Tennessee permit test: traffic signals
Steady and flashing lights, arrows, pedestrian signals and lane-use signals. 4 questions.
Under Tennessee law, what is the minimum time a yellow light must show before the light turns red?
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
Under Tennessee law, what is the minimum time a yellow light must show before the light turns red?
- A 3 seconds
- B 10 seconds
- C 1 second
- D 5 seconds
Show answer
A. 3 seconds
Tennessee only requires a yellow light to show for at least three seconds. That is why you should prepare to stop as soon as the yellow appears and never speed up to beat it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 55
You have a green arrow pointing left. What does it allow?
- A Turning left, after yielding to anyone already in the intersection
- B Turning left without checking anything
- C Going straight or left, whichever you choose
- D Turning left, but only after all oncoming traffic has cleared the road
Show answer
A. Turning left, after yielding to anyone already in the intersection
A green arrow is a protected turn: you have the right-of-way and may go only in the arrow's direction, after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. When it turns yellow, prepare to yield.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 55
You come to an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark because of a power outage. What does Tennessee law require?
- A Follow whichever car is in front of you
- B Treat it as a yield sign and slow down
- C Drive through if the main road is yours
- D Treat it as an all-way stop
Show answer
D. Treat it as an all-way stop
Tennessee law says a signal that is not working must be treated as an all-way stop. Stop as if there were stop signs in every direction, then take turns using the normal right-of-way rules.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 55
What must you do at a flashing red traffic light?
- A Stop only if cross traffic is present
- B Wait until the light turns green
- C Come to a complete stop, just as at a stop sign
- D Slow down and continue with caution
Show answer
C. Come to a complete stop, just as at a stop sign
A flashing red light means stop completely, exactly as you would at a stop sign, then go when it is safe. A flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, page 64