Traffic signals, arrows and lane use signals

Key points

1. Steady red: stop and remain stopped until the signal turns green.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “Stop when signal is steady circular red. Remain stopped until signal turns to green.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

2. Steady yellow means clear the intersection. Do not enter once the red comes on.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “A circular steady yellow means clear the intersection. It follows a green signal. You must not enter the intersection when the red signal comes on.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

3. Steady green: go straight or turn, yielding to vehicles and pedestrians lawfully in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 54

   “You may go straight or turn right or left, yielding to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54

4. Green arrows let you go in the arrow's direction while opposing traffic must stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “GREEN ARROWS permit you to proceed in the direction of the arrow while opposing traffic must stop.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 55

5. Yellow arrows mean the protected green arrow movement is ending.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “YELLOW ARROWS come after green arrows to indicate that the protected movement indicated by the green arrow is being terminated.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 55

6. At a railroad crossing, always stop when the red lights begin to flash because a train is near.

   Source: Handbook p. 55

   “Always stop when the lights begin to flash because a train is near.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 55

7. A steady red X means do not drive in the lane under it.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “A driver facing this indication shall not drive in the lane over which the signal is located”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56

3 questions from the Alabama practice test

1. 1. What does a steady circular red traffic signal require in Alabama?

   1. Accelerate to clear the intersection before cross traffic
   2. Slow down but continue through the intersection
   3. Stop and remain stopped until the signal turns green
   4. Turn left without stopping from any lane
   Show answer

   Stop and remain stopped until the signal turns green. A steady circular red signal requires a stop, and the vehicle must remain stopped until the signal changes to green. Alabama allows some turns after stopping when the turn is otherwise lawful, the path is clear, and no sign prohibits it. That limited exception does not turn red into permission to continue straight or to turn from any lane. The acceleration choice is especially unsafe because cross traffic may receive the right of way. Stop at the proper location, check for posted restrictions, and wait for a lawful movement.

2. 2. What does a steady green arrow allow a driver to do?

   1. Enter only after the arrow changes to yellow
   2. Enter the intersection in the arrow's direction, yielding to lawful users
   3. Ignore pedestrians because opposing traffic must stop
   4. Make any movement from any approach lane
   Show answer

   Enter the intersection in the arrow's direction, yielding to lawful users. A steady green arrow authorizes entry into the intersection for the movement shown by the arrow, while the driver still yields to pedestrians and vehicles lawfully using the intersection. The arrow does not erase those obligations or authorize unrelated movements from every lane. The yellow-arrow choice delays the protected movement until it ends, which is the opposite of the signal's instruction. Scan the crosswalk and intersection before moving, then follow the arrow and any additional signal or sign that controls the turn.

3. 3. What does a steady red X over a lane mean?

   1. The lane has a recommended minimum speed
   2. Use the lane only to pass stopped traffic
   3. Do not drive in that lane
   4. Drive there if the vehicle behind is close
   Show answer

   Do not drive in that lane. A steady red X over a lane means a driver facing the indication shall not drive in that lane. The restriction applies even though other traffic controls remain in force, so a nearby green light or an impatient following vehicle cannot cancel it. The passing choice treats the lane as temporarily available, which is precisely what the red X denies. Move into an allowed lane only after checking clearance and obeying the other signs and signals. The overhead display is a lane-specific command, not a suggestion about speed.

Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 5: Signs, Signals and Road Markings. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.