Ohio: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals and inoperable signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Ohio Driver Manual" (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
All 16 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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According to the manual, what are traffic signals?
- Signs that show the speed limit of a road
- Lights that tell you when to stop and go
- Markings that show where pedestrians may cross
- Lights that tell you which lane you must use
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Correct answer: Lights that tell you when to stop and go
The manual defines traffic signals as lights that tell you when to stop and go.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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In what order are the colors of a typical traffic light arranged?
- Green, yellow, and red from top to bottom
- Yellow, red, and green from top to bottom
- Red, green, and yellow from top to bottom
- Red, yellow, and green from top to bottom
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, and green from top to bottom
Traffic lights are usually red, yellow, and green from top to bottom.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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Which of these can be true of traffic lights, according to the manual?
- They may be horizontal instead of vertical
- They are always mounted vertically
- They always show all three colors together
- They never use single green, yellow, or red lights
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Correct answer: They may be horizontal instead of vertical
Some locations have single lights, and traffic lights may be horizontal instead of vertical.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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What must you do at a red traffic light if you want to go straight through the intersection?
- Slow down and enter the intersection only if it is clear of traffic
- Stop only if other traffic is approaching on the cross street
- Stop before entering the intersection and wait until the light turns green
- Stop briefly, then go through if no other vehicles are coming
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Correct answer: Stop before entering the intersection and wait until the light turns green
A red light means stop before entering the intersection and wait behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection until the light turns green.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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What does a yellow traffic light indicate?
- You have the right-of-way and should speed up to clear the intersection
- The color is about to change to red, so use caution and prepare to stop
- The light is broken and must be treated the same as a stop sign
- Cross traffic has been stopped so you may turn in any direction
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Correct answer: The color is about to change to red, so use caution and prepare to stop
A yellow light indicates the color is about to change to red; use caution and prepare to stop.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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What does a green traffic light mean?
- You may speed through the intersection because you have the right-of-way
- You must stop and then proceed once all cross traffic has cleared
- You may turn in any direction without stopping or yielding
- You may travel with caution through the intersection if it is clear to do so
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Correct answer: You may travel with caution through the intersection if it is clear to do so
A green light means you may go through the intersection with caution if it is clear.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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What does a light marked with a green arrow indicate?
- You can turn in the direction of the arrow without stopping
- You must stop before turning in the direction of the arrow
- You must yield to all oncoming traffic before you turn
- The light is about to change to red
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Correct answer: You can turn in the direction of the arrow without stopping
A green arrow indicates you can turn in the direction of the arrow without stopping.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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What should you do at a flashing yellow traffic light?
- Come to a complete stop and wait for the light to turn green
- Stop only if there is another vehicle directly ahead of you
- Slow down and proceed with caution, ready to stop for entering traffic
- Speed up to clear the intersection before the light turns red
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Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution, ready to stop for entering traffic
At a flashing yellow light you slow down, proceed with caution and be prepared to stop for traffic entering the intersection.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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What must you do at a flashing red traffic light?
- Slow down and proceed with caution if no vehicles are in the way
- Come to a complete stop and be sure no traffic is crossing your path
- Stop only if pedestrians are present, otherwise go with caution
- Treat it as a yield sign and stop only if other traffic is coming
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Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and be sure no traffic is crossing your path
A flashing red light requires a complete stop, and you must be sure no traffic is crossing your path before entering.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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How does the manual say inoperable traffic lights are treated?
- The same as a yield sign
- The same as a flashing yellow light
- As if the light were green for all drivers
- The same as a stop sign
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Correct answer: The same as a stop sign
Inoperable traffic lights are treated the same as a stop sign.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 10
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Where must a driver stop at a stop sign or red traffic signal before entering an intersection?
- In the middle of the crosswalk
- Behind the stop line or crosswalk
- Just past the crosswalk
- Only at the curb
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Correct answer: Behind the stop line or crosswalk
The manual says a driver must stop behind the stop line or crosswalk at any stop sign or red traffic signal.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 15
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What must a driver do when coming to a flashing red traffic signal?
- Stop and yield to all traffic that does not have to stop
- Slow down and proceed without stopping if no traffic is visible
- Stop only if other vehicles are approaching the intersection
- Speed up to clear the intersection before traffic arrives
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Correct answer: Stop and yield to all traffic that does not have to stop
The manual says to stop at a flashing red signal, yielding to all traffic that does not have to stop.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 15
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What must you do when making a right turn on a red traffic signal?
- Slow down and make the turn if you do not see any approaching cars or pedestrians
- Stop only if there are pedestrians in the crosswalk, and otherwise turn freely
- Turn without stopping as long as you signaled well ahead of the intersection
- Come to a complete stop and let all crossing traffic and pedestrians clear the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop and let all crossing traffic and pedestrians clear the intersection
The manual says you must come to a complete stop and allow all crossing traffic and all pedestrians to clear the intersection before proceeding.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 17
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Where may you turn left at a red traffic signal, unless a sign forbids it?
- From any left-turn lane on any street onto any cross street at all
- From the extreme left lane of a two-way street onto a one-way street
- From the extreme left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street
- From the extreme right lane of a one-way street onto a one-way street
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Correct answer: From the extreme left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street
The manual allows a left turn on red only from the extreme left lane of a one-way street onto another one-way street.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 17
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What does the manual advise you to do at a traffic signal when the light turns green?
- Pause before moving into the intersection
- Accelerate quickly so that cross traffic cannot enter first
- Sound your horn to warn cross traffic you are moving
- Move in immediately, since cross traffic must stop for you
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Correct answer: Pause before moving into the intersection
The manual says to pause when the light turns green, because other road users may not obey signals or yield the right-of-way.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 18
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You have a green light, but traffic fills the roadway across the intersection. What should you do?
- Enter the intersection and stop so you are ready when traffic moves
- Move into the intersection and stop in the middle of the crosswalk
- Drive up and stop beside the stopped vehicles in the intersection
- Stop before the intersection and wait until the traffic across it moves forward
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop before the intersection and wait until the traffic across it moves forward
The manual says to stop prior to the intersection and wait, and not to move into the intersection and block traffic.
Source: Ohio Driver Manual (HSY 7607 10/25 (October 2025)), page 18