Regulatory, warning and work zone signs

Key points

1. The three basic sign types are regulatory, warning and guide signs.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “Signs are divided into three (3) basic categories: Regulatory, Warning and Guide signs.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 10

2. Ignoring a regulatory sign can bring a fine and points, because you are breaking the law.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “If you do not obey the messages on regulatory signs, you could be fined and receive points on your driving record because you are breaking the law.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 10

3. The STOP sign is the only 8-sided sign on the highway.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “The STOP sign is the only octagon-shaped (8-sided) sign you see on the highway.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 10

4. Slowing down without coming to a full stop at a STOP sign is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “Slowing down without coming to a full stop is illegal.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 10

5. At a YIELD sign, slow down, check for traffic and give the right of way to pedestrians and cross traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “When you see this sign, you must slow down and check for traffic and give the right-of-way to pedestrians and approaching cross traffic.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 10

6. Treat a railroad crossbuck like a YIELD sign: slow down and prepare to stop if a train is coming.

   Source: Handbook p. 10

   “You should treat the crossbuck sign as a YIELD sign; slow down and prepare to stop, if you see or hear a train approaching.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 10

7. In a school zone, do not go faster than 15 mph when the yellow signals flash or during posted times.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “You must travel no faster than 15 mph when the yellow signals are flashing or during the time periods indicated on the sign.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 9

8. Speeding in a school zone brings three points and a fine.

   Source: Handbook p. 9

   “Exceeding the speed limit in a school zone will result in three (3) points on your driving record, and you will also be fined.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 9

9. Work zone signs are diamond shaped like warning signs but orange with black lettering.

   Source: Handbook p. 18

   “Work Zone Signs are normally diamond shaped, like warning signs, but they are orange with black lettering instead of yellow with black lettering.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 18

10. If police stop you in a work zone without your headlights on, you pay an extra $25 fine.

    Source: Handbook p. 18

    “If you are pulled over by police for a traffic violation in a work zone and your vehicle’s headlights are not turned on, you will be fined an additional $25.”
    Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 18

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Pennsylvania practice test

1. 1. Which shape is used only for Pennsylvania STOP signs?

   
   1. Pennant
   2. Triangle
   3. Octagon
   4. Circle
   Show answer

   Octagon. Pennsylvania identifies the octagon as the only eight-sided highway sign shape and uses it for STOP signs. A triangle belongs to a YIELD sign, a pennant marks the beginning of a no-passing zone, and a circle is associated with the railroad advance warning sign. Shape recognition helps when the lettering is distant, partly hidden, or viewed from the back. If the outline is an octagon, prepare for a complete stop and then check pedestrians and cross traffic.

2. 2. At a Pennsylvania YIELD sign, what is the driver’s duty?

   
   1. Stop every time for five seconds
   2. Accelerate to enter before approaching traffic
   3. Ignore pedestrians if the lane is open
   4. Slow down, check traffic, and give the right-of-way when needed
   Show answer

   Slow down, check traffic, and give the right-of-way when needed. A YIELD sign requires the driver to slow down, check for traffic, and give the right-of-way to pedestrians and approaching cross traffic. A complete stop is needed only when conditions require it, so the fixed five-second choice adds an unsupported requirement. Accelerating into a gap can force another road user to brake, and an open lane does not erase pedestrian priority. Look for a sufficient gap, proceed without interfering with normal traffic, and stop if the scan shows that yielding is necessary.

3. 3. When school-zone signals are flashing in Pennsylvania, what speed must a driver not exceed?

   
   1. 25 mph
   2. 35 mph
   3. 45 mph
   4. 15 mph
   Show answer

   15 mph. A Pennsylvania school-zone signal is a flashing yellow signal on the school-zone speed-limit sign. During flashing periods, the driver must travel no faster than 15 mph, or follow the time period shown on the sign. Twenty-five and 35 mph are ordinary roadway figures that do not replace the school-zone limit, and 45 mph is plainly too high for the marked area. Watch the sign’s lights, reduce speed before the zone, and expect children near the roadway.

Source: the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 2: Signals, Signs 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.