Colorado: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals, turning on red and pedestrian signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Colorado Driver Handbook" (DR 2337, January 2025), Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
All 21 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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Which three kinds of traffic controls does the manual list?
- Traffic signals, speed cameras and pavement markings
- Traffic signals, traffic signs and pavement markings
- Traffic signs, road names and license plates
- Pavement markings, toll booths and traffic signals
Show answer
Correct answer: Traffic signals, traffic signs and pavement markings
Traffic controls include traffic signals, traffic signs, and pavement markings.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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Besides signals, signs and pavement markings, who else can provide traffic control?
- Other drivers who wave you through an intersection
- Pedestrians waiting at the corner of the street
- Parking lot attendants and tow truck drivers
- Law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards
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Correct answer: Law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards
The manual says traffic control also can be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel, or school crossing guards.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What must you do when law enforcement, highway personnel or a school crossing guard directs traffic?
- Obey their directions
- Obey them only if the traffic signal is not working
- Treat their directions as advice and follow the signs
- Obey them only when they are in a marked vehicle
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Correct answer: Obey their directions
The manual says you must obey directions from these persons.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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In what order are the lights on a traffic signal usually arranged, from top to bottom?
- Green, yellow, red
- Red, green, yellow
- Red, yellow, green
- Yellow, red, green
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, green
The manual says traffic lights are usually, from top to bottom, red, yellow, and green.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What should you do at an intersection where the traffic signal is not operating or is malfunctioning?
- Proceed with caution without stopping if no one is near
- Treat the intersection as a four way stop
- Follow the vehicle ahead and stay in its lane
- Yield only to traffic coming from the right
Show answer
Correct answer: Treat the intersection as a four way stop
The manual says to treat the intersection as a four way stop when the signal is not operating or is malfunctioning.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a steady red light require you to do?
- Slow down and proceed with caution through the intersection
- Stop only if other traffic or pedestrians are present
- Stop for three seconds, then proceed when clear
- Stop until a green light appears
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop until a green light appears
A steady red light means stop until a green light appears.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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At a steady red light, when may you turn right?
- After stopping and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign prohibits it
- Only when no other vehicles are visible, without having to stop first
- Only when a sign specifically allows a right turn on red
- Never; a right turn needs a green light or a green arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: After stopping and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign prohibits it
After stopping and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic, you may turn right on red unless a sign prohibits it.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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When may you turn left on a red light?
- When turning from a two-way street onto a one-way street, if no cars are near
- When turning from a one-way street onto a two-way street, after stopping and yielding
- When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it
- Whenever you have stopped completely and no pedestrians are crossing
Show answer
Correct answer: When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it
A left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a steady yellow light mean?
- A green light is about to appear; speed up to clear the intersection
- A red light is about to appear; stop unless you are already in the intersection
- The signal is broken; treat the intersection as a four way stop
- Slow down and proceed with caution through the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: A red light is about to appear; stop unless you are already in the intersection
A steady yellow light warns that red is about to appear, so you stop unless you are already in the intersection.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What must you do before proceeding on a steady green light?
- Come to a complete stop and check both directions before you move forward
- Sound your horn to warn vehicles that are waiting at the cross street
- Wait three seconds in case a vehicle is still running its red light
- Yield to any vehicle or pedestrian within the intersection or adjacent crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to any vehicle or pedestrian within the intersection or adjacent crosswalk
On a steady green light you proceed only after yielding to any vehicle or pedestrian within the intersection or adjacent crosswalk.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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On a steady green light, what may you do unless a sign prohibits turns?
- Proceed straight through or turn right or left
- Proceed straight through only, never turning
- Turn right only, not left
- Turn only if you have a green arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed straight through or turn right or left
A steady green light lets you go straight or turn right or left unless a sign prohibits such turns.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a lighted red arrow mean?
- Stop, then turn in the direction shown after yielding
- Slow down and turn in the direction shown with caution
- Stop and do not turn in the direction shown
- Stop only if other traffic is in the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop and do not turn in the direction shown
A lighted red arrow means you must stop and may not turn in the direction shown.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a lighted green arrow, by itself or along with a red, green or yellow light, mean?
- You must stop before turning in the direction shown
- You may turn in the direction shown by the arrow
- You may go straight through, but not turn
- You may turn only after the circular light turns green
Show answer
Correct answer: You may turn in the direction shown by the arrow
A lighted green arrow means you may turn in the direction shown by the arrow.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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The green arrow goes off but the circular green light stays on. What may you do?
- Turn without yielding, since you had the arrow a moment ago
- Go straight only; turning is no longer allowed
- Wait for the arrow to come on again before turning
- Still turn, after yielding to through vehicles and pedestrians
Show answer
Correct answer: Still turn, after yielding to through vehicles and pedestrians
With the circular green still on, you may still turn after yielding to through vehicles and pedestrians, unless a sign or red arrow prohibits it.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a lighted yellow arrow mean?
- A red arrow is about to appear; stop if not already in the intersection
- A green arrow is about to appear; speed up and turn before it does
- You may turn in the direction shown, but only after you yield
- The arrow signal is broken; treat the turn as a four way stop
Show answer
Correct answer: A red arrow is about to appear; stop if not already in the intersection
A yellow arrow warns that a red arrow is about to appear, so you stop if you are not already in the intersection.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What must a driver turning left do at a flashing yellow arrow?
- Stop completely, then turn left once the way is clear
- Turn left before oncoming traffic, which must yield to you
- Proceed with caution and yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- Wait for a solid green arrow before turning left
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed with caution and yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow means the driver turning left proceeds with caution and must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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After a flashing yellow arrow, the signal switches to a solid yellow. What does the solid yellow tell the driver?
- The light is about to turn green; prepare to speed up through it
- The light is about to turn red; do not enter if you can stop safely
- The signal is malfunctioning; treat the intersection as a four way stop
- Oncoming traffic has stopped; complete your left turn without yielding
Show answer
Correct answer: The light is about to turn red; do not enter if you can stop safely
The solid yellow tells the driver the light is about to turn red and not to enter the intersection if they can stop safely.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a flashing red light mean?
- A warning of a hazard: slow down and proceed with caution through the intersection
- A red light is about to appear: stop unless you are in the intersection
- Stop until the light turns green, then proceed straight only
- Same as a STOP sign: stop, then go after yielding to pedestrians and traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: Same as a STOP sign: stop, then go after yielding to pedestrians and traffic
A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign: you stop, then go only after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does a flashing yellow light mean?
- A warning of a hazard; slow down and proceed with caution
- A stop is required; stop, then go after yielding
- A red light is about to appear; stop if you can
- A pedestrian is crossing; stop until the crosswalk clears
Show answer
Correct answer: A warning of a hazard; slow down and proceed with caution
A flashing yellow light is a warning of a hazard, so you slow down and proceed with caution.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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What does HAWK stand for in HAWK signals?
- High Visibility Automatic Warning Crosswalk
- Hazard Alert for Walking Kids
- High Intensity Activated Crosswalk
- Highway Activated Warning Control
Show answer
Correct answer: High Intensity Activated Crosswalk
The manual defines HAWK signals as High Intensity Activated Crosswalk signals.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)
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How do HAWK signals alert motorists that pedestrians need to cross the road?
- They show a steady green light followed by a steady red light
- They operate in a yellow red flashing sequence
- They flash a white light above the crosswalk
- They sound a siren while the crosswalk is in use
Show answer
Correct answer: They operate in a yellow red flashing sequence
HAWK signals operate in a yellow red flashing sequence to alert motorists that pedestrians need to cross.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025), page 7 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 7)