Topics · Signals and lane lines

Signals and lane lines: DMV test questions

Lights, arrows and pavement markings. Here are 45 questions like the ones on the written test, with answers and explanations.

Video lessonThe Yellow LightYellow light: brake or floor it?

45 questions with answers

1. 1. A FLASHING red light means…

   
   1. Same as a STOP sign: stop, then go when safe
   2. Broken signal: go through quickly without stopping
   3. Caution, don't stop
   4. For pedestrians only
   Show answer

   Answer: Same as a STOP sign: stop, then go when safe

   Blinking red is just like a STOP sign. Stop completely, then go when it's safe.

2. 2. A FLASHING yellow light means…

   
   1. Speed up
   2. No turns
   3. Proceed with caution
   4. Full stop
   Show answer

   Answer: Proceed with caution

   Blinking yellow: careful, but you don't have to stop.

3. 3. The light turns steady YELLOW as you approach. You…

   
   1. Stop if you can do so safely
   2. Speed up to beat it
   3. Turn on hazards and keep going slowly
   4. Always slam the brakes
   Show answer

   Answer: Stop if you can do so safely

   Yellow means red is coming. If you can stop safely, stop.

4. 4. A GREEN arrow means…

   
   1. No turning
   2. You may turn but must yield to oncoming cars
   3. Protected turn: oncoming traffic has red
   4. Buses only
   Show answer

   Answer: Protected turn: oncoming traffic has red

   A green arrow is your turn, with no oncoming rivals. Still check for pedestrians.

5. 5. Can you turn right on red?

   1. Only at night
   2. Never
   3. Yes, after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it
   4. Yes, without a full stop, as long as no cars are coming
   Show answer

   Answer: Yes, after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it

   Full stop, yield, then turn. Some cities, like New York City, ban it.

6. 6. A traffic signal is completely dark from a power outage. What do you do?

   1. The bigger or busier road goes first
   2. Drive through without stopping
   3. Turn around
   4. Treat it as a four-way stop
   Show answer

   Answer: Treat it as a four-way stop

   A dark signal works like a four-way stop. Everyone stops, then take turns.

7. 7. YELLOW pavement lines separate…

   1. Traffic moving in opposite directions
   2. Traffic moving the same direction
   3. Bike lanes
   4. Crosswalks
   Show answer

   Answer: Traffic moving in opposite directions

   Yellow means the other side is coming at you.

8. 8. WHITE lines between lanes separate…

   1. Emergency lanes
   2. Opposite-direction traffic
   3. No-parking zones
   4. Traffic moving the same direction
   Show answer

   Answer: Traffic moving the same direction

   White means everyone's going the same way.

9. 9. There's a SOLID yellow line on your side and a broken one on the other.

   1. Nobody may pass
   2. You may not pass; they may, if it's safe
   3. You may pass only at night, if no one's coming
   4. Both may pass
   Show answer

   Answer: You may not pass; they may, if it's safe

   The line on your side is the one that applies to you.

10. 10. Double solid yellow center lines mean…

    1. No passing in either direction
    2. It's a turn lane
    3. You may pass with care if no one's coming
    4. Only trucks may pass
    Show answer

    Answer: No passing in either direction

    Double solid lines: no passing either way.

11. 11. A center lane with solid outer and broken inner yellow lines on both sides is…

    1. A two-way left-turn lane
    2. A bus lane
    3. A shoulder
    4. A passing lane for both directions
    Show answer

    Answer: A two-way left-turn lane

    Use it only to start a left turn, not to drive in.

12. 12. A FLASHING yellow left-turn arrow means…

    1. You may turn, but you must yield
    2. No left turns allowed
    3. Stop and wait for the green arrow
    4. Protected turn, no need to yield
    Show answer

    Answer: You may turn, but you must yield

    Blinking means you may, but carefully. Oncoming cars and pedestrians go first.

13. 13. A steady YELLOW arrow means…

    1. The protected turn is about to end
    2. No turns allowed in that direction
    3. The signal is broken
    4. You may turn without yielding
    Show answer

    Answer: The protected turn is about to end

    Steady yellow: your turn is ending. If you can stop safely, stop.

