MA · STUDY GUIDE
Road Signs, Signals & Markings
Sign shapes and colors, traffic signals, and pavement markings — they appear on every version of the exam. All 32 questions below cite the MA Driver's Manual section they come from.
1 · PAVEMENT MARKINGS
A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:
- · Passing allowed with caution
- ✓ No passing from your side
- · Passing allowed only during daylight
- · No passing for traffic in either direction
Solid yellow on your side = do not cross to pass. Broken yellow on your side = passing allowed when safe.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Yellow Lane Lines, p. 902 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
You may turn right at a steady red light:
- ✓ Only after a complete stop and yielding — unless NO TURN ON RED is posted
- · Never — right on red is illegal in Massachusetts
- · Whenever you slow to under 5 mph and the way is clear
- · Only between sunrise and sunset
Right on red is legal in MA only after you come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles — and never where a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signals, p. 813 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Turning LEFT at a red light is allowed only when:
- ✓ You are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street
- · No oncoming traffic is visible for 500 feet
- · It is never allowed at a red light
- · Turning from any street onto an empty one-way street
Left on red is legal only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Turns on Red, p. 984 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
A flashing red traffic signal means the same as:
- · A yield sign
- ✓ A stop sign
- · A red arrow
Flashing red = STOP sign: come to a complete stop (before the stop line or crosswalk if there is one), obey right-of-way rules, and proceed when safe.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signals, p. 815 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
A steady yellow light means:
- ✓ Stop, if it is safe to do so — the signal is changing to red
- · Speed up to clear the intersection before the red
- · Proceed with caution, same as a flashing yellow
- · Yield only if you are turning
Steady yellow warns the signal is changing from green to red. You must stop if it is safe; if you're already stopped at the line, you may not proceed.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signals, p. 816 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
You reach an intersection where the traffic signals are completely dark. You should:
- ✓ Treat it as if there were a stop sign in all directions
- · Proceed at normal speed — dark signals mean the road is open
- · Yield only to traffic on your left
- · The intersection is closed — turn around
Blacked-out signals = all-way stop: be cautious, proceed as though there is a stop sign in every direction, and go when it is safe.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signals Not Working, p. 827 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
An ORANGE sign warns you about:
- · A school zone ahead
- ✓ Construction or maintenance work ahead
- · A recreational or scenic area
- · A detour for trucks only
Orange = construction or maintenance warning. School zones and crossings use fluorescent yellow-green; brown marks recreational and scenic sites.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signs, p. 838 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
A sideways triangle (pennant) shaped sign means:
- ✓ No passing zone
- · Railroad crossing ahead
- · Yield
Know signs by shape at a distance: the pennant marks a No Passing Zone. Yield is a downward triangle; railroad crossings use a round sign.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signs, p. 859 · RAILROAD CROSSINGS
At a railroad crossing, the lights begin to flash and the gate lowers. You must stop:
- ✓ At least 15 feet before the light post or gate
- · At least 5 feet before the tracks
- · Only if you can see the train
- · At least 50 feet before the tracks
Stop at least 15 feet before the light post or gate and stay stopped until the gate rises and the lights stop. Never drive around a lowered gate — even if you don't see a train.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Railroad Crossings, p. 8710 · PAVEMENT MARKINGS
The center line is double yellow: solid on your side, broken on the other. Passing is:
- ✓ Not allowed from your side — only the broken-line side may pass
- · Allowed from your side when the way is clear
- · Not allowed from either side
- · Allowed from both sides when clear
If the solid yellow line is closer to you, you cannot cross to pass. Only drivers with the broken line on their side may pass, and only when safe.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Yellow Lane Lines, p. 9011 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
A green arrow means your turn is:
- ✓ "Protected" — oncoming traffic and pedestrians should be stopped by red lights
- · Permitted after yielding to oncoming traffic
- · Required — you cannot go straight
- · You may go straight or turn — all other traffic stops
