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North Carolina driving lesson · Signals, Signs & Pavement Markings

Turn arrows, ramp meters & hybrid beacons

A 3-minute lesson from the North Carolina 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
Signals, Signs & Pavement Markings
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
42, 43

Newer signals help with turns, freeway merges and mid-block crossings. Some signal heads mix protected arrows with unprotected circular lights, so you need to read which light controls you.

Know the rule

If no arrow is shown, circular signals control both through and turning traffic. When arrows and circular lights both show, turning traffic follows the arrow and through traffic follows the circle.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
Green arrow and green circle signal
Combination display: green arrow for turns, circular red for through traffic

Left- and right-turn signal heads

Left- and right-turn signal heads
SignalMeaning
Solid red arrowStop. No turns allowed
Solid yellow arrowPrepare to stop
Flashing yellow arrowTurn allowed; first yield to oncoming cars and pedestrians
Solid green arrowTurn allowed without yielding; proceed with caution
Handbook p. 42 ↗

Know the rule

For right-turn signal heads, a steady circular red may be used instead of a red arrow.

Handbook p. 42 ↗

Ramp meter

A signal that controls traffic entering a freeway from an interchange entrance ramp.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Ramp meter signals

Ramp meter signals
DisplayWhat to do
Steady redStop and wait for green
Steady greenProceed down the ramp and merge
DarkProceed without stopping; merge or yield as normal
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Hybrid beacon

A signal at mid-block crosswalks and emergency facility entrances that stays dark until a pedestrian or emergency crew activates it.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Hybrid beacon sequence:

  • 1. Dark until activated
  • 2. Flashing yellow for a few seconds
  • 3. Steady yellow, then steady red: vehicles stop
  • 4. Steady red while pedestrians cross or emergency vehicles exit
  • 5. Alternating flashing red: stay stopped until the crosswalk or exit is clear
  • 6. Dark again until activated
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

During flashing red, once pedestrians or emergency vehicles have cleared and you've come to a complete stop, you may proceed.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Put it into practice

Your left-turn arrow is flashing yellow while oncoming cars keep coming. You may turn, but only after yielding: wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic and for any pedestrians to clear.

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 red arrow mean for turning traffic?
  1. Turns are allowed after slowing down
  2. Turns are allowed after yielding
  3. Proceed with caution
  4. Turning traffic must stop; no turns are allowed

Answer: Turning traffic must stop; no turns are allowed

A red arrow means turning traffic must stop; no turns are allowed.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
What does a flashing yellow arrow at a signal mean?
  1. Turn, yielding to traffic and pedestrians
  2. Stop completely before turning
  3. The turn is prohibited
  4. Turn without yielding; you have the right of way

Answer: Turn, yielding to traffic and pedestrians

A flashing yellow arrow means turns are allowed, but drivers must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
What must a vehicle do when a ramp meter signal shows a steady red display?
  1. Slow down and merge immediately
  2. Stop and wait for the green display
  3. Proceed with caution
  4. Only stop if another vehicle is visible

Answer: Stop and wait for the green display

When a ramp meter displays a steady red, vehicles facing it must stop and wait for green.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
What should a driver do when a ramp meter signal is dark and not showing red or green?
  1. Stop and wait for it to turn green
  2. Treat it as a stop sign
  3. Proceed and merge as conditions allow
  4. Wait for an officer to wave you on

Answer: Proceed and merge as conditions allow

When the ramp meter display is dark, a vehicle may proceed without stopping and merge as normal conditions allow.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
What color does a hybrid beacon first flash when activated by a pedestrian?
  1. Red
  2. White
  3. Green
  4. Yellow

Answer: Yellow

Once activated, hybrid beacons flash yellow for a few seconds before going to steady yellow, then red.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
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