A law enforcement officer directing traffic signals you to go through a red light. What should you do?

Wait until the light turns green, then follow the officer

Where must you stop at a steady red light?

Before entering the crosswalk or intersection

At the far side of the intersection

May you turn right at a steady red light?

Yes, after stopping, unless prohibited by law

Yes, without stopping if no one is coming

When may you turn left on a steady red light?

When both streets are one way, unless prohibited

Whenever no oncoming traffic is in sight

Never, only right turns are allowed on red

You are turning right on a red light after stopping. Who must you yield to?

All pedestrians and other traffic lawfully using the intersection

Only vehicles coming from your right

No one, the stop gives you the right-of-way

What must you do at a flashing red light?

Stop completely, then proceed when it is safe

Slow down and proceed with caution

Stop and wait for the light to turn green

You stop at a flashing red light. What should you know about vehicles on the crossing road?

They always face a flashing red light too

They must wait until you have crossed

What does a steady yellow light tell you?

The light is about to change to red

The light is about to change to green

You may proceed if the road is clear

The light turns steady yellow and you can stop safely. What must you do?

Stop before entering the nearest crosswalk

Speed up to clear the intersection

Proceed, yellow means caution only

The light turns steady yellow and you cannot stop safely. What may you do?

Proceed cautiously through the intersection

What does a flashing yellow light mean?

Slow down and proceed with caution

What does a flashing yellow arrow for left turns mean?

You may turn left but must yield to oncoming traffic

You must stop and wait for a green arrow

What does a steady green light mean?

You may proceed if it is safe to do so

You have the right-of-way over everyone in the intersection

You may only drive straight ahead

Your light just turned green. What should you watch for?

Reckless drivers racing across to beat a red light

Nothing, cross traffic must already be stopped

A green arrow is shown at the same time as a red light. What may you do?

Proceed carefully in the direction of the arrow after yielding

Go straight through the intersection

Wait, the red light overrides the arrow

You want to turn left on a steady green light. Who must you yield to?

All traffic approaching from the opposite direction

Only vehicles turning right from the opposite direction

No one, green means you have the right-of-way

What does a steady yellow X on a lane-use control signal mean?

Prepare to safely leave the lane, a lane control change is coming

The lane is for left turns only

What does a steady downward green arrow over a lane mean?

You are permitted to drive in that lane

You must turn at the next intersection

At a railroad crossing with gates and flashing lights, when must you stop?

When the lights begin to flash, before the gate lowers

Only after the gate is fully down

Only when you can see the train

At a gated railroad crossing, when may you go?

When the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing

When the train has passed, even if the gates are down

Which of these means you must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail?

You see a round railroad advance warning sign

On a two-lane rural road with two-way traffic, where should you drive?

To the right of the yellow center line

To the left of the white edge line

On a two-lane road, when may you cross a broken yellow center line?

When passing another vehicle or when the right half of the road is closed

To turn around in the middle of a block only

On a two-lane road, the yellow center line on your side is solid. May you cross it to pass?

Yes, if the vehicle ahead is going under the limit

You are about to turn from a one-way road. Which lane should you be in?

The lane closest to the turn, well in advance

The center lane, then move over at the corner

Any lane, as long as you signal

When should you enter a center left turn lane?

At a point where you have time to slow down or stop for a safe left turn

As soon as you want to pass a slow vehicle

A mile before your turn so you are ready

On a multi-lane highway with four or more lanes, may you cross the double yellow line to pass?

Yes, if the left lane on your side is blocked

You are driving slower than other traffic on a highway with four or more lanes. Which lane should you use?

Any lane next to the center line

What do broken or dashed lines allow?

Passing or changing lanes, if safe

You must stop at an intersection that has no stop line. Where do you stop?

At the edge of the cross street

What are solid white lines used for?

Pavement edges, shoulders, and lane use control

Separating traffic going in opposite directions

What does a solid yellow line on the left edge of the road, as on an interstate, tell you?

Driving to the left of it is prohibited

You may use the left shoulder to pass

The left lane is for trucks only

What does a pavement marking of double solid white lines mean?

Crossing is allowed with caution

Crossing is allowed to pass slow vehicles

Why are impact barrels placed in front of solid obstacles?

