Signs, signals and markings in British Columbia

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify sign types by shape and colour.
• You can respond correctly to steady, flashing and arrow signals.
• You can tell when you may pass using yellow line patterns.
• You can recognise reserved lanes and bicycle lanes.
• You can explain signs and signals that are special to B.C.

What you need to know and understand

• Red octagon means stop completely; a red and white triangle means yield.
• Most warning signs are yellow diamonds; construction signs are orange.
• School zone and school crosswalk signs are fluorescent yellow-green.
• A flashing green light in B.C. marks a pedestrian-controlled signal: go only if the intersection is clear and watch for pedestrians.
• A steady white rectangular light is a transit priority signal: only buses may go.
• Yellow lines separate opposite directions; white lines separate lanes going the same way.
• A white diamond marks reserved lanes such as HOV and bus lanes.
• It is illegal to drive over freshly painted, wet pavement markings.

Reading a sign at a glance

• Regulatory signs (often white rectangles, or red for stop and do not enter) tell you the law, such as speed limits and turn rules.
• A green circle shows an allowed action; a red circle with a slash shows one that is not allowed.
• Yellow diamond warning signs alert you to curves, merges, hills, wildlife and other hazards.
• Orange signs mark construction zones; obey traffic control persons and posted speeds.
• Blue signs show motorist services, and green signs give destinations and distances in kilometres.
• Railway crossing signs, including the white X shaped crossbuck, mean you must yield to trains.

Traffic signals, including B.C. specials

Steady red means stop; after stopping you may turn right, or left onto a one-way street, unless a sign says no. Steady yellow means stop before the intersection unless you cannot stop safely. Flashing red means stop, then go when safe. Flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution.

A flashing green ball is a pedestrian-controlled light, and side-street traffic may be facing stop signs. A flashing green arrow with a red light lets you turn left while through traffic waits. Lane control signals above lanes show a green arrow for open lanes and a red X for closed ones.

Lines and markings

• Broken yellow line: passing allowed when safe.
• Solid and broken yellow lines together: pass only if the broken line is on your side.
• Double solid yellow: no passing.
• Double broken yellow: a reversible lane; overhead signals tell you if you may use it.
• Solid white line: do not change lanes. Broken white: lane changes allowed when safe.
• Bicycle lanes show a bicycle symbol; do not drive, stop or park in them.

Signs you may not see elsewhere

On mountain and rural routes, a regulatory sign may require winter tires or chains when displayed. Slow-vehicle pullout signs tell slower drivers to pull over and let traffic pass. You may also meet signs for snow sheds, falling rock and removing sunglasses before a tunnel. The site has deeper guides to B.C. signs and to winter tire rules.

Common mistakes

• Treating a flashing green as an advance left-turn signal. In B.C. it means a pedestrian-controlled light.
• Passing on a solid yellow line on your side.
• Ignoring the end of a reserved lane or entering an HOV lane where the line is solid.
• Guessing a sign's meaning instead of using its shape and colour.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in British Columbia

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• BC Road Signs, Signals and Markings
• BC Learner Licence Rules
• BC winter tires