Michigan: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals and pedestrian signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "What Every Driver Must Know" (October 2025), Michigan Secretary of State.
Did you know?
- In 1915, the first stop sign was used in Detroit.
- In 1917, Michigan painted the first center line on a state highway, the Marquette-to-Negaunee Road.
- In 1920, the first four-way traffic signal with red, yellow and green lights was used at Woodward Avenue and Fort Street in Detroit.
More background reading from the manual →
All 11 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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Is it legal to drive across a store parking lot to avoid a traffic signal?
- Yes, if no sign forbids it
- Yes, if the red light lasts a long time
- No, it is illegal to cut across property
- Only if no police are nearby
Show answer
Correct answer: No, it is illegal to cut across property
It is illegal to drive across public or private property to avoid a traffic-control device.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)
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Where must you stop for a red light?
- Halfway into the crosswalk
- Behind the crosswalk or stop line
- In the intersection, so you can see better
- Beyond the crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Behind the crosswalk or stop line
In Michigan the red light is at the top of the signal. Stop your vehicle behind the crosswalk or stop line.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)
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What should you do when a traffic light turns yellow?
- Speed up to get through before it turns red
- Treat it the same as green
- Stop, unless you cannot do so safely
- Always stop immediately, even inside the intersection
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Correct answer: Stop, unless you cannot do so safely
Yellow means the signal is about to turn red and you are required to stop. If you cannot stop safely, do not speed up; drive cautiously through the intersection.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)
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A traffic signal is not working and no officer is directing traffic. What must you do?
- Proceed as if it were green
- Treat it as a flashing yellow and go without stopping
- Honk and go first
- Come to a complete stop and yield to other vehicles
Show answer
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and yield to other vehicles
Come to a complete stop and yield to vehicles already at the intersection. If you arrive together, yield to the vehicle on your right.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)
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A green arrow is lit on a turn signal. What does "protected turn" mean?
- Oncoming traffic may still turn
- You must stop first
- All conflicting traffic is stopped
- You must yield to all traffic
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Correct answer: All conflicting traffic is stopped
With a protected turn you may turn on the green arrow; with a plain green light you must wait until oncoming traffic has cleared.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 49 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 49)
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What does a flashing red light mean?
- Slow down and proceed carefully
- Stop fully, then go when the road is clear
- The signal is about to turn green
- Yield only if other cars are present
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Correct answer: Stop fully, then go when the road is clear
Come to a full stop. Proceed when the road is clear.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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What does a flashing yellow light mean?
- Proceed carefully through the intersection
- Stop and wait for the green light
- Speed up to get through the intersection
- The road is closed ahead
Show answer
Correct answer: Proceed carefully through the intersection
A flashing yellow light calls for caution: scan across traffic in both directions.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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A flashing yellow arrow left-turn signal allows you to:
- Turn left without yielding
- Turn left when oncoming traffic is clear
- Wait until the arrow turns green
- Turn left only after stopping for 10 seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: Turn left when oncoming traffic is clear
Oncoming traffic has a green light, so you must yield. Make sure no pedestrians or bicyclists are crossing.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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A solid yellow arrow on a left-turn signal warns that:
- The signal is about to turn green
- You may turn without yielding
- Turns are prohibited all day
- The signal is about to change to red
Show answer
Correct answer: The signal is about to change to red
If you are approaching, you must stop. If you are already in the intersection with no conflicting traffic, you may complete your turn.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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A solid red arrow means:
- You may turn after stopping and yielding
- Proceed with caution in that direction
- Yield to oncoming traffic, then turn
- Stop; do not turn until the signal changes
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop; do not turn until the signal changes
Wait for the signal to change before turning.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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A pedestrian signal shows a white walking-person symbol or "WALK". What must drivers do?
- Honk to alert pedestrians
- Proceed if they are turning
- Yield, because pedestrians may cross
- Speed up to clear the crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield, because pedestrians may cross
Traffic must yield when the WALK signal is shown. Always yield to pedestrians.
Source: What Every Driver Must Know (October 2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)