New York: Traffic signals — Part 1 Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “How are traffic lights normally arranged, according to the manual?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "New York State Driver's Manual" (Form MV-21), New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
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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What three signals does the manual describe a highway work area flag person using?
- Go, Wait, Stop
- STOP, PROCEED, and SLOW
- Red, Yellow, and Green
- Stop, Yield, and Merge
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Correct answer: STOP, PROCEED, and SLOW
The manual shows a flag person using STOP, PROCEED, and SLOW signals.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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How are traffic lights normally arranged, according to the manual?
- Green, yellow, red from top to bottom or left to right
- Red, yellow, green from top to bottom or left to right
- Yellow, red, green in no particular order
- Only red and green lights, with no yellow
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, green from top to bottom or left to right
Traffic lights are normally red, yellow, and green from top to bottom or left to right.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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If a traffic light or control is out of service or not operating correctly when you approach an intersection, what must you do?
- Proceed through without stopping
- Wait at the intersection until the signal is repaired
- Stop as for a stop sign, then follow right-of-way rules
- Turn around and use another route
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Correct answer: Stop as for a stop sign, then follow right-of-way rules
If a traffic light or control is out of service or not working correctly, you must stop as you would for a stop sign, then continue according to right-of-way rules, unless a traffic officer tells you otherwise.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 30 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 30)
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What does a steady red traffic light mean?
- Slow down, but proceed with caution
- Stop only if pedestrians are present
- Proceed if no other vehicles are visible
- Stop, and do not go until the light is green
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Correct answer: Stop, and do not go until the light is green
A steady red light means stop, and do not go until the light turns green.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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If a green arrow is shown together with a steady red light, what can you do?
- Go only toward the arrow, only if the intersection is clear
- Go in any direction as long as it is safe
- You must still wait for the light to turn green
- Turn left only, regardless of the arrow's direction
Show answer
Correct answer: Go only toward the arrow, only if the intersection is clear
If a green arrow is shown with a steady red light, you can go only toward the arrow, and only if the intersection is clear.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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When can you make a right turn at a steady red light?
- Right turns on red are never allowed
- After you stop fully and yield the right-of-way
- At any time, without stopping first
- Only if a police officer directs you to do so
Show answer
Correct answer: After you stop fully and yield the right-of-way
You can make a right turn at a steady red light after coming to a full stop and yielding the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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When can you make a left turn at a steady red light?
- Left turns on red are never allowed under any circumstance
- Anytime the intersection is clear
- From a one-way into another one-way road, after stopping and yielding
- Only late at night
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Correct answer: From a one-way into another one-way road, after stopping and yielding
You can make a left turn at a steady red light only when turning from a one-way road into another one-way road, after a full stop and yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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When is a driver prohibited from turning at a red light?
- Only on Sundays
- Only during posted work-zone hours
- Turns on red are always allowed, with no exceptions
- When a sign, signal or pavement marking prevents the turn
Show answer
Correct answer: When a sign, signal or pavement marking prevents the turn
You cannot turn at a red light if a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted or another sign, signal, or pavement marking prevents the turn.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What is the rule about turning on a red light in New York City?
- Turns on red are not allowed unless a sign permits them
- Turns on red are always allowed in New York City
- Turns on red are never allowed anywhere in New York City
- Only left turns on red are allowed in New York City
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Correct answer: Turns on red are not allowed unless a sign permits them
In New York City, turning on a red light is not allowed unless a sign permits it.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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Can the driver of a school bus containing students turn right on a red light?
- Yes, always, if the way is clear
- No, the driver cannot turn right on any red light
- Only if the bus's warning lights are off
- Only outside of school hours
Show answer
Correct answer: No, the driver cannot turn right on any red light
The driver of a school bus containing students cannot turn right on any red light.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What does a flashing red light mean?
- Drive with caution; there is no need to stop
- Slow down, but do not come to a stop
- The same as a STOP sign: stop, yield, go when safe
- The signal is broken and should be ignored
Show answer
Correct answer: The same as a STOP sign: stop, yield, go when safe
A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign: stop, yield the right-of-way, and go when it is safe.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What must you do when facing a red arrow signal?
- Proceed cautiously in the direction of the arrow
- Turn left only, regardless of the arrow's direction
- Treat it the same as a flashing yellow light
- Not go in the direction of the arrow until the red arrow light is off and a green light or arrow goes on; a turn on red is not permitted
Show answer
Correct answer: Not go in the direction of the arrow until the red arrow light is off and a green light or arrow goes on; a turn on red is not permitted
At a red arrow, you must not go in the direction of the arrow until it turns off and a green light or arrow appears; turning on a red arrow is never permitted.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What does a steady yellow traffic light mean?
- Be prepared to stop, because the signal is about to turn red
- Speed up to clear the intersection before it changes
- You may proceed without caution
- Stop immediately, no matter where you are
Show answer
Correct answer: Be prepared to stop, because the signal is about to turn red
A steady yellow light means be prepared to stop, because the signal is about to turn red.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What does a flashing yellow light mean?
- Come to a complete stop
- Drive with caution
- The intersection is closed to traffic
- Yield to oncoming traffic only
Show answer
Correct answer: Drive with caution
A flashing yellow light means drive with caution.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What does a yellow arrow signal mean?
- You must stop immediately, no matter what
- You may proceed in any direction you choose
- Green-arrow protection will end; be ready to stop
- The traffic light is malfunctioning
Show answer
Correct answer: Green-arrow protection will end; be ready to stop
A yellow arrow means the protection of the green arrow will end; be prepared to stop if you intend to turn in that direction.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What does a steady green light allow you to do?
- Go, with no need to yield to any other traffic
- Only turn left
- Stop and wait for a gap in traffic
- Go, but yield the right-of-way as required by law
Show answer
Correct answer: Go, but yield the right-of-way as required by law
A steady green light means go, but yield the right-of-way to other traffic at the intersection as required by law.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)
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What does a green arrow traffic signal allow you to do?
- Go toward the arrow, but yield the right-of-way as required by law
- Go in the direction of the arrow without yielding to anyone
- Only proceed if the arrow is flashing
- Stop and wait for a steady green light instead
Show answer
Correct answer: Go toward the arrow, but yield the right-of-way as required by law
A green arrow means you can go in the direction of the arrow, but you must yield the right-of-way to other traffic at the intersection as required by law.
Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 31)