14. 14. A lane marked with white diamonds on the pavement is…

    1. An emergency lane
    2. A lane for trucks and buses only
    3. A carpool lane (HOV)
    4. A passing lane
    Show answer

    Answer: A carpool lane (HOV)

    A diamond on the road means carpool lane. Driving alone usually means not for you.

15. 15. The light is red and a thick white line crosses your lane. Where do you stop?

    1. In the crosswalk
    2. Where you can see the cross street
    3. On top of the white line
    4. Before the white line
    Show answer

    Answer: Before the white line

    That's your stop line. Don't roll over it, and stay out of the crosswalk.

16. 16. A RED X lights up over your lane. What does it mean?

    1. Get ready to leave that lane
    2. It's a turn-only lane
    3. Do not drive in that lane
    4. You may use the lane with care
    Show answer

    Answer: Do not drive in that lane

    On reversible lanes, a red X means that lane isn't yours right now.

17. 17. A SOLID white line between two lanes means…

    1. You may change lanes any time
    2. It marks the road's edge
    3. It separates opposite traffic
    4. Lane changes are discouraged
    Show answer

    Answer: Lane changes are discouraged

    Solid white: stay in your lane. Broken white is where you can change.

18. 18. You may use the shared center left-turn lane to…

    1. Drive several blocks to your exit
    2. Park for a moment
    3. Pass slow cars
    4. Prepare for a left turn
    Show answer

    Answer: Prepare for a left turn

    Get in, make your turn, done. It's not for cruising or passing.

19. 19. You have a green light, but traffic is stopped on the other side of the intersection.

    1. Enter and wait in the middle
    2. Wait before entering the intersection
    3. Honk so traffic moves
    4. Go around them using the opposite lane
    Show answer

    Answer: Wait before entering the intersection

    If there's no room on the other side, don't go in. Blocking the box gets everyone mad.

20. 20. You're turning on a green light and the pedestrian signal shows WALK (the walking person). What should you expect?

    1. Nothing: pedestrian signals don't apply to cars
    2. Pedestrians yielding the way to you, since you have the green
    3. People crossing where you turn: yield to them
    4. Your light turning red at any moment
    Show answer

    Answer: People crossing where you turn: yield to them

    WALK means people will cross right where you're turning. They go first, kiddo.

21. 21. A FLASHING red hand on the pedestrian signal means…

    1. Don't start crossing; those already crossing finish
    2. Pedestrians may start crossing calmly
    3. All cars must come to a complete stop
    4. The signal is broken, so everyone must wait for it
    Show answer

    Answer: Don't start crossing; those already crossing finish

    If someone's already halfway across, let them finish, even if the hand is blinking.

22. 22. The pedestrian countdown is at 3. For you, the driver, that suggests…

    1. Your green light will probably change soon
    2. You have 3 seconds to speed up and get through
    3. No pedestrians can be in the crosswalk now
    4. The whole signal will shut off in 3 seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: Your green light will probably change soon

    Countdown near zero: your green is ending. Get ready to brake, not to floor it.

23. 23. A steady RED turn arrow means…

    1. Stop; don't turn while it's red
    2. You may turn as soon as you yield to others
    3. Only buses may turn in that direction
    4. You may turn without stopping if no one's coming
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop; don't turn while it's red

    Red arrow: that turn is closed. Some states allow a right after a full stop; check your handbook.

24. 24. You have a solid GREEN light, and the left-turn arrow just turned steady YELLOW. What does it mean?

    1. You may only turn left, not go straight
    2. Go straight; if you turn, yield to oncoming cars
    3. Everyone must stop, because red is coming for all
    4. The turn stays protected a few more seconds, no yielding
    Show answer

    Answer: Go straight; if you turn, yield to oncoming cars

    The yellow arrow ends your protected turn. The green ball stays: straight is fine, turns yield.

25. 25. At a signal, you have green, but a police officer signals you to stop. What do you do?

    1. Stop: the officer is in charge
    2. Keep going, because the signal is in charge
    3. Honk to let the officer know you have green
    4. Keep going slowly and wave to the officer
    Show answer

    Answer: Stop: the officer is in charge

    When an officer directs traffic, their signals beat the lights and the signs.

