Iowa: Traffic signals — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “Which of these can provide traffic control that you must follow?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Iowa Driver’s License Manual" (July 2026), Iowa Department of Transportation.
All 17 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 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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