Signs, signals and markings in Kansas

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify the main sign types by shape and color.
• You can explain what each traffic light and arrow means, steady or flashing.
• You can read yellow and white pavement lines and know when passing is allowed.
• You can recognize the slow-moving vehicle emblem common on Kansas rural roads.

What you need to know and understand

• A stop sign has eight sides and is red with white letters.
• A yield sign is a downward-pointing red and white triangle.
• Warning signs are usually yellow diamonds; work zone signs are orange.
• The pennant-shaped sign marks the start of a no passing zone and is on the left side of the road.
• Guide signs are green, brown or blue rectangles giving directions, recreation and services.
• Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving the same way.
• An orange and red triangle on the back of a vehicle means it travels at less than 25 mph.

Reading a traffic light

• Steady red: stop behind the line, crosswalk or intersection and wait. A right turn after stopping is allowed unless a sign prohibits it.
• Flashing red: treat it as a stop sign.
• Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red; stop if you safely can.
• Flashing yellow: slow down and proceed with caution.
• Green arrow: you may turn in that direction when the way is clear.
• Yellow arrow: the protected turn is ending.
• Red arrow: do not turn in that direction until it changes.

Lines on the pavement

A dashed yellow center line means you may pass when it is safe. With a solid and a dashed line together, you may pass only if the dashed line is on your side. Two solid yellow lines mean neither direction may pass, though you may cross them to turn left into a driveway or side road when there is a safe gap.

A dashed white line between lanes lets you change lanes when safe. A solid white line means stay in your lane unless something unusual requires a change. A shared center left-turn lane, marked with solid and broken yellow lines, is only for left turns from either direction, never for passing.

Signs you will meet on Kansas roads

Rural Kansas has many farm vehicles, so watch for the slow-moving vehicle emblem and pass only where it is legal and safe. Railroad crossings use a round yellow advance warning sign and a white X-shaped crossbuck at the tracks. School zone and pedestrian crossing signs may be fluorescent yellow, and a school speed limit marked when flashing applies only while the lights flash. Reserved lanes may be marked with a white diamond.

Common mistakes

• Mixing up warning and regulatory signs. Yellow diamonds warn; red and white or black and white signs give orders.
• Passing across a solid yellow line on your side because the road looks empty.
• Treating a flashing red light as a yield.
• Driving in a shared center turn lane for a long distance before turning.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Kansas

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

Go deeper

• Kansas Permit Practice Test
• Kansas 50 Hour Supervised Driving Affidavit
• Kansas Driving Test and the Driver’s Ed Waiver