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Iowa permit test: road signs

Sign colors and shapes, regulatory and warning signs, guide and route signs, railroad crossings and work-zone signs and devices. 37 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember10 key road signs rulesShow the rules
  1. Orange signs warn of road work, temporary traffic control and maintenance. (p. 6)
  2. Fluorescent yellow-green is used for pedestrian, bicycle and school warning signs. (p. 6)
  3. The equilateral triangle shape means yield the right of way. (p. 7)
  4. Pentagon signs mark school areas and school crossings. (p. 7)
  5. A one-way sign means traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow. (p. 8)
  6. A red circle with a red slash means you cannot do what the symbol shows, such as no left turn or no U-turn. (p. 8)
  7. When a divided highway ends, two-way traffic is no longer separated by a center strip, so watch for oncoming vehicles. (p. 9)
  8. Two lanes will soon become one. (p. 9)
  9. Yellow is the color for general warning signs. (p. 9)
  10. The road ahead becomes slippery in wet weather. (p. 9)

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample road signs questions

  1. 1.What does a red traffic sign usually tell you to do?

    • AStop, yield or do what it shows
    • BWatch for road work ahead
    • CFollow a route to a park
    • DLook for food and fuel
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Stop, yield or do what it shows

    Red signs mean stop, yield, or do what the sign shows.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 6

  2. 2.What should you be ready for when you see this sign?

    • AA railroad crossing ahead
    • BA school bus stop ahead
    • CA lane for buses only
    • DAn intersection with a stop light
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. An intersection with a stop light

    This sign is used on higher-speed roads. Be ready for an intersection and a stop light.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 9

  3. 3.Where are you most likely to see this sign?

    DO NOTENTER
    • AAt exit ramps you must not enter
    • BAt the start of a school zone
    • CBefore a steep downhill grade
    • DAt the end of a divided highway
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. At exit ramps you must not enter

    This sign marks road openings you must not enter, such as exit ramps, crossovers on divided roads and one-way roads.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 8

  4. 4.Most warning signs are yellow. What color might a sign warning of a school crossing ahead be?

    • ABrown, like a park sign
    • BOrange, like a work zone sign
    • CBlue, like a service sign
    • DFluorescent yellow-green or yellow
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Fluorescent yellow-green or yellow

    School warning signs use fluorescent yellow-green, but the handbook notes the advance school crossing sign may also be yellow.

    Source: Iowa Driver's License Manual (Complete Book) (back cover 'M M1170 07/23/2026'), page 9