Indiana: Sign shapes and colors Practice Test
What the shape and background 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 "Indiana Driver’s Manual" (July 2026), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
All 21 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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How many background colors are commonly used for traffic signs?
- Five
- Nine
- Seven
- Twelve
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Correct answer: Seven
The manual states that seven colors are commonly used for signs.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which kind of traffic sign conveys regulations that require drivers to take immediate action to avoid threats to traffic safety?
- Orange signs
- Red signs
- Blue signs
- Brown signs
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Correct answer: Red signs
Red traffic signs convey regulations that require immediate action to avoid threats to traffic safety.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What background color does a "Wrong Way" sign have?
- Yellow
- Orange
- Blue
- Red
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Correct answer: Red
The manual gives the "Wrong Way" sign as its example of a sign with a red background.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Signs with a yellow or fluorescent yellow-green background prepare drivers for what?
- Specific road conditions and hazards ahead
- Temporary conditions at highway construction projects
- Road services and information at an upcoming exit
- Nearby recreational and cultural interest sites
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Correct answer: Specific road conditions and hazards ahead
Yellow or fluorescent yellow-green signs prepare drivers for specific road conditions and hazards ahead.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Fluorescent yellow-green signs warn drivers of what?
- Highway construction and maintenance projects
- Distances to upcoming destinations
- Nearby schools, playgrounds, and school bus routes
- Services available at an upcoming exit
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Correct answer: Nearby schools, playgrounds, and school bus routes
The manual says fluorescent yellow-green signs warn of nearby schools, pedestrians, bicycles, playgrounds, and school bus routes.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Traffic signs with which background color display regulations such as speed limits that drivers must obey?
- Green
- White
- Brown
- Blue
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Correct answer: White
White traffic signs display traffic regulations, such as speed limits, that drivers must obey.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which sign background color is used to warn drivers of temporary traffic conditions?
- Green
- Blue
- Brown
- Orange
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Correct answer: Orange
Orange signs warn drivers of temporary traffic conditions, often due to construction and maintenance projects.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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A sign that shows the distance to upcoming destinations has which background color?
- Green
- Blue
- Brown
- Orange
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Correct answer: Green
The manual says a sign showing distance is an example of a traffic sign with a green background.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What do blue traffic signs display?
- Nearby recreational and cultural interest sites
- Temporary traffic conditions ahead
- Road services and information
- Rules that drivers must obey immediately
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Correct answer: Road services and information
Blue traffic signs display road services and information.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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A sign showing a nearby state park has which background color?
- Blue
- Brown
- Green
- White
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Correct answer: Brown
Brown traffic signs indicate nearby recreational and cultural interest sites such as a state park.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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How many common shapes are used for traffic signs?
- Four
- Five
- Nine
- Seven
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Correct answer: Seven
The manual says there are seven common shapes used for traffic signs.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What do circular traffic signs alert drivers to?
- Upcoming railroad crossings
- A school zone ahead
- A sharp curve in the roadway
- An intersection where they must yield
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Correct answer: Upcoming railroad crossings
Circular traffic signs alert drivers to upcoming railroad crossings.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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A traffic sign with three sides of equal length warns drivers to do what?
- Stop completely before entering any intersection ahead
- Never pass other vehicles on the left side of the road
- Slow down and be ready to stop and yield at an intersection
- Watch for children crossing the road near a school
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Correct answer: Slow down and be ready to stop and yield at an intersection
Equilateral triangle signs warn drivers to slow down when approaching an intersection and be prepared to come to a complete stop to yield.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What do pennant-shaped traffic signs warn drivers not to do?
- Turn left at the next intersection
- Pass other vehicles on the left
- Park along the left edge of the road
- Drive into a school zone
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Correct answer: Pass other vehicles on the left
Pennant-shaped signs are posted on the left-hand side of two-way roads to warn drivers not to pass other vehicles on the left.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which sign shape may convey regulations such as speed limits and turn prohibitions like "No Left Turn"?
- Diamond-shaped
- Equilateral triangle
- Five-sided
- Rectangular
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Correct answer: Rectangular
Rectangular signs may convey traffic regulations that drivers must obey, such as speed limits and turn movement prohibitions.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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A rectangular destination sign gives drivers what information?
- The direction to the next town
- The advisory speed for a sharp curve
- Where road services are located
- The location of a railroad crossing
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Correct answer: The direction to the next town
Rectangular signs may provide helpful information such as destination signs that give the direction to the next town.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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An advisory speed sign for a sharp curve is often posted with which type of sign?
- A circular railroad warning sign
- A pennant-shaped no-passing sign
- A diamond-shaped warning sign
- An eight-sided stop sign
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Correct answer: A diamond-shaped warning sign
The manual says an advisory speed sign is often posted with a diamond-shaped warning sign.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which sign shape warns drivers of upcoming road conditions and hazards, such as a slippery road?
- Circular
- Diamond-shaped
- Pennant-shaped
- Eight-sided
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Correct answer: Diamond-shaped
Diamond-shaped traffic signs warn drivers of upcoming road conditions and hazards.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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A five-sided traffic sign warns drivers that they are entering what?
- A work zone where flaggers direct traffic
- An area with a railroad crossing ahead
- A zone where passing on the left is not allowed
- An area near a school where children may cross the road
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Correct answer: An area near a school where children may cross the road
Five-sided traffic signs warn drivers that they are entering an area near a school in which children may be crossing the road.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What does an eight-sided traffic sign warn drivers they must do?
- Stop and yield the appropriate right of way at an intersection
- Slow down and be ready to yield only to crossing pedestrians
- Slow down for a school zone and watch for children there
- Stay out of the lane because it is restricted for others
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Correct answer: Stop and yield the appropriate right of way at an intersection
Eight-sided traffic signs warn drivers that they must stop and yield the appropriate right of way at an intersection.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What shape and color is the “No Passing Zone” sign posted on the left-hand side of the road?
- A red octagon
- A yellow diamond
- An orange square
- A yellow pennant
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Correct answer: A yellow pennant
The manual describes the “No Passing Zone” sign as yellow and pennant-shaped, posted on the left-hand side of the road.
Source: Indiana Driver’s Manual (July 2026), page 38 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 38)