Signals and Road Markings
This domain tests traffic-light meanings, police and driver signals, and the road markings that divide lanes, control parking and protect pedestrians. The exam expects you to react to the signal or marking itself, not to the vehicle in front.
Traffic lights
- Steady red: stop at the stop line.
- Red and amber together: prepare to go, but do not move until green.
- Green: proceed only if the junction is clear.
- Amber: stop unless you are so close to the line that stopping safely is impossible.
- Flashing amber at a pedestrian crossing: proceed only if the crossing is clear.
Road markings
- Solid white centre line: do not cross or straddle it to overtake.
- Broken white centre line: overtake only when safe and visibility is adequate.
- Double yellow lines: no waiting or parking at any time.
- Zebra stripes: pedestrian crossing; give way to pedestrians on it.
- Stop line: the point where you must stop for a red light or STOP sign.
Worked example
You are 15 metres from a stop line at 30 mph when the light turns amber on a dry road. You can stop safely, so you stop. Reasoning: amber means stop unless you are too close to stop safely; accelerating to 'beat the light' risks a red-light offence and a collision with crossing traffic.
Traps that cost marks
- Treating amber as a signal to speed up.
- Stopping on a zebra crossing or blocking a junction.
- Crossing a solid white line because the road is quiet.
- Ignoring a police officer's signal because the light is green.