Warning signs
Stop Ahead sign
There is a stop sign ahead. Be ready to stop.
What it looks like
Yellow diamond with a small red eight-sided shape above a black arrow.
- Type
- Warning
- Federal design code
- MUTCD W3-1
From real handbooks
How permit tests ask about it
17 of our verified questions in 17 states show this sign. A few of them, each from a different handbook where we can:
1.What does this sign warn you about?
- AA yield sign ahead
- BA traffic signal ahead
- CA one-way street ahead
- DA stop sign ahead
Show the answer
✓ D. A stop sign ahead
A yellow diamond with a small red octagon and an arrow warns of a stop sign ahead. Be ready to stop.
2.What does this sign warn you about?
- AA railroad crossing ahead
- BA traffic signal ahead
- CA STOP sign ahead
- DA yield sign ahead
Show the answer
✓ C. A STOP sign ahead
This warning sign means there is a STOP sign ahead; be ready to stop.
3.What does this warning sign mean?
- AStop right now
- BThe road comes to an end
- CA stop sign is ahead
- DA yield sign is ahead
Show the answer
✓ C. A stop sign is ahead
This is the symbol form of the STOP AHEAD sign. It is placed well before a stop sign when a curve or other objects block your view of it.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 86