Indiana Traffic Signals and Intersections Practice Test

20 practice questions

1. 1. What are traffic control devices such as stop lights and signs used for?

   1. Only to tell drivers the speed limit
   2. To control traffic flow and show who has the right of way at intersections and pedestrian crossings
   3. Only to guide drivers to exits and destinations
   4. To tell pedestrians where they may park
   Show answer

   Correct answer: B. To control traffic flow and show who has the right of way at intersections and pedestrian crossings

   Stop lights and signs control traffic flow and show who has the right of way at intersections and pedestrian crossings.

   Manual p. 33

2. 2. You are facing a green light. What should you do?

   1. Drive through without looking, because green means you always have the right of way
   2. Stop and wait for the light to turn yellow
   3. Stop first, then go when it is clear
   4. Drive through, as long as the intersection is clear of other vehicles and pedestrians
   Show answer

   Correct answer: D. Drive through, as long as the intersection is clear of other vehicles and pedestrians

   A green light means go: you have the right of way, as long as the intersection is clear of other vehicles and pedestrians.

   Manual p. 33

3. 3. You face a green arrow for your turn, shown together with a red light. You:

   1. Must wait for the red light to turn green
   2. Have the right of way to turn, as long as the intersection is clear
   3. May turn only after yielding to all oncoming traffic
   4. Must stop first, as at a stop sign
   Show answer

   Correct answer: B. Have the right of way to turn, as long as the intersection is clear

   A green arrow, shown with a red or green light, gives you the right of way to turn as long as the intersection is clear.

   Manual p. 34

4. 4. A yellow arrow is flashing for your left turn. What does it mean?

   1. You have the right of way to turn
   2. Stop; turning is not allowed
   3. Your right of way is ending; the arrow will turn red
   4. You may turn only after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic
   Show answer

   Correct answer: D. You may turn only after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic

   A yellow flashing arrow lets you turn only after you yield the right of way to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

   Manual p. 34

5. 5. A yellow light (no arrow) is flashing at an intersection. You should:

   1. Come to a complete stop
   2. Slow down and use caution as you go through
   3. Speed up before it turns red
   4. Yield to all cross-street traffic
   Show answer

   Correct answer: B. Slow down and use caution as you go through

   A flashing yellow light means slow down and use caution through the intersection.

   Manual p. 34

6. 6. A flashing red light at an intersection means the same as:

   1. A yield sign
   2. A flashing yellow light
   3. A steady red light
   4. A stop sign
   Show answer

   Correct answer: D. A stop sign

   A flashing red light is equivalent to a stop sign: stop completely, then proceed with caution.

   Manual p. 34

7. 7. A signal that shows only bicycle symbols applies to:

   1. All vehicles in the right lane
   2. Bicyclists only
   3. Buses and transit vehicles
   4. Pedestrians
   Show answer

   Correct answer: B. Bicyclists only

   A signal with only bicycle symbols controls a bike lane or path and applies only to bicyclists.

   Manual p. 35

8. 8. A signal that shows white rectangular bars applies to:

   1. All drivers turning left
   2. Bicyclists
   3. Pedestrians
   4. Bus or transit operators only
   Show answer

   Correct answer: D. Bus or transit operators only

   Signals with white rectangular bars control bus or transit lanes and apply only to bus or transit operators.

   Manual p. 35

9. 9. When you approach a yield sign you must:

   1. Always come to a complete stop
   2. Speed up to merge ahead of other traffic
   3. Keep your speed; others must yield to you
   4. Slow down and be ready to stop for vehicles or pedestrians with the right of way
   Show answer

   Correct answer: D. Slow down and be ready to stop for vehicles or pedestrians with the right of way

   At a yield sign, slow down and be prepared to stop completely if a vehicle or pedestrian with the right of way is approaching.

   Manual p. 35

10. 10. The traffic signals at an intersection are dark (not working). You should:

    1. Slow down and go through if clear
    2. Go through; the main road has the right of way
    3. Turn around and find another route
    4. Stop before entering the intersection
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. Stop before entering the intersection

    At an intersection with a non-operating signal, stop before entering the intersection.

