New York Road Signs Test (2026)
Every road sign on the New York exam, with what it means. Free and unlimited.
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What this test covers
This draw of 40 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 21
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 5
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 3
- Signaling & Communication — 3
- Sharing the Road — 2
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 2
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Emergencies & Crashes — 1
- Safe Driving — 1
- Vehicle Equipment — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (21 of 40) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
2 are New York-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. At an uncontrolled T-intersection, the driver on the road that ends must:
- Stop only at night
- Go first
- Speed up
- Yield to traffic on the through road
Show answer
Answer: Yield to traffic on the through road
The through road has priority; the ending road yields.
2. Before changing lanes, in addition to checking your mirrors you should:
- Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
- Honk
- Speed up
- Just use your mirrors
Show answer
Answer: Look over your shoulder to check your blind spot
Mirrors don't show your blind spot — glance over your shoulder before moving over.
3. A pedestrian is crossing at a corner that has no traffic signal. You should:
- Speed up to pass first
- Proceed — you have the right-of-way
- Yield and let the pedestrian cross safely
- Honk and continue
Show answer
Answer: Yield and let the pedestrian cross safely
Yield to pedestrians crossing at intersections, even where there is no signal or painted crosswalk.
4. A safe following distance in normal conditions is at least:
- Three to four seconds
- Two seconds
- One second
- Half a second
Show answer
Answer: Three to four seconds
Keep a minimum of three to four seconds; increase it in poor conditions.
5. You must dim your high beams when:
- Only in cities
- Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or 300 feet behind one
- Never
- Only when tired
Show answer
Answer: Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or 300 feet behind one
Lower your high beams within 500 ft of oncoming traffic and 300 ft when following.
6. This sign warns that you are approaching:
- A rest area
- A roundabout only
- A railroad crossing
- A toll booth
Show answer
Answer: A railroad crossing
A round yellow sign is the advance warning for a railroad crossing.
7. A diamond-shaped sign with a truck on a downhill grade warns of:
- A truck stop
- A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
- A weigh station
- A no-truck zone
Show answer
Answer: A steep hill where trucks may move slowly
It warns of a steep downgrade; watch for slow-moving trucks.
8. A white sign showing a left-curving arrow above a lane means that lane:
- Must be used to turn left
- Merges right
- Is closed
- Is for parking
Show answer
Answer: Must be used to turn left
A left-turn lane-use sign means that lane may only turn left.
9. What does this blue sign with a wheelchair symbol indicate?
- A bus stop
- Parking reserved for people with disabilities
- A hospital
- A ramp
Show answer
Answer: Parking reserved for people with disabilities
The blue wheelchair sign marks disabled parking — a valid permit is required.
10. When turning at an intersection, watch especially for:
- Trucks only
- Only cars
- Pedestrians crossing the road you're turning onto
- Nothing
Show answer
Answer: Pedestrians crossing the road you're turning onto
Pedestrians may be crossing the street you turn into — yield to them.
11. This sign shape warns of:
- A hospital
- A school zone or school crossing
- A railroad crossing
- A dead end
Show answer
Answer: A school zone or school crossing
The pentagon shape marks a school zone or school crossing ahead.
12. What does this sign mean?
- No parking
- Yield
- U-turns are not permitted here
- One way
Show answer
Answer: U-turns are not permitted here
This regulatory sign prohibits U-turns.
13. Blue signs along the highway indicate:
- Construction ahead
- Motorist services such as gas, food, and lodging
- No passing
- A school zone
Show answer
Answer: Motorist services such as gas, food, and lodging
Blue signs point you to motorist services — gas, food, lodging, hospitals.
14. What does this sign warn of?
- A pedestrian or school crossing
- A bus stop
- A hospital
- A playground only
Show answer
Answer: A pedestrian or school crossing
This bright yellow-green sign marks a pedestrian or school crossing — be ready to yield to people crossing.
15. What does this sign warn of?
- A traffic signal ahead — be prepared to stop
- A rest area
- A gas station
- A school
Show answer
Answer: A traffic signal ahead — be prepared to stop
A signal-ahead sign warns a traffic light is coming up; be ready to stop.
16. A center lane marked with a solid yellow line and a dashed yellow line on each side is used for:
- Parking
- Making left turns only (from either direction)
- Through driving
- Passing slower traffic
Show answer
Answer: Making left turns only (from either direction)
This is a two-way left-turn lane — used only to make left turns from either direction, never for through travel or passing.
17. A steady yellow traffic light means:
- Speed up to beat the red
- The light is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely
- Go, the intersection is yours
- Yield only to pedestrians
Show answer
Answer: The light is about to turn red — stop if you can do so safely
Steady yellow warns the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely.
18. A steady red light means:
- Yield
- Slow down
- Come to a complete stop
- Proceed with caution
Show answer
Answer: Come to a complete stop
A steady red means stop fully and remain until it turns green (right-on-red after stopping unless posted).
19. Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle can result in:
- Nothing
- A reward
- A discount
- A citation and endangering lives
Show answer
Answer: A citation and endangering lives
Not yielding to emergency vehicles is illegal and dangerous.
20. What does this orange sign with a bending arrow mean?
- Road closed permanently
- One way
- Merge
- Detour — follow the marked alternate route
Show answer
Answer: Detour — follow the marked alternate route
An orange detour sign directs you along a temporary alternate route.
21. A good habit for a safe following distance is to:
- Use only brake lights
- Pick a fixed point and count 3–4 seconds behind the car ahead
- Match the car's bumper
- Tailgate to save time
Show answer
Answer: Pick a fixed point and count 3–4 seconds behind the car ahead
Count 3–4 seconds from when the car ahead passes a marker until you reach it.
22. There is no amount of alcohol that is proven 'safe' before driving because:
- It's expensive
- It tastes bad
- Even small amounts impair skills you need
- Rules change
Show answer
Answer: Even small amounts impair skills you need
Impairment begins with the first drink — the safest amount before driving is none.
23. A round sign always means:
- School
- Railroad crossing warning
- Stop
- Yield
Show answer
Answer: Railroad crossing warning
The only round sign is the railroad advance-warning sign.
24. If your turn signals fail in New York, you should:
- Turn without warning
- Use the horn
- Not signal
- Use hand signals
Show answer
Answer: Use hand signals
Use hand signals if your turn signals fail.
25. What does this sign mean?
- A hospital
- A bus stop
- A playground
- A pedestrian/school crossing — watch for people
Show answer
Answer: A pedestrian/school crossing — watch for people
This marks a pedestrian or school crossing; be ready to yield to people crossing.
26. What does this sign warn of?
- A detour
- A winding road — a series of curves ahead
- A one-way street
- A racetrack
Show answer
Answer: A winding road — a series of curves ahead
This warns of a winding road (several curves). Reduce speed.
27. An orange diamond with a downward arrow ('SLOW' / reduced speed) tells you to:
- Turn around
- Stop and park
- Speed up
- Reduce your speed for the work zone ahead
Show answer
Answer: Reduce your speed for the work zone ahead
Orange reduced-speed signs mean slow down for the upcoming work zone.
28. An arm extended straight out the driver's window means:
- Stop
- Left turn
- Right turn
- Slow
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
29. What does this sign warn of?
- A bike shop
- No bicycles
- A bike lane ends
- A bicycle crossing ahead — watch for cyclists
Show answer
Answer: A bicycle crossing ahead — watch for cyclists
A bicycle-crossing sign warns cyclists may cross the road ahead.
30. A diamond-shaped sign showing a merging-arrow means:
- Added lane
- Traffic merges ahead
- Road ends
- No merging
Show answer
Answer: Traffic merges ahead
A merge sign warns that another road joins yours ahead.
31. You are turning left at an intersection with a steady green light. You must:
- Turn immediately — you have the green
- Sound your horn and turn
- Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when safe
- Stop and wait for a green arrow
Show answer
Answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when safe
A green light lets you turn left only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
32. What does this sign warn of?
- A weigh station
- No trucks
- A truck crossing or entering the road ahead
- A truck stop
Show answer
Answer: A truck crossing or entering the road ahead
A truck-crossing sign warns that trucks may be crossing or entering; watch for them.
33. What does this sign warn of?
- A stop sign ahead
- A store ahead
- A toll ahead
- A dead end
Show answer
Answer: A stop sign ahead
A stop-ahead warning means a stop sign is coming up; slow down and prepare to stop.
34. The acceleration lane on a highway on-ramp is for:
- Passing
- Speeding up to match traffic before merging
- Parking
- Stopping
Show answer
Answer: Speeding up to match traffic before merging
Use it to reach highway speed so you can merge into a gap smoothly.
35. When another driver is trying to pass you, you should:
- Speed up
- Brake hard
- Maintain speed or slow slightly and stay right
- Move left
Show answer
Answer: Maintain speed or slow slightly and stay right
Help them pass: keep right and don't speed up.
36. Turning left, you should give way to:
- No one
- Oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Only bikes
- Only trucks
Show answer
Answer: Oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk
Yield to oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians before turning left.
37. If your rear wheels skid, you should steer:
- Opposite the skid
- Straight and brake hard
- Into the curb
- In the same direction the rear is sliding, then straighten
Show answer
Answer: In the same direction the rear is sliding, then straighten
Steer in the direction the rear is sliding to regain control, then straighten out.
38. The shape of a warning sign is usually a:
- Rectangle
- Diamond
- Circle
- Octagon
Show answer
Answer: Diamond
Most warning signs are yellow diamonds.
39. On entering a sharp curve too fast, you risk:
- A ticket only
- Losing traction and running off the road
- Better handling
- Nothing
Show answer
Answer: Losing traction and running off the road
Too much speed in a curve can break traction and send you off the road — slow before it.
40. What does this hand signal mean?
- Right turn
- Left turn
- Speed up
- Stop or slow
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Left arm straight out = a left turn.
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