A green arrow is a protected turn in the arrow's direction: opposing vehicles and pedestrians get red. Still glance for red-light runners before committing.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Green Arrow, p. 8212 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Amber lights flash irregularly at a mid-block crosswalk beacon. You must:
- ✓ Stop for pedestrians while the beacon is flashing
- · Slow down but keep rolling
- · Ignore it unless a signal turns red
- · Treat it as a broken signal and continue
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons are activated by pedestrians at crosswalks without full signals. Flashing = you must stop for the pedestrians crossing.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Rapid Flashing Beacon, p. 8213 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon shows NO lights at all. You should:
- ✓ Proceed with caution — it only activates when a pedestrian uses it
- · Stop and wait for a green
- · Treat it as a stop sign
- · Stop and wait until a light appears
Dark = proceed with caution. Flashing yellow = slow down; solid yellow = prepare to stop; solid red = stop for pedestrians; flashing red = stop, then proceed with caution when clear.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon, p. 8214 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
FLUORESCENT YELLOW-GREEN signs warn of:
- ✓ School zones, bicycles, pedestrians, and curves
- · Construction zones
- · Evacuation routes
- · Snowmobile crossings
The bright yellow-green family covers school zone, bicycle, pedestrian, and curve warnings. Orange is construction; fluorescent pink marks incident management.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signs, p. 8315 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
BLUE road signs point you toward:
- ✓ Motorist services — gas, food, hotels — and evacuation routes
- · Recreational and scenic areas
- · Regulatory rules
Blue = motorist services and evacuation routes. Brown = recreational, historic, or scenic sites. Green = directions and destinations.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signs, p. 8316 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
A ROUND yellow sign always means:
- ✓ Railroad crossing ahead
- · Sharp curve
- · School zone
Round = railroad crossing ahead: slow down and prepare to stop. The white X-shaped crossbuck marks the crossing itself, with the number of tracks posted beneath it.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Sign Shapes, p. 8517 · PAVEMENT MARKINGS
A white DIAMOND painted in a travel lane means:
- ✓ The lane is restricted — HOV or bus only
- · The lane ends ahead
- · A hospital zone
- · A left-turn-only lane
The diamond marks special lane restrictions like "high occupancy vehicle only" or "bus only." Don't drive in restricted lanes except when preparing to turn.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Words and Symbols, p. 9118 · PAVEMENT MARKINGS
GREEN pavement at an intersection tells you:
- ✓ Bicycles may cross here — look for them, and don't stop on it at a red light
- · It's an eco-friendly low-emission lane
- · Landscaping ahead
- · Parking is free in marked green areas
Green pavement marks potential bike/car conflict areas. Look for bicyclists before crossing it, and at a red light, stop before it — not on it. (Red pavement = bus and transit lanes.)
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Green Pavement, p. 9119 · PAVEMENT MARKINGS
A row of painted triangles across your lane is:
- ✓ A yield line — be ready to give way where indicated
- · Decorative crosswalk art
- · A no-stopping zone
Triangles = yield line, found at yield-sign intersections and some crosswalks. When a stop is required, stop BEHIND the stop line, yield line, or crosswalk.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Stop Lines and Crosswalks, p. 9120 · PAVEMENT MARKINGS
A "sharrow" (bicycle with chevrons painted in your lane) means:
- ✓ The lane is shared with bicyclists — expect them and leave room when passing
- · Bikes are prohibited in this lane
- · A separated bike lane begins ahead
- · Bicycles must leave the lane when cars approach
Sharrows help bicyclists position safely in a shared lane — away from opening car doors. See one, expect bikes in the lane, and leave enough space when passing. It is NOT a bike-lane marking.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Shared Lane Markings, p. 9121 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
At this sign you must:
- ✓ Come to a complete halt, yield, and go only when safe — even with no traffic in sight
- · Slow down and proceed if the way looks clear
- · Stop only when other vehicles are present
- · Yield without stopping if you can see clearly in all directions
A STOP sign always means a complete halt — before the crosswalk or stop line if one is painted. Just slowing down is not enough, and it applies to every vehicle at the sign.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Stop and Yield Signs, p. 8622 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
This sign means:
- ✓ Slow down, be prepared to stop, and let vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians go first
- · Stop completely, always
- · You have the right-of-way over cross traffic
- · Merge at highway speed without slowing
