Hawaii: Traffic signals
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals and pedestrian signals. Split into 2 shorter tests so you're not stuck in one long quiz.
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All 35 Traffic signals questions with answers
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What is the primary purpose of traffic signals?
- To advise you of the speed limit
- To direct and regulate traffic
- To mark where passing is prohibited
- To guide you to your destination
Show answer
Correct answer: To direct and regulate traffic
Traffic signals serve primarily to direct and regulate traffic.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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Where are standard three-color signals used primarily to stop and permit movement of traffic?
- Where there is considerable conflict in the movement of vehicles
- Only where a railroad track crosses the highway or street
- Where there is a lane that changes direction during the day
- Only on roads that have a single lane in each direction
Show answer
Correct answer: Where there is considerable conflict in the movement of vehicles
Standard three-color signals are used primarily to stop and permit movement of traffic at locations where there is considerable conflict in the movement of vehicles.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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At a red light where there is no stop line, where must you stop?
- In the middle of the crosswalk
- Beyond the crosswalk, in the intersection
- Before entering any crosswalk
- Only when pedestrians are crossing
Show answer
Correct answer: Before entering any crosswalk
When there is no stop line, you must stop before entering any crosswalk.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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At a red light where there is no stop line or crosswalk, where must you stop?
- Halfway into the intersection
- Before entering the intersection
- Beyond the intersection
- At the nearest curb
Show answer
Correct answer: Before entering the intersection
When there is no stop line or crosswalk, you must stop before entering the intersection.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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How long must you remain stopped at a red light?
- Until the yellow light is shown
- Until there are no pedestrians in sight
- For three seconds, and then proceed with caution
- Until the signal changes to green
Show answer
Correct answer: Until the signal changes to green
You must remain stopped until the signal changes to green.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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After stopping at a red light, what is true about turning right?
- You may never turn right on a red light
- You may turn right only when a police officer directs you
- You may turn right unless a sign prohibits it
- You may turn right only on a one-way street
Show answer
Correct answer: You may turn right unless a sign prohibits it
After stopping, you may turn right except when a sign prohibits such movement.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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What must you do when turning right after stopping at a red light?
- Yield to all pedestrians and all vehicles
- Yield only to vehicles coming from the left
- Yield only to pedestrians in a crosswalk
- Turn without yielding if you stopped first
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to all pedestrians and all vehicles
You must yield to all pedestrians and all vehicles when making a right turn on red.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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When may you turn left on a red light after stopping, if no sign prohibits it?
- From a one-way street into a two-way street where traffic moves both ways
- From any two-way street onto a one-way street with traffic moving left
- Only when no vehicle or pedestrian is in sight in either direction
- From a one-way street into a one-way street where traffic moves to the left
Show answer
Correct answer: From a one-way street into a one-way street where traffic moves to the left
After stopping you may turn left on a red light from a one-way street into a one-way street where traffic is moving to the left, except when a sign prohibits it.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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What does a yellow light mean?
- The signal will turn green in a few seconds
- The red light is going to be shown immediately thereafter
- You must stop at once, whatever the situation
- You must yield to oncoming traffic before proceeding
Show answer
Correct answer: The red light is going to be shown immediately thereafter
A yellow light means that the red light is going to be shown immediately thereafter.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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What should you do when a yellow light is shown?
- Avoid entering the intersection
- Speed up to clear the intersection
- Honk your horn and enter with caution
- Stop in the middle of the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Avoid entering the intersection
You should avoid entering the intersection when the yellow light is shown.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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What must you not do after the red light is shown?
- Make a right turn after stopping
- Remain stopped at the stop line
- Enter the intersection
- Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Enter the intersection
You must not enter the intersection after the red light is shown.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 39 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 39)
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What does a green light mean?
- Go straight ahead only, never turn
- Go straight ahead or turn, except when signs prohibit turns
- Go only after you have stopped and looked both ways
- Turn right only after stopping
Show answer
Correct answer: Go straight ahead or turn, except when signs prohibit turns
A green light means go straight ahead or turn except when signs prohibit turns.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What must you do at a green light?
