Tennessee: Traffic signals Practice Test
Red, yellow and green lights, arrows, flashing signals, lane control signals and pedestrian signals.
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual" (March 2025 printing), Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
All 30 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 school crossing guard signals you to stop while your traffic light is green. What must you do?
- Obey the crossing guard and stop
- Go on, because the light is green
- Go on if no children are in sight
- Slow down but keep moving
Show answer
Correct answer: Obey the crossing guard and stop
Crossing guards, police and highway construction workers can direct traffic, and drivers must follow their directions even when the lights or signs show something different.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 35 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 35)
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How do traffic signals promote better movement of traffic on busy roads?
- By setting the speed limit
- By reserving lanes for buses
- By keeping pedestrians off crosswalks
- By assigning right of way
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Correct answer: By assigning right of way
Signals promote better traffic movement by telling drivers who has the right of way.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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In a standard traffic light, what is the order of the colors from top to bottom?
- Red, yellow, green
- Green, yellow, red
- Yellow, red, green
- Red, green, yellow
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Correct answer: Red, yellow, green
Standard traffic lights are red, yellow and green from top to bottom.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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At a green light, whom must you yield to?
- Only vehicles turning right from the cross street
- Only pedestrians waiting at the curb for the signal
- Pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection
- No one, because green gives you the right-of-way over all
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Correct answer: Pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection
A green light gives permission to go, but you must yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection at the change.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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Where must you stop for a red light?
- Behind the crosswalk or stop line
- In the middle of the crosswalk
- Just past the crosswalk
- At the far edge of the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Behind the crosswalk or stop line
At a red light you stop behind the crosswalk or stop line.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What should you do when the traffic light turns yellow and it is safe to stop?
- Speed up to clear the intersection
- Adjust your speed and come to a smooth stop
- Continue through at the same speed
- Slow down and honk to alert other drivers
Show answer
Correct answer: Adjust your speed and come to a smooth stop
A yellow light means prepare to stop: adjust speed to stop smoothly if it is safe, and do not speed up to beat the light.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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You are already in the intersection when the light turns yellow. What should you do?
- Stop where you are until the light turns green again
- Back up to the stop line behind you
- Stop and wait for pedestrians to cross in front of you
- Not stop, but continue cautiously through the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Not stop, but continue cautiously through the intersection
If you are already in the intersection when the light turns yellow, you keep going cautiously through it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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Tennessee law requires a yellow light to be shown for a minimum of how long before the red light?
- Two seconds
- Three seconds
- Five seconds
- Eight seconds
Show answer
Correct answer: Three seconds
The manual says Tennessee law only requires the yellow light to be exhibited for at least three seconds before the red.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What may happen if you try to “beat the yellow”?
- Oncoming traffic must yield to you if you enter first
- The light stays yellow longer for your lane of traffic
- You gain the right-of-way over crossing pedestrians
- Another driver may “jump the green” with deadly results
Show answer
Correct answer: Another driver may “jump the green” with deadly results
Drivers from the crossing direction may start through on their green as soon as they see your yellow, which can cause a deadly collision.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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When a protected turn arrow is green, in which direction may you drive?
- Only in the direction of the arrow
- Straight through the intersection
- In any direction if there is no oncoming traffic
- Only to the right, whatever the arrow shows
Show answer
Correct answer: Only in the direction of the arrow
On a green protected arrow you may drive only in the arrow’s direction, after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What should you do when a protected turn arrow changes to yellow?
- Speed up to finish the turn before the red
- Treat it like a stop sign and wait for green
- Prepare to yield to oncoming traffic
- Stop at once in the middle of the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Prepare to yield to oncoming traffic
A yellow protected arrow means the protected turn is ending, so get ready to yield to oncoming traffic.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What should you do at a flashing yellow signal at an intersection?
- Come to a complete stop and then go
- Stop only if other vehicles are present
- Yield only to pedestrians in the crosswalk
- Slow down and proceed with caution
Show answer
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution at the intersection.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What does a flashing red signal mean?
- Come to a complete stop, the same as at a stop sign
- Slow down and proceed with caution through the intersection
- Stop only if other traffic is present at the intersection
- Yield to cross traffic but do not stop completely
Show answer
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop, the same as at a stop sign
A flashing red signal is treated like a stop sign: stop completely, look both ways, yield and go when it is safe.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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A flashing yellow arrow points to the left. What may you do?
- Turn left at once, because oncoming traffic must stop for the arrow
- Turn left only after you wait for the arrow to change to solid green
- Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians
- Turn left only after coming to a complete stop at the intersection
Show answer
Correct answer: Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic, bicyclists and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn once you have yielded to all oncoming traffic and to bicyclists and pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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What must you wait for before turning left on a flashing yellow arrow?
- A green arrow to appear
- A safe gap in oncoming traffic
- All pedestrians to leave the area
- The arrow to change to solid yellow
Show answer
Correct answer: A safe gap in oncoming traffic
With a flashing yellow arrow you must wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic before turning.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 41 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 41)
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Lane control signals are most often used when:
- A school zone is in effect during certain hours
- Traffic must merge from two lanes into one lane
- Weather makes the lane lines hard to see at night
- The direction of traffic flow changes during the day
Show answer
Correct answer: The direction of traffic flow changes during the day
Lane control signals are most often used where the direction of traffic flow changes at different hours.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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Besides showing a change in the direction of traffic flow, what do lane control signals indicate?