26. 26. On a reversible lane, a steady YELLOW X lights up over your lane. What do you do?

    1. Come to a complete stop in that lane
    2. Stay put: the lane is yours for a good while
    3. Safely move out of that lane
    4. Speed up to clear the stretch before it changes
    Show answer

    Answer: Safely move out of that lane

    Steady yellow X: that lane is about to switch direction. Move out calmly.

27. 27. A FLASHING yellow X over a lane means…

    1. You may use it only to turn left
    2. You must leave that lane right away, without waiting
    3. You may drive in it normally
    4. That lane is for emergency vehicles only
    Show answer

    Answer: You may use it only to turn left

    Blinking yellow X: that lane is for left turns only, carefully.

28. 28. A row of white triangles across your lane, pointing toward you, means…

    1. Speed bump: slow down and keep going
    2. Lane ends: you must merge now
    3. Pedestrian zone: you can't stop there
    4. Yield line: yield there
    Show answer

    Answer: Yield line: yield there

    They call them «shark's teeth». They show where to yield, and where to stop if you must.

29. 29. You have a red light. There's a painted crosswalk but no stop line. Where do you stop?

    1. Right at the edge of the cross street
    2. On the crosswalk, if no one is crossing
    3. Wherever you can see the oncoming cars
    4. Before the crosswalk
    Show answer

    Answer: Before the crosswalk

    No stop line? Stop before the crosswalk. It belongs to people, not your bumper.

30. 30. A lane marked with a solid white line and a bicycle symbol. Can you drive in it?

    1. Yes, if there are no bikes at that moment
    2. No; only cross or use it where the law allows
    3. Yes, to pass a slow car that's in front of you
    4. Yes, at night when cyclists are gone
    Show answer

    Answer: No; only cross or use it where the law allows

    That lane belongs to bikes. It's not a shortcut or a passing lane, even when empty.

31. 31. There's an arrow painted in your lane pointing only left. What does it mean?

    1. It's just a suggestion: go wherever you like
    2. A sharp left curve is coming up ahead
    3. You may go straight or turn left
    4. You must turn left from that lane
    Show answer

    Answer: You must turn left from that lane

    A lone painted arrow is an order, not advice. If you don't want to turn, move over early.

32. 32. On a divided highway, the line along the LEFT edge of your side is…

    1. Broken white
    2. Solid yellow
    3. Solid white
    4. Broken yellow
    Show answer

    Answer: Solid yellow

    Yellow on your left, white on your right. If yellow is on your right, you're going the wrong way.

33. 33. Two SOLID white lines between lanes (for example, next to an HOV lane) mean…

    1. You may cross them with your signal on
    2. Don't cross them to change lanes
    3. They separate opposite-direction traffic
    4. You may cross them only to pass someone
    Show answer

    Answer: Don't cross them to change lanes

    Double solid white is a painted wall. Wait until it turns broken.

34. 34. Where an exit splits from the freeway, there's an area painted with diagonal stripes (chevrons). Can you drive on it?

    1. Yes, to stop for a bit in an emergency
    2. Yes, if there's no traffic at that moment
    3. Yes, if you missed the exit and are going back
    4. No, it's there to separate traffic
    Show answer

    Answer: No, it's there to separate traffic

    Those stripes aren't a lane. Missed your exit? Take the next one, kiddo.

35. 35. You see a bicycle painted in the lane with two V-shaped arrows above it. What does it mean?

    1. Cars and bikes share that lane
    2. Bikes are banned from that lane
    3. It's a bikes-only lane
    4. It's a passing lane for fast cars
    Show answer

    Answer: Cars and bikes share that lane

    That «sharrow» means shared lane. Wait behind the bike or pass with room, when safe.

36. 36. You hear a loud rumble as your tires hit grooves at the edge of the lane. What are they warning you?

