Montana: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals, pedestrian signals and lane-use lights.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Ready? Test yourself
- Instant feedback with an explanation
- Every answer cites its source in the manual
- Your best score is saved on this device
- Keyboard: press 1 to 4 to answer and Enter for the next question
Questions are original and based on the official manual "Montana Driver Manual" (Revised April 2024), Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division.
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.
Show the questions and answersHide the questions
-
What should you generally do at an intersection where the traffic signal is not working?
- Stop as you would if there were stop signs in all directions
- Slow down and go through if no one else is coming
- Treat it as a flashing yellow signal and proceed with caution
- Yield only to traffic on the larger road
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop as you would if there were stop signs in all directions
Generally, a signal that is not working is treated like stop signs in all directions. Even the first vehicle to arrive should be sure it is safe to proceed.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
At a steady red signal with no stop line on the pavement, where must you stop?
- Just past the nearest crosswalk, so that you can see the cross traffic clearly
- In the middle of the intersection, so you are ready to make your turn
- At least 30 feet before the intersection, whether or not it has a crosswalk
- Before the nearest crosswalk, or before the intersection if there is no crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Before the nearest crosswalk, or before the intersection if there is no crosswalk
With no stop line, you stop before entering the nearest crosswalk, or before entering the intersection if there is no crosswalk.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
What does a steady red arrow mean?
- Stop and stay stopped, except for allowed turns on red
- Go in the direction of the arrow without stopping
- The time for a protected turn is about to end
- Turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop and stay stopped, except for allowed turns on red
A steady red arrow means stop, and remain stopped except for turns on red that are allowed.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
How should you treat a flashing red signal?
- Slow down and then proceed with caution through the intersection
- Stop only when other traffic is approaching the intersection
- The same as a stop sign: come to a complete stop and go when it is safe
- Yield, and keep going without stopping if the way is completely clear
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a stop sign: come to a complete stop and go when it is safe
A flashing red signal means the same as a stop sign, so you stop completely, yield, and proceed only when it is safe.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
A steady yellow signal means that the signal is about to do what?
- Turn green
- Turn red
- Begin flashing
- Stop working
Show answer
Correct answer: Turn red
A steady yellow signal means caution, and the signal is about to turn red.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
When may you enter an intersection against a steady yellow light?
- Whenever no pedestrians are crossing
- Whenever you are in the left lane
- Whenever you are driving below the speed limit
- Only when you are too close to stop safely
Show answer
Correct answer: Only when you are too close to stop safely
You must not enter an intersection against a steady yellow light unless you are too close to stop safely.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
What does a steady yellow arrow mean?
- You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic
- You must stop and stay stopped
- The time to make a protected turn is about to end
- You have a protected turn for as long as you need
Show answer
Correct answer: The time to make a protected turn is about to end
A steady yellow arrow means the time to make a protected turn is about to end or stop, so turning vehicles should clear the intersection.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
What must you do before turning left at a flashing yellow arrow?
- Stop and wait for a green arrow
- Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and find a safe gap
- Turn first, because oncoming traffic must stop for you
- Clear the intersection, since the time to turn is ending
Show answer
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and find a safe gap
A flashing yellow arrow allows left turns, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and determine that there is a safe gap.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 30
-
What does a flashing yellow signal usually mean you need to do?
- Stop completely
- Wait for green
- Yield to cross traffic
- Slow down
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down
A flashing yellow signal means proceed with caution, which usually means you need to slow down.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 31
-
What should you do when entering an intersection on a steady green signal?
- Enter cautiously and look both ways for traffic that may run the red light
- Enter at once, since you have the right of way over all other traffic
- Slow to a stop and wait for pedestrians to finish crossing
- Look only for pedestrians in the crosswalk
Show answer
Correct answer: Enter cautiously and look both ways for traffic that may run the red light
A steady green signal means go, but you should cautiously enter the intersection and look both ways for oncoming traffic that may run the red light.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 31
-
What does a steady green arrow mean?
- You may turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic
- You have a protected turning movement
- The time to make a turn is about to end
- You may turn only if no pedestrians are present
Show answer
Correct answer: You have a protected turning movement
A steady green arrow means that you have a protected turning movement.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 31
-
Over a lane, a special light shows a green arrow. What does it mean?
- The lane is only for turning
- You can use the lane beneath it
- The lane is about to change
- The lane is reserved for buses
Show answer
Correct answer: You can use the lane beneath it
With special lane lights, a green arrow means you can use the lane beneath it.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 35
-
Over a lane, a special light shows a red X. What does it mean?
- You may use the lane for turning only
- You must leave the lane as soon as it is safe
- You may use the lane if no vehicle is behind
- You may not use the lane
Show answer
Correct answer: You may not use the lane
With special lane lights, a red X means that you may not use the lane.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 35
-
Over a lane, a special light shows a flashing yellow X. What does it mean?
- The lane is only for turning
- The lane is closed
- The lane is open for passing
- The lane is reserved for buses
Show answer
Correct answer: The lane is only for turning
A flashing yellow X means the lane is only for turning.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 35
-
Over a lane, a special light shows a steady yellow X. What should you do?
- Use the lane for turning only, because its purpose has changed
- Stop in the lane and wait there until the light above it changes
- Move out of the lane as soon as it is safe, because its use is changing
- Keep driving in the lane, since the light only warns of a closure
Show answer
Correct answer: Move out of the lane as soon as it is safe, because its use is changing
A steady yellow X means that the use of the lane is changing, and you should move out of it as soon as it is safe to do so.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 35
-
At an intersection controlled by a light, when may you turn right on red if no sign says you cannot?
- Without stopping, if no traffic is coming
- After stopping, from the proper lane, when safe
- Only when a green arrow also appears
- Only after the light has been red one minute
Show answer
Correct answer: After stopping, from the proper lane, when safe
Unless a sign says you cannot turn right, you may turn right after you have stopped, if you are in the proper lane and have determined it is safe.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 40
-
Under the same conditions as a right turn on red, which left turn on red does Montana law also permit?
- From a two-way street onto a one-way street
- From a one-way street onto a one-way street
- From a one-way street onto a two-way street
- From any street onto a freeway on-ramp
Show answer
Correct answer: From a one-way street onto a one-way street
Montana law permits turning left from a one-way street to a one-way street under the same conditions as turning right on red.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (Revised April 2024), page 40