Signs, signals and markings in Wyoming
Signs, signals and road markings give you instructions and warnings long before you reach a hazard. In fog, snow or darkness you may not be able to read a sign, but you can still recognize its shape and color.
The Wyoming written test has a whole section on identifying signs, signals and markings, so this topic pays off twice: on the test and on the road.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can identify regulatory, warning, construction and guide signs by shape and color.
- You can explain what each traffic light and turn arrow means.
- You can read white and yellow lane lines and know when passing is allowed.
- You can recognize the signs and markings at railroad crossings.
What you need to know and understand
- An octagon is always a stop sign.
- A downward-pointing triangle means yield.
- Diamond signs warn of hazards. Most are yellow, and construction warnings are orange.
- A pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- A pennant marks the start of a no-passing zone.
- A round sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- White lines separate traffic going the same way. Yellow lines separate traffic going opposite ways.
Reading signs by shape and color
Overhead lane signs marked ONLY mean you must go in the direction the arrow shows. Arrows painted on the road mean the same thing. Look out too for the Emergency Notification Sign at railroad crossings. Use it to report an emergency that needs trains stopped, such as something blocking the tracks, or lights or gates that are not working.
- Octagon: stop completely.
- Triangle pointing down: yield to cross or merging traffic.
- Rectangle: regulates speed and direction, or gives guidance.
- Diamond, yellow with black letters: warning of a possible danger ahead.
- Orange with black letters: temporary construction or maintenance hazards.
- Pentagon: school zone or school crossing, where the limit is 20 mph.
- Pennant: start of a no-passing zone.
- Round: railroad crossing ahead.
What the lights mean
- Steady red: stop behind the crosswalk or stop line.
- Steady amber: stop if you safely can. If you cannot stop safely, go through carefully.
- Green: go when the way is clear, yielding to anyone still in the intersection.
- Flashing red: treat it like a stop sign.
- Flashing amber: proceed with caution.
- Red arrow: no turning in that direction. Green arrow: turn if the way is clear. Amber arrow: clear the intersection.
Lines on the road
Broken lines mean you may pass or change lanes if it is safe. A solid white line means changing lanes is hazardous. A solid yellow line on your side means no passing, except to turn left into or out of an alley, private road or driveway. Double yellow lines mean neither direction may pass.
At railroad crossings, an R X R marking with a stop line may be painted on the approach. Stay behind the stop line while a train passes.
Common mistakes
- Speeding up for an amber light. Stop if you can do so safely.
- Passing across a solid yellow line on your side of the road.
- Ignoring orange signs because no workers are visible. The hazard may still be there.
- Treating a flashing red light as a yield. It means a full stop.
Test yourself: Signs, signals and markings in Wyoming
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
Loading questions…
Go deeper
Sources: Rules of the Road: State of Wyoming Driver License Manual, 2021 edition, Traffic signs, signals and road markings, Railroad crossings and back-cover sign pages (Wyoming Department of Transportation). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the Wyoming licensing agency.