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Oregon Driver Manual - Section 1: Signs and Traffic Signals

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You must obey all official signs, signals, and markings unless you see a police officer or road worker redirecting traffic.

Signs

Signs often use symbols or pictures rather than words. Each type of sign has a special color and shape to help you easily recognize the sign at a glance.

Regulatory Signs—Prohibitive

Traffic signs that prohibit certain actions or movements are red in color and increase safety by controlling the flow of traffic through intersections.

Stop—Octagon

This sign means you must come to a complete stop. Yield to other vehicles and stop and stay stopped for pedestrians crossing in marked or unmarked crosswalks. When it is safe, you may enter the intersection.


Yield—Triangle

This sign means you should reduce speed and yield right of way. If needed, stop the same as you would for a stop sign.


Do Not Enter—Square

This sign warns you not to enter a road or freeway. You will see this sign if you are going the wrong way. Study For Your Tests


 

The signs below prohibit certain actions. When you see a sign with a red circle and a slash mark, it means do not make the turn shown.

No_Turns.png

Regulatory Signs—Other

Regulatory signs are rectangular with black words or symbols on a white background and tell you what to do. They are posted at or near where the requirement applies. Not all regulatory signs are shown here.


Speed Limit

This indicates the maximum speed in miles per hour. Signs may be electronic and may change based on current conditions.


One Way

Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.



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Right Turn Permitted Without Stopping

This sign may appear below a stop sign. Traffic turning right may turn without stopping. Other traffic must stop and yield right of way.



Lane-Use Control

These signs are used where turns are required or permitted from lanes as shown.



Keep Right

A traffic island, median or obstruction divides the road ahead. Keep to the right.




Center Lane Turn Only

Share the center lane for left turns from both directions




Do Not Pass

This sign indicates that you may not pass.




No Turn on Red

You may not turn during the red light. You must wait for the signal to turn green.




High Occupancy Vehicle

The lane is reserved for vehicles carrying at least two or more persons as noted on the sign. A white diamond may be painted on the lane.


Warning Signs

Warning signs are yellow and alert you to known possible hazards or a change in road conditions ahead. As a driver, you are ultimately responsible for recognizing and reacting correctly to changing conditions, signed or not. Not all warning signs are shown here.

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Pedestrian Crossing

Be alert for people crossing your path. These signs may include a flashing yellow beacon that indicates a pedestrian is crossing, has recently crossed or is about to cross.


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Multiuse Path Crossing

Bicyclists and pedestrians regularly cross the road in the area.



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Curve

There is a curve ahead.


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Sharp Turn

There is a sharp turn in the road ahead.


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Chevron

A sharp curve or change in the direction of the road is at the sign.


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Winding Road

The road contains a series of turns or curves.


W1-4_Reversing_pg 10.png
Reversing Curves

The road ahead curves to the right, then left.


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Crossroad

A four-way intersection is ahead. Cross traffic may enter the road.


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Side Road

A “T” intersection is ahead. Traffic may enter the road from the left or right.


W4-1_merging_traffic_L_pg 10.png W4-1_merging_traffic_R_pg 10.png
Merge

Traffic is merging from the side shown.


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Lane Reduction

The indicated lane ends soon. Vehicles in that lane must merge into the through lane.


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Two-Way Traffic Ahead

The one-way road joins a two-way road ahead. You will be facing oncoming traffic.


W6-1_divided_hiway_begins_pg 10.png W6-2_divided_hiway_ends_pg 10.png
Divided Highway Begins or Ends

These signs indicate the beginning or end of a divided highway. Keep to the right.


W3-1_stop_ahead_pg 10.png
Stop Ahead

There is a stop sign ahead. Slow down and prepare to stop.


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Signal Ahead

A traffic signal is ahead. Slow down and be ready to stop.


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Reduced Speed Limit Ahead

Gradually slow to the indicated speed.


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Roundabout Ahead

There is a roundabout intersection ahead.


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Railroad Advance

A railroad crossing is ahead. You may have to stop.


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Low Clearance

The overpass ahead has low clearance. Do not proceed if your vehicle is too tall to pass under it.


