Last updated: September 2026 – checked against current RTO sign categories and colours used in India.
Road sign questions are one of the most common parts of the learner’s licence test. The good news is that once you know the shape and colour rules, you can often work out what an unfamiliar sign means, even before reading any text on it. This page explains those rules and gives practice questions with the correct answer marked.
For a full illustrated chart of individual signs by category, see our guide on traffic signs and traffic rules in India. This page focuses on how to recognise and answer sign-based test questions.
Shape and Colour: The Key to Reading Any Sign
| Shape / colour | Category | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Red octagon | Stop | The only sign shaped this way; always means stop completely |
| Red inverted triangle | Give way | Slow down and let other traffic pass first |
| Red circle (white/red background) | Mandatory / prohibition | An instruction you must follow, or something forbidden (no entry, no parking, no horn) |
| Red-bordered triangle (yellow or white background) | Cautionary / warning | Warns of a hazard ahead: curve, crossing, narrow bridge, school, and similar |
| Blue rectangle or circle | Informatory / mandatory direction | Gives directions, distances, facilities, or a compulsory direction to follow |
| Yellow diamond or rectangle | Temporary / construction | Used for roadwork, diversions and temporary hazards |
Practice Questions on Sign Shapes and Colours
1. Which shape is used only for the “Stop” sign?
A) Triangle
B) Octagon (eight-sided)
C) Circle
No other Indian road sign uses this shape, so it can be recognised instantly even in poor light.
2. A sign shaped like an upside-down (inverted) triangle means:
A) School ahead
B) Give way
C) No entry
This is the only sign that is an inverted triangle, used specifically for “Give Way”.
3. A red-bordered circular sign generally means:
A) Information about a nearby facility
B) A mandatory instruction or prohibition
C) A warning to slow down
Circular signs with a red border are compulsory: something you must or must not do.
4. A triangular sign with a red border and a symbol inside (such as a curving arrow or a school icon) is:
A) A cautionary sign, warning of a hazard ahead
B) A mandatory sign
C) An informatory sign
Triangular red-bordered signs warn drivers to slow down and watch for a specific hazard.
5. A blue rectangular sign showing a hospital symbol and an arrow is what type of sign?
A) Mandatory
B) Cautionary
C) Informatory
Blue rectangular signs point toward facilities like hospitals, fuel stations and rest areas, and give distances.
6. A blue circular sign with a white arrow pointing straight ahead means:
A) You may go in any direction
B) You must go straight ahead only (compulsory direction)
C) No through traffic
Blue circles are also used for mandatory direction signs, different from blue rectangles which are informatory.
7. A yellow diamond-shaped sign near a work zone usually indicates:
A) A permanent speed limit
B) Temporary roadwork or a construction hazard
C) A parking area
Yellow is used for temporary conditions, such as construction, diversions, or a damaged road surface.
8. A red circle with a horizontal white bar through the middle and no other symbol means:
A) Speed limit ends
B) No entry for any vehicle
C) One-way road
This is one of the most common prohibition signs, marking a road closed to all vehicles.
9. A circular sign showing a number (such as “50”) inside a red border means:
A) The distance to the next town in km
B) The maximum speed limit in km/h
C) The road number
A numbered red-bordered circle is always a speed limit sign.
10. A square or rectangular sign with a blue background and a white “P” means:
A) Petrol pump ahead
B) Parking allowed
C) Police station ahead
The “P” symbol on a blue background marks a permitted parking area.
Commonly Tested Signs by Category
Mandatory Signs (Must Follow)
Stop, Give Way, No Entry, No Horn, No Parking, No Stopping or Standing, Speed Limit, One Way, Compulsory Ahead, Compulsory Left/Right Turn.
Cautionary Signs (Warnings)
Right/Left Hand Curve, Hairpin Bend, Narrow Road or Bridge, Steep Ascent/Descent, Slippery Road, Pedestrian Crossing, School Ahead, Men at Work, Cattle Crossing, Falling Rocks.
Informatory Signs (Facilities and Directions)
Hospital, Petrol Pump, First Aid Post, Eating Place, Resting Place, Parking (car, two-wheeler, cycle), Public Telephone.
See our full traffic signs and traffic rules guide for illustrated charts of each category, and our driving licence test questions and answers for more general practice questions on traffic rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of traffic signs are there in India?
Three main types: mandatory (must follow), cautionary (warnings) and informatory (directions and facilities).
Do I need to memorise every sign individually?
Learning the shape and colour rules first makes it much easier, since you can often guess the category of an unfamiliar sign correctly.
Are sign questions common in the learner’s licence test?
Yes. Road signs are one of the most frequently tested topics, along with right of way, speed limits and what to do after an accident.
Where can I apply for the learner’s licence test?
On the Sarathi Parivahan portal. See our learner’s licence guide for the full process.