Minnesota: Sign shapes and colors Practice Test
What the shape and background color of a traffic sign tell you before you can read it.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Minnesota Driver’s Manual" (June 2026), Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services.
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.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
What does the color red mean on a regulatory sign?
- Prohibits and commands
- Warns of possible hazards
- Describes services for motorists
- Indicates historic sites
Show answer
Correct answer: Prohibits and commands
Red on regulatory signs prohibits and commands.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
What does the color white mean on a regulatory sign?
- Warns of possible hazards
- Guides and informs drivers
- Regulates
- Describes services for motorists
Show answer
Correct answer: Regulates
White on regulatory signs regulates.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
What is the general meaning of a yellow sign?
- Regulates
- Warns
- Guides and informs
- Prohibits and commands
Show answer
Correct answer: Warns
Yellow signs warn drivers.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Which sign color warns and controls in pedestrian and bicycle crossings and school areas?
- Orange
- Brown
- Blue
- Yellow-green
Show answer
Correct answer: Yellow-green
Yellow-green signs warn and control in pedestrian and bicycle crossings and school areas.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Which sign color warns and controls in construction zones?
- Orange
- Yellow-green
- Green
- Brown
Show answer
Correct answer: Orange
Orange signs warn and control in construction zones.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Which sign color guides and informs?
- Red
- White
- Green
- Orange
Show answer
Correct answer: Green
Green signs guide and inform drivers.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Which sign color describes services for motorists?
- Green
- Blue
- Yellow
- Red
Show answer
Correct answer: Blue
Blue signs describe services for motorists.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Which sign color indicates historic, cultural or recreational sites?
- Blue
- Green
- Orange
- Brown
Show answer
Correct answer: Brown
Brown signs indicate historic, cultural or recreational sites.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Which shape does the manual show for a red STOP sign in its list of common shapes?
- Octagon
- Pentagon
- Triangle
- Diamond
Show answer
Correct answer: Octagon
The manual lists the shape of the STOP sign as an octagon.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Which shape does the manual show for a red and white YIELD sign in its list of common shapes?
- Octagon
- Pentagon
- Triangle
- Rectangle
Show answer
Correct answer: Triangle
The manual lists the shape of the YIELD sign as a triangle.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
Why are the shapes and colors of signs coded?
- To show which agency put the sign up, even before you can read it up close
- To give you a general idea of what a sign means, even before you can read it up close
- To tell you how far away a hazard is, even before you can read it up close
- To help you remember the posted speed limit, even before you can read the sign
Show answer
Correct answer: To give you a general idea of what a sign means, even before you can read it up close
Shapes and colors are coded so that you get a general idea of the sign’s meaning before you can read it up close.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 56
-
What color are most warning signs?
- Orange
- Blue
- White
- Yellow
Show answer
Correct answer: Yellow
Most warning signs are yellow.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 59
-
Which warning signs may be yellow or fluorescent yellow-green?
- Pedestrian or bicycle crossing signs and school zone signs
- Stop signs and yield signs
- Railroad crossing signs and low clearance bridge signs
- Curve and winding road signs
Show answer
Correct answer: Pedestrian or bicycle crossing signs and school zone signs
Pedestrian or bicycle crossing signs and school zone signs may be yellow or fluorescent yellow-green.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 59
-
What shape are school zone warning signs?
- Octagon
- Diamond
- Pentagon
- Circle
Show answer
Correct answer: Pentagon
School zone warning signs are pentagon-shaped.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 60
-
What do brown signs point out?
- Historic sites, parks and other points of interest
- Exits, distances to cities and street names
- Telephones, gas, food, motels and hospitals
- Restricted lanes, detours and road work hazards
Show answer
Correct answer: Historic sites, parks and other points of interest
Brown signs point out historic sites, parks and other points of interest.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 64
-
What do blue signs direct you to?
- Exits, distances to cities and street names
- Historic sites, parks and other points of interest
- Services such as gas, food, motels, hospitals and rest areas
- Restricted lanes, detours and road work hazards
Show answer
Correct answer: Services such as gas, food, motels, hospitals and rest areas
Blue signs direct you to services such as telephones, gas, food, motels, hospitals and rest areas.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 65
-
What do green signs indicate?
- Telephones, gas, food, motels and hospitals ahead
- Exits, distances to cities and street or route names
- Historic sites, parks and other points of interest
- Restricted lanes, detours and road work hazards
Show answer
Correct answer: Exits, distances to cities and street or route names
Green signs indicate exits, distance to cities, interstate interchanges, street or route names and bicycle routes.
Source: Minnesota Driver’s Manual (June 2026), page 65