Driving Test Practice

New York: Traffic signals — Part 2 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “Whose directions take precedence over signs, signals, or pavement markings?”

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17 questions · About 7 min

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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

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  1. In a Lane Use Control system, what does a steady red X above a lane mean?

    A lane control signal showing a red X above a lane
    • You can use this lane
    • Do not drive in this lane
    • Move from this lane
    • This lane is for left turns only
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    Correct answer: Do not drive in this lane

    A steady red X above a lane means do not drive in that lane.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. In a Lane Use Control system, what does a steady yellow X above a lane mean?

    A lane control signal showing a yellow X above a lane
    • Do not drive in this lane
    • You can use this lane
    • Move from this lane
    • This lane is closed permanently
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    Correct answer: Move from this lane

    A steady yellow X above a lane means move out of that lane.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. In a Lane Use Control system, what does a flashing yellow X above a lane mean?

    A flashing yellow X lane control signal
    • You can use this lane for any purpose
    • Do not drive in this lane
    • Move from this lane immediately
    • This lane can only be used for a left turn
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    Correct answer: This lane can only be used for a left turn

    A flashing yellow X above a lane means that lane can only be used for a left turn.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 31 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. Whose directions take precedence over signs, signals, or pavement markings?

    • A tow truck driver
    • A parking attendant
    • Another driver waving you through
    • A traffic officer
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    Correct answer: A traffic officer

    Directions given by a traffic officer take precedence over signs, signals, or pavement markings.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. If a traffic officer signals you to stop at a green light, 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, arms at 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.
    • You must stop
    • Proceed through the green light, since it has the right-of-way
    • Honk your horn and proceed anyway
    • Wait for the light to turn red first
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    Correct answer: You must stop

    If a traffic officer signals you to stop at a green light, you must stop, even though the light is green.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. According to the manual, which of the following are among the persons authorized to direct traffic?

    A flag person directing traffic at a work zone
    • Only police officers, never anyone else
    • Police officers, fire police and school bus drivers
    • Only school bus drivers, and only near schools
    • Only flag persons at highway work areas
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    Correct answer: Police officers, fire police and school bus drivers

    Persons authorized to direct traffic include police officers, fire police, highway work area flag persons, school crossing persons, and school bus drivers.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 33 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. According to the manual, how does traffic move around the central island of a modern roundabout?

    Overhead view of a roundabout with a planted central island, four roads joining it, YIELD signs on each road and striped crosswalks on the west and east roads.
    • Clockwise
    • Counterclockwise
    • In either direction, depending on the lane
    • There is no set direction
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    Correct answer: Counterclockwise

    The manual describes the modern roundabout as a circular intersection where traffic moves counterclockwise around a central island.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. What rule governs vehicles entering a roundabout, according to the manual?

    A red car driving along a street toward a circular road around a planted island; a raised island divides the lanes in the middle of the street, and grass lies in the corners.
    • First-come, first-served regardless of gaps
    • The 'yield-at-entry' rule: wait for a gap in traffic
    • Entering vehicles always have the right-of-way
    • Vehicles must come to a full stop before every entry
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    Correct answer: The 'yield-at-entry' rule: wait for a gap in traffic

    The manual states roundabouts follow the 'yield-at-entry' rule, in which approaching vehicles must wait for a gap in the circulating flow before entering.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. According to the manual, roundabouts are designed to restrict vehicle speed within the circle to:

    An overhead view of a circular intersection where cars travel around a raised planted island in the middle.
    • 15 mph or less
    • 45 mph or less
    • 60 mph or less
    • 30 mph or less
    Show answer

    Correct answer: 30 mph or less

    The manual states roundabouts are designed so that the speed of all vehicles is restricted to 30 mph (50 km/h) or less within the roundabout.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. When approaching a roundabout, in which direction should you look for traffic that has the right-of-way?

    Overhead view of a roundabout with a planted central island, four roads joining it, a raised island in the middle of each road, and a double yellow line on the left and right roads.
    • Right
    • Left
    • Straight ahead only
    • Behind you
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    Correct answer: Left

    The manual instructs drivers to look to the left when approaching a roundabout, since traffic in the roundabout has the right-of-way.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. According to the manual, if another car is waiting at the yield line ahead of you at a roundabout, what should you do?

    A red car with its brake lights on at a row of white triangles on a roundabout entry road, a blue car behind it, a YIELD sign beside the road and two cars circling the island.
    • Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians
    • Stop in the crosswalk to wait your turn
    • Honk to make the other car proceed faster
    • Pass the waiting car and enter anyway
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians

    The manual says if another car is waiting at the yield line ahead of you, do not stop in the crosswalk; keep the crosswalk clear for pedestrians.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. According to the manual, how should drivers treat bicyclists riding within a roundabout?

    A helmeted bicyclist pedalling around a roundabout with a planted centre island, and a blue car on the opposite side of the circle; YIELD signs and striped crosswalks on the left and right roads.
    • Pass them as quickly as possible
    • Force them to dismount and walk
    • Do not pass them, as they ride in the lane
    • Ignore them since bicycles are not allowed
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Do not pass them, as they ride in the lane

    The manual says bicyclists are permitted to ride within the roundabout and will be riding in the lane just as other vehicles do; please do not pass a bicycle in the roundabout.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. Once you have entered a roundabout, according to the manual, who has the right-of-way?

    Overhead view of a roundabout with a planted central island, four roads joining it, a raised island in the middle of each road, and a double yellow line on the left and right roads.
    • Vehicles still waiting to enter
    • Only emergency vehicles
    • Pedestrians standing at the entrance
    • You, the vehicle already circulating
    Show answer

    Correct answer: You, the vehicle already circulating

    The manual states once you have entered the roundabout and proceed counterclockwise to your exit, you now have the right-of-way.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. As you approach your exit from a roundabout, what does the manual say you should do?

    Cars circulating around the central island of a single-lane roundabout, with YIELD signs at each entry
    • Turn on your left turn signal
    • Turn on your right turn signal
    • Turn off all signals
    • Sound your horn
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    Correct answer: Turn on your right turn signal

    The manual says as you approach your exit from a roundabout, turn on your right turn signal.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. According to the manual, where should pedestrians never cross at a roundabout?

    An overhead view of a circular intersection where cars travel around a raised planted island in the middle.
    • The central island
    • The designated crosswalk
    • The splitter island
    • The entry lane
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The central island

    The manual instructs pedestrians to never cross to the central island of a roundabout.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. According to the manual, what should a pedestrian use as a refuge area when crossing a roundabout one lane at a time?

    An overhead view of a circular intersection where cars travel around a raised planted island in the middle.
    • The central island
    • The bicycle lane
    • The splitter island
    • The parking lane
    Show answer

    Correct answer: The splitter island

    The manual advises pedestrians to cross the crosswalk one lane at a time, using the splitter island as a refuge area before crossing the next lane.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. According to the manual, if a bicyclist is unsure about using a roundabout, what should they do?

    A helmeted bicyclist on the corner sidewalk, left of white stripes painted across a side street that meets a road with a double yellow center line.
    • Ride through the crosswalks as fast as possible
    • Wait indefinitely on the shoulder
    • Call the police for an escort
    • Dismount and walk the bike at the crosswalks
    Show answer

    Correct answer: Dismount and walk the bike at the crosswalks

    The manual advises that if a bicyclist is unsure about using the roundabout, they should dismount and walk their bike as a pedestrian at the designated crosswalks.

    Source: New York State Driver's Manual (Form MV-21), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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