California DMV Permit Test Signs, Signals, and Pavement Markings Summary

A flashing red light works the same as a stop sign. Stop completely, look for cross traffic and pedestrians, and go only when it is safe. The light will not turn green, so waiting for green is pointless.

Wrong answers

• Slow down and go through without stopping: Slowing down without stopping is what you do at a flashing yellow light, not a flashing red one.
• Wait until the light turns green: A flashing red light does not change to green. You go after stopping and checking that the way is clear.

A solid yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. If you can stop safely, stop. If you are already too close to stop safely, carefully continue through the intersection.

Wrong answers

• You should speed up to get through before it turns red: Speeding up to beat the light is dangerous and is exactly what the yellow light is meant to prevent.
• You may keep going because yellow means the same as green: Yellow is a warning that red is coming. It does not give you the same right to go as a green light.

When a traffic signal is not working at all, California law treats the intersection like an all-way stop. Stop completely, then take turns with the other drivers, yielding as you would at a four-way stop.

Wrong answers

• Drive through slowly, since there is no signal to obey: You still must stop. Rolling through without stopping is how serious crashes happen at dark signals.
• Give the right of way only to vehicles on the larger road: The size of the road does not matter here. Every driver stops, and drivers take turns.

Two solid yellow lines mean no passing for traffic in both directions. You may cross them only for certain turns, such as turning left into or out of a driveway.

Wrong answers

• You may pass if the road ahead looks clear: Passing over double solid yellow lines is not allowed, even if the road looks clear.
• Only vehicles on the left side may pass: Double solid lines apply to both directions. No one may pass over them.

A flashing yellow light is a warning. You do not have to stop, but you should slow down, look carefully, and be ready to yield.

Wrong answers

• Stop completely before entering the intersection: A complete stop is required at a flashing red light, not a flashing yellow one.
• The light is broken, so treat it as a four-way stop: A flashing yellow light is working as designed. The four-way-stop rule applies when a signal is dark (not working at all).

A STOP sign is the only sign with eight sides. Its unique shape lets you recognize it even from behind or when it is covered with snow or dirt.

Wrong answers

• Triangle pointing down: A downward-pointing triangle is the shape of a YIELD sign.
• Round: A round sign is used to warn of a railroad crossing ahead.

This is a YIELD sign. Slow down and be ready to stop. Let vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians that are already close go first. If the way is clear, you do not have to stop.

Wrong answers

• Always come to a complete stop, even when the road is clear: A complete stop every time is required at a STOP sign, not a YIELD sign.
• Merge without slowing because you have the right of way: A YIELD sign means the other traffic has the right of way, not you.

A round yellow sign with an X and "RR" warns that you are approaching a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and be ready to stop.

Wrong answers

• A crossroad intersection is ahead: A crossroad warning sign is diamond-shaped with a cross symbol, not round.
• The road ahead is closed: A road-closed sign is a rectangular sign with words. The round RR sign only warns about train tracks.

A broken (dashed) yellow line on your side of the road means you may pass when the way ahead is clear and it is safe. The yellow color tells you traffic on the other side goes the opposite direction.

Wrong answers

• You must never cross the line: "Never cross" describes solid lines. A broken line allows passing when safe.
• The lane is reserved for buses and carpools: Bus and carpool lanes are marked with signs and diamond symbols, not a broken yellow center line.

White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. Knowing this helps you avoid turning into oncoming traffic.

Wrong answers

• Yellow: Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
• Red: Red is used for curbs (no stopping), not for lane lines.