Understanding Ontario Road Signs for the G1 Test: Complete Guide

Road signs are a crucial part of the Ontario G1 written test, and understanding them is essential for new drivers. These signs help regulate traffic, provide warnings, and give helpful information. Whether you’re just starting to prepare or reviewing before the exam, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Ontario road signs for the G1 test.

1. Categories of Road Signs in Ontario

Ontario road signs are divided into three main categories:

Regulatory Signs

These signs indicate rules and laws that must be followed. Disobeying them can result in penalties.

  • Examples: Stop sign, Yield sign, No parking, Speed limits

Warning Signs

These alert drivers to upcoming hazards or changes in the road.

  • Examples: Curve ahead, Deer crossing, School zone, Slippery road

Information and Guide Signs

These help with navigation, services, and directions.

  • Examples: Exit signs, Hospital ahead, Gas stations, Rest areas

2. Colors and Shapes: What They Mean

Ontario road signs follow color and shape conventions to make them easy to recognize:

Shape Meaning
Octagon Stop
Triangle (point down) Yield
Circle Railway crossing
Rectangle/Square Information or regulatory
Diamond Warning
Pentagon School zone/crossing

 

Color Indicates
Red Stop, Prohibitions, Yield
Yellow General warnings
White with black Regulatory (speed, lane use)
Blue Information or services
Green Directions or permitted movements
Orange Construction or temporary warnings

3. Most Common G1 Test Road Signs

Here are some signs that frequently appear on the G1 written test:

  • Stop Sign – Full stop required before proceeding.

  • Yield Sign – Slow down and give way to other traffic.

  • School Zone Sign – Watch for children and reduce speed.

  • Slippery When Wet – Drive cautiously, especially during rain or snow.

  • Do Not Enter / No U-Turn / No Parking – Regulatory signs that are often trick questions on the test.

  • Speed Limit Signs – Know the urban (50 km/h) and rural (80 km/h) speed limits.

  • Merging Traffic – Be aware of other vehicles joining your lane.

You can view visual examples of these on our Road Signs Practice Page.

4. Flashcards and Memory Tips

Studying road signs doesn’t have to be boring. Try these tips:

  • Make digital flashcards with sign images and meanings.

  • Use free tools like Quizlet or Canva to create custom sign sets.

  • Group signs by shape or color when reviewing.

  • Test yourself daily with random signs from our website.

Pro Tip: Focus more on yellow diamond-shaped signs and red regulatory signs—they appear most frequently on the test!

5. Practice Question Examples

Try out a few sample questions based on Ontario’s road sign rules:

Question 1: What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a deer image mean?
a. Deer crossing zone

b. No wildlife allowed

c. Hunting zone

d. Animal rescue ahead

Correct Answer: a

Question 2: What does a red circle with a diagonal line through a left-turn arrow mean?

a. U-turn permitted

b. Turn left anytime

c. No left turn allowed

d. Left lane ends ahead

Correct Answer: c

Want more practice? Visit our G1 Practice Test Section.

Final Thoughts

Mastering road signs is one of the easiest ways to score well on the G1 written test. With the right tools and some daily review, you’ll confidently recognize each sign’s meaning on test day. Don’t forget to check out our full list of road sign questions and flashcards for better results.

Ready to practice more? Click here to take our free G1 Road Sign Quiz

Last Update on: April 21st, 2025

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