Iowa: Traffic signals
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals, pedestrian hybrid beacons, and signals for bicycles and pedestrians. Split into 2 shorter tests so you're not stuck in one long quiz.
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All 33 Traffic signals questions with answers
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Which of these can provide traffic control that you must follow?
- A school crossing guard
- A pedestrian waiting at a crosswalk
- A passenger in a parked vehicle
- A bicyclist riding beside you
Show answer
Correct answer: A school crossing guard
Traffic control can be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel, or school crossing guards, and you must follow their directions.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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What does a solid red light mean?
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Stop only if other traffic is present
- Yield to traffic, then go
- Come to a complete stop
Show answer
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop
A solid red light means come to a complete stop.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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How should you treat a flashing red light?
- Slow down and go if the way is clear
- The same as a stop sign
- Stop only if other cars are approaching
- Proceed with caution and yield to pedestrians
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a stop sign
A flashing red light is treated the same as a stop sign.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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A solid yellow light comes on and you can stop safely. What should you do?
- Speed up to clear the intersection
- Do not enter the intersection
- Enter the intersection with caution
- Enter and turn before the light changes
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not enter the intersection
With a solid yellow light, you should not enter the intersection if you can stop safely.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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A solid yellow light comes on and you cannot stop safely. What should you do?
- Stop where you are, even in the intersection
- Brake hard even if your vehicle will skid
- Back up to the stop line before the light turns red
- Proceed through the intersection with caution
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed through the intersection with caution
If you cannot stop safely at a solid yellow light, you proceed through the intersection with caution.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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What should you do at a flashing yellow light?
- Proceed with caution, yielding to vehicles and pedestrians
- Come to a complete stop first, then proceed carefully
- Treat it the same as a stop sign
- Stop and wait until the light turns green
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed with caution, yielding to vehicles and pedestrians
A flashing yellow light means proceed with caution, yield to vehicles and pedestrians, and proceed when it is safe.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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What does a solid green light mean?
- Go at once, because all other traffic must stop
- Go, and cross traffic must always yield to you
- Go, but only when the intersection is clear
- Proceed with caution and yield only to pedestrians
Show answer
Correct answer: Go, but only when the intersection is clear
A solid green light means go, but only when the intersection is clear, and yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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When a light changes, traffic may be caught in the intersection. What must you do?
- Honk to tell them to clear the intersection
- Enter the intersection immediately
- Pass them on the left side
- Give those vehicles time to clear
Show answer
Correct answer: Give those vehicles time to clear
When the light changes, traffic may be caught in the intersection, and you must give them time to clear.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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What does a steady red arrow mean for drivers turning left or right?
- They may turn after slowing down
- They must stop
- They may turn without slowing down
- They may turn if no pedestrians are near
Show answer
Correct answer: They must stop
A steady red arrow means drivers turning left or right must stop.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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What does a steady yellow arrow mean?
- The turn signal has just turned green
- You must make the turn immediately
- The turn signal is about to turn red
- Traffic in all directions must stop
Show answer
Correct answer: The turn signal is about to turn red
A steady yellow arrow means the left or right turn signal is about to turn red.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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A steady yellow arrow appears while you are still before the intersection and can stop safely. What should you do?
- Do not enter the intersection
- Enter and complete your turn
- Speed up and turn before it changes
- Enter only if oncoming traffic has stopped
Show answer
Correct answer: Do not enter the intersection
At a steady yellow arrow, you should not enter the intersection if you can stop safely.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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A steady yellow arrow appears when you are already within the intersection. What should you do?
- Complete your left or right turn
- Stop where you are
- Back out of the intersection
- Wait for the next green arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: Complete your left or right turn
If you are already within the intersection when a steady yellow arrow appears, you complete your left or right turn.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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What should you do at a flashing yellow arrow?
- Turn left right away, since oncoming traffic is required to stop
- Stop completely and then turn left without yielding
- Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn left
- Go straight, since oncoming traffic must stop
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn left
A flashing yellow arrow means yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn left proceeding with caution.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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You face a flashing yellow arrow. What signal does oncoming traffic have?
- A red light
- A green light
- A steady yellow arrow
- A flashing red light
Show answer
Correct answer: A green light
With a flashing yellow arrow, oncoming traffic has a green light, so you must yield before turning.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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What happens to oncoming traffic when you have a steady green arrow?
- It may turn in front of you
- It may continue straight
- It must yield to you only if it turns
- It must stop
Show answer
Correct answer: It must stop
With a steady green arrow, drivers can proceed with the turn and oncoming traffic must stop.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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In which direction may you drive at a steady green arrow?
- Straight ahead or in the arrow’s direction
- Any direction if the intersection is clear
- Only in the direction of the arrow
- Only straight ahead after yielding
Show answer
Correct answer: Only in the direction of the arrow
At a steady green arrow you must not go straight; drive only in the direction of the arrow.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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At a steady green arrow, whom must you yield the right of way to?
- Vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection
- Only vehicles that are waiting behind you
- Only pedestrians who are waiting to cross the road
- Nobody, because you have the arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: Vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection
At a steady green arrow you yield the right of way to other vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 11
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Over a reversible lane there is a green arrow. What does it mean?
