Traffic signals and pavement markings together account for roughly 15% of the questions on the typical state DMV permit test. The rules are simple, but the test loves to ask edge cases — flashing yellows, dedicated turn arrows, and what to do when a signal goes dark.
Standard signals
Green means GO if the intersection is clear. You must still yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to vehicles already in the intersection. Yellow means PREPARE TO STOP — if you can stop safely, you must. If you're already too close to stop safely, proceed through. Red means STOP completely behind the painted line, the crosswalk, or the intersection edge.
Turn arrows
A green arrow means a PROTECTED turn — opposing traffic is being held by a red, so you can complete your turn without yielding. A yellow arrow means the protection is ending; complete your turn quickly and watch for opposing traffic on the next phase. A red arrow means STOP and wait for a green or green arrow — you may not turn on a red arrow, even when you would otherwise be allowed to turn on red.
Flashing signals
A flashing red is treated exactly like a STOP sign: come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe. A flashing yellow means SLOW and proceed with caution — you have the right-of-way but expect cross-traffic. [Recommended driving resource] A flashing yellow arrow means you may make a permissive turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Dark signals
When all signals at an intersection are dark — power outage, bulb failure — the intersection is treated as a four-way stop. Every direction stops, then proceeds in arrival order. Don't assume your direction has the right-of-way just because the cross-street has a stop sign.
Yellow lines
A single broken yellow line: passing is allowed when safe. A solid yellow plus a broken yellow: drivers on the broken-yellow side may pass; drivers on the solid-yellow side may not. Two solid yellow lines: no passing in either direction.
White lines
Broken white lines separate lanes traveling in the same direction; you may change lanes when safe. Solid white lines mark the right edge of the road or strongly discourage lane changes (typically near intersections or merging zones). Two solid white lines mean no lane changes are allowed.
Other markings
A white diamond in the lane indicates a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane. White arrows indicate the direction of travel for that lane. Yellow X marks above a lane mean the lane is closed in your direction; a green arrow means it's open.
Most test questions on these markings come down to recognizing the line type and recalling whether passing is allowed. Memorize the four yellow-line patterns and you've covered the majority of pavement-marking test questions.