Mississippi: 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 "Mississippi Driver's License Manual" (Revised December 2024), Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Service Bureau.
All 18 questions in this practice test
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What style is the U.S. currently converting to for traffic signs?
- An international style using pictures and symbols
- A national style that uses only written words
- A style that uses only colors, without any shapes
- A local style that each state designs on its own
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Correct answer: An international style using pictures and symbols
The U.S. is converting to an international style that uses pictures and symbols rather than words.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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How many standard shapes and standard colors do signs have?
- Six shapes and eight colors
- Eight shapes and ten colors
- Eight shapes and eight colors
- Ten shapes and six colors
Show answer
Correct answer: Eight shapes and eight colors
Signs have eight standard shapes and eight standard colors, and each has a specific meaning.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What does the color red on a traffic device mean?
- General warning
- Motorist services guidance
- Stop
- Public recreation and scenic guidance
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Correct answer: Stop
If you see red on a traffic device, you must stop.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which meaning belongs to the color green on a sign?
- Directional guidance and permitted movement
- Public recreation and scenic guidance
- Construction or maintenance warning
- Motorist services guidance
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Correct answer: Directional guidance and permitted movement
Green is the color for directional guidance and permitted movement.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which meaning belongs to the color yellow on a sign?
- Motorist services guidance
- Public recreation and scenic guidance
- Directional guidance and permitted movement
- General warning
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Correct answer: General warning
Yellow is the color for general warning.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which meaning belongs to the color blue on a sign?
- General warning
- Motorist services guidance
- Regulation
- Construction or maintenance warning
Show answer
Correct answer: Motorist services guidance
Blue is the color for motorist services guidance.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Black and white on a sign stand for what?
- Regulation
- General warning
- Construction or maintenance warning
- Public recreation and scenic guidance
Show answer
Correct answer: Regulation
Black and white are the colors for regulation.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which meaning belongs to the color orange on a sign?
- General warning
- Motorist services guidance
- Construction or maintenance warning
- Directional guidance and permitted movement
Show answer
Correct answer: Construction or maintenance warning
Orange is the color for construction or maintenance warning.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which meaning belongs to the color brown on a sign?
- Motorist services guidance
- Public recreation and scenic guidance
- Construction or maintenance warning
- Directional guidance and permitted movement
Show answer
Correct answer: Public recreation and scenic guidance
Brown is the color for public recreation and scenic guidance.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which sign shape is used exclusively for STOP signs?
- Pentagon
- Diamond
- Equilateral triangle
- Octagon
Show answer
Correct answer: Octagon
The octagon is used exclusively for STOP signs.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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A sign is a horizontal rectangle. What kind of sign is this shape usually used for?
- Regulatory signs
- School crossing signs
- Railroad crossing warning signs
- Guide signs
Show answer
Correct answer: Guide signs
A horizontal rectangle is usually used for guide signs.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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Which sign shape is used exclusively for YIELD signs?
- Octagon
- Equilateral triangle
- Pennant
- Pentagon
Show answer
Correct answer: Equilateral triangle
The equilateral triangle is used exclusively for YIELD signs.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What does a pennant-shaped sign (a long, sideways triangle) warn of?
- A school zone ahead
- A railroad crossing ahead
- A no passing zone ahead
- A hazard on the roadway
Show answer
Correct answer: A no passing zone ahead
A pennant-shaped sign warns of a no passing zone ahead.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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A sign is shaped like a diamond. What is this shape used exclusively for?
- Warning of a hazard on or next to the roadway
- Giving directions on a highway or interstate
- Marking a school crossing or school zone
- Showing the posted speed limit of the road
Show answer
Correct answer: Warning of a hazard on or next to the roadway
The diamond shape is used exclusively to warn of an existing or possible hazard on or adjacent to the roadway.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What kind of sign is a vertical rectangle usually used for?
- Guide signs, such as exit signs
- Regulatory signs, such as speed limits
- Railroad crossing warning signs
- Motorist services guidance signs
Show answer
Correct answer: Regulatory signs, such as speed limits
A vertical rectangle is usually used for regulatory signs, such as speed limits.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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A sign is shaped like a pentagon (five sides, like a house). What is this shape used for?
- Warning of a railroad crossing ahead
- Warning that a no passing zone is ahead of you
- Guiding drivers to motorist services and rest areas
- School crossing signs and warning of school zones ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: School crossing signs and warning of school zones ahead
The pentagon shape is used for school crossing signs and for warning of school zones ahead.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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A round sign warns of what?
- A railroad crossing ahead
- A school zone ahead
- A no passing zone ahead
- Construction ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead
The round shape is used for warning of a railroad crossing ahead.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 27 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 27)
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What color are the letters or symbols on work zone signs, which are generally orange?
- White
- Black
- Red
- Yellow
Show answer
Correct answer: Black
The manual says work zone signs are generally orange with black letters or symbols.
Source: Mississippi Driver's License Manual (Revised December 2024), page 33 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 33)