Warning, regulatory and guide signs

Key points

1. Warning signs are usually yellow with black letters or symbols, and most are diamond shaped.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “Warning Signs These signs are usually yellow with black lettering or symbols and most are diamond shaped.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 4

2. A warning sign means slow down and be ready to stop, because a hazard or special situation is ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “These signs warn you to slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary. It warns you that a special situation or a hazard is ahead.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 4

3. Orange work area signs warn that people are working on or near the road; obey anyone directing traffic with a sign or flag.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “In work areas, traffic may be controlled by a person with a sign or flag. You must obey these people.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 6

4. A red circle with a red slash over a symbol prohibits that action, such as a left turn or U turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “Some regulatory signs have a red circle with a red slash over a symbol. These signs prohibit certain actions, i.e., no left turn, no right turn, no U-turn, etc.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 6

5. A stop sign has 8 sides and is red with white letters; stop fully at the sign or stop line.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “Stop Sign A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters. You must come to a full stop at a stop sign or stop line, if one is present.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 7

6. A yield sign is a downward pointing red and white triangle: slow down and yield to traffic you are crossing or entering.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “Yield Sign A yield sign is a downward pointing triangle. It is red and white with red letters. It means you must slow down and yield the right-of-way”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 7

7. A do not enter sign marks openings you must not enter, such as exit ramps where you would be going the wrong way.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “You will see this sign at roadway openings that you should not enter such has exit ramps where you would be going in the wrong direction”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 7

8. An orange triangle on the back of a vehicle means it travels under 25 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 7

   “Slow Moving Vehicle A reflective orange triangle on the rear of a vehicle means it is traveling less than 25 mph.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 7

9. Blue signs with white letters or symbols show services such as rest areas, gas stations, campgrounds or hospitals.

   Source: Handbook p. 8

   “Service Signs These signs are square or rectangular shaped and are blue with white letters or symbols. They show the location of various services such as rest areas, gas stations, campgrounds or hospitals.”
   New Mexico Driver Manual, Handbook p. 8

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the New Mexico practice test

1. 1. How does the New Mexico manual describe the shape and color of a stop sign?

   1. Round and yellow with black letters
   2. Eight-sided and red with white letters
   3. Downward-pointing triangle with red letters
   4. Square and blue with white letters
   Show answer

   Eight-sided and red with white letters. The manual identifies a stop sign by its eight sides and red face with white letters. A round yellow sign is associated with railroad crossing warnings, while the downward triangle is the yield sign. The blue square choice describes neither the stop sign's shape nor its color. Recognizing the octagon helps a driver identify the control even before the wording is fully visible, but the physical appearance does not remove the requirement to make a complete stop.

2. 2. What does a New Mexico yield sign require a driver to do before entering the roadway or intersection?

   1. Slow down and yield to traffic with the right-of-way
   2. Stop every time, even when no conflict exists
   3. Maintain speed because the sign grants priority
   4. Accelerate through before other vehicles arrive
   Show answer

   Slow down and yield to traffic with the right-of-way. A yield sign tells the driver to slow down and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection being crossed or the roadway being entered. A full stop may be needed when traffic requires it, but the sign does not impose an automatic stop in every empty approach. Maintaining speed or accelerating reverses the protective purpose of the sign. Reduce speed early, scan for vehicles and pedestrians, and proceed only after the conflicting movement has been given priority.

3. 3. What colors and shape are most common for New Mexico warning signs?

   1. Red with blue symbols, usually octagonal
   2. White with green letters, usually circular
   3. Yellow with black lettering or symbols, usually diamond shaped
   4. Orange with white letters, usually triangular
   Show answer

   Yellow with black lettering or symbols, usually diamond shaped. The manual describes warning signs as usually yellow with black lettering or symbols, and most are diamond shaped. That combination helps a driver recognize a warning before reading every detail. White and green signs generally serve other information purposes, an octagon is associated with a stop sign, and orange commonly marks work areas. When the yellow diamond appears, reduce speed, scan for the condition ahead, and be prepared to stop if the roadway situation requires it.

Source: the New Mexico Driver Manual, 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.