Signs, signals and markings in Arkansas

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify stop, yield, warning, regulatory and work zone signs by shape and color.
• You can explain what each signal light and arrow means, including flashing lights.
• You can read yellow and white lane lines and know when you may pass.
• You can recognize every railroad crossing sign and marking.
• You can name the Arkansas rules about stop lines and crosswalks.

What you need to know and understand

• A stop sign is a red octagon with white letters.
• A yield sign is a downward-pointing triangle.
• Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds with black letters or symbols.
• Regulatory signs are white rectangles; a red circle with a slash means the action is not allowed.
• A flashing red light means stop, the same as a stop sign. A flashing yellow light means slow down and go with caution.
• A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely.
• A double solid yellow center line means no passing in either direction.
• An orange triangle with a red border marks a slow-moving vehicle.

Reading signs by shape and color

• Red octagon: stop completely, at the stop line if there is one.
• Triangle: yield. Failing to yield can bring a fine of up to $1,000 and a 180-day license suspension, according to the study guide.
• Red circle with a line, or Do Not Enter: you may not go that way.
• Yellow diamond: warning of a hazard such as a merge, lane ending, signal ahead or slippery road.
• School zone and school crossing signs: children may be crossing, so slow down and watch for them.
• Orange diamond or rectangle: work zone. Obey flaggers, whose directions override other signals.
• Orange triangle with red border: slow-moving vehicle, such as farm equipment, often at 25 mph or less.

Signals and arrows

On green, go only after traffic already in the intersection has cleared. On steady yellow, stop if it is safe; if you are already stopped at the line, stay put. On red, stop and wait. A steady red arrow means no turn in that direction. A steady yellow arrow means the arrow is about to turn red. A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left after yielding. A green arrow is a protected turn, so oncoming traffic must stop.

Lines on the road

• Solid white line at the edge (fog line): marks the edge of the road.
• Broken white line: separates lanes going the same way; you may change lanes when safe.
• Broken yellow center line: you may pass when the way is clear.
• Solid line beside a broken yellow line: you may pass only from the side with the broken line.
• Double solid yellow: no passing either way, though you may cross it to turn into a driveway when no traffic is coming.
• Stop line: stop before reaching it. Crosswalk: yield to pedestrians in or about to enter it.

Railroad crossing signs

A round yellow sign with an X warns of a crossing ahead. Pavement may show an X with RR. At the crossing, a white X-shaped crossbuck means yield to trains, and a number below it tells you how many tracks there are. Flashing red lights or lowered gates mean a train is coming; never go around gates. An EXEMPT sign marks a crossing that is no longer in regular use. A blue Emergency Notification System sign gives a number to call the railroad if something is wrong.

Common mistakes

• Treating a flashing red light like a yield. It is the same as a stop sign.
• Passing on a broken yellow line without checking that the way is clear far ahead.
• Stopping past the stop line or inside the crosswalk.
• Crossing tracks just because flashing lights continue with no train in sight. Wait until the lights stop.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Arkansas

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

Go deeper

• Arkansas Driver’s License Age Waiver Explained
• Arkansas Driving Test
• Arkansas Intermediate License