Guide signs and barricades

Key points

1. Guide signs are white on green for directions and distance, white on blue for services, and white on brown for cultural, historical or scenic points.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “Guide signs are either white on green for directional and distance, white on blue for motorist's services, or white on brown for cultural, historical, or scenic points of interest.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 53

2. An Emergency Notification System sign at a railroad crossing lists the railroad's phone number and the crossing number.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “This sign is posted at or near a railroad crossing and lists the railroad's phone number along with the location specific crossing number.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 53

3. Barricades are red and white when permanent and orange and white when temporary.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Barricades are either red and white (permanent) or orange and white (temporary).”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 54

4. A V shaped barricade pattern means the road is closed.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “The V-shaped pattern on this barricade means that the road is closed and traffic can proceed no further.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 54

5. Lines angling down to the left mean pass on the left; down to the right, pass on the right.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “The lines on this barricade angle down to the left, indicating that traffic must pass the barricade on the left side. The lines on this barricade angle down to the right, indicating that traffic must pass the barricade on the right side.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 54

6. Road Closed signs mean only authorized personnel may enter the work zone.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   ““Road Closed” signs mean that the work zone cannot be entered, except by authorized personnel.”
   Idaho Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 47

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Idaho practice test

1. 1. Which color and background combination identifies an Idaho guide sign for motorist services?

   1. White lettering on green only
   2. Black lettering on yellow diamond
   3. White lettering or symbols on blue
   4. Red and white stripes on a barricade
   Show answer

   White lettering or symbols on blue. Idaho guide signs for motorist services use white on blue. This category points toward services rather than warning of a hazard or imposing a driving command. Green guide signs provide directional and distance information, while brown signs identify cultural, historical, or scenic points of interest. Yellow diamonds are warning signs, not service signs. When scanning ahead, use the blue background as the clue that the message concerns a service such as fuel, food, or lodging.

2. 2. What type of information does a brown guide sign normally identify?

   1. Motorist services such as fuel or lodging
   2. Directional and distance information
   3. Cultural, historical, or scenic points of interest
   4. A prohibition against entering a roadway
   Show answer

   Cultural, historical, or scenic points of interest. Idaho uses brown guide signs for cultural, historical, or scenic points of interest. Green guide signs provide directional and distance information, while blue guide signs identify motorist services. A prohibition against entering a roadway belongs to a regulatory sign, not a guide sign. When a brown panel appears, expect information about a destination or attraction rather than a command governing the vehicle’s movement. Read the wording for the specific place, then plan any lane change early and safely.

3. 3. What does a V-shaped barricade pattern mean when it is placed across a roadway?

   1. The lane is closed but the shoulder remains open for normal travel
   2. Traffic must follow a detour arrow on the barricade without checking for other signs
   3. The road is closed and traffic cannot proceed farther
   4. The road is open, but drivers should increase speed before the next hazard
   Show answer

   The road is closed and traffic cannot proceed farther. Barricade patterns direct drivers around closures or stop them from entering a blocked route. A V-shaped pattern means the road is closed and travel cannot continue beyond the device. The right-side passage message is shown by lines angled down toward the right, so it is a different pattern. Emergency access and increased speed are not meanings assigned to this barricade. Stop before the closure, obey any detour signs, and never move the device to create a path for your vehicle.

Source: the Idaho Driver's Handbook, Highway & Vehicle Knowledge. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.