Driving Test Practice

Missouri: Traffic signals Practice Test

Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, the flashing yellow arrow and flashing signals.

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23 questions · About 9 min

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  • Every answer cites its source in the manual
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Missouri Driver Guide" (Revised August 2026), Missouri Department of Revenue.

All 23 questions in this practice test

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  1. A dual-use lane signal shows both a turn arrow and a straight arrow. What may you do?

    A traffic signal with four lights stacked: dark red and yellow lights at the top, then a lit green arrow pointing left and a lit green arrow pointing straight up.
    • Either turn or go straight
    • Go straight only
    • Turn only
    • Stop until a green circle appears
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Either turn or go straight

    When both arrows appear on the electric traffic signal of a dual-use lane, you may either turn or go straight.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 43 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. In a dual-use lane you want to turn, but only the straight arrow is showing. What must you do?

    A traffic signal with four lights stacked: dark red and yellow lights at the top, a dark green arrow pointing left, and a lit green arrow pointing straight up at the bottom.
    • Turn when traffic is clear
    • Turn after stopping completely
    • Wait for the turn arrow
    • Go straight and turn at the next block
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Wait for the turn arrow

    If you want to turn and only the straight arrow is showing, you must wait for the turn arrow.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 43 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. If a traffic officer gives directions that conflict with a traffic signal, what must you do?

    A four-way intersection from above: a person in a navy cap and bright yellow-green vest with white gloves stands in the middle with both arms held out to the sides; a gray, a red and a blue car are on the roads around it; a signal housing on a pole seen from behind.
    • Follow the signal and ignore the officer
    • Stop and wait for another officer
    • Follow the signal unless the officer shouts
    • Do what the officer says and ignore the signal
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Do what the officer says and ignore the signal

    You must obey traffic officers at all times and ignore any traffic signs or signals when an officer is giving directions.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 43 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. Besides law enforcement, who else may provide traffic control that you must obey?

    • Parking lot attendants and tow drivers
    • Highway personnel and school crossing guards
    • Only officers in marked patrol cars
    • Only officers with emergency lights on
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Highway personnel and school crossing guards

    Traffic control also can be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards, and you must obey directions from these persons.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 43 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. Flashing traffic signals may occur during which of these?

    • Heavy morning traffic
    • Clear weather only
    • Special events
    • School bus stops
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Special events

    Flashing traffic signals may occur during emergencies, night time and low traffic volume periods and special events.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. What does a flashing red light mean?

    A traffic signal flashing red
    • The same as a stop sign
    • Slow down and proceed with caution
    • Stop only if other traffic is present
    • The signal is changing to green
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The same as a stop sign

    A flashing red light means the same thing as a stop sign.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. What does a flashing yellow light tell you to do?

    A flashing yellow traffic light
    • Slow down and proceed with caution
    • Stop and then proceed
    • Stop and wait for green
    • Speed up to clear the intersection
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution

    A flashing yellow light tells you to slow down and proceed with caution.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. At a red light, where must you stop?

    Top view of a city intersection where a signal shows a red light, white crosswalk bars cross the street, and the blue car approaches in the lane several car lengths back.
    • At the center of the intersection so you can see cross traffic
    • Just past the crosswalk, with the front wheels in the intersection
    • At the stop line, crosswalk, or before the intersection
    • Anywhere behind the vehicle ahead, even in the crosswalk
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    Correct answer: At the stop line, crosswalk, or before the intersection

    A red light tells you to stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or before the intersection.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. At a red light, you must wait for the signal to turn green unless you are:

    Top view of a city intersection where a signal shows a red light, white crosswalk bars cross the street, and the blue car approaches in the lane several car lengths back.
    • Driving a slow vehicle
    • Making a right turn
    • Going straight with no traffic
    • Turning left
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Making a right turn

    Unless you are making a right turn, you must wait for the signal to turn green before you proceed.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. Before turning right on a red light, what must you do?

    A red car with right-side turn signal lamps lit amber, some distance before a white line across its lane and white bars across the road, beside a red traffic light.
    • Wait for the signal to change to yellow
    • Slow down and make sure no pedestrians are present
    • Honk your horn to warn pedestrians
    • Make a complete stop and make sure the way is clear
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Make a complete stop and make sure the way is clear

    After making a complete stop, you may turn right on a red light if the way is clear of pedestrians and traffic.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. When must you NOT turn right on a red light?

    A red car with right-side turn signal lamps lit amber, some distance before a white line across its lane and white bars across the road, beside a red traffic light.
    • When another vehicle is waiting behind you
    • When the road is wet
    • When a “No Right Turn On Red” sign is posted
    • When you have made a complete stop
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When a “No Right Turn On Red” sign is posted

    You must not turn right on a red light when there is a “No Right Turn On Red” sign posted.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. A steady yellow light tells you that the traffic signal is:

    A steady yellow traffic light
    • Changing from green to red
    • Changing from red to green
    • About to start flashing
    • Turning off
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Changing from green to red

    A steady yellow light tells you the traffic signal is changing from green to red.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. When may you go through a steady yellow light instead of stopping?