    1. You should speed up to get through that stretch as fast as possible
    2. Your engine needs service very soon
    3. One of your tires is losing air
    4. You're drifting out of your lane: steer back gently
    Show answer

    Answer: You're drifting out of your lane: steer back gently

    Rumble strips wake you up when you drift. Steer back gently, and if you're sleepy, take a break.

37. 37. At an intersection, you have a FLASHING yellow and the cross street has a FLASHING red. What do you do?

    1. Go with care; they must stop, but watch them
    2. Stop completely, like at a four-way stop
    3. Speed up, since you have the right-of-way
    4. Let them go first, since they have the red light
    Show answer

    Answer: Go with care; they must stop, but watch them

    They have a STOP, you have caution. Go carefully: not everyone obeys their light.

38. 38. The light turns yellow and you're still far from the line. What do you do?

    1. Keep going: yellow still means you can go
    2. Brake smoothly and stop before the line
    3. Stop on top of the white line
    4. Speed up to make it before it turns red
    Show answer

    Answer: Brake smoothly and stop before the line

    Yellow warns that red is coming. If you can stop safely, you stop before the line.

39. 39. You're already entering the intersection when the light turns yellow. Stopping now would be a hard brake. What do you do?

    1. Back up to the line
    2. Floor it to beat the red
    3. Slam on the brakes even if you end up mid-intersection
    4. Keep going carefully and finish your turn
    Show answer

    Answer: Keep going carefully and finish your turn

    If you can't stop safely anymore, you go through carefully, without speeding up. Slamming the brakes can cause a crash.

40. 40. Red light and you want to turn right. There's no sign saying you can't. What do you do?

    1. Turn without stopping if nobody's coming
    2. Wait for green: you can never turn on red
    3. Creep forward without fully stopping
    4. Come to a full stop at the line, yield, and turn when it's safe
    Show answer

    Answer: Come to a full stop at the line, yield, and turn when it's safe

    In most of the country, on red you can turn right if there's no NO TURN ON RED sign: first a full stop at the line, then yield and turn when it's safe. But not everywhere: in New York City it's not allowed unless a sign says you can. Check your state's guide.

41. 41. The light just turned green for you, but the gray car is still crossing. Do you go?

    1. No: you wait until the intersection is clear
    2. Yes, but honking
    3. Go and swing around it
    4. Yes: it's your turn now
    Show answer

    Answer: No: you wait until the intersection is clear

    Green lets you go, but you still have to wait for any car, bike or pedestrian that's still in the intersection.

42. 42. You reach the intersection and the traffic light is out. What do you do?

    1. Go through carefully without stopping
    2. Come to a full stop, as if there were STOP signs in all directions
    3. Honk and go
    4. Whoever's going faster goes first
    Show answer

    Answer: Come to a full stop, as if there were STOP signs in all directions

    If the light isn't working, you make a full stop as if there were STOP signs in all directions, and go when it's safe.

43. 43. The red light is flashing. What do you have to do?

    1. Same as a STOP sign: stop, then go when it's safe
    2. Nothing: it's broken, so go like it isn't there
    3. Slow down, but you don't have to stop
    4. Nothing: it's flashing because it's about to turn green
    Show answer

    Answer: Same as a STOP sign: stop, then go when it's safe

    A flashing red is the same as a STOP sign: make a full stop and go when it's safe.

44. 44. You're on the main street and the traffic light is flashing yellow. What do you do?

    1. Come to a full stop like at a stop sign
    2. Speed up: it's almost like green
    3. Wait for it to turn green
    4. Slow down and go through with caution
    Show answer

    Answer: Slow down and go through with caution

    A flashing yellow light means slow down and go through carefully, watching for others. A flashing red light is different: there you come to a full stop, like at a stop sign.

45. 45. You're stopped at a red light and turning right. Nobody's coming, but there's a NO TURN ON RED sign. What do you do?

    1. Wait for the green light
    2. Turn: nobody's coming
    3. Turn if you honk
    4. Turn slowly without stopping
    Show answer

    Answer: Wait for the green light

    With a NO TURN ON RED sign, you wait for the green light, even if nobody's coming. Without a sign, in most of the country you can, after a full stop and when it's safe. Careful: New York City is the other way around: you can't, unless a sign allows it.