Railroad ahead
The round railroad advance warning is placed before a crossing. Look, listen, slow down, and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicle using the rails.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Railroad Crossings
Printable study chart
Virginia road signs chart
50 illustrated signs from the study bank. This is not every sign in the April 2026 Virginia Driver’s Manual. Each card links to a page with the practice question.
Railroad Crossings
Railroad crossbuck
A crossbuck warns of a railroad crossing. Look, listen, slow down, and be ready to stop. If there is more than one track, a train may approach on either track.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Railroad Crossings
Regulatory Signs
Disabled parking
Spaces marked with the disabled parking sign are reserved for people with disabled parking permits. Other drivers may not use those spaces.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Do not enter
A Do Not Enter sign means you cannot drive in that direction. Passing it puts you in the path of oncoming traffic.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Do not pass
A Do Not Pass sign marks the beginning of a no-passing zone. You may not pass vehicles ahead in your lane, even if the way looks clear.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
HOV lane
HOV signs reserve a lane for buses and vehicles with the posted number of occupants. Motorcycles and certain clean special-fuel vehicles may also be allowed, and signs show the hours the restriction applies.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Keep right
A Keep Right sign marks a traffic island, median, or barrier ahead. Stay on the side the arrow indicates.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Left turn only lane
A lane-use control sign tells drivers in that lane which movement is required. Traffic in the lane must turn in the direction of the arrow.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Left turn yield on green
Left Turn Yield on Green means a green light does not give left-turning traffic the right-of-way. Stop, look for oncoming traffic, and proceed with caution.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
No left turn
A No Left Turn sign makes left turns illegal. In Virginia, a U-turn is treated as two left turns, so it is also illegal where this sign is posted.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
No right turn
A No Right Turn sign means a right turn is illegal. Continue on your way without making that turn.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
No turn on red
A No Turn on Red sign cancels the usual permission to turn after stopping at a red light. Stay stopped until the signal allows you to move.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
No U-turn
A No U-Turn sign means you may not turn around at that location. Choose another legal place to reverse direction.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
One way
A One Way sign means traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow. Do not enter against that arrow.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Speed limit
A speed limit sign states the maximum legal speed for that road when conditions are good. In rain, snow, or ice you must go slower if the posted speed is unsafe.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Wrong way
A Wrong Way sign means you are driving against traffic and could meet a vehicle head-on. Slow down, pull over, and turn around carefully.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Regulatory Signs
Sign Colors and Shapes
Hospital
Blue-and-white signs inform drivers of motorist services. A white H on blue identifies hospital service. Green signs give destination information, and brown signs mark historical or cultural sites.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Sign Colors and Shapes
Lodging
Blue-and-white signs give motorist-service information, including lodging. They are not regulatory signs and they are not work-zone warnings.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Sign Colors and Shapes
Yield
A yield sign means slow down and be prepared to stop. Let vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists pass safely before you proceed. At a roundabout, that includes traffic already in the circle.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Sign Colors and Shapes
Warning Signs
Advisory exit speed
An advisory speed sign on a highway exit indicates the maximum safe speed for the exit. It is a warning to slow down for the ramp, not a new freeway speed limit.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Bicycle crossing
A bicycle warning means bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic. Drive with caution. A second sign with an arrow may show the crossing.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Curve right
A curve warning tells you the road ahead bends. Slow down so you can keep control through the curve.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Deer crossing
A deer-crossing warning means deer cross the roadway in that area. Slow down, watch the roadside, and be ready to stop.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Divided highway begins
Divided Highway Begins means the road ahead splits into two one-way roadways separated by a median or divider. Keep right.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Divided highway ends
Divided Highway Ends means the median or divider is ending and traffic ahead goes in both directions. Keep right.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Farm machinery
A farm-equipment warning means tractors and similar vehicles regularly use the road. Be ready to slow down or stop, and pass only when the way is clear.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Hill
A hill warning means a steep grade is ahead. Check your brakes before you start down or up the grade.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Horse-drawn vehicle
Horse-drawn buggies travel regularly where this sign is posted. Slow down, do not use the horn, and pass with at least three feet of clearance when the way is clear.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Lane ends
A lane-reduction sign means the right lane ends soon. Drivers in the right lane merge left when space opens, and drivers in the left lane should let them in smoothly.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Low clearance
A low-clearance sign gives the height of the overpass ahead. Do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Merge
A merge sign means two lanes moving in the same direction are about to become one. Drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging safely.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
No passing zone
The no-passing pennant marks the beginning of a no-passing zone. You may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Pedestrian crossing
A pedestrian-crossing warning tells you to watch for people walking, riding bicycles, or using other devices. Slow down and be prepared to stop. A second sign with an arrow may mark the crosswalk itself.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Reduced speed ahead
Reduced Speed Limit Ahead means the posted limit will drop. Ease off early so you are at the new limit when you reach it.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Roundabout ahead
A roundabout warning means a circular intersection is ahead. Entering traffic yields to traffic already in the circle and then travels counterclockwise.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
School crossing
The pentagon shape marks school zones and warns of school crossings. Watch for children, obey the speed limit, and follow crossing guards.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
School speed limit
Fluorescent yellow-green is used for school, pedestrian, and bicyclist warnings. When a school-zone speed is posted, you must drive at or below that speed while it is in effect.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Sharp right turn
A sharp-turn warning means the road changes direction abruptly. Slow down before the turn.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Side road
A side-road warning on a curve means a road joins from the side within the curve. Be alert for vehicles entering your roadway.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Signal ahead
A Signal Ahead sign means traffic signals are coming. Slow down and be ready to stop for them.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Slippery when wet
Slippery When Wet means you should slow down, avoid hard braking or sudden direction changes, and increase the distance to the vehicle ahead.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Slow-moving vehicle
Slow-moving vehicles such as farm equipment, horse-drawn vehicles, and highway work vehicles must display this emblem when they travel at 25 mph or less on a public highway. Be ready to adjust your speed.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Stop ahead
A Stop Ahead warning means a stop sign is coming. Slow down early so you can stop smoothly.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
T intersection
A T-intersection warning means the road you are on ends ahead. You must turn right or left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Two-way traffic
A two-way traffic warning means you are leaving a one-way roadway and opposing traffic is ahead. Keep to the right.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Winding road
A winding-road sign means the road ahead has a series of turns or curves. Slow down on all of them so you stay in control.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Y intersection
A Y-intersection warning means you must bear either right or left ahead. The road does not continue straight.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Warning Signs
Work Zones
Detour
A detour sign means the traffic pattern or route is changing. Slow down and follow the posted route. Unusual or dangerous conditions may be ahead.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Work Zones
Flagger ahead
A flagger sign means a highway worker ahead will direct traffic. Flaggers usually wear orange or yellow vests, or yellow-green shirts or jackets, and use STOP/SLOW paddles or red flags.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Work Zones
Road work ahead
Orange marks a work zone. Road Work Ahead means the traffic pattern may change and you should slow down and stay alert.
VA Driver's Manual (Apr 2026) §2 Work Zones