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Hill

A steep grade is ahead.


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Advisory Speed

Advises the safe speed for freeway ramps and curves. This sign may be used with other signs. Signs may be electronic and may change based on current conditions.


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Slippery When Wet

The pavement is unusually slick when wet.


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Deer

Deer often cross the road in this area. Be alert. Slow down if you see deer or other wildlife.


Route, Guide, and Information Signs

Route signs show you which route you are on and if the road is an interstate, U.S. route, or state highway.

Interstate Route US_Route_rev_10-29-07_pg 12.pngU.S. Route state_highway_pg 12.pngState Highway

Guide or information signs are green. They give exit information or show the direction of roads or cities.

D1-2_exit_Madras_pg 12.png E5-1a_exit_128_pg 12.pngThe number on an exit sign helps you know which exit to take.

Safety Corridors

D447_sign-Safety_Corridor_pg 12.png Safety corridors are designated stretches of highway with more fatal and serious injury crashes than the statewide average. Turn on your lights for safety. Signs identifying safety corridors may include diamond shaped flags.

Historic, Cultural and Recreational Signs

These brown signs point to historic and cultural locations. They also point to scenic areas, picnic grounds, and parks.

RS076_Binocular_pg 12.png

RS-044_Picnic_Site_pg 12.png ORM-172_Wildlife viewing_pg 12.png
 


 Motorist Service Signs

D9-18a_Gas_food_pg 13.png D9-2_Hospital_pg 13.png D9-6_Handicapped_pg 13.png D5-2a_rest_area_pg 13.png
 


These blue signs tell you about services or facilities along the highway. These signs may indicate gas, food, and lodging are available at the next exit, a rest area is ahead, an electric vehicle charging station is available or a facility or parking area is accessible to a person with a disability. They can also indicate the road to a hospital.

Traffic Signals

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Traffic signals control the right of way and provide for a smooth, orderly flow of traffic. If a signal appears dark, such as during a power failure, you should stop as if there are stop signs in all directions. When a traffic signal is out of order and flashes yellow or red, you must obey that signal.


Steady Red

traffic_sig_red_circle_pg 13.pngA steady red signal means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes.

You are allowed to make the following turns on red after coming to a complete stop unless a sign or police officer states otherwise:

  • When entering a two-way road, you may turn right.
  • When entering a one-way road, you may turn right or left in the direction of the one-way road.
Flashing Red

traffic_sig_red_flsh_circle_pg 13.pngA flashing red signal is treated the same as a stop sign.

Red Arrow

traffic_sig_red_arrow_pg 13.pngA steady red arrow means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes, except for allowed turns on red. The same turns allowed for a steady red signal are allowed for a red arrow.


Steady Yellow

traffic_sig_yellow_circle_pg 13.pngA steady yellow signal warns you that the signal is about to turn red. Stop before entering the intersection. If you cannot stop safely, drive carefully through it.


Flashing Yellow

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A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.


Yellow Arrow

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A steady yellow arrow warns you that the signal is about to turn red. Stop before entering the intersection, or if you cannot stop safely, drive carefully through it.


Flashing Yellow Arrow

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A flashing yellow arrow means that you may make the movement indicated by the arrow, but first you must yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Oncoming traffic has a steady green signal.


Steady Green

traffic_sig_green_circle_pg 14.pngA green signal means all movements—straight ahead, left or right turns—are permitted, unless prohibited by a sign. Left turns must first yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Right turns must first yield to pedestrians.


Green Arrow

traffic_sig_green_arrow_pg 14.pngA steady green arrow means you have the right of way and may make the movement indicated by the arrow.


 

Sample Test Questions

What does this sign mean?

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    1. Curves ahead.
    2. Slippery when wet.
    3. Obstacle in the road.

    Regulatory Prohibitive signs are red and white. Which one of these signs is a regulatory prohibitive sign?

    1. Do Not Enter. 
    2. Railroad Advance. 
    3. Hospital Ahead.

    If a traffic signal is dark because of a power outage, you should:

    1. wait for a police officer to direct traffic.
    2. treat it like a yield sign.
    3. treat it like there are stop signs in all directions.