PermitPracticeTest
Menu

School Speed Limit When Flashing sign

Marks the start of a reduced school speed limit that is in force while the attached yellow beacons are flashing.

What to do

When the lights are flashing, do not exceed the speed shown.

If the yellow beacons are flashing, slow to the posted school speed before you pass the sign and stay at or below it until the end sign.

Where it's used

Section 7B.05 requires either a School Speed Limit assembly or a School Speed Limit When Flashing (S5-1) sign at the start of a reduced school speed zone, placed as close as practical to where the zone begins and preceded by a School (S1-1) sign. The S5-1 is a vertical rectangle (24 x 48 inches) combining SCHOOL, the speed limit and WHEN FLASHING, and it must be used with a Speed Limit Sign Beacon to show when the limit is in force. A speed feedback plaque may be added, and the zone should start 200 to 500 feet before the school grounds or crossing.

Don't confuse it with

  • Speed Limit: A plain Speed Limit sign applies at all times, while this limit applies only while the beacons flash.
  • End School Speed Limit: END SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT marks where the reduced school limit ends.
  • School plaque: The SCHOOL plaque is used in a separate multi-part assembly, while the S5-1 is one sign.
School Speed Limit When Flashing sign
Type
School signs
Shape
Vertical rectangle
Colors
white, black, fluorescent yellow-green
MUTCD code
S5-1
MUTCD section
7B.05

On state permit tests

Our questions for 6 states ask about this sign, including Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Ohio and Washington.

Test yourself

What is the Delaware speed limit in school zones (when children are present)? (Delaware practice test)

  • 30 mph
  • 20 mph
  • 25 mph
  • 15 mph
Show answer

20 mph. School zones: 20 mph.

When does the reduced speed in a school zone apply? (Florida practice test)

  • During the times shown on the sign or when the light is flashing
  • Only when children are visible
  • Any time school is in session for the year
  • Only between 7 and 8 a.m.
Show answer

During the times shown on the sign or when the light is flashing. Do not exceed the school zone speed limit during the indicated times or when the light is flashing.

More school signs

Road signs testAll road signs

From the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 7B.05. Sign image: public domain, source.