- Yield only to vehicles that are coming from your right side
- Speed up so that you can clear the intersection quickly
- Stop first, and then yield, if you intend to turn left
- Yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection
At a green light you must yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What are lighted arrows sometimes used to control?
- Parking in a specific traffic lane
- The speed of traffic on a specific road
- Turns from a specific traffic lane
- Passing on a specific two-lane road
Show answer
Correct answer: Turns from a specific traffic lane
Lighted arrows are sometimes used to control turns from a specific traffic lane.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What does a red arrow mean?
- The same as a red light for the indicated lane of traffic
- You may turn only in the direction of the arrow after stopping
- The same as a yellow light for the indicated lane of traffic
- You may proceed with caution in the indicated lane
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a red light for the indicated lane of traffic
A red arrow has the same meaning as a red light for the indicated lane of traffic.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What does a yellow arrow mean?
- The same as a red light for the indicated lane of traffic
- The same as a green light for the indicated lane of traffic
- You may turn in the direction of the arrow without yielding
- The same as a yellow light for the indicated lane of traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a yellow light for the indicated lane of traffic
A yellow arrow has the same meaning as a yellow light for the indicated lane of traffic.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What must you do when a green arrow is shown for your lane?
- Go in any direction that is not prohibited by a sign
- Turn or proceed only in the direction indicated by the arrow
- Stop first and then follow the arrow
- Yield to pedestrians only and then go straight
Show answer
Correct answer: Turn or proceed only in the direction indicated by the arrow
A green arrow has the same meaning as a green light, but you must turn or proceed in the direction indicated by the arrow.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 40 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 40)
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What do arrow signals combined with standard signals control?
- The movement of vehicles in all traffic lanes
- Only the movement of vehicles in the left lane
- Only the movement of pedestrians
- Only the direction of traffic in a lane
Show answer
Correct answer: The movement of vehicles in all traffic lanes
Arrow signals combined with standard signals control the movement of vehicles in all traffic lanes.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What are flashing signals sometimes used for?
- To show that the signal is out of order
- To warn you of danger
- To permit movement in every lane
- To mark the end of a no passing zone
Show answer
Correct answer: To warn you of danger
Flashing signals are sometimes used to warn you of danger.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What does a red flashing signal mean?
- The same as a yield sign
- That you may proceed only with caution
- That the signal will soon turn green
- The same as a stop sign
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a stop sign
A red flashing signal has the same meaning as a stop sign.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What will also be posted where a red flashing signal is located?
- A yield sign
- A railroad crossing sign
- A stop sign
- A speed limit sign
Show answer
Correct answer: A stop sign
A stop sign will also be posted where a red flashing signal is located.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What does a yellow flashing signal mean?
- You may proceed only with caution
- You must come to a complete stop
- The signal is about to turn red
- You must yield to all vehicles and pedestrians and then stop
Show answer
Correct answer: You may proceed only with caution
A yellow flashing signal means that you may proceed only with caution.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What do regular traffic signals mean when they show flashing lights?
- The same as a steady red light
- That the signal is not working and traffic may go
- That you must stop for a school bus
- The same as the flashing red or yellow signals
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as the flashing red or yellow signals
When regular traffic signals show flashing lights they have the same meanings as the flashing red or yellow signals.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What are lane control signals used to control?
- The speed of traffic in a lane
- The direction of traffic movement in a lane
- The number of vehicles that may enter a lane
- The use of a lane by pedestrians
Show answer
Correct answer: The direction of traffic movement in a lane
Lane control signals are used to control the direction of traffic movement in the lane.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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Where is a lane control signal placed?
- Over the traffic lane it controls
- On the right side of the roadway
- On the center island of the roadway
- At the end of the traffic lane it controls
Show answer
Correct answer: Over the traffic lane it controls
A lane control signal is placed over the traffic lane it controls.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What does a red “X” lane control signal over a lane mean?
