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District of Columbia driving lesson · Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings

Traffic signals

A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
50, 51

Traffic signals apply to everyone walking, driving or riding a bicycle. Failing to obey them is a major cause of crashes. Learn what each steady light, arrow and flashing light requires.

Know the rule

Signals are usually red, yellow and green from top to bottom or left to right. Some intersections have single lights. Signals may be steady or flashing, and circular or arrows.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

You may not cut across private property, such as gas stations or store parking lots, or leave the roadway to avoid a traffic control device.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

If signals are out of service or malfunctioning, stop as you would for a stop sign, then proceed by right-of-way rules unless a traffic officer directs you.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Steady signals

Steady signals
SignalWhat you do
Steady redStop at stop line or before crosswalk; stay stopped
Steady yellowChanging from green to red; time to stop safely
Steady greenGo when intersection is clear; yield to those in it
Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

On a steady red you may turn right after a complete stop unless a "No Turn on Red" sign is posted. Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and all other traffic. A left turn on red is illegal in DC.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Know the rule

The yellow signal gives approaching traffic time to stop safely and lets vehicles already in the intersection clear before the light turns red.

Handbook p. 50 ↗

Arrows and flashing lights

Arrows and flashing lights
SignalWhat you do
Steady red arrowStop for that direction; stay stopped while red
Steady yellow arrowArrow is changing from green to red
Steady green arrowGo the arrow's way; yield to those in the intersection
Flashing redComplete stop, yield to all, go when clear
Flashing yellowSlow down and proceed with caution
Handbook p. 51 ↗

Know the rule

Multiple signals at an intersection are used to let traffic make left turns with a green light.

Handbook p. 51 ↗

Put it into practice

You arrive at an intersection where all the lights are dark after a storm. Treat it like a stop sign: come to a complete stop, then take your turn by right-of-way rules, unless an officer is directing traffic.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What does a steady red traffic signal require you to do?
  1. Slow down and proceed if the way is clear
  2. Stop fully and stay stopped
  3. Stop only if pedestrians are visible
  4. Yield only, without a full stop

Answer: Stop fully and stay stopped

A steady red signal requires a complete stop, and you must remain stopped as long as it stays red.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
What does a steady yellow traffic signal mean?
  1. The signal is broken and should be treated as a stop sign
  2. You must speed up to clear the intersection
  3. It's changing from green to red
  4. It functions the same as a flashing yellow

Answer: It's changing from green to red

Steady yellow means the light is about to turn red, providing time to stop safely and clear the intersection.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
Before proceeding on a steady green signal, what must you check first?
  1. That the car beside you has moved
  2. That no vehicle is behind you
  3. That the light has been green 3 seconds
  4. That other vehicles have cleared the intersection

Answer: That other vehicles have cleared the intersection

Even on green, proceed with caution only after confirming other vehicles have cleared the intersection.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
What must you do at a flashing red signal?
  1. Stop fully, yield, then proceed
  2. Slow down only, without stopping
  3. Treat it exactly like a flashing yellow
  4. Proceed immediately if turning right

Answer: Stop fully, yield, then proceed

A flashing red signal requires a complete stop, yielding, and then proceeding once the way is clear.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
What must you do at a flashing yellow signal?
  1. Come to a complete stop
  2. Slow down and proceed with caution
  3. Speed up to clear the intersection quickly
  4. Treat it exactly like a flashing red

Answer: Slow down and proceed with caution

A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution, unlike the flashing red's full stop.

Handbook p. 51 ↗
A driver approaching a malfunctioning traffic signal may proceed through the intersection without stopping if no other cars are visible.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

You must stop as you would for a stop sign when a traffic signal is out of service or malfunctioning.

Handbook p. 50 ↗
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