Massachusetts permit test: traffic signals
Steady and flashing lights, arrows, pedestrian signals and lane-use signals. 6 questions.
You are stopped at a steady red light and want to turn right. No sign prohibits it. What must you do?
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
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You are stopped at a steady red light and want to turn right. No sign prohibits it. What must you do?
- A Come to a complete stop, yield, then turn when clear
- B Turn without stopping if no cars are coming
- C Wait for the light to turn green before turning
- D Slow down and turn while flashing your hazards
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A. Come to a complete stop, yield, then turn when clear
In Massachusetts you may turn right on red only after a complete stop and after yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles in your path. A NO TURN ON RED sign takes this option away.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Class D Passenger Vehicles), page 89
When may you turn left on a steady red light in Massachusetts?
- A From any street once traffic is clear
- B From a two-way street onto a one-way street, after stopping
- C Never; left turns on red are always illegal
- D From a one-way street onto another one-way street
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D. From a one-way street onto another one-way street
Massachusetts allows a left turn on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street. You must stop first and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles, just as for a right on red.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Class D Passenger Vehicles), page 106
What does a flashing yellow arrow for your turn lane mean?
- A You have a protected turn because oncoming traffic is stopped
- B The signal is broken, so treat it as an all-way stop
- C You must stop and wait for a green arrow
- D You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
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D. You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn in the direction of the arrow while oncoming traffic has a green light. You must judge a safe gap in oncoming traffic and make sure no pedestrians are in your path.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Class D Passenger Vehicles), page 89
You reach an intersection where the traffic signals are completely dark because of a power failure. What should you do?
- A Drive through without stopping if you are on the larger road
- B Follow the car ahead without stopping
- C Slow down and yield only to traffic on your right
- D Treat it as if there is a stop sign in every direction
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D. Treat it as if there is a stop sign in every direction
When signals are blacked out, be cautious and proceed as though there is a stop sign in all directions. Go only when it is safe. If signals are flashing instead, follow the flashing-light rules.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Class D Passenger Vehicles), page 90