To act as a cushion and reduce the seriousness of crashes

To mark the end of a construction zone

To show where trucks may turn around

You see the hearing impaired flag on the back of a bicycle. What should you do?

Slow down, the rider may be hearing impaired

Sound your horn to warn the rider

Pass quickly, the rider is slow

You come to barricades and cones narrowing the road. What should you do first?

Slow down and prepare to change lanes when safe

Speed up to merge ahead of other drivers

Stop and wait for a flag person

In a construction zone with channelizing devices, how long should you keep your reduced speed?

Until you clear the construction zone

Until you pass the first worker

Only while the lights on the devices are flashing

When may you return to your normal lane after a work zone?

Only after checking traffic behind you

As soon as the last cone is passed

When the driver behind flashes the lights

What do large flashing arrow panels in a work zone tell you?

Which lanes to use and that part of the road ahead is closed

That the speed limit has been raised

What does a flag person in a work zone wear?

An orange vest, shirt, or jacket

A flag person signals you to stop. Where should you stop?

In your lane, without veering right or left

In the oncoming lane if it is empty

Traffic signals and pavement markings

Practice this topic52 questions

Questions and answers

A law enforcement officer directing traffic signals you to go through a red light. What should you do?

Obey the officer

An officer directing traffic overrides the signals. Obey the officer even if the instruction would normally be against the law.
Chapter 5 · Traffic Signals ↗PDF, 29 MB
Where must you stop at a steady red light?

Before entering the crosswalk or intersection

At a steady red light, stop before you enter the crosswalk or the intersection.
Chapter 5 · Steady Red Light (Stop) ↗PDF, 29 MB
May you turn right at a steady red light?

Yes, after stopping, unless prohibited by law

After stopping at a red light, you may turn right unless a law or sign prohibits it. Yield to pedestrians and other traffic.
Chapter 5 · Steady Red Light (Stop) ↗PDF, 29 MB
When may you turn left on a steady red light?

When both streets are one way, unless prohibited

A left turn on red is allowed after stopping only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless prohibited.
Chapter 5 · Steady Red Light (Stop) ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are turning right on a red light after stopping. Who must you yield to?

All pedestrians and other traffic lawfully using the intersection

A turn on red is allowed only after yielding to every pedestrian and vehicle lawfully in the intersection.
Chapter 5 · Steady Red Light (Stop) ↗PDF, 29 MB
What must you do at a flashing red light?

Stop completely, then proceed when it is safe

A flashing red light works like a stop sign. Come to a complete stop, then go when you can do so safely.
Chapter 5 · A Flashing Red Light ↗PDF, 29 MB
You stop at a flashing red light. What should you know about vehicles on the crossing road?

They may not have to stop

Traffic on the intersecting road may have no signal to stop, so wait until it is safe.
Chapter 5 · A Flashing Red Light ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a steady yellow light tell you?

The light is about to change to red

A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red.
Chapter 5 · Steady Yellow Light (Caution) ↗PDF, 29 MB
The light turns steady yellow and you can stop safely. What must you do?

Stop before entering the nearest crosswalk

If you can stop safely on a steady yellow, you must stop before the nearest crosswalk.
Chapter 5 · Steady Yellow Light (Caution) ↗PDF, 29 MB
The light turns steady yellow and you cannot stop safely. What may you do?

Proceed cautiously through the intersection

If a stop cannot be made safely, you may go through carefully before the light turns red.
Chapter 5 · Steady Yellow Light (Caution) ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a flashing yellow light mean?

Slow down and proceed with caution

A flashing yellow light warns drivers to slow down and go ahead carefully.
Chapter 5 · A Flashing Yellow Light ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a flashing yellow arrow for left turns mean?

You may turn left but must yield to oncoming traffic

A flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn, but oncoming traffic has the right-of-way.
Chapter 5 · A Flashing Yellow Arrow For Left-Turns ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a steady green light mean?

You may proceed if it is safe to do so

A green light lets you go straight or turn when it is safe, unless another sign or signal prohibits it.
Chapter 5 · Steady Green Light (Go) ↗PDF, 29 MB
Your light just turned green. What should you watch for?

Reckless drivers racing across to beat a red light

Even on green, watch for cars and pedestrians in the intersection and for drivers trying to beat the red light.
Chapter 5 · Steady Green Light (Go) ↗PDF, 29 MB
A green arrow is shown at the same time as a red light. What may you do?

