Signs, signals and markings in Arizona
Signs, signals and road markings tell you what to do before you have time to read every word. In Arizona, as across the US, the shape and color of a sign carry meaning on their own.
Arizona drivers also need to understand warnings for hazards that are common here, such as dust storms and flooding.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can recognize regulatory, warning and work zone signs by shape and color.
- You can explain what each traffic light color and arrow means.
- You can read yellow and white pavement lines.
- You can react correctly to dust storm and flood warnings.
What you need to know and understand
- An octagon is used only for stop signs: come to a complete stop.
- A downward-pointing triangle means yield to cross or merging traffic.
- A five-sided pentagon sign marks a school crossing, where children may cross at any time of day.
- Yellow diamond signs warn of possible danger ahead.
- A round yellow sign warns that a railroad crossing is ahead.
- Orange is the basic color for road work signs and devices, and flaggers wear orange vests.
- A steady yellow light warns that the light is about to turn red.
Reading shape and color
- Octagon (red): stop.
- Triangle (red and white): yield.
- Rectangle (white): regulatory signs such as speed limits and lane rules.
- Diamond (yellow): warning of hazards such as curves or merges.
- Pentagon (yellow or fluorescent yellow-green): school crossing.
- Circle (yellow): railroad crossing ahead.
- Orange: road work and work zones.
Traffic signals
Red means stop and remain stopped until a signal lets you go, though a right turn after a full stop is allowed unless a sign says otherwise. Yellow means the green is ending; stop if you can do so safely rather than racing it. Green means go if the intersection is clear, yielding to pedestrians and to traffic still in the junction. A flashing red light is treated like a stop sign, and a flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with care.
Lines on the road
Yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and white lines separate lanes going the same way. A broken line means you may cross it when safe. A solid line on your side means do not cross to pass. In work zones, follow the orange signs and the directions of flaggers, who use stop and slow paddles or red flags.
Arizona weather warnings
Overhead message boards and warning signs may alert you to dust storms. ADOT's advice is to Pull Aside, Stay Alive: if dense dust approaches, get completely off the paved road as soon as you safely can, turn off all lights including hazard lights, set the parking brake, take your foot off the brake pedal and stay buckled in until it passes. Turning off your lights stops drivers behind from following them into your parked car.
Flood warning signs at dips and washes mean water can cross the road quickly. Do not enter if water is flowing. Our separate guide to dust storm driving goes into more detail.
Common mistakes
- Speeding up on a yellow light to beat the red.
- Treating a flashing red like a yield sign instead of a full stop.
- Crossing a solid yellow line on your side to pass.
- Leaving hazard lights on after pulling aside in a dust storm.
- Ignoring work zone signs when no workers are visible.
Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Arizona
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, ADOT MVD; Arizona Revised Statutes 28-645 Traffic control signals (azleg.gov); Pull Aside, Stay Alive dust storm guidance, Arizona Department of Transportation (azdot.gov). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Arizona licensing agency.