South Dakota: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals and signals that are out of order.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "South Dakota Driver License Manual" (Revised 11/2024), South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
All 21 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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A pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) head has which lenses?
- Two yellow lenses above a single red lens
- One red, one yellow, and one green lens
- Three red lenses in a vertical row
- Two red lenses above a single yellow lens
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Correct answer: Two red lenses above a single yellow lens
The pedestrian hybrid beacon head is made up of two red lenses above one yellow lens.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 31
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A pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) stays dark until what happens?
- A vehicle detector senses a car
- A pedestrian pushes the call button
- A police officer turns it on
- The posted speed limit is exceeded
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Correct answer: A pedestrian pushes the call button
The lenses stay dark until a pedestrian who wants to cross pushes the call button.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 31
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What is a pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) designed to do?
- Help pedestrians cross busy or higher-speed roads
- Control traffic at all-way stop intersections
- Warn drivers of a railroad crossing ahead
- Mark the start of a school zone speed limit
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Correct answer: Help pedestrians cross busy or higher-speed roads
It helps pedestrians safely cross busy or higher-speed roadways at midblock crossings and uncontrolled intersections.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 31
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On a vertical traffic light, which order are the lights in from top to bottom?
- Green, yellow, red
- Yellow, red, green
- Red, yellow, green
- Red, green, yellow
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, green
Traffic lights are usually red, yellow, and green from top to bottom.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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In some metropolitan areas the traffic lights are horizontal. Which light is on the left?
- Yellow
- Red
- Green
- The arrow
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Correct answer: Red
On a horizontal traffic light the red light is on the left, the yellow in the middle, and the green on the right.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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You are stopped at a steady red light. What must you wait for before you may proceed?
- A yellow light, then a green light
- Crossing traffic to slow down
- A signal from the driver ahead
- A green light and no crossing traffic
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Correct answer: A green light and no crossing traffic
A steady red light means a complete stop, and you wait for green with no crossing traffic.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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When may you turn right at a steady red light?
- After slowing down, if the crosswalk is empty
- Only if a sign specifically allows a turn on red
- Only when a green arrow is shown
- After a full stop, if it is safe and no sign bans it
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Correct answer: After a full stop, if it is safe and no sign bans it
A right turn on red is allowed after a complete stop when it is safe and no sign prohibits turning on red.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What must you do when you turn on red?
- Slow down and turn ahead of crossing traffic
- Stop first, then yield to all traffic
- Yield only to cars coming from your left
- Yield to cars and let pedestrians wait for you
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Correct answer: Stop first, then yield to all traffic
When turning on red you stop first and yield to everyone: pedestrians, bicyclists, and cars.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What does a flashing red traffic light mean?
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- The light is about to change to green
- The same as a stop sign
- Stop only if other traffic is present
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Correct answer: The same as a stop sign
A flashing red light is treated like a stop sign: come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What does a red arrow mean?
- Stop; do not go the way the arrow points
- Stop, then turn when it is safe
- Slow down and yield to traffic
- Turn only after yielding to pedestrians
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Correct answer: Stop; do not go the way the arrow points
A red arrow means you must stop and may not go in its direction until it goes out and a green arrow or light comes on.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What does a steady yellow traffic light mean?
- The light has just changed to green
- Traffic must stop for pedestrians only
- The light is about to change to red
- Speed up to clear the intersection
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Correct answer: The light is about to change to red
A steady yellow light warns that red is coming, so you stop if it is safe to do so.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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The yellow light comes on while you are already in the intersection. What should you do?
- Continue through the intersection
- Stop where you are
- Back up behind the stop line
- Stop in the crosswalk
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Correct answer: Continue through the intersection
If you are already in the intersection when the light turns yellow, do not stop; keep going through it.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?
- Come to a complete stop
- The light is about to turn red
- Yield to oncoming traffic only
- Slow down and proceed with caution
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Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
A flashing yellow light tells you to slow down and go ahead carefully.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What does a steady yellow arrow mean?
- A turn is not allowed
- The protection of a green arrow is ending
- It is safe to turn without yielding
- Oncoming traffic must stop
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Correct answer: The protection of a green arrow is ending
A yellow arrow tells you the protected turn of the green arrow is ending, so you prepare to stop.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What does a flashing yellow arrow mean for a driver turning left?
- Turn cautiously after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
- Turn first, because oncoming traffic must stop for you
- Stop and wait until a green arrow comes on before turning
- Turn only when the oncoming traffic has no green light
Show answer
Correct answer: Turn cautiously after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow left arrow lets you turn once you have yielded to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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You approach a steady green light. What must you still do?
- Stop if another vehicle is waiting to turn
- Slow to half speed before you enter
- Yield to emergency vehicles and others
- Stop for any vehicle that is turning left
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Correct answer: Yield to emergency vehicles and others
A steady green light lets you go through, but you must yield to emergency vehicles and others as the law requires.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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You were stopped and the light turns green. What must you do before you proceed?
- Honk to warn crossing traffic
- Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection
- Wait for a second green light
- Accelerate quickly ahead of crossing traffic
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Correct answer: Allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection
After a stop, you let vehicles that are still in the intersection clear before you go.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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You are turning left on a steady green light. Who has the right-of-way?
- You do, because the light is green
- Drivers behind you
- Drivers turning right
- Oncoming traffic
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Correct answer: Oncoming traffic
With a steady green light you may turn left only when safe, and oncoming traffic has the right-of-way.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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What does a green arrow mean?
- You must stop and wait for a red light to come on
- Oncoming traffic may cross in front of you
- Slow down and prepare to stop at the line
- You can safely turn in the direction of the arrow
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Correct answer: You can safely turn in the direction of the arrow
A green arrow means you can safely turn the way it points because there should be no oncoming or crossing traffic.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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A traffic signal is out of operation and completely unlighted. What must the driver facing it do?
- Proceed with caution
- Stop as if at a stop sign
- Slow down and yield only to the right
- Wait for a police officer before moving
Show answer
Correct answer: Stop as if at a stop sign
A red or completely unlighted traffic signal must be treated like a stop sign.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32
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A traffic control signal is not working properly and the vehicle faces a green signal. What may the driver do?
- Stop and wait for the signal to be repaired
- Stop as if at a stop sign
- Proceed with caution
- Proceed at normal speed without slowing
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Correct answer: Proceed with caution
A vehicle facing a green signal that is out of operation may proceed with caution.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual (Revised 11/2024), page 32