Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings
Traffic signals assign right-of-way by color and arrow; pavement markings reinforce lanes, passing zones, and crosswalks. Minnesota's exam tests signal obedience and marking interpretation.
Core rules
- Steady red: stop; right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it. Left on red is allowed from a one-way street onto a one-way street after a stop unless prohibited.
- Flashing red: stop, then proceed when safe. Flashing yellow: proceed with caution. Yellow: stop if you can do so safely.
- A green arrow gives protected movement; a flashing yellow arrow means yield to oncoming traffic.
- Yellow center lines separate opposite directions; white lines separate lanes going the same way. Dashed lines permit crossing; solid lines discourage or prohibit it.
- Stop bars and crosswalk markings show where to stop; do not block the crosswalk.
Worked example
You are turning left at a green ball and a flashing yellow arrow. Oncoming traffic has a green. The flashing yellow arrow does not protect you; you must yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians before turning. If the arrow changes to a steady green arrow, oncoming traffic is stopped and you may turn.
Traps
- Turning right on red without a full stop, or missing a No Turn on Red sign.
- Treating a yellow light as a command to accelerate.
- Reading a solid white line as a passing zone; solid lines mean stay in lane.
- Stopping on a crosswalk or stop bar instead of before it.