Regulatory, warning and guide signs

Key points

1. At a stop sign, make a complete stop at the stop line. If there is none, stop before the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “You must make a complete stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before entering a crosswalk.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

2. The stop sign is the only 8 sided sign on the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “The stop sign is the only 8-sided sign you will see on the road.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

3. At a yield sign, slow down, look left and right, and yield to pedestrians, bicycles and vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Slow down as you come to a yield sign. Look to the left and the right. Yield to pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

4. Regulatory signs are about traffic laws, and you must obey them.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Regulatory Signs These signs are about traffic laws. You must obey them.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

5. An HOV lane sign means you may use the lane only with the number of people shown.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “You may only use this lane if you have the number of people that is marked on the sign.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

6. Warning signs give notice of a situation that might not be readily apparent.

   Source: Handbook p. 22

   “These signs provide notice to road users of a situation that might not be readily apparent.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 22

7. Mile marker signs appear every mile on interstates so help can find you.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “These are located every mile on interstate highways. They provide location information you can use if you need someone to find you.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 23

8. Where you see stay right signs, drive in the right lane unless passing.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “In areas where you see "stay right" signs, drive in the right-hand lane or lanes unless you are passing a vehicle.”
   Maryland Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Maryland practice test

1. 1. What does a brown traffic sign usually identify in Maryland?

   1. Services like food and gas
   2. Recreation and cultural interest areas
   3. Destinations and distances
   4. Emergency traffic incidents
   Show answer

   Recreation and cultural interest areas. Brown signs in Maryland point to recreation and cultural interest areas. The color code helps you know a sign's purpose quickly: blue signs list services such as food, gas, and rest areas, green signs show destinations, distances, and directions, and fluorescent pink signs mark emergency traffic incidents. A trapezoid-shaped sign can also mark recreation and cultural interest areas and National Forest Routes. When you are looking for a park or cultural site, watch for brown.

2. 2. At a stop sign with no stop line or crosswalk, where must the driver stop?

   1. At the stop sign, even if it blocks the crosswalk
   2. In the crosswalk to see around traffic
   3. Before entering the intersection
   4. After entering the intersection to check for vehicles
   Show answer

   Before entering the intersection. A stop sign demands a complete stop. Maryland's stopping sequence uses the stop line first, the crosswalk next, and the intersection itself when neither is marked. Stopping after entering the intersection places the vehicle where cross traffic may need to travel. The practical cue is to scan for a line and crosswalk as the sign approaches, then stop before the intersection if both are absent. Yield to vehicles and pedestrians already there before continuing.

3. 3. What is the purpose of warning signs in Maryland?

   1. They notify road users of a situation that may not be readily apparent
   2. They replace every traffic law with a recommendation
   3. They identify only restaurants and fuel stations
   4. They give permission to ignore pavement markings
   Show answer

   They notify road users of a situation that may not be readily apparent. Warning signs call attention to hazards or changes that a driver might not otherwise notice in time. They do not cancel traffic laws, identify only services, or authorize disregard of lane markings. A warning sign should change the driver's preparation: scan farther ahead, adjust speed, and be ready for a curve, crossing, lane change, or other condition shown by the sign. Think of the sign as advance notice that the normal roadway pattern may soon require a deliberate response.

Source: the Maryland Driver's Manual, Section 4: Signs, Signals and Pavement Markings. 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.