California road signs practice

Study signs by the action they require

California's handbook groups important signs by what they make a driver do: stop, yield, obey a restriction, prepare for a railroad crossing, slow for a school area or recognize a road hazard ahead.

This is more useful than memorizing artwork alone because knowledge-test questions can place the same sign inside a driving situation.

Shape and color are useful shortcuts

The handbook highlights distinctive sign families such as the STOP octagon, YIELD triangle, school-area five-sided sign, diamond warnings and rectangular regulatory signs. Use those patterns as a first clue, then confirm the symbol or message.

Mix signs with traffic-signal questions

California traffic control includes signs, vehicle signals and pedestrian signals. After a focused sign session, mix those topics together because the knowledge test draws its questions from the Driver's Handbook rather than from one isolated sign list.

• California Driver's Handbook
• Start California practice