Connecticut · Handbook chapter 10 · 7 min read

Chapter 10: Signs, signals and pavement markings

Connecticut pavement markings and lane lines, reserved and reversible lanes, traffic lights, arrows and HAWK signals, and the shapes, colors and meanings of regulatory, warning, guide, work area and railroad signs.

Why this chapter matters

Signs, lights and lines run through the whole Driver's Manual, so expect them on the knowledge test. If you know the shapes and colors, you can work out most signs even before you can read them.

Pavement markings

Edge and lane lines

• A solid white line marks the right edge of the road.
• A solid yellow line marks the left edge on divided roads.
• White lane lines separate lanes going the same direction. Dashed white: you may change lanes when safe. Solid white: stay in your lane unless a special situation requires a change. Double solid white: no lane changing.

Center lines

Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions.

Other markings

• Stop lines: stop before the line when a sign or signal tells you to stop.
• Crosswalks: yield to pedestrians in or about to enter them. Not all crosswalks are marked.
• Yield lines mark where you must yield, such as a mid-block crosswalk.
• Reserved lanes carry signs and often a white diamond: "Transit" or "bus" means buses only, "Bicycle" means bicycles, and HOV means vehicles with more than one person (signs say how many).
• Shared center lane: for left turns (and U-turns where allowed) from both directions, edged by solid and dashed yellow lines.
• Reversible lanes, usually marked with double dashed yellow lines, change direction at set times. A green arrow means you may use the lane; a red X means you may not; a flashing yellow X means turning only; a steady yellow X means move out of the lane as soon as safely possible.
• Diagonal stripes mark fixed obstructions. A sharrow (two chevrons over a bicycle) means the lane is shared with bicycles.

Traffic lights

Lights are red, yellow and green from top to bottom.

• Red: stop and wait for green and for crossing traffic to clear. You may turn right on red after a full stop if no sign forbids it, yielding to traffic and pedestrians.
• Yellow: the light is about to turn red. Stop if it is safe. If you are already in the intersection, keep going.
• Green: go, but let crossing traffic clear first and yield to emergency vehicles and pedestrians. On a left turn, a steady green lets you turn only when safe.
• Flashing red: same as a stop sign.
• Flashing yellow: slow down and proceed with caution.
• Red arrow: stop; no movement in that direction until a green arrow or light appears.
• Yellow arrow: the protected turn is ending; prepare to stop.
• Green arrow: turn in that direction; oncoming and crossing traffic should be stopped.

HAWK pedestrian signals

A HAWK signal has two red lights side by side above one yellow, triggered by a pedestrian push button.

Sign shapes

Sign colors

Regulatory signs

• STOP: come to a full stop at the sign or stop line, wait for crossing vehicles and pedestrians, then go when safe.
• YIELD: slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic you are entering or crossing; stop if needed.
• DO NOT ENTER: a white bar in a red circle on a square sign. Found at wrong-way ramp entrances, crossovers and one-way streets.
• WRONG WAY: you are going against traffic. Turn around.
• A red circle with a slash forbids what it shows, such as no left turn or no U-turn.
• ONE WAY: travel only in the direction of the arrow.
• Lane use control: shows which movements are allowed from a lane.
• KEEP RIGHT: pass a median or island on the side shown by the arrow.
• DO NOT PASS and other no-passing signs show where passing is not allowed.
• Disabled parking: spaces reserved for people with disabled parking privileges.
• SPEED LIMIT: the maximum speed for the road.

Warning signs

Most are yellow diamonds with black symbols or words.

• Signal Ahead and Stop Ahead: slow down and prepare to stop.
• Lane reduction and Merge: lanes are about to combine; drivers in both lanes share the duty to merge smoothly.
• Pedestrian Crossing and School: watch for people crossing, and obey crossing guards. An arrow plaque below shows the crossing location.
• Slippery When Wet: slow down, avoid hard braking and sudden turns, and leave more room.
• Two-Way Traffic: you are leaving a divided road for a two-way road.
• Divided Highway Begins: the road splits into two one-way roadways. Keep right.
• Advisory speed plaque: a recommended speed for a curve or other condition, usually below another warning sign.
• Large arrow (change in direction): a sharp change in direction or a narrowing, often on the outside of a sharp curve.
• Crossroad, side road, T and Y intersection signs, and turn and curve signs, show what is ahead by the shape of the symbol.

Guide signs

• Route markers: shape and color show interstate, U.S., state or other routes.
• Green destination, distance and information signs: exits, mileposts, city limits and state lines. Mileposts usually count up from the south and west borders.
• Blue service signs: gas, food, rest areas, hospitals and campgrounds.
• Brown signs: parks and recreation areas.

Work area signs

Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols, usually diamond or rectangular. They warn of workers, reduced speed, detours and equipment. Obey flaggers, who use STOP/SLOW paddles and red flags. A Detour sign marks the start of an alternate route around a closed road.

Railroad crossings

• Round yellow sign with an X and "RR": a crossing is ahead.
• Crossbuck (white X with RAILROAD CROSSING): at the crossing itself; it means the same as a YIELD sign. Yield to trains.
• Flashing lights and gates: stop when the lights start flashing, before the gate comes down, and wait until the gates rise and the lights stop. Never drive around a gate.
• Never start across unless there is room on the far side, and avoid shifting gears on the tracks.
• A blue Emergency Notification System sign gives a number to report problems at the crossing.

Always obey directions on message boards.