Alabama: Sign shapes and colors Practice Test
What the shape and color of a traffic sign tell you before you can read it.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Alabama Driver Manual" (November 2024), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division.
All 17 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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What does the manual say the shapes and colors of signs are coded to?
- The posted speed limit of the road
- The distance to the next town
- The sign’s type of message
- The type of vehicle allowed to use the road
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Correct answer: The sign’s type of message
The manual says it is important to recognize shapes and colors because both are coded to the sign’s type of message.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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Which sign shape does the manual show for a STOP sign?
- A downward-pointing triangle
- A circle
- An eight-sided octagon
- A five-sided pentagon
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Correct answer: An eight-sided octagon
The manual’s sign shapes chart shows the STOP sign as a red octagon.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A round yellow sign stands for which type of sign in the manual’s sign shapes chart?
- Railroad warning
- School warning
- No passing zone
- Slow moving vehicle
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Correct answer: Railroad warning
The shapes chart labels the yellow circle as the railroad warning sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A yellow sign shaped like a house with a pointed top and straight sides (a five-sided pentagon) stands for which type of sign?
- Railroad warning
- No passing zone
- Construction
- School warning
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Correct answer: School warning
The shapes chart labels the yellow five-sided sign as the school warning sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A yellow pennant-shaped sign (a long triangle pointing sideways) stands for which type of sign?
- School warning
- No passing zone
- Yield right of way
- Slow moving vehicle
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Correct answer: No passing zone
The shapes chart labels the yellow sideways triangle as the no passing zone sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A red and white triangle pointing downward stands for which type of sign?
- Yield right of way
- Stop
- Construction
- No passing zone
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Correct answer: Yield right of way
The shapes chart labels the downward-pointing triangle as the yield right of way sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A diamond-shaped sign in orange stands for which type of sign in the manual’s chart?
- Railroad warning
- Regulatory
- Construction
- School warning
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Correct answer: Construction
The shapes chart labels the orange diamond as the construction sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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An orange triangle with a red border stands for which type of sign in the chart?
- Yield right of way
- Slow moving vehicle
- Construction
- No passing zone
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Correct answer: Slow moving vehicle
The shapes chart labels the orange triangle with a red border as the slow moving vehicle sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A green rectangle (wider than it is tall) stands for which type of sign in the chart?
- Regulatory
- Warning
- Construction
- Informational
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Correct answer: Informational
The shapes chart labels the green rectangle as the informational or guidance sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A white rectangle that is taller than it is wide stands for which type of sign in the chart?
- Informational
- Warning
- Regulatory
- Slow moving vehicle
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Correct answer: Regulatory
The shapes chart labels the white upright rectangle as the regulatory sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What colors are regulatory signs?
- Black and white, except those shown in actual color
- Black and yellow, except those shown in actual color
- Black and orange, except those used on freeways
- White and green, except those shown in actual color
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Correct answer: Black and white, except those shown in actual color
The manual says regulatory signs are black and white with the exception of those shown in actual color, and they must be obeyed.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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What colors are warning signs?
- Black and orange, with black and yellow used in construction areas
- Black and yellow, with black and orange used in construction areas
- Black and white, with black and yellow used in construction areas
- Red and white, with black and orange used in construction areas
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Correct answer: Black and yellow, with black and orange used in construction areas
The manual says warning signs are black and yellow, except those used in construction areas, which are black and orange.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 44 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 44)
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Which signs use fluorescent yellow?
- Railroad crossings and no passing zones
- Construction areas and detours
- Pedestrian crossings and school zones
- Fire stations and truck crossings
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Correct answer: Pedestrian crossings and school zones
The manual says fluorescent yellow indicates pedestrian crossings and school zones.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 44 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 44)
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What shape are warning signs usually?
- Octagon
- Diamond
- Circle
- Vertical rectangle
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Correct answer: Diamond
The manual says warning signs are usually diamond shaped, but there are some exceptions.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 44 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 44)
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What colors are guide signs that give motorist directions?
- Blue and white
- Brown and white
- Black and white
- Green and white
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Correct answer: Green and white
Guide signs are green and white for motorist directions.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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What colors are guide signs that show services?
- Green and white
- Blue and white
- Brown and white
- Red and white
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Correct answer: Blue and white
Guide signs are blue and white for services.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)
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What colors are guide signs for points of public recreational or cultural interest?
- Green and white
- Blue and white
- Brown and white
- Yellow and black
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Correct answer: Brown and white
Guide signs are brown and white for points of public recreational or cultural interest.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 51 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 51)