Colorado permit test: traffic signals
Steady and flashing lights, arrows, pedestrian signals and lane-use signals. 5 questions.
What does a flashing red traffic light mean?
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 does a flashing red traffic light mean?
- A Slow down and proceed through with caution, without needing to stop
- B Stop, then go only after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic
- C The light is about to turn green
- D Stop and wait until the light turns green
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B. Stop, then go only after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic
A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign. Come to a full stop, yield to pedestrians and other traffic, and go when it is safe.

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You want to turn left and the signal shows a flashing yellow arrow. What must you do?
- A Turn with caution after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- B Clear the intersection fast before the light changes
- C Stop and wait for a solid green arrow
- D Turn immediately, because oncoming traffic always has a red light then
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A. Turn with caution after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Take time to check for a clear path; never rush it.
You approach an intersection where the traffic signal is not working at all. How should you treat it?
- A As a yield for drivers on the smaller road only
- B As a green light for the busier road
- C As an uncontrolled intersection with no need to stop
- D As a four-way stop
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D. As a four-way stop
If a traffic signal is not operating or is malfunctioning, treat the intersection as a four-way stop. Every driver stops, then the first to arrive goes first.
In Colorado, when may you turn left on a steady red light?
- A From any street onto a one-way street
- B Never; left turns on red are always illegal
- C When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it
- D Whenever there is no oncoming traffic
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C. When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it
After stopping and yielding, you may turn right on red unless a sign prohibits it. You may also turn left on red, but only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it.