Road and Traffic Signs
Sign shapes and colours — orders, warnings, information and direction signs.
What this topic covers
Sign shapes and colours — orders, warnings, information and direction signs. The full Motorcycle Theory Test app contains 155 questions on this topic, drawn from the official DVSA bank.
Worked examples
Here are a few practice questions from this topic. Try answering each before reading the explanation.
Example 1
How should you give an arm signal to turn left?
- A.
- B.
- C.
✓ correct - D.
Explanation: Arm signals can be effective during daylight, especially when you’re wearing bright clothing. Practise giving arm signals when you’re learning. You need to be able to keep full control of your motorcycle with one hand off the handlebars.
Example 2
What does this sign mean?
- A. Distance to parking place ahead ✓ correct
- B. Distance to public telephone ahead
- C. Distance to public house ahead
- D. Distance to passing place ahead
Explanation: If you intend to stop and rest, this sign allows you time to reduce speed and pull over safely.
Example 3
What does this sign mean?
- A. Level crossing with gate or barrier ✓ correct
- B. Gated road ahead
- C. Level crossing without gate or barrier
- D. Cattle grid ahead
Explanation: Some crossings have gates but no attendant or signals. You should stop, look both ways, listen and make sure that there is no train approaching. If there is a telephone, contact the signal operator to make sure that it’s safe to cross.
Example 4
What does this sign mean?
- A. Through traffic to use left lane
- B. Right-hand lane T-junction only
- C. Right-hand lane closed ahead ✓ correct
- D. 11 tonne weight limit
Explanation: You should move into the lanes as directed by the sign. Here the right-hand lane is closed and the left-hand and centre lanes are available. Merging in turn is recommended when it’s safe and traffic is going slowly, for example at road works or a road traffic incident. When vehicles are travelling at speed this is not advisable and youshouldmoveintotheappropriatelane in good time.
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