Signs, signals and markings in Illinois

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name the meaning of the main sign shapes and colors.
• You can respond correctly to steady, flashing and arrow signals.
• You can explain what to do when traffic signals are out.
• You can read white and yellow pavement markings and know when you may cross them.
• You can recognize the warning devices at railroad crossings.

What you need to know and understand

• Octagon means STOP; a triangle pointing down means YIELD; a pennant on the left side of the road marks a no passing zone.
• Red signs are regulatory, yellow warns, orange marks construction and maintenance, green and blue guide, brown shows parks and recreation, and pink may mark traffic incidents.
• Yellow-green warning signs alert you to pedestrian and bicycle crossings, playgrounds, school bus stops and school zones.
• When traffic signals are not working, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
• A steady red arrow still allows a right turn, and a left turn from one one-way street onto another, after a complete stop.
• A red X lane signal means never drive in that lane.
• A railroad crossbuck is treated as a yield sign.

Reading a sign before you can read the words

A temporary STOP sign put up by highway authorities is treated the same as a permanent one. A handheld STOP sign means stop until the crossing guard or flagger tells you to go.

• Eight sides (octagon): STOP. Stop at the stop line, or before the crosswalk, or before the intersection.
• Three sides, point down: YIELD. Let all traffic and pedestrians go first.
• Round and yellow with an X and RR: railroad crossing ahead, posted up to 750 feet before in rural areas.
• Diamond: warning of a hazard ahead.
• Five sides: school zone or school crossing.
• Pennant (three sides, pointing right): no passing zone, on the left side of the road.
• Square or rectangle: regulatory or guide information.

Traffic lights, arrows and lane signals

Steady red means stop and wait for green; you may turn right on red unless a sign forbids it, after stopping and yielding. Yellow warns that red is coming. Green means go after yielding to anyone still in the intersection. Flashing red is treated like a stop sign, and flashing yellow means proceed with caution.

A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A steady yellow arrow means the protected turn is ending. Over some highway lanes, a red X means never use that lane, a yellow X means move out before it turns red, and a green arrow means the lane is open.

If the lights are dark, stop completely and treat the junction as an all-way stop unless an officer directs you. You may never leave the roadway to avoid a signal.

Lines on the road

• Broken white lines separate lanes going the same way; cross them only to change lanes or turn.
• A solid white line between same-direction lanes calls for extra care; crossing a double solid white line is prohibited.
• Broken yellow center lines: passing is allowed when safe.
• Solid yellow line on your side: no passing, except to finish a pass begun before the zone or to turn left into or out of a driveway or alley.
• Two-way left turn lanes are marked with yellow lines and white arrows; use them only to turn left or make a permitted U-turn.
• The white stop line is usually about 4 feet before the crosswalk in urban areas; stop before any part of your car crosses it.

Common mistakes

• Driving straight through a dark signal. It must be treated as an all-way stop.
• Waiting at a red arrow when you want to turn right. After a full stop and yielding, a right turn is allowed.
• Driving along the two-way left turn lane to get ahead of traffic. It is only for turning.
• Treating a crossbuck with no lights as a place to keep your speed. It is a yield sign: slow down, look and listen.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Illinois

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

Go deeper

• Illinois Traffic Signals, Pavement Markings and Road Signs
• Illinois Permit Practice Test
• Illinois Seat Belt, Child Restraint and Other Traffic Laws