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New Hampshire driving lesson · Signs, Signals, and Markings

Traffic signals and rules of the road

A 3-minute lesson from the New Hampshire 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, and Markings
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
27

Traffic control devices are the signals, signs, pavement markings and directions from police, highway workers and school crossing guards. Signals tell you when to stop, go or turn. Know each color, steady or flashing, and each arrow.

Basic NH rules of the road:

  • Know all traffic signals, signs and markings
  • Be alert to what's happening around the vehicle
  • Don't exceed the speed limit, drive fatigued, tailgate, or drive distracted
  • Don't drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Obey all laws while driving in NH or any other state or country
Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

A police officer directing traffic overrules any traffic light or sign and must be obeyed.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Steady and flashing lights

Steady and flashing lights
SignalWhat you do
Solid greenGo if clear, with caution; yield to people/vehicles in it
Solid yellowWarning: light is about to turn red
Solid redStop behind stop line, crosswalk or intersection; wait
Flashing yellowSlow down, proceed with caution, be ready to stop
Flashing redComplete stop, then go when safe, yielding
Handbook p. 27 ↗

Know the rule

Right on red is allowed ONLY IF no sign prohibits a right turn on red.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
Traffic signal head
Traffic signal: red, yellow, green

Arrows

Arrows
ArrowMeaning
Green arrowTurn that way after yielding to traffic and pedestrians
Yellow arrowSlow down; proceed that way with caution
Red arrowDon't enter unless other signals shown allow it
Handbook p. 27 ↗
Left-turn arrow signal head
Arrow signals: red, yellow and green arrows

Know the rule

Pedestrians facing a steady red arrow may not enter the roadway unless a pedestrian signal directs otherwise.

Handbook p. 27 ↗

Put it into practice

Your light turns green, but a pedestrian is still crossing in front of you. Wait. A green light lets you go only if it's clear, and you must yield to pedestrians and vehicles still in the intersection.

Put it into practice

A signal is flashing red at 2 am. Treat it like a stop sign: come to a complete stop behind the line, then proceed when it's safe, yielding the right-of-way.

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 solid yellow traffic light mean?
  1. Stop immediately, even mid-intersection
  2. The light is malfunctioning
  3. The light is about to turn red
  4. Speed up to clear the intersection

Answer: The light is about to turn red

A solid yellow light warns that the signal is about to change to red.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
When may a driver make a right turn on a solid red signal?
  1. Only if a police officer directs it
  2. Only between 6 am and 6 pm
  3. Never, right on red is always illegal in NH
  4. Only if there is no sign prohibiting it

Answer: Only if there is no sign prohibiting it

Right turns on red are allowed unless a sign specifically prohibits it.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
What should a driver do at a flashing yellow traffic light?
  1. Wait for it to turn solid yellow
  2. Treat it exactly like a green light
  3. Slow down and proceed with caution
  4. Come to a complete stop

Answer: Slow down and proceed with caution

A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
What must a driver do at a flashing red traffic light?
  1. Treat it as a yield sign only
  2. Come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe
  3. Speed up to clear the intersection
  4. Slow down but not stop completely

Answer: Come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe

A flashing red light requires a complete stop before proceeding when clear.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
What does a green arrow signal allow a driver to do?
  1. Proceed straight through only
  2. Turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding
  3. Turn without yielding to anyone
  4. Turn only after coming to a full stop

Answer: Turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding

A green arrow allows a turn in that direction after yielding to traffic and pedestrians.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
What overrides a traffic light or sign at an intersection?
  1. A driver with the right-of-way
  2. A yield sign posted at the corner
  3. A police officer directing traffic
  4. The vehicle that arrived first

Answer: A police officer directing traffic

A police officer directing traffic overrules any traffic light or sign.

Handbook p. 27 ↗
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