    Manual p. 35

11. 11. Before entering a street from an alley or driveway, you should:

    1. Slow down and merge in
    2. Sound your horn and pull out
    3. Go first, since traffic on the street must yield
    4. Stop and yield the right of way to other vehicles
    Show answer

    Correct answer: D. Stop and yield the right of way to other vehicles

    Before entering a street from an alley or driveway, stop and yield the right of way to other vehicles.

    Manual p. 35

12. 12. A pedestrian signal shows the word WALK or a person walking. This means:

    1. Pedestrians should wait
    2. Pedestrians may safely cross
    3. Drivers may turn without yielding
    4. Crossing time is ending
    Show answer

    Correct answer: B. Pedestrians may safely cross

    WALK or a walking person means pedestrians may safely cross.

    Manual p. 36

13. 13. What is the job of warning signs?

    1. To prepare drivers for upcoming road conditions and hazards
    2. To show rules drivers must obey, such as speed limits
    3. To show distances to destinations
    4. To show nearby food, fuel and lodging
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. To prepare drivers for upcoming road conditions and hazards

    Warning signs prepare drivers for upcoming road conditions and hazards.

    Manual p. 29

14. 14. What do orange highway construction signs tell drivers?

    1. That a school zone is near
    2. That a recreation area is near
    3. To be careful when approaching construction zones
    4. The distance to the next exit
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. To be careful when approaching construction zones

    Orange highway construction signs warn drivers to be careful when approaching construction zones.

    Manual p. 30

15. 15. What do railroad signs do?

    1. Alert drivers to upcoming railroad crossings
    2. Warn that you are entering an area near a school
    3. Mark a vehicle that cannot exceed 25 miles per hour
    4. Mark a detour around a work zone
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. Alert drivers to upcoming railroad crossings

    Railroad traffic signs alert drivers to upcoming railroad crossings.

    Manual p. 30

16. 16. What do five-sided school signs warn you about?

    1. That a playground is closed
    2. That school buses may not use the road
    3. That you are entering an area near a school where children may be crossing
    4. That the road ahead is only for buses
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. That you are entering an area near a school where children may be crossing

    Five-sided traffic signs warn drivers that they are entering an area near a school in which children may be crossing the road.

    Manual p. 28

17. 17. A rectangular sign showing a speed is posted with a diamond-shaped warning sign for a sharp curve. What is it?

    1. A route marker for a state highway
    2. A destination sign giving the direction to the next town
    3. An advisory speed sign for the curve
    4. A turn movement prohibition, like No Left Turn
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. An advisory speed sign for the curve

    Rectangular signs may warn of hazardous conditions such as an advisory speed for a sharp curve. This advisory speed sign is often posted with a diamond-shaped warning sign.

    Manual p. 28

18. 18. Traffic regulation signs:

    1. Regulate speed and movement and show rules drivers must obey
    2. Only give helpful suggestions
    3. Only warn of hazards ahead
    4. Only show nearby services
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. Regulate speed and movement and show rules drivers must obey

    Traffic regulation signs regulate traffic speed and movement and display rules that drivers must obey.

    Manual p. 31

19. 19. Why is a supplemental plaque sometimes added under a stop sign?

    1. To show the speed limit on the cross street
    2. To show the name of the cross street
    3. To show which directions at the intersection must stop
    4. To say the stop sign is optional at night
    Show answer

    Correct answer: C. To show which directions at the intersection must stop

    Supplemental plaques under stop signs, such as All Way or Cross Traffic Does Not Stop, show which directions must stop.

    Manual p. 32

20. 20. What information do traffic guidance signs give?

    1. The type of road, upcoming entrances and exits, and distances to destinations
    2. Warnings about hazards such as ice or deer
    3. Parking rules
    4. Construction zone warnings
    Show answer

    Correct answer: A. The type of road, upcoming entrances and exits, and distances to destinations

    Guidance signs show the type of road, upcoming highway entrances and exits, and distances to destinations.

    Manual p. 32