Colorado Practice Test

Colorado Practice Test (25 questions). Correct answers and explanations are noted under each question.

1. 1. You see this Deer Crossing sign and one deer runs across the road ahead of you. What should you expect?

   

   1. More deer are likely to follow across the road. (correct)
   2. The road ahead is clear of deer for the next mile.
   3. Any following deer will wait until traffic has passed.
   4. Deer only cross one at a time, so watch for the next crossing sign.

   Why: The sign warns that deer frequent this stretch and travel in groups, so a single crossing is a cue that more may still be on the shoulder or in the tree line. The trap is the answer that treats the first deer as the whole hazard, which comes from carrying over the driver's habit of clearing one obstacle and moving on. Deer follow each other seconds apart, and the second animal often steps out just as the first one clears the far lane.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign W11-3 (Deer Crossing).

2. 2. This orange diamond sign warns of a bump in a work zone. What should you do?

   

   1. Slow down before reaching the bump. (correct)
   2. Come to a complete stop before the patched pavement.
   3. Change lanes to avoid the raised pavement.
   4. Maintain speed to cross the bump smoothly.

   Why: The sign warns that a short, abrupt rise lies ahead in the construction area, and the safest response is to slow down before you reach it so the vehicle stays stable and cargo, suspension, and following traffic aren't jolted. Drivers who trust the road habit that a bit of momentum floats a small bump, and so try to hold speed to cross it smoothly, are the ones who miss the sign's slow-down instruction.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign CW8-1 (Bump (Work Zone)).

3. 3. When does the passing restriction created by this Do Not Pass sign end?

   

   1. When a Pass With Care sign or permissive pavement markings appear ahead. (correct)
   2. After you have driven 500 feet past the sign.
   3. When you reach the next intersection or cross street.
   4. When oncoming traffic clears and the road ahead looks empty.

   Why: The restriction runs from the sign forward and is lifted only by a Pass With Care sign or by permissive pavement markings. The tempting wrong choice is the one that lets a clear stretch of road end the restriction; a driver used to judging passing by sight distance reads Do Not Pass as advice to weigh against conditions, when it is a rule that stays in force until a later sign or marking cancels it.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign R4-1 (Do Not Pass).

4. 4. What does this Flagger Ahead sign require of a driver approaching the work zone?

   

   1. Obey the hand signals of the flagger directing traffic ahead. (correct)
   2. Follow the pavement markings through the work zone until they end.
   3. Follow the traffic light at the next intersection ahead.
   4. Merge left because a lane is closed ahead of the sign.

   Why: The sign warns that a person is directing traffic in the work zone ahead, and their hand signals govern how you move through it. The trap is the answer that keeps you obeying the next traffic light; the entry is explicit that a driver takes direction from the flagger rather than from the signal or the markings when both are present.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign W20-7a (Flagger Ahead (Word Message)).

5. 5. What does this crossbuck sign require of a driver approaching the tracks?

   

   1. Yield to any approaching train and cross only when the tracks are clear. (correct)
   2. Come to a complete stop before every crossing, whether or not a train is approaching.
   3. Proceed without slowing because the crossbuck only marks the location of the tracks.
   4. Yield to cross traffic on the road that intersects at this location.

   Why: The crossbuck acts as a yield device at a highway-rail grade crossing: slow down, look and listen both ways, and cross only when no train is coming. The trap is the answer that treats every crossing as a mandatory stop, which carries a stop-sign habit over to a device that only demands a stop when a train is actually there.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign R15-1 (Railroad Crossing (Crossbuck)).

6. 6. What does this INFO sign direct you to?

   

   1. A tourist information center or welcome center. (correct)
   2. A rest area with restrooms and vending machines.
   3. A hospital with emergency medical services.
   4. A weigh station for commercial trucks.

   Why: The blue square with the white INFO legend marks a tourist information center or welcome center, where traveler information is available. Drivers who read the blue services background as the whole meaning skip past the INFO legend and land on rest area instead.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign D9-10 (Tourist Information).

7. 7. What does this advance warning sign tell a driver about the road ahead?

   

   1. Railroad tracks cross ahead; slow down and be ready to stop for a train. (correct)
   2. Railroad tracks are at this location; yield to any approaching train.
   3. A traffic light is ahead where the driver may need to stop.
   4. A school crossing is ahead with children who may be crossing.

