Warning, Guide and Service Signs

Key points

1. Warning signs are yellow and alert you to known possible hazards or changes in road conditions ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “Warning signs are yellow and alert you to known possible hazards or a change in road conditions ahead.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 10

2. A crossroad sign means a four way intersection is ahead where cross traffic may enter.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Crossroad: A four-way intersection is ahead. Crosstraffic may enter the road.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

3. An added lane sign means two roadways join and you do not need to merge.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Add Lane: Two roadways join together. You do not need to merge.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

4. A lane reduction sign means the marked lane ends soon and its traffic must merge.

   Source: Handbook p. 11

   “Lane Reduction: The indicated lane ends soon. Vehicles in that lane must merge into the through lane.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 11

5. An advisory speed sign gives the safe speed for ramps and curves.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “Advisory Speed: Advises the safe speed for freeway ramps and curves. This sign may be used with other signs.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 12

6. At a deer sign, be alert and slow down if you see deer or other wildlife.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “Deer: Deer often cross the road in this area. Be alert. Slow down if you see deer or other wildlife.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 12

7. Guide and information signs are green and give exit information or directions to roads and cities.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Guide or information signs are green. They give exit information or show the direction of roads or cities.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 13

8. Blue motorist service signs tell you about services or facilities along the highway.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Motorist Service Signs: These blue signs tell you about services or facilities along the highway.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 14

9. In a signed safety corridor, turn on your lights for safety.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Turn on your lights for safety. Signs identifying safety corridors may include diamond shaped flags.”
   Oregon Driver Manual, Handbook p. 13

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Oregon practice test

1. 1. What do Oregon warning signs generally alert drivers to?

   1. Routes reserved for emergency vehicles
   2. The exact maximum speed permitted on every roadway
   3. Services available at the next highway exit
   4. Known possible hazards or a change in road conditions ahead
   Show answer

   Known possible hazards or a change in road conditions ahead. Yellow warning signs alert drivers to possible hazards or changing road conditions ahead. They do not set every roadway's speed, identify motorist services, or reserve routes for emergency vehicles. The manual emphasizes that the driver remains responsible for recognizing and reacting to conditions whether or not a sign is present. When a warning appears, scan farther ahead, reduce speed if needed, and prepare for the maneuver the symbol suggests instead of treating the sign as a guarantee that the hazard is absent.

2. 2. What does an Oregon deer warning sign tell a driver to do?

   1. Sound the horn continuously
   2. Stop and wait for deer to cross
   3. Be alert and slow down if you see deer or other wildlife
   4. Speed up to clear the area
   Show answer

   Be alert and slow down if you see deer or other wildlife. The deer crossing sign means deer often cross the road in that area. The manual's instruction is to be alert and to slow down if you see deer or other wildlife. Deer travel in groups and move most at dawn and dusk, so one animal usually means more nearby. Speeding through the zone or leaning on the horn does not help, and stopping in the lane is dangerous unless an animal is actually in the road.

3. 3. What information do green guide signs generally provide?

   1. Warnings about slippery pavement
   2. Exit information or the direction of roads and cities
   3. Rules prohibiting lane changes
   4. Locations where fuel and lodging are available
   Show answer

   Exit information or the direction of roads and cities. Green guide or information signs help drivers navigate by showing exit information and the direction of roads or cities. They are different from yellow warning signs, which announce hazards, and white regulatory signs, which impose requirements. Blue signs point to motorist services such as fuel or lodging. A driver should read the route name, arrow, and exit number early enough to choose a lane safely. The cue is green for guidance: it helps you decide where to go, rather than warning or commanding a maneuver.

Source: the Oregon Driver Manual, Signs & Traffic Signals. 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.