Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. A steady yellow traffic light means:

   Correct answer: the light is about to turn red, so stop unless you are already in the intersection

   A steady yellow warns that red is next; stop if you can do so safely, but do not stop abruptly if you have already entered the intersection.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Traffic Signals (Steady Yellow Light)

2. 2. If a traffic signal is completely dark or malfunctioning, you should treat the intersection as:

   Correct answer: a four-way stop

   When a signal is not working, handle the intersection as a four-way stop, yielding in turn to other vehicles.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Traffic Signals

3. 3. Turning left at a red light is permitted in Colorado when:

   Correct answer: you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street and no sign bans it

   A left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding, unless prohibited by a sign.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Traffic Signals (Steady Red Light)

4. 4. A lighted green arrow at an intersection means the driver:

   Correct answer: may turn in the direction the arrow points

   A green arrow gives a protected movement in the direction it points; a green arrow that turns off while the circular green stays on means you may still turn after yielding.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Traffic Signals (Green Arrow)

5. 5. Shared-lane markings, or 'sharrows', painted on a street tell road users that:

   Correct answer: the lane may be too narrow to share side by side, and cyclists may ride in its center

   Sharrows indicate a lane that may be too narrow for a car and bicycle to travel abreast, so a cyclist may ride in the middle of the lane.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Pavement Markings (Sharrows)

6. 6. A solid white line along the roadway is used to:

   Correct answer: discourage lane changes and mark the edge of the road

   A solid white line separates lanes going the same way and asks you to stay in your lane; it also marks the shoulder or edge of the roadway.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Pavement Markings (White Lines)

7. 7. A flashing yellow arrow displayed for a left turn tells the driver to:

   Correct answer: turn cautiously after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

   A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left but only after yielding to oncoming vehicles and people in the crosswalk, so check for a clear path first.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Traffic Signals (Flashing Yellow Arrow)

8. 8. Green-painted pavement on the roadway is generally used to mark:

   Correct answer: an area set aside for bicyclists to improve their visibility

   Green paint designates a lane or space for bicyclists and helps make riders more visible to drivers.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Pavement Markings (Green Paint)

9. 9. Two solid yellow lines down the middle of a road mean that:

   Correct answer: neither direction may pass, except to give a bicyclist three feet when the oncoming lane is clear

   Double solid yellow lines prohibit passing on both sides; the lone exception is crossing to give a cyclist the required three feet when no oncoming traffic is present.

   Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Pavement Markings (Yellow Lines)

10. 10. A white diamond symbol painted in a lane usually identifies:

    Correct answer: a restricted lane such as a high-occupancy vehicle lane

    A white diamond marks a restricted lane; on HOV lanes accompanying signs state how many occupants a vehicle must carry to use it.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Lane Controls (High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes)

11. 11. A broken yellow center line between opposing lanes indicates that:

    Correct answer: passing is allowed when it is safe

    A broken yellow line separates opposing traffic and shows that passing is permitted on that side when the way is clear.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Pavement Markings (Yellow Lines)

12. 12. A flashing red traffic signal should be treated exactly like:

    Correct answer: a stop sign

    A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign: come to a full stop, then proceed after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.

    Source: Colorado Driver Handbook — Traffic Signals (Flashing Red Light)