Massachusetts: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights and arrows, flashing signals, turning on red, pedestrian signals and lane-use signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Massachusetts Driver's Manual" (Revised April 2026), Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
All 29 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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How are the lights usually arranged on a standard traffic signal, from top to bottom?
- Green, yellow, red
- Yellow, red, green
- Red, yellow, green
- Red, green, yellow
Show answer
Correct answer: Red, yellow, green
Traffic signals are usually three round lights: red, yellow, and green circles, from top to bottom.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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Besides three-light signals, signals with how many sections are mentioned in the manual?
- 10 or 12 sections
- 6 or 7 sections
- 8 or 9 sections
- 4 or 5 sections
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Correct answer: 4 or 5 sections
The manual says there are also signals with 4 or 5 sections, as well as single flashing lights and colored arrows.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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What does the manual say you must do about traffic signals?
- Obey signals only when other traffic is present
- Obey signals only at intersections with crosswalks
- Know what each light means and obey its signals at all times
- Obey signals unless you are in a hurry
Show answer
Correct answer: Know what each light means and obey its signals at all times
You must know what each light means and obey its signals at all times.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 80 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 80)
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At a steady red circle, when may you go straight ahead?
- After you slow down and check for traffic
- After you check that no vehicle is coming
- After you honk to warn crossing traffic
- Only after the light turns green
Show answer
Correct answer: Only after the light turns green
A steady red circle means stop, and you may not go until the light turns green.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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Under what condition may you make a right turn on a steady red light?
- After slowing down to check for oncoming traffic
- After a complete stop and yielding to others in your path
- Only when no vehicle is within sight of you
- After waiting for one full cycle of the light
Show answer
Correct answer: After a complete stop and yielding to others in your path
You may turn right on red only after you come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians or other vehicles in your path.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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When may you not turn on a red light?
- When a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted
- When a pedestrian is on the far curb
- When the road ahead has two lanes
- When it is raining or dark
Show answer
Correct answer: When a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted
You may not turn on red if a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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When may you turn left on a red light?
- When there is no traffic on the cross street
- From a one-way street onto another one-way street
- When you are in the left lane of any two-way road
- When you are at an intersection with a crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: From a one-way street onto another one-way street
You can turn left on red when driving on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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A steady red arrow applies to which vehicles?
- All vehicles that approach the intersection
- Only vehicles going straight through the light
- Only vehicles that are in the right-hand lane
- Only vehicles going in the direction of the arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: Only vehicles going in the direction of the arrow
A steady red arrow means the same as a steady red circle, but it applies only to vehicles going in the direction of the arrow.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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What does a flashing red circle mean?
- The same as a YIELD sign
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- The same as a STOP sign
- The signal is changing from green to red
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a STOP sign
A flashing red circle means the same as a STOP sign: come to a complete stop and proceed when it is safe.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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At a flashing red circle, where must you stop if there is a white stop line or crosswalk line?
- Before the line
- On the line
- Past the line, so you can see traffic
- Anywhere within 15 feet of the line
Show answer
Correct answer: Before the line
If there is a white stop line or crosswalk line at a flashing red circle, you must stop before the line.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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At a flashing red circle with no stop line or crosswalk line, where must you stop?
- At least one car length before the intersection
- As close as needed to see traffic in both directions
- Right beside the signal pole at the corner
- Far enough back to see the whole signal head
Show answer
Correct answer: As close as needed to see traffic in both directions
With no lines, you must stop as close to the intersection as needed to see traffic in both directions.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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What does a steady yellow circle mean?
- The signal is changing from red to green
- Traffic in all directions must stop for a time
- The signal is changing from green to red
- You must speed up to clear the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: The signal is changing from green to red
A steady yellow circle means the traffic signal is changing from green to red.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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When a signal turns to a steady yellow circle as you approach, what must you do?
- Stop if it is safe to do so
- Speed up to clear the intersection
- Continue through if no one is in the crosswalk
- Slow down and honk your horn
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop if it is safe to do so
At a steady yellow circle you must stop if it is safe.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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If you are already stopped at an intersection or a stop line, what does a steady yellow circle mean for you?
- You may proceed with caution
- You may turn right without stopping
- You may go if no pedestrians are crossing
- You may not proceed
Show answer
Correct answer: You may not proceed
If you are already stopped at an intersection or stop line, you may not proceed on a steady yellow circle.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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What does a flashing yellow circle mean?
- It is a warning: proceed with caution and stay alert
- Come to a complete stop and then proceed
- Stop and wait for a green light
- The signal is out of order and you may not enter
Show answer
Correct answer: It is a warning: proceed with caution and stay alert
A flashing yellow circle is a warning: proceed with caution, and stay alert.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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When does a flashing yellow arrow allow you to turn left or right in the direction of the arrow?
