Regulatory signs

Key points

1. Regulatory signs are square, rectangular or specially shaped, and white with black, red or green letters or symbols.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “These signs are square, rectangular, or have a special shape and are white with black, red or green letters or symbols.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 39

2. A red circle with a red slash over a symbol prohibits the action shown.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “Some regulatory signs have a red circle with a red slash over a symbol. These signs prohibit certain actions.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 39

3. A stop sign has 8 sides and is red with white letters; stop behind the stop line or crosswalk if one is present.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters. You must stop behind the stop line or crosswalk if one is present.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 40

4. A yield sign is a red and white downward pointing triangle; slow down and let traffic with the right of way cross before entering.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “A yield sign is a red and white downward pointing triangle with red letters. It means you must slow down and allow traffic that has the right-of-way to cross before entering.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 40

5. A square sign with a white horizontal bar inside a red circle means Do Not Enter.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “A square sign with a white horizontal line inside a red circle means you cannot enter.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 41

6. A Wrong Way sign means your vehicle is moving in the wrong direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Wrong Way: This sign tells you that your vehicle is moving in the wrong direction.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 41

7. No Turn on Red means you may not turn right or left on the red light.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “No Turn on Red: When you see this sign posted, it means that you may not turn right or left during the red light.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 40

8. Pass with Care marks the end of a no passing zone.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Pass with Care: This sign tells you that you are at the end of a no passing zone. You may pass only when it is safe to do so.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 41

9. Slower Traffic Keep Right tells slow drivers on a multilane highway to stay in the right lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Slower Traffic Keep Right: This sign is posted on a multilane highway for those driving slower than the normal speed of traffic. It tells the slow driver to stay in the right lane.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 41

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Kansas practice test

1. 1. What does the eight-sided red sign at an intersection require?

   1. A reduction to the advisory curve speed
   2. A yield only if another car is visible
   3. A complete stop before proceeding
   4. A lane change to the right
   Show answer

   A complete stop before proceeding. An octagonal red sign identifies a stop sign, and Kansas requires the vehicle to stop behind the stop line or crosswalk when one is present. After stopping, scan for vehicles and pedestrians in every direction and enter only when the way is safe. A yield sign uses a different shape and allows a driver to continue after yielding when needed. Advisory curve speeds concern roadway geometry, while a lane change is not part of the stop command. The shape is an important recognition cue when the lettering is difficult to read.

2. 2. What does a LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN sign tell you?

   1. Left turns are banned while the light is green
   2. A left turn is permitted, but you must yield to oncoming traffic
   3. Oncoming traffic must yield to your left turn
   4. You must wait for a green arrow before turning left
   Show answer

   A left turn is permitted, but you must yield to oncoming traffic. A LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN sign means a left turn is permitted on the green light, but you must yield to oncoming traffic. It is not a ban on left turns, and it does not give you priority over approaching vehicles. A green arrow is not required; a green arrow is a separate signal that tells oncoming traffic to yield to your turn. At a steady green light, Kansas says you may turn left only when the intersection is clear, yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

3. 3. What movement is prohibited by this red-slashed U-shaped arrow?

   
   1. Turning right at the next intersection
   2. Making a U-turn at that location
   3. Passing a slower vehicle on a straight road
   4. Changing lanes after signaling
   Show answer

   Making a U-turn at that location. The crossed U shaped arrow is a regulatory sign that prohibits the movement shown by its symbol, which is a U turn. It does not automatically prohibit an ordinary right turn, passing on a straight road, or a properly completed lane change. Other rules still apply, including the Kansas restriction on making a U turn where other drivers cannot see the vehicle for at least 500 feet. When the sign is posted, continue in the permitted direction and wait for a legal place to reverse course if one is available.

Source: the Kansas Driving Handbook, Section 6: Rules of the Road. 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.