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Ohio DMV Permit Test: Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings Concepts

Importance ★★★★☆ · 30% (estimate)

Overview

Traffic signals and the lines painted on the road control traffic where signs alone are not enough. This chapter covers steady and flashing lights, arrows, signals that are dark, and how to read yellow and white pavement lines.

A steady red light means stop and stay stopped. In Ohio you may still turn right on red after a full stop, or turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign forbids it or a red arrow is shown. A steady yellow light warns that red is coming, so stop if you safely can. A green arrow lets you make the movement shown, while still yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.

Flashing lights have their own meanings. A flashing red light means stop and then go as at a STOP sign. A flashing yellow light means go with caution, and a flashing yellow arrow means you may turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. If a signal shows no lights at all, Ohio law says to stop, yield, and then go with care, just as at a STOP sign.

Pavement lines finish the picture. Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions, and white lines separate lanes going the same way. A double solid yellow line means no passing either way, while a broken yellow line on your side means you may pass when it is safe. A center lane with solid and broken yellow lines on both sides is a two-way left-turn lane, used only for left turns.

Key concepts

  • Steady red and turn on red

    Stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection edge and stay stopped. After a full stop you may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto a one-way street, unless a sign forbids it. A steady red arrow means you may not make that turn.

    Memory tipRed: stop. Turn only after a full stop, and only where allowed.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.13 · as of 2026

  • Steady yellow

    Warns that the green movement is ending and a red light comes next. Stop if you can do so safely.

    Memory tipYellow: red is next.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.13 · as of 2026

  • Flashing red and flashing yellow

    Flashing red: stop, then go as at a STOP sign. Flashing yellow: go through with caution, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection. Flashing yellow arrow: turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

    Memory tipFlashing red acts like a STOP sign. Flashing yellow means caution.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.13 · as of 2026

  • Dark signal

    If a signal shows no lights, or a mix of lights that does not clearly assign the right of way, stop, yield to vehicles in or near the intersection, and go with care.

    Memory tipNo lights: treat it like a STOP sign.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.132 · as of 2026

  • Yellow and white lines

    Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions. White lines separate lanes going in the same direction. A solid white line discourages lane changes, and a broken white line allows them when safe.

    Memory tipYellow line on your left: oncoming traffic is on the other side.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA) · as of 2023

  • Passing lines

    Double solid yellow: no passing in either direction. Broken yellow on your side: you may pass when safe. Solid yellow on your side: you may not pass.

    Memory tipThe line on your side decides what you may do.

    Source: Ohio Revised Code 4511.31 · as of 2026

  • Two-way left-turn lane

    A center lane with a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on each side. Drivers from both directions use it only to turn left. It is not a passing or travel lane.

    Memory tipMiddle lane with arrows both ways: left turns only.

    Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA) · as of 2023

Often tested

  • A flashing red light means the same as a STOP sign.
  • A flashing yellow light means slow down and go with caution.
  • A signal with no lights means stop and yield as at a STOP sign.
  • Left on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto a one-way street, after a full stop.
  • Yellow lines separate opposite directions; white lines separate the same direction.
  • A double solid yellow line means no passing in either direction.

Easy to confuse: Steady or flashing

LightSteadyFlashing
RedStop and stay stoppedStop, then go as at a STOP sign
YellowRed is coming, stop if safeGo with caution
Yellow arrowThe arrow is endingTurn only after yielding

3 sample questions

Verified practice questions from this unit.

Practice questionReviewedTraffic Signs and Signals › Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings★★★★☆

Question 1. What must you do at a steady red traffic light?

  1. ① Stop and stay stopped until the light turns green, unless a turn on red is allowed
  2. ② Slow down and go if no one is coming
  3. ③ Stop only if a police officer is present
  4. ④ Go if the car ahead of you went
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Answer: ① Stop and stay stopped until the light turns green, unless a turn on red is allowed

Key point: Steady red: stop and stay stopped

A steady red light means stop at the stop line (or before the crosswalk or intersection) and stay stopped until the light turns green. In Ohio you may turn right on red, or left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop if no sign forbids it.

Wrong choices

  • Slow down and go if no one is coming: A steady red light is not a yield. You must stop.
  • Stop only if a police officer is present: The rule applies at all times, not only when police are present.
  • Go if the car ahead of you went: Each driver must stop for the red light.
Practice questionReviewedTraffic Signs and Signals › Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings★★★★☆

Question 2. What does a steady yellow traffic light mean?

  1. ① The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely
  2. ② Pedestrians may now cross in front of you
  3. ③ The signal is broken, so treat it as a STOP sign
  4. ④ Speed up to get through before it turns red
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ① The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely

Key point: Steady yellow: red is coming, stop if safe

A steady yellow light warns that the green is ending and red is coming next. Stop if you can do so safely. If you are already too close to stop safely, go through with care.

Wrong choices

  • Pedestrians may now cross in front of you: A steady yellow light tells pedestrians not to start crossing.
  • The signal is broken, so treat it as a STOP sign: A broken signal shows no lights or a confusing mix. Steady yellow is a normal warning.
  • Speed up to get through before it turns red: Speeding up to beat the light is dangerous.
Practice questionReviewedTraffic Signs and Signals › Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings★★★★☆

Question 3. What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

  1. ① Slow down and go with caution without stopping
  2. ② Stop and wait for the light to turn green
  3. ③ The light is about to turn green
  4. ④ Stop, then go when safe, just as at a STOP sign
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation

Answer: ④ Stop, then go when safe, just as at a STOP sign

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 with caution without stopping: Going with caution without stopping is what a flashing yellow light allows.
  • Stop and wait for the light to turn green: You do not wait for green. After stopping, go when it is safe.
  • The light is about to turn green: A flashing red light does not mean the light is about to change.
Practice 5 questions from this unit →

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