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.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 40

4. A yield sign is a red and white downward pointing triangle with red letters.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “A yield sign is a red and white downward pointing triangle with red letters.”
   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

   “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

   “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

   “This sign tells you that you are at the end of a no passing zone.”
   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

   “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 action does a red and white downward-pointing triangle direct a driver to take?

   1. Stop and wait for a green signal
   2. Slow and allow right-of-way traffic to cross
   3. Enter immediately before cross traffic
   4. Turn around at the next opening
   Show answer

   Slow and allow right-of-way traffic to cross. The downward pointing red and white triangle is a yield sign. Its instruction is to slow down and let traffic that already has the right of way cross before you enter. A complete stop might be necessary if traffic requires it, but the sign is not the same command as an octagonal stop sign and does not require waiting for a green light. Entering before cross traffic reverses the required priority. Turning around has no connection to the sign. Slow early, evaluate the crossing path, and yield before moving into it.

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.