California DMV Permit Test (Class C)Traffic Signs and SignalsHard

You are driving on a street and approach a traffic light that has a steady red light over your lane. Next to it, there is a steady green arrow pointing to the right. What does this combination of signals mean?

  1. AYou may turn right without stopping, but yield to pedestrians and traffic.
  2. BYou must proceed straight through the intersection, ignoring the red light.
  3. CYou may turn right after stopping and yielding to pedestrians and traffic.
  4. DYou must stop and cannot turn right.
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. You may turn right without stopping, but yield to pedestrians and traffic.

A steady red light means stop, but a steady green arrow allows the movement indicated by the arrow. In this case, you have a protected right turn. You may turn right without stopping, provided there are no pedestrians in the crosswalk or other vehicles violating the signal.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. This is incorrect; the red light applies to straight-through movement; the arrow only applies to the turn.
  • C. This is incorrect; a steady green arrow provides a protected turn, meaning you do not need to stop first.
  • D. This is incorrect; the green arrow specifically permits the right turn without stopping.

Red Light with Green Turn Arrow

A traffic signal combination where a steady red light prohibits straight-through movement, but a steady green arrow permits a protected turn in the indicated direction.

  • Red light applies to straight-through movement.
  • Green arrow grants protected right-of-way for the turn.
  • No need to stop before turning on a protected green arrow (unless yielding to pedestrians/illegal traffic).

Memory trick: Red means stop, but a green arrow says 'go, just Flow!'

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