Stop, yield, regulatory and guide signs

Key points

1. On a regulatory sign, a red circle with a red slash across the symbol means you cannot do that action.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-6

   “Some signs have a red circle with a red slash across the symbol. This means you cannot do certain things.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-6

2. Black and white speed limit signs show the legal speed when conditions are ideal.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-6

   “Speed Limit Signs These black and white signs indicate the legal speed if conditions are ideal.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-6

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

   Source: Handbook p. 6-6

   “A stop sign has eight sides (octagon) and is red with white letters. You must stop behind the stop line or crosswalk if there is one.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-6

4. With no stop line or crosswalk, stop where you can see traffic on the cross road, before entering the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-6

   “If there is no crosswalk or stop line, stop at the point nearest the intersection to enable you to see approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-6

5. At a yield sign, slow and yield to traffic or pedestrians that have the right of way before going on.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-6

   “You must slow and yield to traffic or pedestrians that have the right-of-way before proceeding.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-6

6. On a one way street, traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-7

   “One-Way Street Traffic moves only in the direction of the arrow.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-7

7. If police are directing traffic, do as they direct.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-7

   “If you see police directing traffic, do as they direct. Police have authority to direct all traffic and pedestrians as needed.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-7

8. Guide signs are square or rectangular and green, brown or blue.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-7

   “Guide Signs These signs are square or rectangular and are green, brown, or blue.”
   Maine Driver's License Manual, Handbook p. 6-7

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Maine practice test

1. 1. Which shape identifies a Maine stop sign?

   1. Down-pointing triangle
   2. Five-sided pentagon
   3. Four-sided rectangle
   4. Eight-sided octagon
   Show answer

   Eight-sided octagon. A stop sign has eight sides, making it an octagon, and it is red with white letters. The pentagon is associated with school warnings, the triangle is the yield shape, and a rectangle is used for many regulatory or guide signs. Recognizing the outline matters when weather, darkness, or foliage makes the lettering harder to read. Once the octagonal sign is visible, prepare to stop at the line or crosswalk, or at the nearest point before the intersection when neither is marked.

2. 2. What does the pictured red and white inverted triangle identify?

   1. A railroad crossbuck
   2. A yield sign
   3. A school-zone warning
   4. A route-number marker
   Show answer

   A yield sign. A yield sign has a red and white inverted-triangle design, although some older signs may use yellow and black. Its shape identifies the sign before the driver reads the word. The driver must still slow, check the road being entered or crossed, and give priority to traffic or pedestrians who have the right-of-way. A yield sign is not a command to stop for a fixed period, and it does not grant priority to the entering vehicle. Recognize the triangle, then make the safe decision from the traffic gap.

3. 3. What may a blue guide sign help you locate?

   1. Hospitals, service stations, restaurants, or hotels
   2. The legal speed for ideal road conditions
   3. A no passing zone on the left side
   4. A mandatory lane reserved for left turns
   Show answer

   Hospitals, service stations, restaurants, or hotels. Blue is one of the colors used for guide signs, which help drivers find services and points of interest. The manual specifically includes hospitals, service stations, restaurants, and hotels among the places these signs can help locate. Speed limits and lane restrictions belong to regulatory signs, while a no passing zone is a warning or regulatory message with another design. Use the guide information to plan the next movement without mistaking it for an instruction to change speed or lane immediately.

Source: the Maine Driver's License Manual, 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.