Signs, signals and pavement markings
You see a five-sided (pentagon-shaped) sign ahead. What does it tell you?
- You are near a school: drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk. Correct answer
- You are approaching a railroad crossing.
- A no-passing zone begins here.
Why
Sign shapes carry meaning before you can read the words. The five-sided sign is reserved for school zones and school crossings: slow down, expect children and crossing guards, and stop for anyone in the crosswalk. A railroad crossing is announced by a yellow and black circular sign or an X-shaped sign, not a pentagon. Diamond-shaped signs warn of road conditions and dangers ahead, and red-and-white signs regulate what you may or may not do. Near a school, remember that the speed limit drops to 25 mph within 500 feet while children are outside, and that crossing guards' directions must be obeyed at all times.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is You are near a school: drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk.
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Traffic Control › Signs › 5-sided Sign, page 38
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Traffic Control › Signs › Yellow and Black Circular Sign or X-shaped Sign, page 38
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Around Children, page 50
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Traffic Control › Signs › Red and White Regulatory Sign, page 38
The rule behind this one
California road signs, signals and pavement markings goes through the whole topic, with the page of the California Driver's Handbook behind every rule.
More on signs, signals and pavement markings
- You are waiting in a left turn lane when the green arrow changes to a solid yellow arrow. What is that signal telling you?
- The left turn signal ahead of you shows a flashing yellow arrow. What may you do?
- A line of solid white triangles is painted across your lane as you approach an intersection, with the points aimed at you. What is it?
- You are driving at night and the reflectors along the road ahead shine red in your headlights. What does that tell you?