- You may use that lane only to make a left turn across traffic
- You may use that lane only when it is safe to pass slower traffic
- Do not use that lane, as traffic is using it in the opposite direction
- You must stop and wait there until the lane is clear of traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not use that lane, as traffic is using it in the opposite direction
The red “X” means you must not use that lane because the lane is being used by traffic proceeding in the opposite direction.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A lane-control signal shows a green arrow pointing down at your lane. What does it mean?
- You may use that lane
- You must move out of that lane
- You may use that lane only when preparing to turn left
- That lane is being used for traffic moving in the opposite direction
Show answer
Correct answer: You may use that lane
The manual says the green arrow means you may use that lane.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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What must you do when a steady yellow “X” signal is shown over your lane?
- Stop in that lane and wait until the signal changes to a green arrow
- Use that lane only when preparing to turn left
- Move out of that lane, because it will be used for opposite traffic
- Continue in that lane and speed up to clear the section
Show answer
Correct answer: Move out of that lane, because it will be used for opposite traffic
The yellow “X” means you must move out of the lane because it is going to be used for traffic moving in the opposite direction.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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A yellow “X” signal over your lane is flashing. When may you use that lane?
- Only when you are passing a slower vehicle
- Only when preparing to turn left
- At any time, for any purpose
- Only when no vehicle is approaching from behind
Show answer
Correct answer: Only when preparing to turn left
When the yellow “X” signal is flashing, you may use that lane only when preparing to turn left.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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Besides the lighted words “WALK” and “DON’T WALK”, which symbols appear on pedestrian signals?
- A walking person and a red octagon
- A school child and a crosswalk
- A bicycle and an upraised palm
- A walking person and an upraised palm
Show answer
Correct answer: A walking person and an upraised palm
Pedestrian signals consist of the lighted words and the symbols of a walking person and an upraised palm.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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What does a steady DON’T WALK or upraised palm signal mean for pedestrians?
- They may cross if no vehicles are approaching
- They may cross, but only to the nearest sidewalk
- They may enter the roadway only at a marked crosswalk
- They must not enter the roadway toward the signal
Show answer
Correct answer: They must not enter the roadway toward the signal
A steady DON’T WALK or upraised palm signal means pedestrians must not enter the roadway toward the signal.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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A DON’T WALK or upraised palm signal starts flashing while a pedestrian is already crossing. What may the pedestrian do?
- Stop where they are and wait for the signal to change
- Continue to the nearest sidewalk, traffic island or safety zone
- Wait in the roadway until the WALK signal returns
- Cross to the far side only if the road is clear
Show answer
Correct answer: Continue to the nearest sidewalk, traffic island or safety zone
With a flashing signal, pedestrians may not start to cross, but those already crossing may continue to the nearest sidewalk, traffic island or safety zone.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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What does a steady WALK or walking person signal mean?
- Pedestrians must wait on the sidewalk for the signal to flash
- Pedestrians may cross only after drivers wave them ahead
- Pedestrians may cross the roadway toward the signal
- Pedestrians must stay at the curb until the road is empty
Show answer
Correct answer: Pedestrians may cross the roadway toward the signal
A steady WALK signal means that pedestrians may cross the roadway towards the signal.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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What is a flashing WALK or walking person signal sometimes used to indicate?
- There is a possible conflict between pedestrians and vehicles
- Vehicles must stop and give pedestrians the whole intersection
- The signal is about to change to DON’T WALK
- Pedestrians must wait on the sidewalk until the signal is steady
Show answer
Correct answer: There is a possible conflict between pedestrians and vehicles
A flashing WALK or walking person signal is sometimes used to indicate a possible conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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At a stop sign or a red light, what does the manual say you must always do, even when making a right turn?
- Slow down and stop only if cross traffic is present
- Stop only if a vehicle is following you closely
- Slow down and proceed when the way looks clear
- Come to a complete stop, regardless of traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop, regardless of traffic
The manual says you must always come to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light, even when making a right turn, regardless of traffic.
Source: Hawaii Driver's Manual (2023), page 57 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 57)