Virginia permit test: traffic signals
Steady and flashing lights, arrows, pedestrian signals and lane-use signals. 6 questions.
You are at a steady red light with no signs prohibiting turns. You want to turn right. 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
View diagram
You are at a steady red light with no signs prohibiting turns. You want to turn right. What must you do?
- A Wait for the light to turn green before turning
- B Stop fully, then turn when clear, yielding to pedestrians and traffic
- C Stop, then turn only if a green arrow appears
- D Slow down and turn without a full stop if no pedestrians or cars are coming
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B. Stop fully, then turn when clear, yielding to pedestrians and traffic
Virginia allows a right turn on a steady red after a complete stop. Look both ways, yield to pedestrians and other traffic, and watch for motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds. It is not allowed where a No Turn on Red sign or a red right arrow is shown.
When may you turn left on a steady red light in Virginia?
- A From a one-way street onto another one-way street
- B From any street, after stopping and yielding
- C From a two-way street onto a one-way street
- D Never; left turns on red are always illegal
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A. From a one-way street onto another one-way street
You may turn left on red only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic. Signs or a red left arrow can still prohibit it.
You are in a right-turn lane facing a steady red arrow pointing right. No other signs are posted. What should you do?
- A Stop, then turn right when the way is clear
- B Stay stopped until the arrow changes
- C Turn right without stopping if traffic allows
- D Slow down and turn if no pedestrians are present
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B. Stay stopped until the arrow changes
Virginia law prohibits right and left turns at red arrows. You may turn on a red arrow only where a sign says "Right on Red Arrow After Stop" or "Left on Red Arrow After Stop." Other states differ, so check local laws when traveling.
View diagram
You want to turn left and the signal shows a flashing yellow arrow. What does it mean?
- A You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- B The signal is broken, so treat it as an all-way stop
- C You have a protected turn, and oncoming traffic must stop for you
- D You must stop and wait for a green arrow
Show answer
A. You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow allows a turn, but you must yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection. Watch for less visible road users like motorcycles and bicycles.