New York DMV Permit Written TestRoad SignsMedium
You are preparing to make a left turn at an intersection. The traffic signal for your direction displays a steady red light with a green arrow pointing left. What action should you take?
- AYou may proceed with the left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- BYou must stop and wait for a full green light before turning left.
- CYou may proceed with the left turn without yielding, as you have the right-of-way.
- DYou must stop and may only turn left after the red light turns off and the green arrow remains.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. You may proceed with the left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
A steady red light with a green arrow pointing left means that you must stop before the intersection, but once you have yielded to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians, you may proceed to make the left turn. The green arrow grants permission to turn, but the red light indicates that you do not have an exclusive right-of-way.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The green arrow specifically indicates that a turn is permitted, unlike a solid red light alone.
- C. The red light component indicates that you do not have an exclusive right-of-way and must yield.
- D. The red light indicates a stop, but the green arrow allows the turn after yielding, not after the red light extinguishes.
Red Light with Green Arrow
A traffic signal displaying a steady red light along with a green arrow in a specific direction, meaning drivers must stop, then may proceed in the direction of the arrow after yielding to traffic and pedestrians.
- Stop before entering the intersection.
- Green arrow permits movement in its direction.
- Must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- Right-of-way is not exclusive.
Memory trick: Green arrow says GO, but red light says YIELD first.