Proceed carefully in the direction of the arrow after yielding

You may go in the direction of the arrow after yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians.
Chapter 5 · Green Arrow Displayed at the Same Time as a Red Light ↗PDF, 29 MB
You want to turn left on a steady green light. Who must you yield to?

All traffic approaching from the opposite direction

You may turn left on green, but first yield to all oncoming traffic.
Chapter 5 · Left Turn on Green ↗PDF, 29 MB
A red X appears on a lane-use control signal above your lane. What does it mean?

Do not drive in that lane

A red X over a lane means you should not drive in that lane.
Chapter 5 · Guide Signs ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a steady yellow X on a lane-use control signal mean?

Prepare to safely leave the lane, a lane control change is coming

A steady yellow X warns that the lane is about to change, so prepare to move out of it safely.
Chapter 5 · Guide Signs ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a steady downward green arrow over a lane mean?

You are permitted to drive in that lane

A steady downward green arrow means the lane under it is open to you.
Chapter 5 · Guide Signs ↗PDF, 29 MB
Where can lane-use control signals be used?

On streets or highways

These overhead signals can be used on both streets and highways.
Chapter 5 · Guide Signs ↗PDF, 29 MB
At a railroad crossing with gates and flashing lights, when must you stop?

When the lights begin to flash, before the gate lowers

Stop as soon as the lights start flashing. Do not wait for the gate to come down.
Chapter 5 · Gate and Flashing Light ↗PDF, 29 MB
At a gated railroad crossing, when may you go?

When the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing

Stay stopped until the gates are up and the lights have stopped flashing.
Chapter 5 · Gate and Flashing Light ↗PDF, 29 MB
Which of these means you must stop 15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail?

Warning bells are sounding

Stop within 15 to 50 feet of the rail for a flag person, flashing red lights or bells, or any device warning of a train.
Chapter 5 · Gate and Flashing Light ↗PDF, 29 MB
On a two-lane rural road with two-way traffic, where should you drive?

To the right of the yellow center line

Keep your vehicle to the right of the yellow center line.
Chapter 5 · Two-Lane Rural Road with Two-Way Traffic ↗PDF, 29 MB
On a two-lane road, when may you cross a broken yellow center line?

When passing another vehicle or when the right half of the road is closed

A broken yellow line may be crossed to pass or when the right half of the road is closed, if it is safe.
Chapter 5 · Two-Lane Rural Road with Two-Way Traffic ↗PDF, 29 MB
On a two-lane road, the yellow center line on your side is solid. May you cross it to pass?

No

Do not cross the center line if it is solid yellow or if it is not safe.
Chapter 5 · Two-Lane Rural Road with Two-Way Traffic ↗PDF, 29 MB
On a one-way road with three lanes marked by broken white lines, which lane may you use?

Any lane

When each lane of a one-way road is marked with a broken white line, you may drive in any lane.
Chapter 5 · Three Lane One-Way Roads ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are about to turn from a one-way road. Which lane should you be in?

The lane closest to the turn, well in advance

Move into the lane nearest the direction of your turn well before you reach it.
Chapter 5 · Three Lane One-Way Roads ↗PDF, 29 MB
When should you enter a center left turn lane?

At a point where you have time to slow down or stop for a safe left turn

Enter the center lane only where you will have time to slow down or stop and turn left safely.
Chapter 5 · Left Turn Lane Only ↗PDF, 29 MB
On a multi-lane highway with four or more lanes, may you cross the double yellow line to pass?

No

Do not cross the double yellow line to pass. Stay in your lane as much as possible.
Chapter 5 · Multi-lane Highway (Four or More Lanes) ↗PDF, 29 MB
You are driving slower than other traffic on a highway with four or more lanes. Which lane should you use?

The right-hand lane

Slower drivers keep to the right-hand lane.
Chapter 5 · Multi-lane Highway (Four or More Lanes) ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a solid yellow line on your side of the road mark?

A no-passing zone

A solid yellow line on your side means you may not pass there.
Chapter 5 · Solid and Broken Lines ↗PDF, 29 MB
What do broken or dashed lines allow?

Passing or changing lanes, if safe

Broken lines permit you to pass or change lanes when it is safe.
Chapter 5 · Solid and Broken Lines ↗PDF, 29 MB
What color are crosswalk lines?

