Signs and signals practice
ICBC road signs test
ICBC road signs test
About 10 questions, answers explained as you go
Like the real test, you pass with 80%. A new random set every time, from 230 questions.
Read a sign three ways: shape, colour, message
Learn to Drive Smart teaches you to read any sign by its shape, its colour and what’s on it. If you know the system you can work out signs you’ve never seen.
| Sign | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Red octagon | Stop |
| Red and white triangle (point down) | Yield the right-of-way |
| White rectangle | A regulation you must obey (speed, lanes, parking) |
| Fluorescent yellow-green (pentagon or diamond) | School zone, school crosswalk or playground |
| Yellow diamond | A hazard ahead (curve, merge, deer, slippery road) |
| Orange | Construction or maintenance zone |
| Red circle with a slash | The action shown is not allowed |
| Green circle | The action shown is allowed |
| Blue | Motorist services (hospital, gas, food, lodging) |
| Green rectangle | Distance and direction to places |
| White X (crossbuck) | Railway crossing: always yield to trains |
Signals that differ from other provinces
- Flashing green circle: a pedestrian-controlled light. Go only if the intersection is clear.
- Flashing green arrow with a steady red: left turn allowed; through traffic stops.
- Steady white rectangle: a transit priority signal. Only buses go.
- Steady red: after a full stop you may turn right, or left onto a one-way street, unless a sign forbids it.
- Red X over a lane: don’t drive in it. A green arrow means you may.
School and playground zones
A 30 km/h school zone applies 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days unless the sign shows other hours. A playground zone is 30 km/h every day from dawn to dusk. The zone ends when you reach the back of the sign for drivers going the other way.
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Study every question
Road signs and signals (62)
What must you do at this sign?
Answer: Stop completely, then go only when it’s safe
A stop sign means a complete stop. You continue only when it’s safe.
What does this sign tell you to do?
Answer: Give the right-of-way to other vehicles and crossing pedestrians, stopping if you need to
Yield means traffic on the through road and crossing pedestrians go first. Slow down, and stop if you need to wait for a safe gap.
When does this sign’s speed apply as the safe maximum?
Answer: When the road is bare and dry and visibility is good
The posted limit is the maximum legal speed in good conditions: bare, dry road and good visibility. Go slower when conditions are worse.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Do not enter
A red circle with a white bar means do not enter. You’d be going the wrong way.
A sign like this on a cross street tells you…
Answer: Which way traffic on the cross street moves
One-way signs show the direction traffic travels on that street.
This sign means…
Answer: Keep to the right of the divider
Keep to the right of the divider or traffic island ahead.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: No left turn
A red circle and slash means the action shown isn’t allowed. Here: no left turn.
This sign means…
Answer: No right turn
The red circle and slash over a right arrow means right turns aren’t allowed here.
What does this sign prohibit?
Answer: U-turns
The slash over a U-shaped arrow means no U-turns.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: Do not park here
A red circle and slash over a P means do not park here.
You’re stopped at a red light and see this sign. What may you do?
Answer: Wait for the green light before turning right
This sign means no right turn on a red light. Wait for a green light to turn right.
A school zone sign has a tab showing only “30 km/h”. When does that limit apply?
Answer: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days
If the tab shows only the speed, the limit is in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days.
What colour are school zone signs in B.C.?
Answer: Fluorescent yellow-green
School zone signs are fluorescent yellow-green so they stand out.
A school zone sign’s tab shows 50 km/h. When does that limit apply?
Answer: From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days when children are on the road or shoulder
A 50 km/h school zone limit is in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on school days when children are on the roadway or shoulder.
How do you know you’ve reached the end of a 30 km/h school zone?
Answer: When you pass the back of the school zone sign on the other side of the street
When you reach the back of the school zone sign facing the other direction, the 30 km/h zone has ended.
This sign warns you that…
Answer: A playground is nearby, so be prepared to slow down
The playground sign means a playground is nearby. Be ready to slow down and watch for children.
