North Carolina DMV Permit Test Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings Summary

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.

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.

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.

When a signal is not working, treat the intersection as if a stop sign were posted on every approach. Stop, then take turns going when it is safe.

Wrong choices

• Drive through if you are on the larger road: Being on the bigger road does not give you the right of way at a dark signal.
• Slow down but do not stop: You must stop, not just slow down.
• Honk and go through quickly: Honking does not give you the right of way.

A steady yellow light means caution: the light is about to turn red. Stop unless you are too close to stop safely; then go through with care. Never speed up to beat the red.

Wrong choices

• Speed up to beat the red light: Speeding up to beat a red light is dangerous and the opposite of the rule.
• Go, because yellow is the same as green: Yellow is a warning that green is ending, not the same as green.
• Stop, then go when the way is clear: That describes a flashing red light.

A flashing yellow arrow means the turn is allowed, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic may still have a green light.

Wrong choices

• Turn left without stopping, because oncoming traffic is stopped: Oncoming traffic is not stopped during a flashing yellow arrow.
• Stop and wait for a green arrow: You do not have to wait for a green arrow if there is a safe gap.
• Go straight only: The arrow allows the turn shown; it says nothing about going straight.

On a divided highway the yellow line marks the left edge and the white line marks the right edge. If you see the reverse, with yellow on your right, you are traveling in the wrong direction. Pull to the shoulder when safe and turn around when the way is clear.

Wrong choices

• You are in the correct lane for passing: Passing lanes still have the yellow edge line on the driver's left.
• You are in a two-way left-turn lane: A two-way left-turn lane is in the center of the road, marked with yellow lines on both sides.
• The road is about to narrow: Edge line colors tell you direction, not that the road is narrowing.

A flashing yellow light has the same meaning as a warning sign: slow down and go through with caution.

Wrong choices

• Stop and wait for green: Stopping is required for a flashing red light, not a flashing yellow light.
• The signal is broken; treat it as an all-way stop: An all-way stop applies when a signal is dark, not when it flashes yellow.
• Speed up to clear the intersection: Speeding up is never the right response to a warning.

White lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Single solid white lines are also used as the right edge line of the road.

Wrong choices

• Traffic in those lanes moves in opposite directions: Traffic going opposite ways is separated by yellow lines.
• The lanes are for buses only: Bus lanes are marked with signs and words, not just white lines.
• You must not change lanes there: A broken white line allows lane changes when safe.

When an arrow and a circular light are both shown, turning traffic follows the arrow and through traffic follows the circular light. A green arrow gives a protected movement, so you may turn left with care while oncoming traffic is stopped. Drivers going straight must stop for the red light.

Wrong choices

• Stop and wait, because the red light controls all turns: The arrow, not the red light, controls the left turn.
• Go straight but do not turn: The red light means through traffic must stop.
• Turn left only after oncoming traffic has passed, since you must yield to it: That describes a flashing yellow arrow; a green arrow means oncoming traffic is held.