Alabama: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals and lane-use signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Alabama Driver Manual" (November 2024), Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), Driver License Division.
All 24 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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A yellow diamond sign shows a red, yellow, and green signal. What does it mean?
- A railroad crossing is ahead
- A school zone is ahead
- There is a traffic signal ahead
- The road ahead is closed
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Correct answer: There is a traffic signal ahead
The manual says there is a traffic signal ahead.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 48 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 48)
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What must you do at a steady circular red signal?
- Slow down and go if no traffic is coming
- Stop only if other vehicles are crossing in front of you
- Stop and remain stopped until the signal turns green
- Stop, then proceed when the yellow light comes on
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Correct answer: Stop and remain stopped until the signal turns green
At a steady circular red you stop and remain stopped until the signal turns to green.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 54 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 54)
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After stopping for a steady circular red signal, which movements are permitted?
- Only a movement straight through the intersection
- Only a left turn, and never a right turn after stopping
- A U-turn in most cases, but never a right turn
- A right turn, and in certain instances a left turn
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Correct answer: A right turn, and in certain instances a left turn
The manual says right turn, and in certain instances left turn, movements after stopping are permitted.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 54 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 54)
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What does a steady circular yellow signal mean?
- Speed up to cross before the light turns red
- Clear the intersection
- Stop only if another car is right behind you
- Prepare to go because the green will follow
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Correct answer: Clear the intersection
A circular steady yellow means clear the intersection.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 54 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 54)
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A steady circular yellow signal follows which signal?
- A red signal
- A flashing red signal
- A green signal
- A flashing yellow signal
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Correct answer: A green signal
The manual says the circular steady yellow follows a green signal.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 54 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 54)
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At a steady yellow signal, when must you not enter the intersection?
- When the red signal comes on
- When any vehicle is already in the intersection
- When a pedestrian is near the curb
- When the signal has been yellow for three seconds
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Correct answer: When the red signal comes on
You must not enter the intersection when the red signal comes on.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 54 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 54)
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What may you do at a steady circular green signal?
- Go straight or turn, yielding to those already in the intersection
- Go straight only; turns need a separate green arrow signal
- Go straight or turn, with the right of way over everyone else
- Go only after stopping and checking traffic in both directions
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Correct answer: Go straight or turn, yielding to those already in the intersection
On a steady green you may go straight or turn right or left, yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 54 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 54)
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Which of these can prohibit a turn at a steady circular green signal?
- A broken white lane line
- The color of the pavement
- A sign posted at the intersection
- The number of lanes on the road
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Correct answer: A sign posted at the intersection
The manual notes that a sign may prohibit a turn or turns at a green signal.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 54 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 54)
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The yellow and green arrow signals give the same control to left turns that the standard traffic light gives to what?
- Right turns
- U-turns
- Pedestrians
- The through movement
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Correct answer: The through movement
The arrows give the same control to left turns as the standard traffic light gives to the through movement.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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While you proceed on a green arrow in its direction, what must opposing traffic do?
- Yield, then proceed
- Stop
- Proceed straight through
- Turn right only
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Correct answer: Stop
Green arrows permit you to proceed in the arrow's direction while opposing traffic must stop.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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A steady green arrow is shown alone or with another indication. Whom must you yield to?
- Only vehicles approaching from the opposite direction
- Pedestrians and vehicles lawfully using the intersection
- Only pedestrians in the crosswalk
- No one, because a green arrow gives you the right of way
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Correct answer: Pedestrians and vehicles lawfully using the intersection
With a steady green arrow you must yield to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully using the intersection.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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What does a steady yellow arrow displayed with a circular green mean?
- The previous protected green arrow movement is ending
- The protected green arrow movement is just beginning
- Opposing traffic now has a red signal and must stop
- Turns are prohibited for the rest of the signal cycle
Show answer
Correct answer: The previous protected green arrow movement is ending
A steady yellow arrow with a circular green means the previous protected green arrow movement is ending.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 55 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 55)
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What is a steady yellow arrow displayed alone or with a steady circular red used for?
