Rhode Island: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals, right turn on red, pedestrian beacons and the point of no return.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Rhode Island Driver’s Manual" (April 2024), Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
All 27 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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How do traffic signals give the right-of-way at an intersection?
- To every street at once, in every direction
- To pedestrians only, never to drivers
- To drivers and pedestrians one street at a time
- To the street with more traffic first
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Correct answer: To drivers and pedestrians one street at a time
Signaled intersections give the right-of-way to drivers and pedestrians one street at a time.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What should a motorist with a green light do about possible violators of the law?
- Be alert and prepare to stop to avoid a collision
- Speed up to clear the intersection quickly
- Insist on the right-of-way
- Flash the headlights and keep going
Show answer
Correct answer: Be alert and prepare to stop to avoid a collision
When another driver fails to stop at red, motorists with green should not insist on the right-of-way and should be ready to stop.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What does the manual say you should do when approaching all intersections?
- Speed up if the light is green
- Slow down only at intersections with signals
- Slow down, cover the brake and proceed with caution
- Stop and look both ways at every intersection
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Correct answer: Slow down, cover the brake and proceed with caution
The manual says to slow down, cover the brake and proceed with caution at every intersection.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What does "covering the brake" mean?
- Pressing the brake pedal lightly while still pressing the accelerator
- Taking your foot off the accelerator and hovering over the brake without touching it
- Setting the parking brake before the intersection and releasing it after
- Tapping the brake pedal repeatedly to flash the brake lights behind you
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Correct answer: Taking your foot off the accelerator and hovering over the brake without touching it
Covering the brake means keeping your foot ready over the brake pedal so you can push it if a hazard arises.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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At a steady red light, where must you stop?
- Before reaching the crosswalk
- In the middle of the crosswalk
- Past the crosswalk, beyond the stop line
- Anywhere inside the intersection
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Correct answer: Before reaching the crosswalk
You must stop before reaching the crosswalk and wait until the light is green, unless another light such as a green arrow directs otherwise.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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When may a driver turn right at a steady red light?
- Only where a sign specifically permits it
- After slowing down, without stopping, if the way is clear
- After stopping completely and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it
- Never; a right turn on red is prohibited statewide
Show answer
Correct answer: After stopping completely and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it
A right turn on a steady red is allowed after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles, except where a sign prohibits it.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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Does a motorist stopped at a red light have to turn right on red?
- Yes, whenever the way is clear
- No, turning right on red is a choice
- Yes, if vehicles are waiting behind
- Yes, if no sign prohibits it
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Correct answer: No, turning right on red is a choice
The manual says a motorist stopped at a red light does not have to turn right on red if they do not desire to do so.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What does a steady yellow light tell a driver?
- That the light will turn green next
- That the driver must speed up
- That the intersection is closed
- That a red light is next
Show answer
Correct answer: That a red light is next
A steady yellow light tells the driver that a red light is next.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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A motorist must proceed with caution through a yellow light so as to do what?
- Clear the intersection
- Stop in the crosswalk
- Reach the next light on green
- Pass the vehicle ahead
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Correct answer: Clear the intersection
The manual says to proceed with caution through the yellow light so as to clear the intersection as the law requires.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What should you do at a flashing yellow light?
- Come to a full stop and then go
- Stop and yield to vehicles on the right and left
- Slow down, cover the brake, then proceed with caution
- Speed up to clear the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down, cover the brake, then proceed with caution
At a flashing yellow light slow down, cover the brake and proceed with caution.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What must a driver do when nearing a flashing red traffic light?
- Slow down, cover the brake, and proceed with caution
- Make a full stop and yield to all vehicles on the right and left
- Stop only if other vehicles are present at the intersection
- Yield only to vehicles approaching from the right
Show answer
Correct answer: Make a full stop and yield to all vehicles on the right and left
A flashing red light is treated as a stop sign: full stop and yield to vehicles on both sides.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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A green arrow appears along with the red light. What may vehicles at the light do?
- Go straight through the intersection and never turn
- Turn only after yielding to all oncoming traffic
- Wait for the arrow to go out before proceeding
- Go into the intersection and turn the way the arrow points
Show answer
Correct answer: Go into the intersection and turn the way the arrow points
A green arrow lets vehicles proceed into the intersection and turn in the direction it points.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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From what does a protected turn lane protect motorists as they turn?
