Regulatory, destination and service signs

Key points

1. Regulatory signs are square, rectangular or a special shape and tell you the rules of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “These signs are square, rectangle or a special shape. They can be white or red with black, red, white or green lettering and symbols. The sign will tell you the rules of the road.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 24

2. Do Not Enter is used on exit ramps going the wrong direction and on one way streets.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Do Not Enter You cannot enter. This is used on exit ramps going the wrong direction or one-way streets.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 24

3. A Speed Limit sign shows the maximum speed in good driving conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 24

   “Speed Limit This indicates the maximum speed you can drive in good driving conditions.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 24

4. The stop sign has 8 sides and is red with white letters. Stop completely and wait until your path is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Stop This sign has eight sides and is red with white letters. You must come to a complete stop and wait until your path is clear before continuing.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 25

5. The yield sign is a downward pointing red and white triangle.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Yield A downward pointing red and white triangle with red letters. This sign means that you must yield right-of-way to other vehicles.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 25

6. The slow moving vehicle sign is an orange triangle on vehicles that may go 25 mph or less.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Slow Moving Vehicle A triangle shaped sign with reflective orange markings. This vehicle could travel at 25 mph or less.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 25

7. The yellow pennant marks a no passing zone where you may not pass any vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “No Passing Zone A yellow pennant with black lettering. You are not allowed to pass any vehicle in the no passing zone.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 25

8. Destination signs are square or rectangular, and green or brown with white letters.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “Destination signs are square or rectangular. They are green or brown with white lettering.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 27

9. Mile markers appear every one to two tenths of a mile, on the right side of the road or in the median.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “They are at every one to two-tenths of a mile. You can find them on the right side of the road or in the median.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 28

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Wisconsin practice test

1. 1. What instruction is given by a downward pointing red and white triangle?

   1. Yield right of way to other vehicles
   2. Stop and remain stopped for one minute
   3. Expect a railroad crossing immediately ahead
   4. Follow the lane reserved for buses
   Show answer

   Yield right of way to other vehicles. The inverted red and white triangle is a Yield sign. It tells the driver to give right of way to other vehicles, so approach slowly, inspect the traffic stream, and enter only when the movement is safe. It is not a timed stop requirement, a railroad warning, or a bus lane instruction. A full stop may still be prudent if visibility or traffic requires it, but the sign’s central command is yielding. Look beyond the sign for vehicles already occupying the intersection or roadway.

2. 2. What movement is prohibited by this regulatory sign?

   
   1. Changing speed before a curve
   2. Turning into a driveway
   3. Moving from a one-way road to a two-way road
   4. Making a U-turn
   Show answer

   Making a U-turn. The pictured regulatory sign is the Wisconsin No U-turn sign, so it prohibits making a U-turn at that location. A driveway turn is a separate movement and is not what this symbol names. Moving between one way and two way roads describes a roadway arrangement rather than the banned maneuver. Changing speed before a curve concerns vehicle control, not this sign. When the sign appears, continue in an allowed direction and look for a later location where turning around is permitted. The most reliable clue is the curved U shaped arrow crossed by the red slash.

3. 3. How often are Wisconsin mile markers placed according to the handbook?

   1. Every one to two-tenths of a mile
   2. Only every ten miles
   3. Only at county borders
   4. Every five feet near intersections
   Show answer

   Every one to two-tenths of a mile. Wisconsin mile markers, also called reference markers, are placed every one to two-tenths of a mile. That frequent spacing helps identify a location during highway incidents and can improve emergency response. Ten miles and county borders are far too sparse for the locating purpose described. Five feet near intersections is not how highway reference markers work. The cue is a tall, thin blue or green marker with route, direction, and mile information: use it to report where you are.

Source: the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Section 4: Signs. 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.