    A steady yellow traffic light
    • When the cross street looks empty
    • When you are driving below the speed limit
    • When a pedestrian is waiting to cross
    • When you are too close to stop safely
    Show answer

    Correct answer: When you are too close to stop safely

    Stop for a steady yellow light unless you are within the intersection or are so close that you cannot safely stop before entering the intersection.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. At a green light, what must you do first?

    A traffic signal showing a steady green light
    • Honk to warn pedestrians still in the intersection
    • Yield to traffic and pedestrians still in the intersection
    • Speed up to clear the intersection before the light changes
    • Stop briefly at the stop line before you proceed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Yield to traffic and pedestrians still in the intersection

    A green light means you can go through the intersection, but you must first yield the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians still in the intersection.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. In a permissive left-turn phase, what must drivers do?

    Overhead view of a signalized intersection: the blue car waits first in the left-turn lane with its left signal blinking, and the signal lights show green circles.
    • Turn ahead of oncoming traffic, which must yield
    • Wait for an adequate gap in the opposing traffic
    • Stop and wait for a green arrow before turning
    • Wait for oncoming traffic to flash its lights
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Wait for an adequate gap in the opposing traffic

    In a permissive phase, vehicles are given a circular green or a flashing yellow arrow and are required to wait for an adequate gap in the opposing traffic prior to making their turn.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. In a protected left-turn phase, when may vehicles turn?

    A blue car signaling left in a city street's left lane approaches the opening of a left-turn lane with a turn arrow, where one car waits at a red light.
    • On a steady red arrow after a full stop
    • On any green light after yielding to pedestrians
    • Whenever the way ahead looks clear
    • Only on a green arrow while opposing traffic is stopped
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Only on a green arrow while opposing traffic is stopped

    In a protected phase, vehicles may turn only when they receive a green arrow while opposing vehicles are stopped by a red light.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. What does a protected/permissive left-turn phase give drivers?

    A blue car signaling left in a city street's left lane approaches the opening of a left-turn lane with a turn arrow, where one car waits at a red light.
    • A protected green arrow phase or a permissive phase
    • Only a steady yellow arrow phase
    • A flashing red phase followed by a green arrow
    • A phase where opposing traffic must always stop
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A protected green arrow phase or a permissive phase

    In a protected/permissive phase, vehicles are given a protected phase (green arrow), or a permissive phase when drivers must choose an adequate gap in opposing traffic.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  18. What must you wait for at a steady red arrow?

    A traffic signal housing showing an illuminated red arrow pointing to the left.
    • The arrow to start flashing red
    • A steady yellow arrow to appear
    • A green signal or a flashing yellow arrow
    • Opposing traffic to clear the intersection
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A green signal or a flashing yellow arrow

    You must wait for the signal to turn green or a flashing yellow arrow before you proceed past a steady red arrow.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  19. When does a steady yellow arrow appear?

    A steady yellow arrow traffic signal
    • After a flashing red light
    • Before a green arrow
    • After a steady red arrow
    • After a green arrow
    Show answer

    Correct answer: After a green arrow

    A steady yellow arrow appears after a green arrow.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  20. What must you be ready to do when a steady yellow arrow appears?

    A steady yellow arrow traffic signal
    • Speed up to finish your turn
    • Yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic or stop
    • Stop only if pedestrians are present
    • Proceed without yielding to oncoming traffic
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic or stop

    You must be ready to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic or to stop when a steady yellow arrow appears.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 44 · Open this page in the manual

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  21. What does a flashing yellow arrow require of you?

    A four-section left-turn signal head in which the third lens, a yellow left arrow, is lit with short motion lines around it showing that it is blinking.
    • Stop completely and wait for a green arrow before turning
    • Slow down and turn only after the opposing signal turns red
    • Wait for an adequate gap in opposing traffic before turning
    • Turn at once, since oncoming traffic must stop for you
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Wait for an adequate gap in opposing traffic before turning

    You are allowed to drive in the direction the arrow is pointing but are required to wait for an adequate gap in the opposing traffic prior to making your turn.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 45 · Open this page in the manual

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  22. What must be true before you drive in the direction of a green arrow?

    A green left-turn arrow lit on one signal head while the head beside it shows red
    • You must be in the proper lane and the way must be clear
    • You must first make a complete stop at the stop line
    • Your turn signal must have flashed for three seconds
    • Oncoming drivers must have flashed their lights
    Show answer

    Correct answer: You must be in the proper lane and the way must be clear

    A green arrow lets you drive in the direction it points, but you must be in the proper lane and the way must be clear of all traffic and pedestrians.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 45 · Open this page in the manual

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  23. What should you treat a dark traffic signal that is not working as?

    A traffic signal housing with all three lamps dark and unlit.
    • A four-way stop
    • A yield sign
    • A flashing yellow light
    • A free-flowing intersection
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A four-way stop

    Dark signals, or traffic signals that are not working, operate as a four-way stop.

    Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 45 · Open this page in the manual

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