Road Safety Signs Quiz
Eighty-three Indian road signs drawn in their correct shapes and colours, with what every road user must do — then a three-way quiz, the road safety rules every child should know, and a printable chart for the classroom wall.
Indian road signs come in three families: mandatory signs are circles, where a red ring means you must not do something and a solid blue circle means you must; cautionary signs are red-bordered triangles that warn what is ahead; and informatory signs are blue rectangles giving helpful facts. This page covers all 83 with their meanings.
The shape and colour rule
Learn these four rules and you can guess a sign you have never seen before.
No sign matches that
Try a shorter word such as "curve", "cross" or "parking".
Choose your level
Ten questions each time, mixed between three kinds: name the sign, pick the sign, and what should you do.
Numbers to remember
If you see an accident, call for help first. Both numbers are free and work from any phone.
Reading a sign is a life skill
Children walk, cycle and cross roads long before they drive. A child who can read the road is safer every single day — and will be a far better driver later.
Learn the shapes first
Red ring, triangle, blue circle, blue rectangle. The shape tells you the kind of message before you read anything.
Browse by category
Tap any sign to see what a road user must actually do, plus a memory tip.
Take the quiz
Four levels and three question types, including real situations on the road.
Print the chart
Put the full chart on the classroom wall or in a road safety assembly.
Three families of signs
Mandatory signs carry an order. A red ring means you must not do something; a solid blue circle means you must do it. Breaking these is an offence.
Cautionary signs are red-bordered triangles. They warn you what is coming — slow down and look.
Informatory signs are blue rectangles. They tell you helpfully where the hospital, petrol pump or parking is.
Why red, blue and triangles?
Red is the colour the human eye picks out fastest, so it is kept for orders and warnings. Blue is calm, so it carries information and positive instructions.
A triangle still reads as a warning even when it is dirty or faded, and even to someone who cannot read the local language. That is the whole point of a sign system.
The four-step crossing drill
- Stop at the kerb, a little back from the edge.
- Look right, then left, then right again.
- Listen — a horn or engine tells you about a vehicle you cannot yet see.
- Walk straight across, quickly but without running, still looking.
Three habits that save lives
- A helmet, fastened properly, on every ride — including the pillion rider and short trips.
- A seat belt in the front and the back of every car, every time.
- No phone in the hand while riding, driving or crossing the road.
Road Safety Signs Quiz — your questions
What are the three types of road signs in India?
Mandatory signs carry an order and are circles — a red ring means you must not do something, a solid blue circle means you must — and breaking them is an offence. Cautionary signs are red-bordered triangles that warn what is coming, so slow down and look. Informatory signs are blue rectangles telling you where the hospital, petrol pump or parking is.
Why are road signs red, blue and triangular?
Red is the colour the human eye picks out fastest, so it is reserved for orders and warnings. Blue is calm, so it carries information and positive instructions. A triangle still reads as a warning even when it is dirty or faded, and even to someone who cannot read the local language — which is the whole point of a sign system.
How should a child cross the road safely?
Use the four-step drill. Stop at the kerb, a little back from the edge. Look right, then left, then right again. Listen, because a horn or an engine warns you of a vehicle you cannot yet see. Then walk straight across, quickly but without running, and keep looking as you go.
What number should I call after a road accident in India?
112 is the national emergency number for police, fire and ambulance anywhere in India, and 1073 is the road accident emergency helpline. Both are free from any phone. When you call, say three things calmly: where it happened, using a landmark or road name; what happened; and how many people are hurt.
Can I be blamed for helping an accident victim?
No. A person who helps an accident victim is protected by the Good Samaritan rules notified under the Motor Vehicles Act. You cannot be forced to pay the injured person's medical bill, and you cannot be made to keep returning to the police station simply because you stopped to help.
What road safety habits matter most for school students?
Three. Wear a helmet, properly fastened, on every ride including as a pillion and on short trips. Wear a seat belt in the front and the back of every car, every time. And keep the phone out of your hand while riding, driving or crossing the road — looking at a screen is how most pedestrian accidents begin.
How can I remember a road sign I have never seen before?
Read the shape and colour first. A red ring or a red-crossed circle forbids something. A solid blue circle orders you to do something. A red-bordered triangle warns of what is ahead. A blue rectangle is simply information. Those four rules let you work out the meaning of most signs before you even look at the picture inside.