- On-coming traffic
- Vehicles from behind
- Trains
- Bicycles
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Correct answer: On-coming traffic
A protected turn lane protects motorists from on-coming traffic.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What must a driver do when a red arrow is displayed?
- Proceed in the direction of the arrow after yielding
- Slow down and turn with caution
- Stop and not proceed in the direction of the arrow
- Turn only when the way is clear
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Correct answer: Stop and not proceed in the direction of the arrow
With a red arrow you must stop and may not go in the arrow's direction.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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Which signal may follow when a red arrow goes out?
- A flashing red arrow
- A flashing yellow arrow
- A steady red light
- A flashing red light
Show answer
Correct answer: A flashing yellow arrow
When the red arrow goes out it is followed by a green arrow, a steady green light, or a flashing yellow arrow.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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If there is a lane marked for turning, when should you be in that lane?
- Only after you have entered the intersection
- Just as the light turns green at the stop line
- Right after passing the crosswalk at the corner
- Well in advance of approaching the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Well in advance of approaching the intersection
The manual says to be in the turning lane well in advance, give your signal and turn without interfering with other traffic.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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When a flashing yellow arrow is displayed, when may you turn in the direction of the arrow?
- Only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- Without yielding, because oncoming traffic must stop
- Never; you must wait for a green arrow
- Only after coming to a full stop
Show answer
Correct answer: Only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow, sometimes used for left turns, permits the turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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When a flashing yellow arrow is shown for left turns, what signal does oncoming traffic have?
- A steady red light
- A steady yellow light
- A steady green light
- A flashing yellow arrow
Show answer
Correct answer: A steady green light
The manual says oncoming traffic has a steady green light while the flashing yellow arrow is displayed.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 41
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What is a stale green light?
- A light that has just turned green
- A light that has been green for a while
- A light that is out of order
- A green arrow shown with a red light
Show answer
Correct answer: A light that has been green for a while
A stale green light is one that has been green for a while.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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What is a fresh green light?
- A light that has been green for a while
- A light that is flashing green
- A light that is about to turn red
- A light that has just turned green
Show answer
Correct answer: A light that has just turned green
A fresh green light is one that has just turned green.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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What is a HAWK (High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk) used for?
- To let pedestrians safely cross a street
- To warn drivers of a railroad crossing
- To control traffic leaving a freeway
- To warn drivers of a school bus stop
Show answer
Correct answer: To let pedestrians safely cross a street
A HAWK, short for High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, is used to let pedestrians safely cross a street.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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In the manual's sequence for a pedestrian hybrid beacon, what do the signal heads show until the beacon is activated?
- Steady red
- Flashing yellow
- They are dark
- Steady yellow
Show answer
Correct answer: They are dark
The sequence starts with the signal heads dark until the beacon is activated.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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In the manual's sequence for a pedestrian hybrid beacon, what does it show upon activation?
- Steady red
- Flashing yellow
- Dark
- Alternating flashing red
Show answer
Correct answer: Flashing yellow
On activation the beacon first shows a flashing yellow.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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In the manual's sequence for a pedestrian hybrid beacon, what does it show during the pedestrian walk interval?
- Flashing yellow
- Steady yellow
- Dark
- Steady red
Show answer
Correct answer: Steady red
During the pedestrian walk interval the beacon shows a steady red.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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In the manual's sequence for a pedestrian hybrid beacon, what does it show during the pedestrian clearance interval?
- Alternating flashing red
- Steady red lights only
- Steady yellow, then dark
- Flashing yellow lights only
Show answer
Correct answer: Alternating flashing red
During the pedestrian clearance interval the beacon shows alternating flashing red.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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What is another name for the situation in which a green arrow lets motorists proceed in the direction of the arrow?
- Permissive Turn Situation
- Yield Turn Situation
- Protected Turn Situation
- Unprotected Turn Situation
Show answer
Correct answer: Protected Turn Situation
The manual calls green arrows that let motorists proceed the "Protected Turn Situation".
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 42
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According to the fine schedule, what is the fine for failing to obey traffic control devices such as a red light or directional arrows?
- $85.00
- $30.00
- $130.00
- $225.00
Show answer
Correct answer: $85.00
The fine schedule lists obedience to devices such as a red light or directional arrows at $85.00.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 59