White

White crosswalk lines painted across the road show where pedestrians cross.
Chapter 5 · Crosswalks ↗PDF, 29 MB
You must stop at an intersection that has no stop line. Where do you stop?

Before the crosswalk

Where stop lines are missing, stop before the crosswalk when signs, signals, or pedestrians require it.
Chapter 5 · Crosswalks ↗PDF, 29 MB
Where must you stop when a white stop line is painted across your lane?

Behind the stop line

White stop lines are painted at signs and signals. Stop behind the line.
Chapter 5 · White Stop Lines ↗PDF, 29 MB
What are solid white lines used for?

Pavement edges, shoulders, and lane use control

Solid white lines mark pavement edges, shoulders, channelizing, transitions, and lane use control.
Chapter 5 · Solid Lines ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does the handbook say about crossing a solid white line?

Avoid it if possible

Crossing a single solid white line should be avoided if possible.
Chapter 5 · Solid Lines ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a solid yellow line on the left edge of the road, as on an interstate, tell you?

Driving to the left of it is prohibited

The yellow left edge line shows that driving to the left of it is not allowed.
Chapter 5 · Solid Lines ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a pavement marking of double solid white lines mean?

Crossing is prohibited

You may not cross double solid white lines. Do not change lanes or turn across them.
Chapter 5 · Solid Lines ↗PDF, 29 MB
Why are impact barrels placed in front of solid obstacles?

To act as a cushion and reduce the seriousness of crashes

These barrels absorb impact. They are installed in front of solid obstacles and where crashes are frequent.
Chapter 5 · Barrels ↗PDF, 29 MB
You see the hearing impaired flag on the back of a bicycle. What should you do?

Slow down, the rider may be hearing impaired

This flag warns that the rider may be hearing impaired and may not hear you. Slow down.
Chapter 5 · Hearing Impaired ↗PDF, 29 MB
What is the basic color for construction and maintenance devices?

Orange

Signs, barricades, drums, cones, and other work zone devices are mainly orange.
Chapter 5 · Construction and Maintenance Devices ↗PDF, 29 MB
You come to barricades and cones narrowing the road. What should you do first?

Slow down and prepare to change lanes when safe

At channelizing devices, slow down and get ready to change lanes when it is safe.
Chapter 5 · Channelizing Devices ↗PDF, 29 MB
In a construction zone with channelizing devices, how long should you keep your reduced speed?

Until you clear the construction zone

Keep a reduced speed until you are out of the zone. A sign should show that you are leaving it.
Chapter 5 · Channelizing Devices ↗PDF, 29 MB
When may you return to your normal lane after a work zone?

Only after checking traffic behind you

Return to the normal driving lane only after you check traffic behind you.
Chapter 5 · Channelizing Devices ↗PDF, 29 MB
The stripes on a barricade slope downward to the right. Which way should you go?

Bear to the right

The diagonal stripes point the way traffic passes. Stripes sloping down to the right mean bear right.
Chapter 5 · Pass to the Right ↗PDF, 29 MB
The stripes on a vertical panel slope downward to the left. Which way should you go?

Bear to the left

Stripes sloping down to the left mean the driver should bear to the left.
Chapter 5 · Pass to the Left ↗PDF, 29 MB
What do large flashing arrow panels in a work zone tell you?

Which lanes to use and that part of the road ahead is closed

Flashing or sequencing arrow panels guide drivers into certain lanes and warn that part of the road is closed.
Chapter 5 · Flashing Arrow Panels ↗PDF, 29 MB
What does a flag person in a work zone wear?

An orange vest, shirt, or jacket

A flag person wears orange and uses stop/slow paddles or red flags to direct traffic.
Chapter 5 · Flag Person ↗PDF, 29 MB
A flag person signals you to stop. Where should you stop?

In your lane, without veering right or left

Stop in your own lane and do not move right or left. Wait until the flag person tells you to go.
Chapter 5 · Flag Person ↗PDF, 29 MB
What is an automated flagger assistance device (AFAD)?

A remotely operated device that lets the flag person stand out of the traffic lane

An AFAD controls traffic through a work zone and is operated remotely, keeping the flag person out of the lane.
Chapter 5 · Automated Flagger Assistance Device (AFAD) ↗PDF, 29 MB