   Why: The round yellow disc is the advance warning that railroad tracks cross the road ahead, so you slow down, look both ways, and be ready to stop for a train. The trap is the choice that treats this sign as the crossbuck posted at the tracks themselves; the crossbuck is white and X-shaped, while this round yellow sign sits back from the crossing to warn a driver in time to slow.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign W10-1 (Highway-Rail Grade Crossing (Round Advance Warning)).

8. 8. Solid green pavement bordered by white lines identifies what?

   

   1. A bicycle lane highlighted where it crosses motor vehicle paths. (correct)
   2. A shared lane for bicycles and buses only.
   3. A pedestrian crossing painted for extra visibility.
   4. A lane permanently closed to all motor vehicle traffic.

   Why: A continuous green field bordered by white lines marks a bicycle lane and calls attention to it where bicyclists and motor vehicles cross paths, such as intersections, driveways, and merges. The color raises the lane's visibility without changing its legal status. Drivers who read the vivid green as a permanent barrier pick D, mistaking a visibility treatment for a change in who may use the lane.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking FHWA IA-14 (Green-Colored Bike Lane).

9. 9. A lane is marked with a white arrow that has one head pointing straight ahead and another pointing left. What does this permit a driver in that lane to do?

   

   1. Go straight through the intersection or turn left. (correct)
   2. Turn left only; through traffic must use another lane.
   3. Turn left or right at the driver's choice.
   4. Continue straight only; the left arrow warns of oncoming turners.

   Why: A combination arrow with a straight head and a left head marks an optional-movement lane, so a driver in it may continue straight through the intersection or turn left. The trap is the choice that reads the marking as a left-turn-only lane, reached by treating any left-pointing arrow as a mandatory turn and skipping past the straight head sharing the same marking.

   Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.24 (Straight-or-Left Combination Arrow).

10. 10. An extra-wide solid white line runs along the right side of the roadway. What does it tell you as a driver?

    

    1. Keep the line on your left and stay off the shoulder. (correct)
    2. Cross the line to pass slower traffic on the right.
    3. Stop your vehicle before crossing the line ahead.
    4. The lane is reserved for bicycles only.

    Why: An extra-wide solid white edge line marks where the travel lane ends on the right, and the driver keeps it on the left while treating the shoulder beyond it as off-limits for normal driving. The tempting wrong choice reads the line as a broken lane divider that a driver may cross to move right, a rule that belongs to dashed white lines between two through lanes, not to an edge line whose whole job is to mark the outer boundary of the lane you are already in.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.06 (Wide Solid White Edge Line).

11. 11. You see a fluorescent yellow-green pedestrian symbol painted on the pavement ahead. What does this pavement marking warn you about?

    

    1. A school crossing is just ahead (correct)
    2. A general pedestrian crosswalk with no school nearby
    3. A playground or park entrance ahead
    4. A bike route crossing the roadway

    Why: A fluorescent yellow-green pedestrian symbol painted on the pavement warns you that a school crossing is just ahead, so slow down, watch for children and crossing guards, and be ready to stop. The traffic-control manual reserves this pavement marking for school crossings; it isn't a general crosswalk indicator, a park symbol, or a bike-route marker. Drivers who read any pedestrian figure on the roadway as an ordinary crosswalk warning are the ones who miss that this specific pavement marking flags a school zone.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.22 (School Crossing Pavement Symbol).

12. 12. You reach a railroad crossing pavement marking. Before starting onto the tracks, what must you have?

    

    1. Enough room on the far side to fully clear the tracks. (correct)
    2. A green light at the intersection past the railroad crossing.
    3. A hand signal from the driver who just crossed the tracks.
    4. Lowered gates and flashing lights over the near side of the crossing.

    Why: You never roll onto the rails until there is space on the far side for your whole vehicle; a stall between them puts you in the path of a train. A green past the crossing controls the intersection ahead, not the rail behind it. Drivers who read that downstream signal as permission to enter, the way they would watch only the next light on an ordinary block, are the ones who end up stuck over the tracks.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.21 (Railroad Crossing Pavement Marking).

13. 13. What should you do when this Hill sign warns of a downgrade ahead?

    

    1. Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before starting down. (correct)
    2. Stop completely at the crest before beginning the descent.
    3. Yield to any vehicles climbing the grade from below.
    4. Hold your speed and rely on the brakes throughout the descent.

