ON Driver
Ontario's driver's handbook says traffic signs give you important information about the law, warn you about dangerous conditions and help you find your way, and that signs use different symbols, colours and shapes for easy identification (MTO Driver's Handbook: Signs). The handbook starts with four signs it names one by one, then says there are four other kinds of signs: regulatory, warning, temporary conditions and information and direction (Signs).
Four shapes to learn first
- Stop sign: eight-sided, red background with white letters; come to a complete stop — at the stop line if it is marked on the pavement; if there is no stop line, at the crosswalk; if there is no crosswalk, at the edge of the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, at the edge of the intersection — and wait until the way is clear before entering the intersection (Signs).
- School zone sign: five-sided, fluorescent yellow/green background with black symbols; it warns that you are coming to a school zone, and asks you to slow down, drive with extra caution and watch for children (Signs).
- Yield sign: a triangle with a white background and a red border; let traffic in the intersection, or close to it, go first, stop if you have to and go only when the way is clear (Signs).
- Railway crossing sign: X-shaped, white background with a red outline; slow down, look both ways for trains and be prepared to stop (Signs).
Regulatory signs: what you must and must not do
Regulatory signs give a direction that must be obeyed, and are usually rectangular or square, with a white or black background and black, white or coloured letters (Signs). A green circle around a symbol means you may or must do the activity shown inside the ring; a red circle with a line through it means the activity is not allowed (Signs). The handbook's examples include do not enter, no bicycles allowed, no pedestrians allowed, do not turn left at the intersection and speed limit changes ahead (Signs). Our concept card on regulatory signs is written from the same handbook section (regulatory signs).
Warning signs: hazards ahead
Warning signs warn of dangerous or unusual conditions ahead, such as a curve, a turn, a dip or a sideroad, and are usually diamond-shaped with a yellow background and black letters or symbols (Signs). Typical messages are intersection ahead, with an arrow showing which traffic has the right-of-way, a sharp bend, pavement that is slippery when wet, or deer that regularly cross the road (Signs). Our concept card on warning signs is written from that same section too (warning signs).
Temporary conditions: orange
Temporary condition signs warn of unusual temporary conditions such as road work zones, diversions, detours, lane closures or traffic control people on the road (Signs). They are usually diamond-shaped with an orange background and black letters or symbols, and in a construction zone the handbook asks you to drive with extra caution and to be prepared for a lower speed limit (Signs).
Information and direction: green
Information and direction signs tell you about distances and destinations (Signs). They are usually rectangular with a green background and white letters, and other signs with different colours guide you to facilities, services and attractions (Signs). This is the group that carries distances in kilometres, freeway exit signs and the signs that show the route to follow (Signs).
One more shape worth knowing: the slow-moving vehicle sign is an orange triangle with a red border; when on a road, farm tractors, farm machinery and vehicles that are not capable of sustaining speeds over 40 km/h must display it (Signs).
What this means for the G1 knowledge test
DriveTest says a knowledge test has 2 to 3 sections, one on signs and one on the rules of the road for example, and that the questions are based on the official driver's handbook (DriveTest: Knowledge Tests). Passing the vision test and that knowledge test is what gets you a G1 licence (Get a G driver's licence). Our sign questions are grouped in one category (road sign questions).