Illinois permit test: traffic signals
Steady and flashing lights, arrows, pedestrian signals and walk lights, and lane signals. 13 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember8 key traffic signals rulesShow the rules
- A green light means go, but only after yielding to any pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection or crosswalk. (p. 80)
- A flashing red light means stop, yield to traffic in the intersection or crosswalk, and go when safe. (p. 80)
- A yellow light warns the signal is changing to red. (p. 80)
- Traffic signals must be obeyed, and a driver may never leave the roadway to avoid one. (p. 80)
- A flashing upraised hand means don't start crossing. (p. 81)
- A solid yellow arrow warns that the protected turn is ending and red will soon follow. (p. 81)
- A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn in the arrow's direction after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection or crosswalk. (p. 81)
- A yellow X lane signal means the lane is about to change to red. (p. 81)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample traffic signals questions
1.You are on a one-way street at a red light. The cross street is one-way with traffic moving to the left. What may you do?
- AStop, yield, then turn left
- BTurn left only on a green arrow
- CTurn left without stopping
- DWait for green to turn left
Show the answer
✓ A. Stop, yield, then turn left
At a red light you may turn right, or left from a one-way street onto a one-way street going left, after a complete stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.
2.A steady red arrow points right, and you want to turn right. What may you do in Illinois?
- AWait for a green arrow
- BTurn only if a sign allows it
- CTurn right without stopping
- DStop, yield, then turn right
Show the answer
✓ D. Stop, yield, then turn right
A steady red arrow means you can't make that move until a green arrow appears, except a right turn or a one-way to one-way left turn after stopping and yielding.
3.You see a red X lit over your lane on an expressway. What does it mean?
- ANever drive in this lane
- BLeave the lane soon
- CUse the lane for left turns
- DUse the lane with caution
Show the answer
✓ A. Never drive in this lane
Lane signals: a red X means never drive in that lane, a yellow X means leave it safely before it turns red, and a green arrow means you may use it.
4.You arrive at an intersection where the traffic lights are completely dark. What must you do?
- AYield only to cars on your right
- BTreat it as an all-way stop
- CFollow the car ahead without stopping
- DGo through slowly with care
Show the answer
✓ B. Treat it as an all-way stop
When traffic signals are not working, treat the intersection as an all-way stop: stop completely, look and yield before entering.