    Why: The Hill sign warns that a steep downgrade is ahead, and the safe response is to slow down and shift to a lower gear before you start down so engine braking helps control your speed. The answer that says to hold your speed and rely on the brakes is the trap: it borrows the everyday habit of tapping the brakes on a mild slope, which lets the brakes overheat and fade on a real grade.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign W7-1 (Hill).

14. 14. You approach this sign posted at the front of a raised median that splits the roadway. What does it require of you?

    

    1. Pass to the right of the upcoming island or divider. (correct)
    2. Choose either side of the divider that traffic allows.
    3. Stop before the divider and yield to oncoming vehicles.
    4. Move into the left lane before reaching the divider.

    Why: The sign directs a driver to pass to the right of the island or divider ahead. The trap is the choice that lets a driver take either side; this sign carries a curved arrow showing one specific required path around the obstruction, not an option. A learner who picks a yield or a lane change is reading the arrow as advice about the roadway ahead rather than as a routing instruction at the obstruction itself.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign R4-7 (Keep Right (Symbol)).

15. 15. The word BUS is painted in white in a travel lane. What tells you who may use the lane and during which hours?

    

    1. The posted signs at the location (correct)
    2. The color of the pavement legend
    3. Whether the legend spells out BUS ONLY or BUS STOP
    4. A federal default schedule for bus lanes

    Why: The BUS pavement legend identifies a lane or curb zone as bus-designated, but the posted regulatory signs at that location are what state who may enter and when. The trap is the choice that reads the specific legend wording as if BUS ONLY versus BUS STOP carried the schedule itself; the pavement word only supplements the signs, and the signs carry the who and the when.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3E.03 (BUS Pavement Legend).

16. 16. After the wheels have fully stopped at a stop sign, when may the driver proceed?

    

    1. After yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic with the right-of-way (correct)
    2. As soon as the vehicle's wheels have fully halted
    3. When a traffic light or officer waves the driver through
    4. After the driver on the right has gone first

    Why: The stop is only the first step; after halting, drivers yield to pedestrians and any cross traffic that already has the right-of-way, then move when the way is clear. Drivers who learned "stop means stop" as the whole rule pull forward the moment the wheels halt and skip the yield step the octagon requires next.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign R1-1 (Stop).

17. 17. You are in the left lane and see this sign in a work zone. What does it require of you?

    

    1. Signal, match traffic speed in the right lane, and merge right before the taper. (correct)
    2. Stop at the taper and wait for a gap in traffic before merging.
    3. Race to the taper and cut in ahead of continuing traffic.
    4. Stay in the left lane; traffic in the right lane must yield to you.

    Why: In a work-zone lane closure, the driver in the ending lane signals, matches the speed of the through lane, and merges right well before the taper. Racing to the taper and cutting in ahead of continuing traffic tempts drivers who treat the closure as a chance to gain position, the aggressive habit this advance warning is placed to prevent.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign CW4-2L (Lane Ends Merge Right (Work Zone)).

18. 18. A solid white line runs along the right side of the roadway. What does it mark?

    

    1. The right edge of the travel lane and the boundary with the shoulder (correct)
    2. The centerline between traffic moving in opposite directions
    3. The boundary between two travel lanes going the same direction
    4. A zone where passing other vehicles is prohibited

    Why: A solid white line on the right side of the road marks the right edge of the travel lane and separates the lane from the shoulder. The trap is the same-direction lane choice: white does divide lanes moving the same way, and a driver applying that broad rule can miss that this particular line hugs the shoulder rather than sitting between two travel lanes.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.06 (Solid White Right Edge Line).

19. 19. What does this Merge Right sign warn of ahead?

    

    1. Traffic from the right merges into your lane ahead. (correct)
    2. A lane on the right ends and drivers must move left.
    3. The roadway narrows from both sides ahead.
    4. Two-way traffic begins on the roadway ahead.

    Why: The diamond warns that traffic from the right merges into your lane ahead, which is why you check your right mirror and blind spot as you approach and adjust speed for vehicles joining. The trap is the answer about a lane ending and drivers moving left; that is the Lane Ends sign, and readers pick it because both signs feature a slanting line and get filed together on first pass.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign W4-1R (Merge Right).

20. 20. Yellow diagonal stripes inside a solid yellow border fill a rectangle between opposing-direction lanes. What does this require of you?

