Signs, signals and markings in Montana

By the end of this topic you can

• You can identify a sign's purpose from its shape and color.
• You can respond correctly to every traffic light, arrow and flashing signal.
• You can read yellow and white pavement lines and know when passing is allowed.
• You can respond to pedestrian signals and flashing crosswalk beacons.

What you need to know and understand

• Red octagon means stop; red and white downward triangle means yield.
• Yellow diamond signs warn of hazards ahead, such as curves, deer crossings or cattle crossings.
• White rectangles give regulations such as speed limits; green signs give directions; orange signs mark work zones.
• A pennant-shaped yellow sign on the left marks the start of a no-passing zone.
• A green arrow lets you make only the movement it shows, while still yielding to pedestrians.
• Yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate lanes going the same way.
• At a flashing crosswalk beacon with a pedestrian present, you must yield and wait until they have crossed.

Reading traffic lights

• Steady green: go if the way is clear, yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.
• Green arrow: you may make the movement shown, yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red. Stop if you safely can.
• Steady red: stop at the stop line or before the crosswalk and wait, unless a right turn on red is allowed.
• Red arrow: do not make that movement until it changes.
• Flashing red: treat it like a stop sign. Flashing yellow: slow down and proceed with care.

Lines on the road

A broken yellow line on your side means you may pass when it is safe. A solid yellow line on your side means no passing. Two solid yellow lines mean neither direction may pass. Solid white lines mark lane edges and discourage lane changes, while broken white lines let you change lanes with care.

A white stop line shows where to stop at a sign or signal. Crosswalks are marked with white lines, but remember that an unmarked crosswalk exists at most intersections even with no paint.

Pedestrian signals and beacons

A walk signal, or walking person symbol, gives pedestrians the right to cross, and drivers must yield. A flashing or steady don't walk signal, or raised hand, tells pedestrians not to start crossing, but anyone already crossing may finish and you must let them.

Montana law covers pedestrian-activated devices such as rectangular rapid-flashing beacons. When the lights are flashing and someone is crossing, stop and stay stopped until they reach the other side.

Common mistakes

• Treating a flashing red light like a yield. You must come to a full stop.
• Speeding up for a yellow light. Yellow means prepare to stop.
• Ignoring deer and cattle crossing signs on open roads. They mark real hazards, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Driving through a rapid-flashing crosswalk beacon because the pedestrian is on the far side.

Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Montana

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

Go deeper

• Montana Drivers Ed
• Learning to Drive in Montana
• Montana 50 Hour Driving Log