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Tennessee permit test: road signs

Sign colors and shapes, regulatory, warning, work-zone, guide and route signs, channeling devices and the slow-moving vehicle emblem. 30 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. Drivers must obey police, construction workers and crossing guards directing traffic, even when their directions differ from the signals and signs. (p. 49, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  2. Orange backgrounds are used only for construction and maintenance signs. (p. 49, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  3. Blue signs direct you to motorist services, including rest areas and police services. (p. 49, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  4. Brown signs guide you to public recreation areas and places of cultural interest. (p. 49, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  5. The round sign always means a railroad grade crossing is ahead. (p. 50, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  6. At a yield sign, if you are sure no cars are coming you need not stop, but you must slow down and enter with caution. (p. 50, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  7. The ALL WAY plaque under a stop sign means every direction of traffic must stop at that intersection. (p. 50, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  8. Diamond-shaped signs warn of hazards or unexpected conditions and usually call for caution and slower speed. (p. 50, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  9. Curve signs mark curves with recommended speeds between 30 and 55 mph. (p. 52, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  10. Reverse turn signs mark two turns in opposite directions that are less than 600 feet apart. (p. 52, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))

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 this red, white and blue shield show?

    INTERSTATE95
    • AA scenic byway
    • BAn interstate highway route
    • CA U.S. highway route
    • DA state secondary route
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. An interstate highway route

    Blue and red shields mark interstate routes, part of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 54

  2. 2.A police officer directs you to drive through a red light. What should you do?

    • AFollow the officer's directions
    • BHonk and point at the light
    • CWait for the light to turn green
    • DTurn right to avoid the officer
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. Follow the officer's directions

    Drivers must obey police, construction workers and crossing guards directing traffic, even when their directions differ from the signals and signs.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 49

  3. 3.What does this sign mean?

    DO NOTENTER
    • ASlow down and enter with care
    • BDo not enter from your direction
    • CEnter only to turn left
    • DStop first, then enter
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Do not enter from your direction

    This sign marks a one-way street or ramp you must not enter from the direction you are traveling.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 51

  4. 4.A red rectangle saying ALL WAY is mounted under a stop sign. What does it mean?

    ALL WAY
    • AOnly trucks and buses must stop
    • BYou may turn right without stopping
    • CAll traffic approaching must stop
    • DThe road ahead becomes one-way
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. All traffic approaching must stop

    The ALL WAY plaque under a stop sign means every direction of traffic must stop at that intersection.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 50