- The lane is only for turning
- The use of the lane is changing
- You may not use the lane
- You can use the lane beneath it
Show answer
Correct answer: You can use the lane beneath it
A green arrow over a reversible lane means you can use the lane beneath it.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 15
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Over a reversible lane there is a red "X". What does it mean?
- You can use the lane beneath it
- You may not use the lane
- The lane is only for turning
- You should move out of the lane as soon as it is safe
Show answer
Correct answer: You may not use the lane
A red "X" over a reversible lane means you may not use that lane.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 15
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Over a reversible lane there is a flashing yellow "X". What does it mean?
- The lane is only for turning
- The lane is open to all traffic
- You may not use the lane
- The lane is reserved for high-occupancy vehicles
Show answer
Correct answer: The lane is only for turning
A flashing yellow "X" over a reversible lane means the lane is only for turning.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 15
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Over a reversible lane there is a steady yellow "X". What should you do?
- Use the lane only for turning
- Stop and wait in the lane until the signal changes
- Move out of the lane as soon as it is safe to do so
- Speed up to clear the lane before it closes
Show answer
Correct answer: Move out of the lane as soon as it is safe to do so
A steady yellow "X" means the use of the lane is changing, so you should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 15
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How is a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon activated?
- Manually, by a push button
- By sensors that detect approaching vehicles
- By a timer that runs all day long
- By a signal from the nearest traffic light
Show answer
Correct answer: Manually, by a push button
Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons are manually activated by a push button.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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Where are Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons often located?
- Only at busy intersections that already have traffic signals
- At roundabout exits and on freeway interchange ramps
- At intersections without traffic signals or at mid-block crosswalks
- Only at railroad crossings and in school parking lots
Show answer
Correct answer: At intersections without traffic signals or at mid-block crosswalks
They are often located at intersections without traffic signals or at mid-block crosswalks.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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What do the lights of a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon look like when the beacon has been activated?
- Red lights that flash in a slow pattern
- Amber lights that flash in a rapid pattern
- White lights that stay on steadily
- Green lights that alternate with red
Show answer
Correct answer: Amber lights that flash in a rapid pattern
When activated, a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon flashes amber lights in a rapid pattern.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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When do Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons operate?
- Only when a pedestrian activates them
- Only during morning and evening rush hours
- At all times, day and night
- Only when cars are waiting at the crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Only when a pedestrian activates them
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons operate only when they are activated by a pedestrian.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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What should motorists do when all the lights of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon are dark?
- Stop and wait for the lights to come on
- Treat the crossing as an all-way stop
- Proceed with caution
- Speed up to clear the crossing quickly
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed with caution
When all lights of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon are dark, motorists can proceed with caution.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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The bottom yellow light of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is flashing. What must motorists do?
- Maintain your speed
- Slow down
- Speed up to clear it
- Change lanes
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down
Once the beacon is activated, the bottom yellow light flashes and motorists must slow down.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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The bottom yellow light of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon has become solid. What must motorists do?
- Continue at the same speed
- Speed up to clear the crosswalk
- Pull over to the right and wait
- Prepare to stop
Show answer
Correct answer: Prepare to stop
When the bottom yellow light becomes solid, motorists must prepare to stop.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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The top two red lights of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon have become solid. What must motorists do?
- Stop for pedestrians
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Continue if no one is crossing
- Speed up to pass before anyone crosses
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop for pedestrians
When the top two red lights become solid, motorists must stop for pedestrians.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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The top two red lights of a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon are flashing. Under what condition may motorists proceed with caution?
- Only after the lights have all gone dark
- Only after the bottom yellow light flashes again
- After stopping, if the crosswalk is clear
- Only after a pedestrian waves them through
Show answer
Correct answer: After stopping, if the crosswalk is clear
When the two red lights flash, motorists must stop if they have not already done so, and may then proceed with caution if the crosswalk is clear.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 18
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What must you do at a flashing red light?
- Stop, then go ahead if it is clear
- Slow down and go through without stopping
- Stop and wait until it turns green
- Yield only if cross traffic is present
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop, then go ahead if it is clear
At a flashing red light you must stop, then go ahead if it is clear.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 41
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At a signal on a ramp at a diverging diamond interchange, what may you do on a red light?
- After stopping first, turn left or right on red when the road is clear
- Go straight through the red light if no vehicles are visible
- Wait for a green light, because turns on red are never allowed
- Turn on red without stopping when the road is clear
Show answer
Correct answer: After stopping first, turn left or right on red when the road is clear
The signs on the interchange diagram say to stop first and then turn right or left on red if the road is clear.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 53
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At a diverging diamond interchange, what does an up arrow on a traffic signal indicate?
- Turning around
- Merging onto the interstate
- Driving straight through
- Exiting the roadway
Show answer
Correct answer: Driving straight through
Some signals at this interchange have arrows for left or right turns and up arrows to indicate driving straight through.
Source: Iowa Driver’s License Manual (July 2026), page 53