New York DMV Permit Test · Learner Permit Written Test
New York DMV Permit Test: Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings Concepts
Importance ★★★★☆ · 15% (estimate)
Written by AI. Only units that passed a separate AI check (re-reading facts and numbers) are published. Tell us if you find a mistake.
Overview
Traffic lights, traffic officers, and painted lines work together to tell drivers when to go, when to stop, and where to drive. This chapter explains steady and flashing lights, arrows, what to do when an officer is directing traffic, and how to read the lines on the pavement.
A steady red light means stop. Outside New York City you may turn right on red after a full stop if no sign forbids it, but in New York City a right turn on red is not allowed unless a sign permits it. A steady yellow light warns that the light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely. A flashing red light means stop completely and then go when it is safe, just like a stop sign, while a flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with care.
A traffic officer's directions override signs and signals. If a traffic light is out because of a power failure, treat the intersection like an all-way stop. On the pavement, yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and white lines separate lanes moving the same way. A solid yellow line on your side of the center means you may not pass, while a broken line means you may pass when it is safe.
Key concepts
Steady red light
Stop at the stop line or before the crosswalk and wait. Outside New York City, you may turn right on red after a full stop unless a sign says no turn on red. In New York City, a right turn on red is not allowed unless a sign permits it.
Memory tipRest of the state: right on red OK unless a sign forbids it. NYC: forbidden unless a sign allows it.
Source: NY Vehicle and Traffic Law / NYS DMV Driver's Manual · as of 2026
Steady yellow light
The light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do it safely. If you are already in the intersection or too close to stop safely, continue through with care.
Memory tipYellow is a warning, not a signal to speed up.
Flashing lights
A flashing red light means stop completely, then go when it is safe, the same as a stop sign. A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.
Memory tipFlashing red = stop sign. Flashing yellow = caution.
Green arrow
A green arrow means you may turn in the direction of the arrow. Oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light, but you must still yield to pedestrians and to vehicles already in the intersection.
Memory tipA green arrow protects your turn from oncoming cars, not from people still crossing.
Traffic officer
When a police officer or other authorized person is directing traffic, follow their directions even if they differ from the signs or signals.
Memory tipA person directing traffic outranks the light.
Dark traffic signal
If the traffic lights at an intersection are not working, such as during a power failure, treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Every driver stops, then goes in turn.
Memory tipLights out means everyone stops, like a four-way stop.
Pavement line colors
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction and mark the right edge of the road. Solid lines discourage or forbid crossing, and broken lines allow crossing when it is safe.
Memory tipYellow = opposite directions. White = same direction.
Often tested
- A flashing red light means stop completely, then go when it is safe.
- Directions from a traffic officer override signs and signals.
- Right on red is not allowed in New York City unless a sign permits it.
- Treat a dark traffic signal as an all-way stop.
- A solid yellow line on your side of the center means you may not pass.
Easy to confuse: Flashing red vs. flashing yellow
| Light | Must you stop? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Flashing red | Yes, a full stop | Go only when it is safe, like a stop sign |
| Flashing yellow | No | Slow down and proceed with caution |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. You come to a flashing red traffic light. What must you do?
- ① Stop completely, then go when it is safe
- ② Slow down and go on with care
- ③ Stop only if traffic is coming
- ④ Wait until the light turns green
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ① Stop completely, then go when it is safe
Key point: Flashing red = stop sign
A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign. Come to a full stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and go when it is safe.
Wrong choices
- Slow down and go on with care: That is what a flashing yellow light means.
- Stop only if traffic is coming: You must stop every time at a flashing red light.
- Wait until the light turns green: A flashing red light does not turn green. Treat it like a stop sign.
Question 2. A steady yellow light appears as you near an intersection. What does it mean?
- ① Speed up to get through before it turns red
- ② You have the right of way over all traffic
- ③ The signal is broken and you should treat it as a stop sign
- ④ The light is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ The light is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely
Key point: Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red
A steady yellow light means the light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely. If you are too close to stop safely, go through with care.
Wrong choices
- Speed up to get through before it turns red: Speeding up to beat the red light is dangerous.
- You have the right of way over all traffic: A yellow light does not give you the right of way.
- The signal is broken and you should treat it as a stop sign: A steady yellow is a normal signal change.
Question 3. A police officer is directing traffic at an intersection with a working traffic light. Whom do you obey?
- ① The police officer
- ② The traffic light
- ③ Whichever one lets you go first
- ④ The driver who arrived first
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ① The police officer
Key point: Officer's directions override signals
Directions from a police officer come before traffic lights, signs, and pavement markings. Always obey the officer.
Wrong choices
- The traffic light: An officer's directions come before signals and signs.
- Whichever one lets you go first: You must obey the officer even if the light says something different.
- The driver who arrived first: Arrival order does not matter when an officer is directing traffic.