When is a 30 km/h playground zone limit in effect?
Answer: Every day from dawn to dusk
A playground zone’s 30 km/h limit applies every day, from dawn to dusk.
This yellow diamond sign warns of…
Answer: A curve ahead: slow down
Yellow diamonds warn of hazards. This one shows a curve ahead. Slow down before you reach it.
What does this sign warn you about?
Answer: Two-way traffic ahead
The arrows going in opposite directions mean two-way traffic is ahead.
This sign means…
Answer: Traffic signal lights ahead
It warns of signal lights ahead. Be prepared to stop.
What should this sign make you watch for?
Answer: Vehicles entering from a side road ahead
It warns of a side road ahead, which may be hidden. Watch for vehicles pulling out.
You’re in the right lane and see this sign. What should you do?
Answer: Adjust your speed and move left when there’s a safe gap
The right lane ends ahead. Adjust your speed, keep within the limit, and change lanes into a safe gap.
This sign warns of…
Answer: Merging traffic ahead
It shows another lane of traffic joining yours: merging traffic ahead.
What does this sign mean?
Answer: The road narrows ahead
The lines that come closer together warn that the road narrows ahead.
This sign warns that…
Answer: The road may be slippery ahead
The car with skid marks means the road may be slippery ahead. Slow down and avoid sudden moves.
What does this sign tell you?
Answer: Steep hill ahead: slow down
It warns of a steep hill ahead. Slow down and use a lower gear if you need to.
This yellow sign means…
Answer: A stop sign is ahead
It warns of a stop sign ahead, often one you can’t see yet. Get ready to stop.
What does this sign warn of?
Answer: A roundabout ahead
The circular arrows warn of a roundabout ahead. Slow down and choose your lane early.
You see this sign on a rural highway. You should…
Answer: Watch for deer and be ready to slow down
It means watch for deer ahead. Scan the sides of the road, especially at dusk and dawn.
This yellow sign tells drivers that…
Answer: Cyclists may be on the roadway
It warns that cyclists may be on the roadway. Give them plenty of room.
What does this sign warn of?
Answer: Rocks on the road ahead
It warns you to watch for rocks on the road ahead.
What does the orange colour of this sign tell you?
Answer: Construction or maintenance work ahead
Orange signs warn of construction zones. Obey them, travel at the posted speed and stay back from equipment.
This sign means a traffic-control person is ahead. What must you do?
Answer: Obey their directions
You must obey traffic-control persons in a construction zone, from the start of the zone to the end.
This sign marks a railway crossing. Who has the right-of-way?
Answer: Trains, always
You must always yield to trains.
You see this sign on the back of a vehicle. It means…
Answer: The vehicle moves slowly: keep your distance and pass only when it’s safe
This sign marks a vehicle that moves slowly. Keep back and pass only when you’re certain it’s safe.
A blue sign like this one gives you…
Answer: Information about services: here, a hospital nearby
Blue signs tell you about motorist services. The H means a hospital is nearby.
What does this white regulatory sign require?
Answer: Don’t pass other vehicles here
Do not pass. It’s a regulatory sign, so it’s an offence to disobey it.
On a multi-lane highway you see this sign. You should…
Answer: Drive in the right lane except when passing
Keep right unless you’re passing. Driving the speed limit doesn’t entitle you to the left lane.
A lane control signal shows this over your lane. What does it mean?
Answer: Do not drive in this lane
A red X over a lane means do not drive in that lane.
A lane control signal shows this green arrow over your lane. It means…
Answer: You may drive in this lane
A green arrow pointing down at a lane means you may drive in it.
The lane control signals over all lanes are flashing yellow. What should you do?
Answer: Slow down and go ahead with caution
Flashing yellow lane control signals over every lane mean slow down and proceed with caution.
A steady white rectangular light like this at an intersection means…
Answer: Only buses may go on this signal
It’s a transit priority signal. Only buses may go on it.
At a steady red light, after a full stop, what may you do if no sign forbids it?
