Iowa permit test: traffic signals
Steady and flashing lights, arrows, pedestrian signals and lane-use signals. 5 questions.
How should you treat 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
How should you treat a flashing red traffic light?
- A The same as a yield sign
- B The same as a stop sign
- C As a warning to slow down only
- D As a signal that the light is broken; go through
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B. The same as a stop sign
A flashing red light means stop completely, then go when it is safe, exactly as at a stop sign. Treat it the way you would treat an all-way or two-way stop.
View diagram
You want to turn left and see a flashing yellow arrow. What does it mean?
- A Oncoming traffic is stopped, so turn freely
- B Stop and wait for a steady green arrow
- C Left turns are not allowed right now
- D Turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
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D. Turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic has a green light, so wait for a safe gap.
The light turns solid yellow as you approach an intersection. What should you do?
- A Speed up to clear the intersection before red
- B Stop right away, even if you are very close
- C Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise go through with caution
- D Keep going; yellow only applies to turning traffic
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C. Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise go through with caution
A solid yellow means the light is about to turn red. Do not enter the intersection if you can stop safely. If you are too close to stop safely, continue through with caution.
At a pedestrian hybrid beacon, the top two red lights begin flashing. What should you do?
- A Stop, then go with caution if the crosswalk is clear
- B Stay stopped until all the lights go dark
- C Continue without stopping; the crossing phase is over
- D Slow down but stop only if you see someone
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A. Stop, then go with caution if the crosswalk is clear
When the two red lights flash, you must stop if you have not already, and then you may go with caution if the crosswalk is clear. It works like a stop sign at the end of the pedestrian's crossing time.