California permit test: traffic signals
Steady and flashing lights, arrows, pedestrian signals and lane-use signals. 4 questions.
What must you do at a flashing red traffic light?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample traffic signals questions
What must you do at a flashing red traffic light?
- A Yield only to vehicles on your right
- B Stop and wait for the light to turn green
- C Stop, then go when it is safe
- D Slow down and proceed with caution
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C. Stop, then go when it is safe
A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then go when it is safe. A flashing yellow, by contrast, only means slow down and proceed with caution.
View diagram
What does a flashing yellow arrow pointing left mean?
- A The protected turn is ending, so stop if you safely can
- B Stop and remain stopped until a green arrow appears
- C You have a protected left turn; oncoming traffic is stopped
- D You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic
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D. You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic
A flashing yellow arrow allows the turn, but it is not protected: oncoming traffic may still be coming. Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, then turn with caution.
You are stopped in the right lane facing a red arrow pointing right. Can you turn right after stopping?
- A No, wait for a green light or green arrow
- B Yes, if there is no NO TURN ON RED sign
- C Yes, after a full stop if no one is coming
- D Yes, but only onto a one-way street
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A. No, wait for a green light or green arrow
In California you may turn right on a solid red light after a full stop, but not on a red arrow. A red arrow means stop and stay stopped until a green light or green arrow appears.
You reach an intersection where the traffic lights are completely dark because of a power outage. What should you do?
- A Proceed normally if you are on the larger road
- B Slow down and go through if no one is coming
- C Stop only if a car is already in the intersection
- D Stop as if there were STOP signs in all directions
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D. Stop as if there were STOP signs in all directions
When a traffic light is not working, treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Stop fully, then go cautiously when it is safe, using the normal four-way stop right-of-way rules.