Road sign shapes and colors

Key points

1. Even when you cannot read a sign, its shape and color still tell you what to look for or do.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “If fading light, fog, rain, snow or darkness makes it difficult to see the letters, you should still know what to look for or what to do.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 95

2. Regulatory signs tell you what to do, and you must always obey them.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “Regulatory signs These signs tell you what to do. You must always obey them.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 95

3. The octagon, with 8 sides, is reserved for stop signs.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “Octagon (eight sides) This shape is reserved for stop signs. You must come to a complete stop.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 95

4. A triangle pointing down means yield to cross or merging traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “Triangle pointing down This shape requires that you yield the right of way to cross traffic or to merging traffic.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 95

5. Most warning signs are yellow; construction and maintenance warnings are orange.

   Source: Handbook p. 95

   “While most warning signs are yellow, construction and maintenance warning signs are orange.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 95

6. A pentagon marks a school zone or crossing, where the limit is 20 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 96

   “Pentagon This sign warns of a school zone ahead or marks a school crossing. The absolute speed limit in a school zone is 20 mph.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 96

7. A pennant marks the start of a no passing zone.

   Source: Handbook p. 96

   “Pennant-shaped signs are located at the beginning of a no-passing zone.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 96

8. A round sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.

   Source: Handbook p. 96

   “A round sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 96

9. Railroad crossbuck signs are yield signs.

   Source: Handbook p. 66

   “Railroad Crossbuck signs are yield signs.”
   Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 66

10. The ENS sign is for emergencies that require stopping trains, like an obstruction or broken gates.

    Source: Handbook p. 96

    “The ENS (Emergency Notification Sign) is for those emergencies that would require stopping train traffic due to an obstruction on the tracks”
    Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 96

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Wyoming practice test

1. 1. Which sign shape is reserved for stop signs?

   1. Downward-pointing triangle
   2. Round circle
   3. Octagon, with eight sides
   4. Five-sided pentagon
   Show answer

   Octagon, with eight sides. Wyoming reserves the eight-sided octagon for stop signs. Its unusual outline lets drivers identify the required action even when glare, snow, or darkness obscures the lettering. A round sign warns of a railroad crossing, a downward triangle requires yielding, and a pentagon warns of a school zone or marks a school crossing. Therefore shape recognition should happen before the vehicle reaches the sign. Once the octagon is identified, make a complete stop at the crosswalk or stop line and then assess the intersection.

2. 2. What does a downward pointing triangle traffic sign require?

   1. Stop completely before entering every intersection
   2. Yield the right of way to cross traffic or merging traffic
   3. Increase speed to merge ahead of cross traffic
   4. Follow the road only in the direction of a white arrow
   Show answer

   Yield the right of way to cross traffic or merging traffic. The downward pointing triangle is reserved for a yield instruction. The driver must give the right of way to cross traffic or merging traffic, slowing or stopping as needed to prevent a conflict. It is not the octagonal stop sign, so a complete stop is not automatically required when the path is clear. Never accelerate to force a merge. Check the approach, identify traffic with priority, and enter only after yielding safely.

3. 3. What does a round traffic sign warn a Wyoming driver about?

   1. The beginning of a no-passing zone
   2. A school zone or school crossing
   3. A railroad crossing ahead
   4. A requirement to yield to cross traffic
   Show answer

   A railroad crossing ahead. Wyoming reserves the round shape for a railroad crossing warning. The manual adds that a stop line or an X with the letters RR may be painted on the pavement before a crossing, and any combination of those devices may warn of an upcoming railroad crossing. The pentagon marks a school zone or crossing, the pennant marks the start of a no-passing zone, and the downward triangle is the yield shape. When a round sign appears, slow, look and listen for a train, and be ready to stop.

Source: the Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, Traffic Signs, Signals and Road 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.