Signs, signals and pavement markings
You want to know how far it is to the next town and which way to go. Which color of sign is meant to give you that information?
- Green, with white letters. Correct answer
- Blue, with white letters.
- Orange, with black letters.
Why
Destination signs are the ones that show the direction and the distance to locations, and in New York they are green with white lettering. Blue signs with white lettering are service signs: they show where rest areas, gas stations and similar facilities are, not how far a town is. Orange signs with black lettering are work area signs, which warn that people are working on or near the road. The manual also gives a practical habit: decide your routes on a highway map before you leave, then keep an eye on destination signs during the trip so you do not get lost or end up turning or stopping suddenly. Of the three colors, green is the one that gets you where you are going.
Where this comes from
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), April 2026 version. The correct answer is Green, with white letters.
More on signs, signals and pavement markings
- A white sign shows a right-turn arrow with a red circle and a slash drawn over it. What does the sign mean?
- You reach a STOP sign at an intersection where neither a stop line nor a crosswalk is painted on the road. Where must you stop?
- You are approaching a YIELD sign at an intersection. When must you come to a full stop there?
- You enter a work zone marked with orange signs, but no special work area speed limit is posted. What must you do?