SC Road Signs Test 2026: Shapes, Colors and What They Mean

Is there a road signs test in SC?

Not as its own test. SCDMV's manual lists the knowledge test as a test of traffic laws, road signs and driving safety rules, and SCDMV's road test page includes identifying road signs among the things you'll do with the examiner. SCDMV doesn't say how many sign questions the knowledge test has.

The manual's tip is to read the clues: the shape, color, symbols and words on a sign each tell you what kind of message it carries.

Regulatory signs: rules you must obey

Regulatory signs are square, rectangular or a special shape, and white with black, red or green. A red circle with a slash means the action shown is prohibited. Two shapes belong to one sign each: the eight-sided stop sign and the downward-pointing yield triangle.

Stop: eight sides, red with white letters
Yield: slow down and let traffic with the right-of-way go
Speed limit: the top legal speed in ideal conditions
No left turn
No right turn
No U-turn
One way: traffic flows only the way of the arrow
Center lane for left turns from either direction

Warning signs: what's ahead

Warning signs tell you about possible danger ahead, so you can slow down and be ready to stop. They're usually yellow with black lettering or symbols, and typically diamond shaped.

Cross road ahead
T-intersection ahead
Curve to the right
Curvy road ahead
Divided highway begins
Divided highway ends
Merging traffic
Added lane
Stop sign ahead
Traffic signal ahead
Slippery when wet

Railroad and work zone signs

The round yellow RR sign comes before a crossing, and the white X-shaped crossbuck stands at the crossing itself. When a train is coming, stop behind the stop line or before the crossing. If your vehicle ever gets stuck on the tracks, call the emergency number on the blue sign at the crossing.

Orange signs, diamond or rectangular, mean a work zone. Slow down, don't tailgate, and be ready to stop. The manual says endangering a highway worker can bring a fine and points on your record.

Railroad ahead: slow down, look and listen
Crossbuck: stop if a train is coming
More than one track: there may be more than one train
Flagger ahead: follow the flagger's directions
Workers on or near the road
Detour: follow the signs around the closed road

School, pedestrian and slow-vehicle signs

Some warning signs, like school zones, school crossings and pedestrian crossings, can be fluorescent yellow so they stand out. In a school zone, obey the slower speed limit when the lights are flashing or children are present. The orange and red triangle on the back of farm or construction equipment means it's going under 25 mph.

School zone ahead
School crossing
Lower school speed limit while the lights flash
Pedestrian crossing
Bicycle crossing
Slow-moving vehicle: under 25 mph

Traffic signals

You may turn right on a red light unless a sign says you can't. Stop first, before the crosswalk on the near side, and yield to pedestrians and other traffic. In some cities the lights are mounted sideways, with red on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the right.

Red: stop behind the line and wait for green
Yellow: the light is about to turn red
Green: go if the intersection is clear
Flashing red: stop, as at a stop sign
Flashing yellow: slow down and go with caution
Green arrow: turn the way the arrow points

Guide signs and lines on the road

Guide signs are green, brown or blue and point you to roads, towns, hospitals, gas and places to stay. South Carolina also uses an S route marker for secondary roads: the first number is the county and the second is the road. Evacuation route signs mark the roads used if a hurricane evacuation is ordered for the coast.

Yellow lines separate traffic going opposite ways, and white lines separate lanes going the same way. A dashed line on your side means you may pass when it's safe; a solid line on your side means you may not.