YIELD: slow down and be prepared to stop, letting others go before you proceed — and come to a complete stop if traffic conditions require it.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Stop and Yield Signs, p. 8623 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
You see this sign facing you at a road entrance. It means:
- ✓ The road is closed to traffic in your direction — do not drive in
- · No parking beyond this point
- · Trucks prohibited
- · One-way traffic ahead in your direction
DO NOT ENTER guards one-way roads, exit ramps, and closed roads against entry from your direction. Driving past it puts you head-on into traffic.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Regulatory Signs, p. 8424 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
You've turned onto a road and this sign faces you. You should:
- ✓ Pull over immediately — you are driving against traffic — and turn around when safe
- · Continue to the next intersection and exit
- · Speed up to reach the end of the road sooner
- · The exit ramp ahead is closed for repairs
WRONG WAY confirms you've entered a road against the flow of traffic — usually paired with DO NOT ENTER. Get out of the travel lane immediately and turn around when it's safe.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Regulatory Signs, p. 84 (companion to DO NOT ENTER; sign itself not pictured in manual)25 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
This sign tells you:
- ✓ Traffic on this road moves only in the direction of the arrow
- · Passing is allowed only on the arrow side
- · The road curves in the arrow's direction
- · You must turn in the arrow's direction at the next intersection
ONE WAY: all traffic flows in the arrow's direction. Remember: you may turn left on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Regulatory Signs, p. 8426 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
This sign means 50 mph is:
- ✓ The maximum in ideal conditions — you must go slower when conditions are poor
- · The required minimum speed
- · A suggestion, not a law
- · The advised speed for trucks only
Posted limits assume ideal conditions. In rain, snow, fog, or heavy traffic, the fundamental speed law requires you to slow below the posted number — 40 mph in a heavy rainstorm here could still earn a ticket.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Speed Limits, p. 7927 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
The color and shape of this sign tell you to expect:
- ✓ A work zone ahead — slow down and watch for workers and devices
- · A school crossing
- · A hospital zone
- · A detour requiring all traffic to exit
Orange diamonds warn of construction and maintenance ahead. First move at any work zone: SLOW DOWN — and remember speeding fines are doubled in posted work zones (Ch. 3, p. 57).
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Work Zones, p. 8728 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
This five-sided fluorescent yellow-green sign marks:
- ✓ A school zone or school crossing — expect children, 20 mph when posted
- · A pedestrian mall
- · A playground parking area
- · A railroad station crossing
The pentagon shape is reserved for school zones and crossings. School zone limits are 20 mph, sometimes with flashing lights or posted hours — watch for safety patrols and crossing guards.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Sign Shapes, p. 8529 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
Where this sign is posted:
- ✓ You may not make a U-turn, even if the road is clear
- · U-turns are allowed only at night
- · Left turns are prohibited
- · No left turns of any kind
A red circle and slash means the pictured movement is prohibited. NO U-TURN posts override the usual rule that U-turns are legal where your path is clear and visible for 500 feet.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Regulatory Signs, p. 8430 · TRAFFIC SIGNS
This white X-shaped sign marks:
- ✓ The exact point where train tracks cross the road — stop at least 15 feet back if lights flash
- · A pedestrian crossing
- · A no-passing zone
- · A crossing guard station
The crossbuck stands where the tracks cross; a number posted beneath tells you how many tracks. If the lights flash or the gate lowers, stop at least 15 feet before it and never drive around a lowered gate.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Railroad Crossings, p. 8631 · PAVEMENT MARKINGS
True or false: You may drive in a bicycle lane to get around a car waiting to turn left.
- · True
- ✓ False
False. Motor vehicles may only drive in a bicycle lane when turning on or off the road — and before crossing one, you must look carefully for bicyclists.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Bicycle Lanes, p. 9132 · TRAFFIC SIGNALS
True or false: A steady green light means you may proceed immediately without yielding to anyone.
- · True
- ✓ False
False. Green means go — but first you must yield to vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians still in the intersection, and enter only if there's room to make it completely through.
📖 MA Manual · Ch. 4 · Traffic Signals, p. 81Sample content — verify against the current MA Driver's Manual before relying on it.