- To start a new protected turn movement for opposing cars
- To warn drivers of a railroad crossing ahead
- To clear the previous protected green arrow movement
- To show that a lane is closed to all traffic
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Correct answer: To clear the previous protected green arrow movement
That yellow arrow is used to clear the previous protected green arrow movement.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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What are lane use control signals placed over individual lanes used to show?
- How fast drivers may travel in each lane
- Which exit each lane leads to
- Which lanes are reserved for turning only
- Which lanes drivers may or may not drive in
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Correct answer: Which lanes drivers may or may not drive in
Lane use control signals indicate to drivers which lane(s) they may or may not drive in.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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A red X is displayed over a lane. What must a driver facing it do?
- Drive in that lane with extra caution
- Not drive in that lane
- Drive in the lane only to make a turn
- Stop in the lane until the signal changes
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Correct answer: Not drive in that lane
A driver facing a steady red X shall not drive in the lane over which the signal is located.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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A green arrow pointing down is displayed over a lane. What does it mean to a driver facing it?
- The driver must turn in the direction of the arrow
- The lane is ending and the driver must merge
- The driver may drive in that lane
- Only emergency vehicles may use that lane
Show answer
Correct answer: The driver may drive in that lane
A driver facing a steady green arrow is permitted to drive in the lane over which the signal is located.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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What does a steady yellow X over a lane mean?
- Drivers may use the lane with caution; hazardous conditions may exist
- Drivers must not drive in the lane until the signal changes
- Drivers may use the lane only to make a left turn
- Drivers may use the lane normally because conditions are safe
Show answer
Correct answer: Drivers may use the lane with caution; hazardous conditions may exist
A driver facing a steady yellow X may drive in the lane using caution because potentially hazardous conditions exist.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 56 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 56)
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What must you do when a traffic signal shows a red light at an intersection or crosswalk?
- Proceed with caution if no other vehicle is coming
- Stop, then proceed straight through with care
- Wait until the signal changes to green and the way is clear
- Wait until the signal turns yellow
Show answer
Correct answer: Wait until the signal changes to green and the way is clear
You must stop for a red light and wait until the signal changes to green and the way is clear.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
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When may you make a right turn after stopping for a red light?
- Only if no pedestrians are nearby or waiting
- If you are in the proper lane for the turn
- Only on a one-way street
- Only after waiting 30 seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: If you are in the proper lane for the turn
You may turn right after stopping for a red light if you are in the proper lane for such a turn.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 60 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 60)
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If you are driving on a one-way street, a left turn after stopping for a red light is allowed onto a one-way street with traffic moving in which direction?
- From left to right
- In both directions
- Straight ahead only
- From right to left
Show answer
Correct answer: From right to left
If you are driving on a one-way street, you may turn left after stopping for a red light onto a one-way street with traffic moving from right to left.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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When you turn right or left after stopping for a red light, what must you do?
- Yield to other traffic and pedestrians in the intersection
- Honk to warn pedestrians
- Proceed first, since you have already stopped once
- Turn only when the intersection is completely empty
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to other traffic and pedestrians in the intersection
You must yield to other traffic and pedestrians lawfully proceeding through the intersection.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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When is a turn on red not allowed?
- When it is raining
- When it is dark
- When a sign has been posted prohibiting the turn
- When another vehicle is waiting behind you
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Correct answer: When a sign has been posted prohibiting the turn
Turns against a red light cannot be made if a sign has been posted prohibiting them.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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How should you treat an intersection where the traffic light is inoperative?
- As a yield intersection
- As a four-way stop
- As an intersection with a flashing yellow light
- As an uncontrolled intersection where you may proceed
Show answer
Correct answer: As a four-way stop
If the traffic light is inoperative, you treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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What does a flashing red signal mean?
- The same as a STOP sign
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Yield to cross traffic only
- The signal is out of order, so proceed
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Correct answer: The same as a STOP sign
A flashing red signal means the same as a STOP sign.
Source: Alabama Driver Manual (November 2024), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)