Michigan DMV Permit Test Traffic Signals, Pavement Markings, and Michigan Lefts Summary

A steady yellow light means the signal is about to turn red. You are required to stop if you can do it safely. If you cannot stop safely, do not speed up; drive cautiously through the intersection.

Wrong choices

• Speed up to get through before it turns red: Speeding up on yellow is unsafe. Stop if you can, or go through carefully if you cannot stop safely.
• Stop only if a police officer is present: The rule applies whether or not police are there.
• Keep going; yellow is part of the green phase: Yellow warns that red is coming, and you are required to stop if you safely can.

A flashing red light means come to a full stop, then go when the road is clear, just as at a STOP sign.

Wrong choices

• A steady yellow arrow: A yellow arrow warns that red is coming.
• A flashing yellow light: Flashing yellow means go ahead carefully; no stop is required.
• A steady green arrow: A green arrow lets you go in its direction.

A flashing yellow light means proceed carefully through the intersection. Scan across traffic in both directions and be ready to yield.

Wrong choices

• Speed up, because red is coming next: Flashing yellow is not about to change; it means go with care.
• Turn around, because the intersection is closed: The intersection is open; you just need to be careful.
• Stop and wait for the light to turn green: Flashing yellow does not require a stop; it calls for care.

White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction. A solid white line also marks the right edge of the road.

Wrong choices

• Freeways from local streets: Lane lines do not separate road types.
• Traffic going in opposite directions: That is the job of yellow lines.
• The left edge of a one-way road: On a one-way road or divided highway, the left edge is marked with a solid yellow line.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. They can be solid, broken, or mark a center turn lane. On a one-way road or divided highway, a solid yellow line marks the left edge.

Wrong choices

• Lanes going in the same direction: Same-direction lanes are separated by white lines.
• Parking spaces from traffic lanes: That is not the purpose of yellow center lines.
• Bicycle lanes from car lanes: Bike lanes use their own markings and signs.

With a flashing yellow arrow, you may turn left when oncoming traffic, which has a green light, is clear. Make sure there is a safe gap and no pedestrians or bicyclists crossing before you turn.

Wrong choices

• Turn left freely, because oncoming traffic is stopped: That is what a solid green arrow means. With a flashing yellow arrow, oncoming traffic has a green light.
• Go straight only: This signal head controls left turns.
• Stop; left turns are not allowed now: A solid red arrow means stop. A flashing yellow arrow allows the turn after yielding.

A Michigan Left (indirect left turn) replaces the normal left turn. Traffic on Highway A continues past the intersection, turns left into the median crossover, then, when traffic clears, turns left onto Highway A going back and turns right onto Highway B.

Wrong choices

• Turn right onto Highway B, then make a U-turn on Highway B: Highway B has no median crossover here. For traffic on Highway A, the crossover is on Highway A past the intersection.
• Make a U-turn in the middle of the intersection: That is also a left movement at the intersection and is not allowed.
• Turn left from Highway A at the intersection when it is clear: The sign prohibits a direct left turn there.

If a solid yellow line is on your side of the center line, do not cross it to pass. Drivers on the side with the broken line may pass when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Yes, if no oncoming traffic is in sight: A solid yellow line on your side forbids passing even when the road looks clear.
• Yes, but only to pass a bicycle: This question is about passing a vehicle across the line; the solid line on your side means do not pass.
• Yes, because the broken line applies to both lanes: The broken line applies to drivers on the other side only.

Red is at the top of a traffic signal in Michigan. Red means stop behind the crosswalk or stop line.

Wrong choices

• It changes from signal to signal: Red is at the top of traffic signals in Michigan.
• In the middle: In Michigan the red light is at the top, not the middle.
• At the bottom: In Michigan the red light is at the top, not the bottom.

A left turn only center lane is marked by a solid yellow line on each outside edge and broken yellow lines on the inside edges. Drivers from either direction use it only to turn left. Using it to pass or as a merge lane is illegal.

Wrong choices

• Merging into traffic from a side street to wait: Using this lane as a merge lane is illegal.
• Parking for deliveries: This is a turn lane, not a parking space.
• Passing slower vehicles: Using this lane to pass is illegal and dangerous.