Warning signs

Key points

1. Warning signs tell you about possible danger ahead, such as slowing down or being ready to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “These signs tell a driver of possible danger that might be ahead, such as warning you to slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 35

2. They are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and diamond shaped.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “These signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and are diamond shaped.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 35

3. School zone, school crossing and pedestrian crossing signs may be fluorescent yellow.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Some warning signs may be fluorescent yellow, such as school zones, school crossing and pedestrian crossing.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 35

4. The No Passing Zone sign is the only pennant shaped warning sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “The “No Passing Zone” is the only pennant-shaped warning sign.”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 17

5. Advance signs warn of a traffic signal, stop sign or yield sign ahead so you can prepare to stop or yield.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Traffic Signal Ahead Yield Sign Ahead Stop Sign Ahead”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 36

6. Curve signs may show an advisory speed for the curve, ramp or exit.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Advisory Speed Around Curve Advisory Speed for Ramp Advisory Speed for Exit”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 36

7. Road shape signs warn of a cross road, side road, T intersection or Y intersection ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Cross Road Ahead Side Road Ahead T-Intersection Ahead Y-Intersection Ahead”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 35

8. Other common warnings include Slippery When Wet and Narrow Bridge or Underpass.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Slippery When Wet Narrow Bridge or Underpass”
   Kansas Driving Handbook, Handbook p. 36

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Kansas practice test

1. 1. What shape and color pattern identifies most Kansas warning signs?

   1. White with green lettering, usually circular
   2. Yellow with black lettering or symbols, usually diamond shaped
   3. Blue with white lettering, usually rectangular
   4. Red with white lettering, usually octagonal
   Show answer

   Yellow with black lettering or symbols, usually diamond shaped. Most warning signs use a yellow background with black letters or symbols and a diamond outline. They alert you to a danger, special condition, or change ahead, so the message calls for early speed adjustment and attention rather than an immediate command to stop. A red octagon is reserved for the stop sign, while rectangular blue or green signs generally provide services or route information. When a yellow diamond appears, scan beyond the sign, check traffic around you, and prepare for the condition it announces.

2. 2. What do Kansas yellow diamond warning signs generally tell a driver?

   
   1. All traffic controls end at the sign
   2. The maximum legal speed for every road ahead
   3. A service facility is located immediately beside the road
   4. A possible danger or special roadway situation may be ahead
   Show answer

   A possible danger or special roadway situation may be ahead. Kansas warning signs provide advance notice of a possible danger or special roadway situation ahead. Their yellow diamond design tells you to pay attention, consider slowing, and be prepared to stop if needed. The speed-limit choice describes a regulatory sign, while the service-facility choice belongs to guide or service information. The statement that all traffic controls end is not a warning-sign function. With the pictured opposing arrows, expect a roadway condition requiring extra attention, then follow the lane markings and any later signs or signals.

3. 3. How should a driver respond to the pictured lane-ending warning?

   
   1. Move left without checking mirrors because the sign grants priority
   2. Accelerate onto the shoulder and pass the traffic beside you
   3. Stop in the lane until every other vehicle has passed
   4. Watch for the lane change ahead and merge when a safe gap is available
   Show answer

   Watch for the lane change ahead and merge when a safe gap is available. A lane-ending symbol gives advance notice of a change in the roadway, so use the time to check mirrors, signal, and select a safe opening in the continuing lane. The shoulder is not a passing lane, and stopping in a live lane creates a new hazard. The sign also does not grant automatic priority over traffic already in the destination lane. A steady scan and a measured merge turn the warning into useful preparation instead of a last-second maneuver.

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.