- Whether toll plaza lanes are open or closed
- Whether a drawbridge ahead is raised
- Whether a school zone speed limit applies
- Whether a railroad crossing is active
Show answer
Correct answer: Whether toll plaza lanes are open or closed
Lane control signals also show whether toll plaza lanes are open or closed.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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A red X is shown over a lane. What does it mean?
- The lane is for turning only
- The direction of the lane is changing
- Driving is not permitted in that lane
- Driving in that lane is permitted
Show answer
Correct answer: Driving is not permitted in that lane
A red X lane control signal means driving is not permitted in that lane.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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A green arrow pointing down is shown over a lane. What does it mean?
- The direction of the lane is changing
- Driving in that lane is permitted
- The lane is for turning only
- Driving in that lane is not permitted
Show answer
Correct answer: Driving in that lane is permitted
A green downward arrow lane control signal means driving in that lane is permitted.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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A yellow X over a lane is flashing. What does it mean?
- The lane is for turning only
- Driving in that lane is permitted
- The lane is closed to all traffic
- The lane is reserved for buses
Show answer
Correct answer: The lane is for turning only
A flashing yellow X means the lane is for turning only.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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A yellow X over a lane is solid, not flashing. What does it mean?
- The lane is for turning only
- Driving in that lane is permitted
- The direction of the lane is changing
- The lane is reserved for buses
Show answer
Correct answer: The direction of the lane is changing
A solid yellow X means the direction of that lane is changing.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 42 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 42)
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How often must you obey traffic officers?
- Only when a signal is not working
- Only when there is an emergency
- At all times
- Only on busy roads
Show answer
Correct answer: At all times
The manual says you must obey traffic officers at all times, even when their instruction would normally break a traffic rule.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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When might a traffic officer tell you to do something that would ordinarily be a traffic violation?
- Whenever the officer wants to speed up rush hour traffic
- Only in an emergency, to keep traffic moving safely
- Only after sunset, when visibility is limited
- Only on roads where the limit is below 35 m.p.h.
Show answer
Correct answer: Only in an emergency, to keep traffic moving safely
An officer gives such an instruction only in an emergency when it is the only way to keep traffic flowing smoothly and safely, for example letting a funeral procession go through a red light.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 45 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 45)
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What does a flashing red traffic light require?
- A complete stop, just as with a stop sign
- Slowing down and proceeding with caution
- Yielding only to vehicles on the left
- Stopping only if other traffic is present
Show answer
Correct answer: A complete stop, just as with a stop sign
A complete stop is required at a flashing red traffic light, just as at a stop sign.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Who must you stop completely for when they direct you to stop?
- Only a police officer directing traffic on an interstate
- Only a flag person wearing an orange vest
- A flag person at a construction site or a police officer
- Only a school crossing guard on duty
Show answer
Correct answer: A flag person at a construction site or a police officer
You must stop completely when a flag person at a construction site or a police officer directs you to stop.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 50 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 50)
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Above a reversible lane, what does a green arrow mean?
- The lane is reserved for buses
- You must leave the lane soon
- You may only turn from the lane
- You can drive in the lane beneath it
Show answer
Correct answer: You can drive in the lane beneath it
A green arrow over a reversible lane means you can drive in the lane beneath it.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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Above a reversible lane, what does a red “X” mean?
- You cannot drive in the lane below it
- You may drive there if nobody is coming
- The lane is for buses only
- Traffic in the lane is merging
Show answer
Correct answer: You cannot drive in the lane below it
A red X over a reversible lane means you cannot drive in the lane below.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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Above a reversible lane, what does a steady yellow “X” mean?
- The lane is only for turning at the next light
- The lane use is changing, so move out of it when safe
- The lane is reserved for carpools only now
- You may drive there only if you are turning
Show answer
Correct answer: The lane use is changing, so move out of it when safe
A steady yellow X means the use or direction of the lane is changing and you should move out as soon as it is safe.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 61 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 61)
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When may pedestrians cross on a red or yellow traffic light?
- Only when they are facing a WALK signal
- When no vehicles are in sight
- When the vehicles have all stopped
- When they are in a group of three or more
Show answer
Correct answer: Only when they are facing a WALK signal
Pedestrians may not cross on red or yellow, or on a red-green combined light, unless they face a WALK signal.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 104 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 104)
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A pedestrian faces a green arrow, alone or with a steady red or yellow. When may the pedestrian enter the road?
- At once, because all vehicles must stop for a green arrow
- Only after the arrow has changed to a steady green light
- Only when the vehicles facing it have all turned
- Only if it can be done safely without interfering with traffic
Show answer
Correct answer: Only if it can be done safely without interfering with traffic
On a green arrow a pedestrian may enter the road only if doing so is safe and does not interfere with vehicles.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 104 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 104)