Connecticut: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals, dark signals, HAWK and pedestrian signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Connecticut Driver's Manual" (Revised March 2023), Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
All 22 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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When may you turn right at a red light?
- Never, because a red light always means wait for green
- Only after waiting 30 seconds with a clear intersection
- Only when a green arrow is also showing
- After stopping, unless a traffic sign prohibits it
Show answer
Correct answer: After stopping, unless a traffic sign prohibits it
A right turn at a red light is allowed after stopping unless a traffic sign prohibits it.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 15 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 15)
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What does state law require a driver to do at an intersection with an inoperative stop light?
- Proceed with caution without stopping
- Stop only if other vehicles are approaching
- Stop as though it were controlled by a stop sign
- Treat it as a flashing yellow light and slow down
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop as though it were controlled by a stop sign
State law requires a driver to stop as though the intersection was controlled by a stop sign.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 15 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 15)
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When three traffic lights are together, what is their order from bottom to top?
- Red, yellow, green
- Yellow, green, red
- Green, yellow, red
- Green, red, yellow
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Correct answer: Green, yellow, red
Traffic lights are green, yellow, and red (bottom to top) when together.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What must you do at a red traffic light before going straight ahead?
- Wait for the light to turn yellow, then go when the intersection is clear
- Wait until the light turns green and there is no crossing traffic
- Come to a full stop and then go ahead when the intersection looks empty
- Stop briefly and go ahead as soon as no police are nearby
Show answer
Correct answer: Wait until the light turns green and there is no crossing traffic
You must wait until the light turns green and there is no crossing traffic before you may move ahead.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a yellow traffic light mean?
- The light is about to change to red, so stop if it is safe
- The light is about to change to green, so speed up
- You may go through only if no traffic is crossing
- Stop only if pedestrians are waiting to cross
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Correct answer: The light is about to change to red, so stop if it is safe
A yellow light means the light is about to change to red and you must stop if it is safe to do so.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What should you do if you are already in the intersection when the yellow light comes on?
- Stop immediately where you are
- Back up behind the stop line
- Continue through the intersection
- Stop in the crosswalk until the light changes
Show answer
Correct answer: Continue through the intersection
If you are in the intersection when the light turns yellow, do not stop; continue through.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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At a green light, what must you still do?
- Come to a full stop before entering the intersection
- Yield to emergency vehicles and others as required by law
- Honk to warn crossing traffic before you enter
- Let all vehicles on the cross street go first
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to emergency vehicles and others as required by law
A green light means you can go, but you must yield to emergency vehicles and others as required by law.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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You were stopped and the light turns green. What must you do before going ahead?
- Honk once to signal other drivers that you are going
- Wait for the yellow light to come on first
- Let the cars behind you go first
- Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection
If you were stopped when the light turned green, you must allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection before you go ahead.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a flashing red traffic light mean?
- Slow down and proceed with caution through the intersection
- The same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then proceed when safe
- Stop and wait until the light turns green before moving ahead
- The signal is about to change to green, so prepare to go
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then proceed when safe
A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: a full stop, then proceed when it is safe.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?
- Come to a full stop and then proceed when safe
- Stop and wait until the light turns green
- The light is about to change to red, so stop
- Slow down and proceed with caution
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a red arrow signal mean?
- You must stop and cannot go in the direction of the arrow
- You may turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding
- You should prepare to stop because the arrow's protection is ending
- You may turn in the direction of the arrow if no traffic is coming
Show answer
Correct answer: You must stop and cannot go in the direction of the arrow
A red arrow means you must stop and you cannot go in the direction of the arrow.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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After stopping for a red arrow, when may you proceed?
- When the red arrow begins to flash and no traffic is coming
- As soon as you have stopped and made sure the intersection is clear
- When the red arrow goes out and a green arrow or light goes on
- When no oncoming traffic is in sight
Show answer
Correct answer: When the red arrow goes out and a green arrow or light goes on
You may proceed when the red arrow goes out and a green arrow or light goes on.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a yellow arrow signal mean?
- A green arrow is about to appear, so prepare to go
- The protection of a green arrow is ending, so prepare to stop
- You may turn in the direction of the arrow without stopping
- Turns in the direction of the arrow are prohibited from now on
Show answer
Correct answer: The protection of a green arrow is ending, so prepare to stop
A yellow arrow means the protection of a green arrow is ending; prepare to stop if turning in its direction.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What is a HAWK signal?
- A pedestrian signal activated by a push button
- A railroad crossing signal activated by an approaching train
- A school zone signal that flashes at dismissal time
- A traffic light that changes only on a timer
Show answer
Correct answer: A pedestrian signal activated by a push button
The HAWK is a pedestrian signal activated by a push button.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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How is a HAWK signal arranged?
- One red signal centered under two yellow signals
- Three red signals stacked in a vertical column
- One yellow signal centered under two red signals
- Two green signals above one yellow signal
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Correct answer: One yellow signal centered under two red signals
The HAWK has a circular yellow signal centered under two horizontally-aligned circular red signals.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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When a HAWK signal is activated, what must vehicles do while the pedestrian crosses?
- Slow down and yield only if the pedestrian is close
- Come to a complete stop
- Proceed with caution at reduced speed
- Move to the far lane and pass the pedestrian
Show answer
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop
When the HAWK is activated, vehicles must come to a complete stop as the pedestrian crosses.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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At an activated HAWK signal, when may vehicles move?
- As soon as the pedestrian reaches the middle of the road
- After the pedestrian pushes the button a second time
- As soon as the yellow signal comes on
- Once the pedestrians have finished crossing
Show answer
Correct answer: Once the pedestrians have finished crossing
Vehicles may move once the pedestrians have finished crossing.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What should drivers do when a HAWK signal is dark?
- Proceed through the pedestrian crossing
- Stop until the signal lights up
- Stop and wait for a pedestrian to push the button
- Slow to a crawl and sound the horn
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed through the pedestrian crossing
A dark HAWK signal has not been activated, so vehicles proceed through the pedestrian crossing.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a flashing yellow HAWK signal mean?
- The signal is about to deactivate
- The signal has not been activated
- A pedestrian has activated the signal
- Pedestrians are in the crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: A pedestrian has activated the signal
A flashing yellow HAWK signal means a pedestrian has activated it.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a solid yellow HAWK signal mean?
- A pedestrian has just pushed the button and is waiting
- Your movement is ending and a red signal will be shown
- The signal is about to deactivate and traffic may proceed
- Vehicles may proceed through the crosswalk without slowing
Show answer
Correct answer: Your movement is ending and a red signal will be shown
A solid yellow HAWK signal tells motorists their movement is ending and a red signal will be displayed.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a solid red HAWK signal mean?
- The signal has not been activated and vehicles may proceed
- A pedestrian has activated the signal and drivers should slow
- The signal is about to change and drivers should prepare to go
- Pedestrians are in the crosswalk and motorists must stop
Show answer
Correct answer: Pedestrians are in the crosswalk and motorists must stop
A solid red HAWK signal means pedestrians are in the crosswalk and motorists must stop.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a flashing red HAWK signal mean?
- It is about to deactivate; stop, then go when pedestrians are clear
- A pedestrian has just activated it; slow down and proceed with caution
- Pedestrians are in the crosswalk; stay stopped until the light turns green
- It has not been activated; vehicles may proceed through the crossing
Show answer
Correct answer: It is about to deactivate; stop, then go when pedestrians are clear
A flashing red HAWK signal is about to deactivate; drivers must stop but may proceed when pedestrians have cleared the crosswalk.
Source: Connecticut Driver's Manual (Revised March 2023), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)