U.S. DMV Questions about Traffic Signals
Results
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Do you want another challenging DMV quiz?
#1. For which of the following must you always stop your vehicle?
Red always means stop. In some states you must also stop when you approach a steady yellow light, if you can stop safely. You may, however, proceed against the yellow light if you are too close to the intersection to stop safely. Flashing yellow lights means yo should slow down och use caution.
#2. Which traffic light has the same meaning as a stop sign?
A flashing red signal means stop. Check traffic and yield to vehicles and pedestrians. You may then proceed if safe. A flashing red red signal and a stop sign have the same meaning.
#3. When should you always continue against a steady yellow light?
You should always stop when a traffic light turns yellow. This is also the law in many states. If you have already entered the intersection, do not stop or back up. Instead you should continue through when traffic allows.
#4. When a traffic signal shows a green light:
Don’t enter an intersection if you cannot get completely across, You must yield to vehicles and pedestrians that lawfully entered the intersection and haven’t cleared it. If you block the intersection, you can be cited. A green light means go, but it does not give you the right-of-way.
#5. If traffic signals are blacked out and not working, you:
In most states, you are required to be cautious and proceed as though there is a stop sign in all directions. Yield to vehicles reaching the intersection before you and go only when it is safe.
#6. If you have entered an intersection to make a turn when the traffic signal changes from yellow to red, you should:
A steady yellow light means caution, the traffic signal is about to change from green to red. If you have already stopped at a crosswalk or stop line, you may not proceed against the yellow light. If you have entered the intersection when the yellow light comes on, do not stop or back up continue through.
#7. A traffic signal with a flashing yellow arrow means:
The flashing yellow arrow has been introduced recently. It allows turns in the direction of the arrow, if the way is clear. It is known as a permissive or unprotected turn. Oncoming traffic is not stopped by a red light.
#8. When a traffic signal shows a steady red light:
State laws in United states allow right turns on red light. You must come to full stop, yield to pedestrians and vehicles close enough to be hazard, and proceed only when safe. You cannot turn on red if there is a sign that prohibits a turn on red (No Turn on Red). Local ordinances, most notably New York City, may also prohibit such turns.
#9. A flashing yellow light means:
A flashing yellow light is a warning. Slow down, proceed with caution, and stay alert. Look both ways when crossing an intersection. Crossing traffic often faces a flashing red signal.
#10. You approach an intersection in a left turn lane. A traffic light with a green arrow indicates that:
You may turn in the direction of the arrow. Oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light. This is known as a protective turn. B aware that not all traffic is stopped by a red light. You may face vehicles turning left from the opposite direction.
This Traffic Signals Quiz
U.S. Traffic Signals
Perhaps you prepare for your first DMV test to get your learner’s permit or driver’s license. Or maybe, you are just visiting United States and find the different rules about traffic signals confusing.
Unlike many other countries, state laws in United States allow you to make a right turn against a red light. Sometimes, you may also turn left against a solid red light. But how should you treat a red arrow?
The different arrows and the different combinations can also be confusing for foreigners, as well as first-time test takers in United States.
This quick quiz will check your knowledge of traffic signals and traffic lights in United States. Can you reach a full score? Most users can’t.
If you want to dig deeper into what different signals mean, we recommend this article: DMV Questions about Highway Traffic Signals .
Cover photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
The answers are very different than what I expected them to be. For example, question #9 was “what to do when a traffic light is flashing red” and I answered “stop, yield right of way for pedestrians, and wait until the light turns green”. But it gave a different answer that said that “you’re allowed to make a right turn at a red light”.
No such question in this quiz.
Just a note, though. A green light never follows a flashing red. Flashing red has the same meaning as a stop sign. Stop, yield, and go when safe.