Answer: Turn right, or turn left onto a one-way street
After a full stop, and when it’s clear, you may turn right, or turn left onto a one-way street, unless a sign forbids it.
A flashing green light at an intersection means…
Answer: It’s a pedestrian-controlled light: go only if the intersection is clear
In B.C. a flashing green circle is a pedestrian-controlled light. Go only if the intersection is clear, and watch for someone pressing the button.
You see a flashing green arrow with a steady red light. What does it mean?
Answer: Left turn allowed; through traffic must stop for the red
A flashing green arrow with a steady red allows a left turn. Traffic going straight must stop for the red.
A yellow arrow appears on the advance left-turn signal. You should…
Answer: Slow down and stop before the intersection unless you can’t safely stop in time
The yellow arrow means the advance left-turn signal is about to change. Stop unless you can’t safely stop in time.
A flashing yellow traffic light means…
Answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
Flashing yellow means slow down and go ahead with caution.
A flashing red traffic light means…
Answer: Stop, then continue only when it’s safe
Treat a flashing red light like a stop sign: stop, then go only when it’s safe.
A red circle with a slash through it on a sign means…
Answer: The action shown is not permitted
A red circle and slash shows an action that is not permitted. A green circle shows a permitted action.
Most yellow, diamond-shaped signs…
Answer: Warn of possible hazards ahead
Most warning signs are yellow diamonds. They warn of hazards ahead.
Green information signs on the highway usually show…
Answer: Distances and directions to destinations
Green destination and directional signs show distance (in kilometres) and direction.
What does a double solid yellow line between you and oncoming traffic mean?
Answer: No passing
A double solid yellow line means no passing.
There’s a broken yellow line and a solid yellow line side by side. When may you pass?
Answer: Only when it’s safe and the broken line is on your side
You may pass only when it’s safe and the broken line is on your side.
A solid white line between two lanes going the same way means…
Answer: Do not change lanes
White lines separate lanes going the same direction. A solid white line means do not change lanes.
If there’s a yellow line to your left, what’s on the other side of it?
Answer: Traffic coming toward you
Yellow lines divide traffic moving in opposite directions.
Double broken yellow lines on both sides of a lane mean…
Answer: The lane is reversible: lane control signals show if you may use it
A lane marked with double broken yellow lines is reversible. The lane control signal shows whether you may use it.
A white diamond painted on a lane tells you…
Answer: It’s a reserved lane, such as an HOV or bus lane
A white diamond marks a reserved lane. Signs say which vehicles may use it.
What should you do at a painted island on the road?
Answer: Keep to the right and don’t drive on or over it
Keep to the right of a painted island and don’t drive on or over it.
Is it legal to drive over freshly painted, wet pavement markings?
Answer: No
It’s illegal to drive over freshly painted, wet pavement markings.
A centre lane is marked with a solid and a broken yellow line on each side. What is it?
Answer: A two-way left-turn lane shared by drivers going both ways
This is a two-way left-turn lane. Drivers from both directions share it to turn left.
Where are object markers mounted?
Answer: On obstructions
Object markers are mounted on obstructions. Pay special attention to them.
A sign before a tunnel tells you to remove your sunglasses. What else should you do?
Answer: Slow down and turn on your headlights
Slow down before tunnels so your eyes can adjust, take off your sunglasses and turn on your headlights.
Questions people ask
+How many road sign questions are on the ICBC knowledge test?
ICBC says almost one in five questions are about road signs, so roughly 10 of the 50.
+What colour are school zone signs in B.C.?
Fluorescent yellow-green. The school zone sign is five-sided.
+What does a flashing green light mean in B.C.?
It’s a pedestrian-controlled light. Go only if the intersection is clear and watch for someone pressing the crossing button.
Sources
- ICBC, Get your L · checked October 26, 2026
- ICBC, Learn to Drive Smart: your guide to driving safely (PDF, March 2026 edition) · checked October 26, 2026
Updated October 26, 2026. Not affiliated with ICBC or the Government of British Columbia.
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