Warning, railroad, work zone and guide signs

Key points

1. The round railroad sign means you are approaching a grade crossing; slow down and be ready to stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “This circular sign always means that you are approaching a railroad grade crossing. You must slow down and be ready to stop.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 36

2. The crossbuck is placed at all railroad crossings and shows exactly where the tracks are.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “This is known as a crossbuck sign. It is placed at all railroad grade crossings and shows exactly where the tracks are located.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 36

3. Flashing lights on a crossbuck mean a train is coming; stop and stay stopped until it passes.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Flashing lights on a crossbuck mean that a train is coming. Always stop when the lights are flashing. Remain stopped until the train has passed.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 36

4. A sharp turn sign marks turns with a recommended speed of 30 mph or less.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “The turn sign is used to mark turns with a recommended speed of 30 m.p.h. or less.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 38

5. A curve sign marks curves with recommended speeds between 30 and 55 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “The curve sign is used to mark curves with recommended speeds in the range between 30 and 55 m.p.h.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 38

6. A reverse turn sign marks 2 turns in opposite directions less than 600 feet apart.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “The reverse turn sign is used to mark two turns in opposite directions that are less than 600 feet apart.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 38

7. An advisory speed plate under a warning sign gives the recommended maximum safe speed.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “The smaller sign on the post beneath this sign is used to supplement warning signs. It gives you the recommended maximum safe speed.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 38

8. A STOP AHEAD sign means a stop sign you cannot yet see is coming, so start to slow down.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “This sign indicates that there is a STOP sign just ahead that you cannot yet see. At this point, start to slow down.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 38

9. Flashing arrow panels warn of lane closures; merge into the open lane well before the sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “Flashing arrow panels alert approaching drivers of lane closures. You must begin to merge into the remaining open lane(s) well in advance of this sign.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 39

10. Tennessee has interstate reference markers every 1,000 feet on busy urban sections to help you report your location.

    Source: Handbook p. 41

    “In order to help motorists better identify their location on urban interstates, the state has installed interstate reference markers every 1,000 feet along heavily traveled sections.”
    Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 41

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Tennessee practice test

1. 1. What does the round warning sign with an RXR symbol tell you?

   
   1. A railroad grade crossing is ahead and you must slow down
   2. A roundabout requires a right turn
   3. A no-passing zone has ended
   4. A bicycle lane begins immediately
   Show answer

   A railroad grade crossing is ahead and you must slow down. The circular railroad warning sign marks an approaching grade crossing. Slow down early and be ready to stop if a train is coming. It does not mark a bicycle facility, a roundabout, or the end of a passing restriction. Never try to beat a train because its speed is easy to misjudge. Use the warning as time to check the crossing, not as permission to maintain speed until the rails are close.

2. 2. What does a flashing arrow panel in a temporary traffic control area warn drivers about?

   1. A required stop at every intersection
   2. A railroad crossing with two tracks
   3. A hospital entrance nearby
   4. A lane closure ahead
   Show answer

   A lane closure ahead. A flashing arrow panel warns approaching drivers that a lane is closing and that they need to merge into an open lane. It is a mobile traffic control device used around construction, special directions, road closures, or weather hazards. The railroad, hospital, and universal-stop choices describe unrelated signs or controls. Treat the arrow as advance notice, check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and merge well before the closure leaves you with less room.

3. 3. How often has Tennessee placed interstate reference markers along heavily traveled urban interstates?

   1. Every 1,000 feet
   2. Every mile
   3. Every 600 feet
   4. Every five miles
   Show answer

   Every 1,000 feet. On busy urban stretches of interstate, Tennessee added reference markers every 1,000 feet so a stranded driver can tell a dispatcher exactly where the vehicle is. Ordinary mile markers are a mile apart, which can leave emergency crews searching a long stretch of highway. The 600 foot figure belongs to the reverse turn sign, and five mile spacing describes nothing in the manual. When you call for help, read the nearest marker aloud before anything else.

Source: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B-3: Traffic Signs and 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.