- When oncoming traffic has a red light at the intersection
- When oncoming traffic has a green light but there is a gap
- Only when every vehicle at the intersection has stopped
- Only after you come to a complete stop first
Show answer
Correct answer: When oncoming traffic has a green light but there is a gap
A flashing yellow arrow allows a turn when oncoming traffic has a green light but there is a break in traffic.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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Before turning on a flashing yellow arrow, what must you carefully determine?
- That the vehicles behind you have also stopped moving
- That your lane is clear for at least 500 feet
- That the traffic light cycle has just changed
- That there is an adequate gap and no pedestrians in your path
Show answer
Correct answer: That there is an adequate gap and no pedestrians in your path
You must determine that there is an adequate gap in the oncoming traffic and that no pedestrians are in your path.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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On a steady green circle, what must you do before you go?
- Stop completely for at least three seconds
- Check that no one is turning right on red
- Yield to other vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians in the road
- Flash your headlights to warn the cross traffic first
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to other vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians in the road
On a steady green circle you must first yield to other vehicles, bicycles, or pedestrians in the road.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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What should you make sure of before crossing an intersection on a steady green light?
- That you have enough room to make it completely through
- That the signal has been green for several seconds
- That other drivers have started to slow down
- That you are in the right-hand lane
Show answer
Correct answer: That you have enough room to make it completely through
On a steady green you must make sure you have enough room to get completely through, and never block an intersection.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 81 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 81)
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On a steady green light, you are turning left. What must you do?
- Speed up to turn ahead of oncoming traffic
- Yield to oncoming traffic
- Stop and wait for a green arrow
- Turn only from the right lane
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic
If you are turning left on a steady green light, you must yield to oncoming traffic.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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On a steady green light, what should you look out for?
- Pedestrians who are waiting at the far corner curb
- Vehicles that are parked beside the intersection
- Drivers who ignore signals or race through intersections
- Signs that say a lane is reserved for turns only
Show answer
Correct answer: Drivers who ignore signals or race through intersections
The manual says to look out for drivers who do not obey traffic signals or race through intersections.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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What does a green arrow mean?
- You can turn only after yielding to oncoming vehicles
- You must go straight through the intersection
- You may turn in any direction at the intersection
- You can make a protected turn in the direction of the arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: You can make a protected turn in the direction of the arrow
A green arrow means you can make a protected turn in the direction of the arrow.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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When a green arrow displays for your turn, what should pedestrians and oncoming vehicles be doing?
- Slowing down for a flashing yellow light
- Waiting for a flashing yellow arrow
- Stopped for red lights
- Yielding to you at a yield line
Show answer
Correct answer: Stopped for red lights
When a green arrow displays for your turn, pedestrians and oncoming vehicles should be stopped for red lights.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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When a green arrow signal is displayed, what signs should you look for?
- Signs saying you must go straight through the light
- Signs saying to stop before turning
- Signs saying the arrow lane ends
- Signs saying the lane is for turns in the arrow's direction
Show answer
Correct answer: Signs saying the lane is for turns in the arrow's direction
Look for signs saying the lane is only for turns in the direction of the arrow.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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What are bicycle signals?
- Lights that flash when a bicycle crosses a railroad
- Lights specifically meant for bicyclists
- Flags used by bicyclists to signal turns
- Signs that mark routes for bicycles
Show answer
Correct answer: Lights specifically meant for bicyclists
Bicycle signals are lights specifically meant for bicyclists.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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How do bicycle signals display?
- As flashing white bicycle outlines on a pole
- As red and green arrows shaped like bicycles
- As steady blue bicycle symbols at the curb
- As steady red, yellow, and green bicycle symbols
Show answer
Correct answer: As steady red, yellow, and green bicycle symbols
Bicycle signals display as steady red, yellow, and green bicycle symbols.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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What does a green bicycle signal let bicyclists do?
- Go through while motor vehicles are stopped
- Ride against the flow of motor traffic
- Turn right on red without stopping
- Ignore pedestrians in the crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Go through while motor vehicles are stopped
When a bicycle signal is green, bicyclists can go through busy intersections while motor vehicles are stopped, protecting them from turning vehicles.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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What will traffic signals that are not working simply do?
- Show steady green lights in all directions
- Turn off in all directions
- Flash either red or yellow lights
- Show steady red lights in all directions
Show answer
Correct answer: Flash either red or yellow lights
If traffic signals are not working, they will simply flash either red or yellow lights, and you follow the rules for flashing lights.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)
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If signals are blacked out and not functioning, how should you proceed?
- Proceed as though there is a yield sign in all directions
- Wait until a police officer arrives
- Treat the signal as a flashing yellow light
- Proceed as though there is a stop sign in all directions
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed as though there is a stop sign in all directions
If signals are blacked out and not functioning, you must be cautious, proceed as though there is a stop sign in all directions, and go when it is safe.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 82 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 82)