Maryland DMV Road Signs & Traffic Signals Practice Test (2026)
Road signs, traffic signals, and pavement markings make up 25% to 35% of the Maryland written knowledge exam at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), MDOT. To pass on your first try, you must instantly recognize regulatory signs, warning signs, construction work-zone signs, guide signs, and lane markings by their shape, color, symbol, and wording.
| Sign Category / Shape | Standard Colors | What Maryland Test-Takers Must Know |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Signs (Octagon, Triangle, Vertical Rectangle) | Red, White, Black | Enforce traffic laws: Stop (8-sided octagon), Yield (downward triangle), Speed Limits, Do Not Enter, Wrong Way, and turn prohibitions. |
| Warning Signs (Diamond & Pennant) | Yellow with Black symbols | Alert drivers to hazards ahead: sharp curves, merging traffic, Winding roads, deer crossings, and No Passing Zones (yellow pennant on left side of road). |
| School & Pedestrian Signs (Pentagon) | Fluorescent Yellow-Green | Five-sided pentagon signs mark school zones and school crossings where reduced speed limits and strict pedestrian yield laws apply. |
| Work Zone Signs (Diamond / Rectangle) | Orange with Black legend | Temporary construction, maintenance, flaggers ahead, and lane closures. Fines for speeding in Maryland active work zones are severely increased. |
| Railroad Crossing (Round & Crossbuck) | Yellow Circle / White X | Round yellow RXR advance warning sign and white Crossbuck at the tracks; stop 15–50 feet back when red lights flash or gates lower. |
Sample Maryland Road Signs Practice Test Questions & Official Manual Citations (2026)
Below are 4 real sample questions from our Maryland road signs practice test bank. Every question in PassMyDMV cites the exact page and rule in the official Maryland manual so you understand the law behind every answer:
Sample Question 1 · Electric Low Speed Vehicles
Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 10 · Page 54
What are electric low-speed vehicles designed to do in Maryland?
- A. Transport two or more passengers
- B. Transport only the operator Correct
- C. Transport families with children
- D. Carry cargo and one person
Why B. Transport only the operator is correct: Electric low-speed vehicles are designed to transport only the operator. They are lightweight personal vehicles with specific design and performance characteristics defined by Maryland law. [Manual: Other Important Information — Electric Low-Speed Vehicles, p. 54]
Manual excerpt (Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 10 · Page 54): “Are designed to transport only the operator.”
Sample Question 2 · Bicycle Safety
Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 10 · Page 53
How should a bicyclist signal a left turn according to Maryland law?
- A. Look back and use hand signals Correct
- B. Steer left without signaling
- C. Only signal when other traffic is present
- D. Only use a bell or horn
Why A. Look back and use hand signals is correct: Bicyclists must look back before they change lanes or turn, and use their turn signals (hand signals) to let others know what they plan to do. Hand signals are the standard way bicyclists communicate with drivers and other road users. [Manual: Other Important Information — Rules and Tips for Bicyclists, p. 53]
Manual excerpt (Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 10 · Page 53): “Signal All Turns: Look back before you change lanes or turn. Use your turn signals to let others know what you plan to do”
Sample Question 3 · Cosigner Requirements
Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 2 · Page 11
Who can co-sign an application for a minor seeking a Maryland driver's license?
- A. A teacher or school official
- B. Any adult over 21
- C. A parent, legal guardian, spouse 18+, or responsible adult with proof of emancipation or parents' death Correct
- D. An employer only
Why C. A parent, legal guardian, spouse 18+, or responsible adult with proof of emancipation or parents' death is correct: If under 18, a parent, legal guardian, or spouse (if 18 or older) must co-sign. If neither is available, a responsible adult may co-sign with proof of emancipation or parents' death. [Manual: Licensing Requirements and Process — Co-Signer of Minor's Application, p. 11]
Manual excerpt (Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 2 · Page 11): “If you are married and your husband or wife is 18 or older, they can co-sign. You must provide proof that you are married. If you do not have a parent, legal guardian or spouse, a responsible adult may co-sign if you are under 18.”
Sample Question 4 · Proof Of Guardianship
Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 2 · Page 11
What proof must be provided to show a co-signer is a parent or legal guardian?
- A. A notarized letter from the parent
- B. An original or certified birth certificate with the parent's name, or court documents showing legal guardianship Correct
- C. Any identification showing the same last name
- D. A school record listing the parent
Why B. An original or certified birth certificate with the parent's name, or court documents showing legal guardianship is correct: You must provide an original or certified birth certificate with your parent's name or court documents showing legal guardianship as proof of the co-signer relationship. [Manual: Licensing Requirements and Process — Co-Signer of Minor's Application, p. 11]
Manual excerpt (Official Maryland Manual · Chapter 2 · Page 11): “You must provide proof that they are your parent or guardian. Examples of proof are: An original or certified birth certificate with your parent's name, or Court documents showing legal guardianship.”
Most-Tested Maryland Road Signs Practice Test Topics in Our 286-Question Bank
Our Maryland road signs practice test bank contains 286 active multiple-choice questions written directly from the official Maryland handbook. Here is how those questions break down across the core exam topics:
Frequently Asked Questions: Maryland Road Signs Practice Test
- How many road sign questions are on the Maryland DMV written test?
- Road signs, traffic signals, and pavement markings typically account for 25% to 35% of the Maryland written knowledge exam at the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), MDOT. Some states even require passing a dedicated road signs recognition section before the general traffic law section.
- What do the 8 standard road sign shapes mean on the Maryland permit test?
- On the Maryland test: an Octagon (8 sides) is always Stop; an Equilateral Triangle pointing down is Yield; a Diamond is a Warning sign; a Pennant (sideways triangle) means No Passing Zone; a Pentagon (5 sides) marks a School Zone or Crossing; a Round sign warns of a Railroad Crossing ahead; a Vertical Rectangle gives Regulatory rules (like Speed Limit); and a Horizontal Rectangle provides Guide/Direction info.
- What do road sign colors indicate on the Maryland knowledge exam?
- Red means stop, yield, or prohibition; Yellow warns of general hazards ahead; Orange warns of construction and maintenance work zones; Fluorescent Yellow-Green marks school, pedestrian, and bicycle crossings; White displays regulatory laws; Green shows directional movements and mileage; Blue indicates motorist services; and Brown marks public recreation and scenic sites.
- Does the Maryland road signs test include pavement markings and curb colors?
- Yes. You must know the difference between solid yellow lines, broken yellow lines, double yellow lines, shared center left-turn lanes, and white lane lines, as well as flashing red (treat as stop sign) vs. flashing yellow (proceed with caution) traffic signals.
- How many Maryland road sign practice questions does PassMyDMV have?
- PassMyDMV has 286 road sign, signal, and pavement-marking practice questions specifically tied to the official Maryland driver manual, each citing the manual page that explains the sign.
All Maryland DMV Practice Tests & Study Guides
- Maryland DMV Practice Test Hub (Car, Motorcycle & CDL overview)
- Maryland Car Learner’s Permit Practice Test (872 questions)
- Maryland Motorcycle Permit Practice Test (342 questions)
- Maryland CDL Commercial Practice Test (788 questions)
- Maryland Road Signs & Traffic Signals Practice Test (286 questions)
- Official Maryland Driver Manual Table of Contents & PDF Handbook
- How to Get Your Maryland Driver License: 2026 Step-by-Step Guide
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