulatory signs, and yellow-and-black circular or X-shaped railroad warnings.
- Five-sided: school area; drive slowly and watch for children.
- Diamond: warning about a specific road condition or danger ahead.
- White rectangle: communicates rules that must be obeyed.
- Yellow-and-black circle or X shape: railroad crossing warning.
Red and white regulatory signs
Red and white regulatory signs tell you what you must or must not do. DMV gives DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY as examples. A red circle with a diagonal red line means the pictured action is prohibited.
- STOP: make a full stop before proceeding when safe.
- YIELD: slow down and be ready to stop for road users with the right-of-way.
- DO NOT ENTER / WRONG WAY: do not continue in the prohibited direction.
- Red circle with a slash: the pictured action is not allowed.
Traffic signal meanings
- Solid red: stop. A right turn may be allowed after a complete stop when no sign prohibits it and the turn can be made safely.
- Red arrow: stop and remain stopped until a green signal or green arrow allows movement.
- Flashing red: stop, then proceed when safe.
- Solid yellow: caution; stop if you can do so safely.
- Flashing yellow: proceed with caution; slow down and stay alert.
- Solid green: go when safe, while still yielding to vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians already in the intersection.
Driver hand signals in California
DMV says to signal when turning, changing lanes, slowing down, or stopping. If your vehicle’s signal lights are not functioning, or bright sunlight makes them hard to see, use hand-and-arm signals.
- Left turn: left arm straight out.
- Right turn: left arm bent upward.
- Slow or stop: left arm bent downward.
- DMV says to signal at least 100 feet before a turn and before every lane change.
Use the official DMV Road Sign Chart
California DMV publishes the DL 37 Road Sign Chart as an additional study resource. It groups examples of warning and regulatory signs so you can practice recognizing the sign itself, not only a written description.
PRACTICE CHECKS
Check your understanding
Answer each question before opening the explanation.
1. What does a diamond-shaped road sign usually mean?
Show answer
Answer: It warns of a specific road condition or danger ahead.
The California Driver’s Handbook identifies diamond-shaped signs as warnings.
2. What does a five-sided road sign indicate?
Show answer
Answer: You are near a school.
DMV identifies the five-sided sign as a school warning.
3. What does a yellow-and-black circular sign or X-shaped sign warn about?
Show answer
Answer: A railroad crossing.
DMV uses those shapes as railroad-crossing warnings.
4. What does a flashing red traffic signal mean?
Show answer
Answer: Stop, then proceed when it is safe.
DMV treats a flashing red signal as a stop requirement before proceeding.
5. What does the driver hand signal with the left arm bent upward mean?
Show answer
Answer: Right turn.
DMV’s hand-and-arm signal diagram shows the left arm bent upward for a right turn.
FAQ
Common questions
What road signs should I know for the California DMV test?
Know the meaning of common regulatory and warning signs, traffic signals, school warnings, railroad warnings, and the shapes DMV highlights in the Driver’s Handbook. The official DL 37 Road Sign Chart is also useful for visual study.
What does a diamond-shaped road sign mean in California?
It warns of a specific road condition or danger ahead.
What does a five-sided road sign mean in California?
It means you are near a school. DMV tells drivers to slow down and watch for children.
What does a red and white road sign mean?
Red and white regulatory signs communicate instructions drivers must follow, such as DO NOT ENTER or WRONG WAY. A red circle with a slash means the pictured action is prohibited.
What does a yellow and black circular road sign mean?
It warns that you are approaching a railroad crossing. DMV also uses an X-shaped railroad warning sign.
What are the California driver hand signals?
Left arm straight out means left turn. Left arm bent upward means right turn. Left arm bent downward means slow or stop.
What does a flashing red traffic light mean in California?
Stop. After stopping, you may proceed when it is safe.
Where can I study official California road signs?
California DMV includes sign examples in the Driver’s Handbook and publishes the DL 37 Road Sign Chart in its Additional Testing Materials.
VERIFY THE RULE
Official sources
This study page was reviewed against the DMV material below. Open the source when you want the complete rule, exceptions, or surrounding context.
Last reviewed: September 26, 2026 · Reviewed by Master My Test