Signs, signals and markings in Michigan

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name the nine sign shapes and what each signals.
• You can explain what each sign color means.
• You can respond correctly to every traffic signal, including flashing ones.
• You can read white and yellow lane lines and know when you may cross them.
• You can recognize yield lines, bike lanes and shared lane markings.

What you need to know and understand

• Octagon means stop, triangle means yield, diamond means warning, pentagon means school, and a pennant means no passing zone.
• Round signs and crossbucks warn of railroad crossings.
• Orange signs warn of construction or maintenance; fluorescent pink signs mark an incident or unplanned event.
• Fluorescent yellow-green signs warn of schools, pedestrians or bicycles; brown signs point to recreation and culture.
• On a steady yellow light you are required to stop unless you cannot do so safely.
• A flashing red light means stop fully; a flashing yellow light means proceed with care.
• White lines separate traffic going the same way; yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions.

Shapes and colors at a glance

• Horizontal rectangles give directions; vertical rectangles state laws, such as speed limits.
• Red: stop, prohibited or forbidden. Black and white: regulatory, telling you what is allowed or banned.
• Yellow: general caution. Green: directions and guidance. Blue: services such as gas and rest areas.
• An orange triangle on the back of a vehicle means a slow-moving vehicle that cannot go faster than 25 mph, such as a farm machine or Amish buggy.

Signals beyond red, yellow and green

In Michigan the red light is at the top of the signal. The 5-section-head or doghouse signal adds a green and a yellow arrow. A green arrow gives a protected turn because conflicting traffic is stopped; with a plain green ball you turn only when oncoming traffic clears.

The flashing yellow arrow left-turn signal uses four lenses. A solid red arrow means stop and do not turn. A solid yellow arrow means the turn signal is about to turn red. A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A solid green arrow means oncoming traffic is stopped. A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is a crossing signal that stops traffic for people on foot. It is illegal to cut across a parking lot to avoid a signal.

Reading the lines on the road

• Broken white: you may change lanes when safe. Solid white: marks the road edge, and between lanes it means do not cross; it is illegal to cross one to pass. Double solid white: do not cross.
• Broken yellow center line: passing allowed when safe. Solid yellow on your side: do not cross to pass. Double solid yellow: no passing either way, though you may cross to turn into a driveway or crossroad.
• Left turn only center lane: solid yellow outside, broken yellow inside. Turn from it in either direction, but never use it to pass or merge.
• White triangles across a lane are yield lines showing where to stop for pedestrians; dashed white lines across a roundabout entry mark the edge of the circle.
• Green paint in a bike lane marks a conflict area such as an intersection. Never drive, park or turn right in a bike lane.

Common mistakes

• Speeding up on a yellow light. Michigan requires you to stop unless you cannot do so safely.
• Treating a flashing yellow arrow like a green arrow. You must still yield to oncoming traffic.
• Using the center left-turn lane to pass or as a long merge lane.
• Confusing the pennant (no passing zone, on the left side) with the diamond warning sign.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Michigan

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

Go deeper

• Michigan Permit Practice Test
• How to Get a Driver’s License in Michigan
• Michigan 50-Hour Supervised Driving Log