Driving Test Practice

Georgia: Traffic signals — Part 1 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “According to the manual, why are traffic laws necessary?” · “Drivers and pedestrians must obey traffic signals except in which situation?”

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20 questions · About 8 min

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  • Every answer cites its source in the manual
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Georgia Driver's Manual" (2023-2024), Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).

All 20 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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  1. What should you do if a law enforcement officer or firefighter gives you a traffic direction that goes against what the traffic control devices tell you to do?

    A four-way intersection from above: a person in a navy cap and bright yellow-green vest with white gloves stands in the middle, arms at the sides; a gray, a red and a blue car are on the roads around it; a signal housing on a pole seen from behind.
    • Obey the officer or firefighter
    • Obey the traffic control devices
    • Stop and wait for the signal to change
    • Proceed only if other drivers are doing so
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    Correct answer: Obey the officer or firefighter

    One of the three most basic traffic laws is to obey the directions of a law enforcement officer or firefighter even when they differ from the traffic control devices.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 17

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  2. A roadway has been closed for construction, for a special event, or for any other official reason. What do the three most basic traffic laws say about driving on it?

    A white ROAD CLOSED sign mounted on an orange-and-white striped barricade
    • You may drive on it if you drive slowly
    • You may drive on it if no workers are visible
    • You must never drive on it
    • You may drive on it with your hazard lights on
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    Correct answer: You must never drive on it

    The third basic traffic law is to never drive on a roadway that has been closed for construction, a special event, or any other official reason.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 17

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  3. According to the manual, why are traffic laws necessary?

    • To raise money for road repairs through tickets and fines
    • To prevent crashes by defining the orderly movement of road users
    • To make sure that all drivers travel at exactly the same speed
    • To replace the need for signs and signals on public roads
    Show answer

    Correct answer: To prevent crashes by defining the orderly movement of road users

    The manual says traffic laws are necessary to prevent crashes by defining the orderly movement of vehicles, pedestrians, and other users of public highways.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 17

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  4. What should you do at an intersection with traffic control lights when your light is green?

    A traffic signal showing a steady green light
    • Enter right away, because a green light gives you the right-of-way
    • Speed up to clear the intersection before the light changes
    • Enter as soon as the vehicle ahead of you has entered
    • Enter only when the intersection is clear of traffic or approaching traffic
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    Correct answer: Enter only when the intersection is clear of traffic or approaching traffic

    The manual says to wait until the intersection is clear before entering and not to proceed just because you have the green light.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 17

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  5. Why are traffic signals placed at intersections?

    A blue car on a busy city street approaching an intersection with traffic lights, crosswalks, parked cars and pedestrians on the sidewalks
    • To make drivers slow down to the minimum speed on the road
    • To keep pedestrians and bicyclists off the roadway
    • To let drivers know which roads are state highways
    • To control the orderly movement of traffic and to prevent crashes
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    Correct answer: To control the orderly movement of traffic and to prevent crashes

    Traffic signals control the orderly movement of traffic and prevent crashes.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  6. Which road users must obey traffic signals?

    A blue car on a busy city street approaching an intersection with traffic lights, crosswalks, parked cars and pedestrians on the sidewalks
    • Drivers of motor vehicles only
    • Drivers and pedestrians, but not bicyclists
    • Drivers (including bicyclists) and pedestrians
    • Only drivers in urban areas
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    Correct answer: Drivers (including bicyclists) and pedestrians

    Drivers, including bicyclists, and pedestrians must obey these signals.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  7. Drivers and pedestrians must obey traffic signals except in which situation?

    • When an officer is directing traffic
    • When no other vehicles are in sight
    • When the signal has been red for a long time
    • When the intersection is in a residential area
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    Correct answer: When an officer is directing traffic

    Signals must be obeyed except when an officer is directing traffic.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  8. What must drivers do at an intersection where the traffic signal is not functioning at all?

    A traffic signal housing with all three lamps dark and unlit.
    • Treat the intersection as a yield situation and slow down
    • Proceed at the posted speed if the way looks clear
    • Treat the intersection as if a stop sign is posted for all directions
    • Wait in place until a police officer arrives to direct traffic
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Treat the intersection as if a stop sign is posted for all directions

    If a signal is not functioning at all, all drivers must treat the intersection as if a stop sign is posted for all directions.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  9. A traffic signal is malfunctioning and flashing yellow for you. What may you do?

    A flashing yellow traffic light
    • Stop and wait until it is safe to proceed
    • Proceed with caution
    • Stop only if pedestrians are present
    • Proceed at your normal speed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Proceed with caution

    If the driver faces a yellow flashing signal on a malfunctioning signal, the driver may proceed with caution.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  10. A traffic signal is malfunctioning and flashing red for you. What must you do?