    

    1. Use it as a two-way left-turn lane for turns to either side.
    2. Do not drive into the striped area. (correct)
    3. Treat it as a passing zone for opposing traffic.
    4. Stop inside the stripes before merging into the next lane.

    Why: A rectangle outlined in solid yellow and filled with diagonal stripes is a painted median between opposing-direction lanes, and it is closed to travel. The trap is the two-way left-turn lane, which also sits between opposing traffic and uses yellow paint; a driver who learned that rule first carries it over. But a two-way left-turn lane is bounded by a solid outer yellow and a broken inner yellow with no diagonal fill, and it exists to be entered for turns. The diagonal stripes flag pavement not meant for any travel at all.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.25 (Yellow Diagonal Crosshatch (Neutral Median Area)).

21. 21. Two broken yellow lines border a center lane with overhead lane-control signals. What authorizes a driver to enter that lane?

    

    1. A green arrow on the overhead lane-control signal above that lane. (correct)
    2. A clear gap in oncoming traffic long enough to pass safely.
    3. A left turn or U-turn the driver is preparing to make.
    4. A posted speed limit that allows use of a center lane.

    Why: Two broken yellow lines mark a reversible lane whose direction of travel changes by time of day or traffic demand. Enter only when the overhead lane-control signal above the lane shows a green arrow for your direction, never under a red X. Drivers who first learned broken yellow as the passing-allowed line on an ordinary two-way road judge a gap in oncoming traffic instead of looking up at the signal above the lane.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.04 (Double Broken Yellow Line (Reversible Lane)).

22. 22. You approach a roundabout entry marked with a row of solid white triangles pointing toward you. What does the marking require before you cross it?

    

    1. Yield to traffic in the roundabout and cross only when safe. (correct)
    2. Come to a complete stop before entering, then proceed.
    3. Maintain speed and merge into any gap you find.
    4. Wait for a driver in the circle to wave you in.

    Why: The row of triangles is a yield line, and it puts the duty to yield on you. Slow down, watch for traffic and pedestrians already in the circle, and cross only when there is a safe gap. The trap is the answer that requires a full stop; drivers reach for it by treating the triangles like a stop bar. A stop bar is a single solid white line spanning the lane and it is what a stop sign uses, while shark's teeth signal yielding, not stopping.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.19 (Yield Line (Shark's Teeth)).

23. 23. You are following a light rail vehicle on a shared street and see this R15-5a sign as the train stops at a station. What does it require of you?

    

    1. Pass on the left once the opposing track looks clear of trains.
    2. Wait behind the stopped train until it moves and passengers finish crossing. (correct)
    3. Sound the horn and pass slowly once riders have boarded the train.
    4. Go around the train as you would any stalled vehicle blocking the lane.

    Why: The R15-5a marker forbids overtaking a light rail or transit train stopped at a station while passengers are loading, unloading, or crossing the roadway, so you hold position until the train pulls away and riders have cleared the street. Drivers who fall back on the everyday reflex of easing around a stalled vehicle in the lane are the ones who steer past a halted transit train and cross straight through the boarding zone.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign R15-5a (Do Not Pass Stopped Train).

24. 24. The word STOP is painted in white across your travel lane. What does this pavement legend tell you?

    

    1. A stop sign or signal is ahead, and you must prepare to come to a complete stop. (correct)
    2. The legend itself is the stop line where the front wheels must halt.
    3. Cross traffic ahead has the right of way at an uncontrolled intersection.
    4. A rolling stop is allowed when the intersection ahead is clear.

    Why: The STOP legend on the pavement reinforces an upcoming stop sign or signal and warns you to prepare to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The trap is the choice that treats the painted word as the stop line itself; the legend typically appears just before a transverse stop bar, so the line you halt behind is that bar, not the word painted on the approach.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.20 (STOP Pavement Legend).

25. 25. What should a driver do when approaching this Road Work Ahead sign?

    

    1. Slow down and watch for workers, equipment, and changed lanes. (correct)
    2. Stop at the sign and wait for a flagger before proceeding.
    3. Merge left because the right lane closes at the sign.
    4. Take the marked detour beginning at the sign.

    Why: This advance warning sign tells you there's road work ahead, so slow down and watch for workers, equipment, and changed lanes. The merge answer comes from treating this general work-zone warning as the arrowed lane-closure sign that follows it further along the approach only when a lane actually drops.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, sign W20-1 (Road Work Ahead).