North Carolina: Sign shapes and colors Practice Test
What a sign shape and color tell you before you read it.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "North Carolina Driver Handbook" (Revised May 2025), North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).
All 14 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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Which sign shape is used for stop signs only?
- Pentagon (five-sided)
- Octagon (eight-sided)
- Diamond
- Circle
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Correct answer: Octagon (eight-sided)
The manual says the octagonal shape is used for stop signs only.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 83 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 83)
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What colors does a stop sign have?
- A black word on a yellow background
- A red word on a white background
- A white word on a black background
- A white word on a red background
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Correct answer: A white word on a red background
The word STOP is printed in white on a red background.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 83 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 83)
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What is the shape of a yield sign?
- Triangle with the point at the bottom
- Triangle with the point at the top
- Octagon with a red border
- Rectangle turned on its side
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Correct answer: Triangle with the point at the bottom
A yield sign is triangular with the point at the bottom.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 83 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 83)
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What do rectangular and square-shaped signs that are normally black and white or red and white show?
- Railroad crossings and school zones
- Distances to nearby cities
- Construction and maintenance areas
- Speed limits and other regulations
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Correct answer: Speed limits and other regulations
Rectangular and square signs in these colors show speed limits and other regulations.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 83 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 83)
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What colors are diamond-shaped caution or warning signs normally?
- White on green
- Black on white
- White on red
- Black on yellow
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Correct answer: Black on yellow
Diamond-shaped warning signs are normally black on yellow.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 84 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 84)
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What do black-on-orange diamond-shaped signs warn of?
- Conditions for construction or maintenance areas
- An approaching railroad crossing and its warning devices
- A school zone or school crossing where children are present
- The location of nearby hospitals and Highway Patrol stations
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Correct answer: Conditions for construction or maintenance areas
Black-on-orange diamond signs warn of construction or maintenance areas.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 84 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 84)
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What shape is the sign that warns of a school zone or school crossing?
- Octagon
- Diamond
- Pentagon
- Circle
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Correct answer: Pentagon
A five-sided pentagon sign warns of a school zone or school crossing.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 85)
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What is the shape of route markers for U.S. highways?
- Diamond
- Rectangle
- Shield
- Circle
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Correct answer: Shield
Route markers for U.S. highways are shaped like a shield.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 85)
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Which route markers are diamond shaped?
- U.S. highway route markers
- North Carolina route markers
- N.C. secondary road signs
- Interstate highway markers
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Correct answer: North Carolina route markers
North Carolina route markers are diamond shaped.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 85)
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What is the shape of N.C. secondary road signs?
- Shield
- Diamond
- Circular
- Rectangular
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Correct answer: Rectangular
N.C. secondary road signs are rectangular.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 85)
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How are Interstate highways marked?
- By a red, white and blue shield
- By a green diamond
- By a blue and white rectangle
- By a black and white circle
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Correct answer: By a red, white and blue shield
Interstate highways are marked by a red, white and blue shield.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 85)
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What colors are signs indicating a nearby hospital, Highway Patrol station or telephone?
- Green and white
- Red and white
- Blue and white
- Black and yellow
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Correct answer: Blue and white
Signs for a nearby hospital, Highway Patrol station or telephone are blue and white.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 85)
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Which colors may guide signs be?
- Red, yellow or orange
- Green, brown or blue
- Black, white or red
- Orange, gray or purple
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Correct answer: Green, brown or blue
Guide signs are rectangular and may be green, brown or blue.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 85 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 85)
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Into how many types are traffic signs divided in the manual?
- Two
- Four
- Three
- Five
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Correct answer: Three
The manual divides traffic signs into three types: regulatory, warning and guide/informational.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 83 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 83)