    A traffic signal flashing red
    • Proceed with caution without stopping
    • Slow down and go if no one is in the intersection
    • Treat it as a yield sign and keep moving
    • Stop and wait until it is safe to proceed
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    Correct answer: Stop and wait until it is safe to proceed

    If the driver faces a red flashing signal on a malfunctioning signal, the driver must stop and wait until it is safe to proceed.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  11. What does a red light mean?

    A traffic signal showing a steady red light
    • Slow down and stop only if other vehicles are crossing the intersection ahead
    • Make a complete stop before entering the crosswalk or intersection and wait for green
    • Stop before the intersection and proceed as soon as the yellow light comes on
    • Stop after entering the intersection and wait there until the green light
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Make a complete stop before entering the crosswalk or intersection and wait for green

    A red light means a complete stop before the crosswalk or intersection, then waiting for green.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  12. What does a yellow light warn you of?

    A steady yellow traffic light
    • That the light is changing from green to red
    • That the light is about to start flashing
    • That an officer will soon direct traffic
    • That pedestrians now have the right-of-way
    Show answer

    Correct answer: That the light is changing from green to red

    A yellow light warns that the light is changing from green to red.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  13. What should you do when you see a yellow light?

    A steady yellow traffic light
    • Speed up to clear the intersection
    • Stop immediately wherever you are
    • Continue at the same speed
    • Slow down and prepare to stop
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    Correct answer: Slow down and prepare to stop

    At a yellow light you should slow down and prepare to stop.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  14. What does a green light mean?

    A traffic signal showing a steady green light
    • You may proceed at once because you always have the right-of-way over other traffic and pedestrians
    • You may proceed only when going straight ahead, and you may never turn when the light is green
    • You may proceed if it is safe, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection
    • You must wait until every vehicle and pedestrian has cleared the intersection before you move
    Show answer

    Correct answer: You may proceed if it is safe, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection

    A green light lets you proceed if it is safe, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  15. What does a green arrow pointing straight up allow you to do?

    Traffic signal with a green arrow pointing straight up lit.
    • Proceed carefully, going straight ahead only
    • Go straight ahead or turn left
    • Go straight ahead or turn right
    • Go in any direction if the way is clear
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    Correct answer: Proceed carefully, going straight ahead only

    A green up arrow means you may go straight ahead only, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  16. What does a green left arrow mean?

    A green left-turn arrow lit on one signal head while the head beside it shows red
    • You may turn left without yielding to anyone, because oncoming traffic must stop for you
    • You may turn left only if no pedestrian is in sight and no vehicle is coming toward you
    • You may turn left after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection
    • You may turn left or go straight ahead after slowing down and checking for other traffic
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    Correct answer: You may turn left after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection

    A green arrow means you may turn in its direction after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  17. A yellow arrow that appears after a green arrow warns you to do what?

    A steady yellow arrow traffic signal
    • Turn immediately
    • Clear the intersection
    • Stop where you are
    • Yield to oncoming traffic
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    Correct answer: Clear the intersection

    A yellow arrow may appear after a green arrow and warns you to clear the intersection.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  18. What does a red flashing light mean?

    A traffic signal flashing red
    • Slow down and proceed with caution without stopping if no traffic is coming
    • Stop only if other vehicles or pedestrians are at the intersection with you
    • Stop and stay stopped until the light turns solid green for your direction
    • Stop completely, then proceed with caution only after yielding the right-of-way
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    Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed with caution only after yielding the right-of-way

    A red flashing light is treated like a stop sign: stop completely and proceed with caution only after yielding the right-of-way.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  19. What does a yellow flashing light mean?

    A flashing yellow traffic light
    • Stop completely and proceed once the way is clear
    • Slow down and exercise caution before proceeding through the intersection
    • Speed up to clear the intersection before the light turns red
    • Yield only to pedestrians and then proceed at normal speed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Slow down and exercise caution before proceeding through the intersection

    A yellow flashing light means you must slow down and exercise caution before proceeding through the intersection.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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  20. What does a flashing yellow left arrow mean?

    A four-section left-turn signal head in which the third lens, a yellow left arrow, is lit with short motion lines around it showing that it is blinking.
    • You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
    • You must wait until the arrow turns solid green to turn left
    • You may turn left without yielding because oncoming traffic is stopped
    • You must stop and wait until the arrow stops flashing
    Show answer

    Correct answer: You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

    A flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn after yielding, because oncoming traffic still has the green light.

    Source: Georgia Driver's Manual (2023-2024), page 34

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