Signs, signals and pavement markings
Which warning signs are you required to obey?
- All of them, whatever their shape or color. Correct answer
- Only the yellow diamond-shaped ones.
- Only the ones that include written words.
Why
The handbook states it without exceptions: obey every warning sign, regardless of its shape or color. The diamond is the classic warning shape, used for specific road conditions and dangers ahead, but it is far from the only one. A five-sided sign warns that you are near a school, and a circular yellow-and-black sign warns of a railroad crossing. Warning signs also cover conditions involving pedestrians, bicyclists, playgrounds, school buses and school passenger loading zones, so treating only one shape as binding would leave out much of what they tell you.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is All of them, whatever their shape or color.
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Traffic Control › Signs, page 35
- Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road › Traffic Control › Signs › Diamond-shaped Sign, page 38
- 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 › Traffic Control › Signs › Warning Signs, 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
- A sign shows a picture inside a red circle with a red line through it. What does it mean?
- Up ahead you see a round yellow-and-black sign. What is it warning you about?
- What kind of message does a white rectangular sign usually give?
- You are approaching an intersection and the traffic signal turns solid yellow. What should you do?