Wisconsin permit test: traffic signals
Red, yellow and green lights and arrows, flashing signals and lane control. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key traffic signals rulesShow the rules
- When turning on red, stop first, yield to all traffic and then proceed, staying in your lane. (p. 36)
- Traffic signal lights are red on top, yellow in the middle and green on the bottom. (p. 36)
- You may turn left on red only when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding. (p. 36)
- A steady red arrow means stop fully and stay stopped until the signal turns green. (p. 36)
- A flashing red light means come to a full stop, then go when it is safe. (p. 36)
- A steady yellow means the light is about to turn red; slow down and stop before entering the intersection. (p. 37)
- A flashing yellow arrow means yield first before turning and proceed with caution. (p. 37)
- A steady green arrow lets you turn without oncoming or crossing traffic, but you must still watch for pedestrians. (p. 37)
- On a steady green you may go, but you must still yield to emergency vehicles and others as required by law. (p. 37)
- At a flashing yellow light, slow down, check for cross traffic and proceed with caution. (p. 37)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample traffic signals questions
1.Your light is green, but an ambulance with its siren on is approaching the intersection. What should you do?
- AStop in the middle of the intersection
- BYield to the ambulance
- CGo, because your light is green
- DSpeed up to clear the intersection
Show the answer
✓ B. Yield to the ambulance
On a steady green you may go, but you must still yield to emergency vehicles and others as required by law.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 37
2.You are in a left-turn lane facing a steady red arrow. What must you do?
- ATreat it as a yield sign
- BStop and wait for the light to turn green
- CTurn after yielding to oncoming traffic
- DTurn if no cars are coming
Show the answer
✓ B. Stop and wait for the light to turn green
A steady red arrow means stop fully and stay stopped until the signal turns green.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 36
3.You are already in the intersection when the light turns yellow. What should you do?
- AWait for the light to turn green
- BStop where you are
- CBack up out of the intersection
- DContinue through the intersection
Show the answer
✓ D. Continue through the intersection
If you are already in the intersection when the light turns yellow, do not stop; continue through.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 37
4.You are stopped at a red light. A sign says no turn on red, and no cars are coming. May you turn right?
- ANo, wait for the light to turn green
- BOnly if a pedestrian waves you on
- CYes, after a full stop
- DYes, because no cars are coming
Show the answer
✓ A. No, wait for the light to turn green
Right on red is allowed only when safe and when no sign prohibits it, so with a no-turn-on-red sign you wait for green.
Source: Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook (BDS126) (2026), page 36