North Carolina DMV Permit Test: Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers traffic lights, turn arrows, special signals such as hybrid beacons and ramp meters, and the lines and markers on the pavement. Each light and line tells you what you may do next.
A steady red light means stop. A steady yellow light means the light is about to turn red, so stop unless you are too close to stop safely. A green light lets you go, but turning drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A green arrow gives a protected turn, and a flashing yellow arrow lets you turn only after you yield. A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign, and a flashing yellow light means slow down and go with care. If a signal is not working, treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and white lines separate lanes moving the same way. A broken yellow line on your side lets you pass with care, while double solid yellow lines mean no passing from either side. On a divided highway the yellow edge line is on your left and the white edge line is on your right, so if you see the reverse, you are going the wrong way. Red pavement markers also warn of wrong-way travel.
Key concepts
Steady yellow light
The light is about to turn red. Stop unless you are so close that you cannot stop safely, and then go through with care. Never speed up to beat the red.
Memory tipYellow means get ready to stop, not hurry.
Flashing signals
A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign: stop, then go when it is safe. A flashing yellow light means slow down and go through with caution.
Memory tipFlashing red = STOP sign. Flashing yellow = caution.
Turn arrows
A green arrow gives you a protected turn in the direction shown. A steady yellow arrow means the protected turn is ending. A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn after you yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A red arrow means stop.
Memory tipFlashing yellow arrow: turn only in a safe gap.
Signal not working
If a traffic light is out, act as if there were a stop sign on every approach, unless an officer is directing traffic.
Memory tipDark signal: all-way stop.
Source: North Carolina Driver's Handbook (NCDMV), Chapter 5 · as of 2026
Hybrid beacon
A signal at a mid-block crosswalk that stays dark until someone presses the button. It then shows yellow and then steady red. When it flashes red, you may go after a full stop once the crosswalk is clear.
Memory tipDark until pressed; red means a person is crossing.
Yellow and white lines
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes going the same way and mark the right edge of the road.
Memory tipYellow: other direction. White: same direction.
Pavement markers
Red markers warn that you are going the wrong way. Blue markers in some areas show where a fire hydrant is nearby.
Memory tipRed markers facing you: wrong way.
See it in a picture
Often tested
- A flashing red light means stop, just like a STOP sign.
- A green arrow gives a protected turn; a flashing yellow arrow means yield, then turn.
- A dark signal means treat the intersection as an all-way stop.
- Double solid yellow lines mean no passing in either direction.
- A yellow edge line on your right means you are going the wrong way.
- Never use the two-way left-turn lane to pass or to merge.
Easy to confuse: Ramp meter signal
| Display | What you do |
|---|---|
| Steady red | Stop and wait for green |
| Steady green | Go down the ramp and merge onto the freeway |
| Dark | Go ahead and merge as usual without stopping |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. You want to turn right. The light is steady red and this sign is posted next to it. What must you do?
- ① Stop, then turn right when the way is clear
- ② Turn right only if no pedestrians are present
- ③ Stay stopped until the light turns green
- ④ Turn right without stopping
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ Stay stopped until the light turns green
Key point: NO TURN ON RED: stay stopped until green
Normally you may turn right on red after a full stop. This sign reads NO TURN ON RED, so you must stay stopped until the light turns green, even if the way is clear.
Wrong choices
- Stop, then turn right when the way is clear: That is the usual rule, but this sign takes it away.
- Turn right without stopping: You may never turn on red without stopping first, and here you may not turn at all.
- Turn right only if no pedestrians are present: The sign forbids the turn whether or not people are crossing.
Question 2. What does a flashing red traffic light mean?
- ① Stop only if other cars are coming
- ② The light is about to turn green
- ③ Stop, then go when it is safe, the same as a STOP sign
- ④ Slow down and go through with caution
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ Stop, then go when it is safe, the same as a STOP sign
Key point: Flashing red = STOP sign
A flashing red light has the same meaning as a STOP sign. Come to a full stop, and go only when you can enter without getting in the way of other traffic.
Wrong choices
- Slow down and go through with caution: That is the meaning of a flashing yellow light.
- The light is about to turn green: A flashing red light does not count down to green.
- Stop only if other cars are coming: You must stop every time, as at a STOP sign.
Question 3. What do yellow lines on the road separate?
- ① Lanes of traffic going the same direction
- ② Parking spaces
- ③ Bicycle lanes from car lanes
- ④ Traffic moving in opposite directions
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ Traffic moving in opposite directions
Key point: Yellow lines: opposite directions
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes going the same direction.
Wrong choices
- Lanes of traffic going the same direction: Lanes going the same way are separated by white lines.
- Bicycle lanes from car lanes: Bicycle lanes are marked with white lines.
- Parking spaces: Parking spaces are usually marked with white lines.
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