Traffic lights and arrows

Key points

1. Round lenses apply to all directions; arrows apply only to the direction shown.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “arrows apply only to a specific direction, while round lenses apply to all directions.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 71

2. On a steady red, stop at the stop line, before the crosswalk, or before the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “You must stop at the stop line, before the crosswalk, or before entering the intersection should no stop line or crosswalk be present.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 69

3. Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign or a steady red arrow prohibits it.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Right turns on red are permissible after full stop, except when prohibited by a posted sign or a steady red arrow is displayed.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 69

4. On a steady yellow, prepare to stop; if too close to stop safely, continue with care.

   Source: Handbook p. 70

   “This means that the signal is changing from green to red; prepare to stop. If you are too close to stop safely, continue through the intersection with care.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 70

5. A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 70

   “Flashing red light means the same as a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 70

6. A flashing yellow means slow down, be more aware and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 70

   “Flashing yellow light means slow down, be more aware, and proceed with caution.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 70

7. If a signal is dark, slow down and prepare to yield to vehicles in or approaching the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 70

   “the approaching driver shall reduce speed and prepare to yield to other vehicles that are in or approaching the intersection.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 70

8. A steady red arrow requires a full stop; you may not go in that direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “A full stop is required when a steady red arrow is displayed. You may not proceed in the direction of a steady red.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 71

9. On a flashing red arrow, you may turn after a full stop when there is a safe gap.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “Turns are permitted in the direction of a flashing red arrow after coming to a full stop.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 71

10. A flashing yellow arrow allows the turn after yielding to opposing traffic and pedestrians.

    Source: Handbook p. 71

    “The movement in the indicated direction is permitted after yielding to opposing traffic and pedestrians.”
    Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 71

3 questions from the Delaware practice test

1. 1. When Delaware displays a flashing red signal, what must the approaching driver do?

   1. Immediate acceleration through the intersection
   2. A slowdown without stopping
   3. A complete stop, followed by proceeding only when safe
   4. A stop only when a pedestrian is visible
   Show answer

   A complete stop, followed by proceeding only when safe. A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign. The driver must come to a complete stop and proceed only when the movement is safe. Merely slowing fails to satisfy the stop requirement, and accelerating through the intersection ignores the warning. Waiting for a pedestrian before stopping is also too narrow because vehicles and other hazards may be present. Treat the signal as a stop sign, scan the intersection, and continue only after yielding as needed.

2. 2. What is the meaning of a steady red arrow?

   1. Proceed if no pedestrian is visible
   2. Turn in the arrow's direction after yielding
   3. Continue straight but do not turn
   4. Stop fully and do not proceed in the arrow's direction
   Show answer

   Stop fully and do not proceed in the arrow's direction. A steady red arrow controls the direction shown by the arrow and requires a full stop. Delaware does not allow movement in that direction while the steady red arrow is displayed. The choice permitting a turn after yielding describes a flashing red arrow, not a steady one. Looking for pedestrians is always wise, but their absence does not cancel the signal. The cue is the arrow rather than a round red lens: stop and wait for a signal that authorizes movement in that specific direction.

3. 3. How should a driver respond to a flashing yellow arrow?

   1. Make the indicated movement only after yielding to opposing traffic and pedestrians
   2. Treat it as a mandatory full stop in every direction
   3. Turn without checking because opposing traffic must stop
   4. Wait for a red arrow before entering the intersection
   Show answer

   Make the indicated movement only after yielding to opposing traffic and pedestrians. A flashing yellow arrow allows the indicated movement after the driver yields to opposing traffic and pedestrians. It is not a mandatory stop signal, and it does not guarantee that opposing traffic has stopped. Waiting for red would reverse the signal's meaning. Approach with caution, identify the direction permitted by the arrow, and complete the movement only after the conflicting road users have been given priority.

Source: the Delaware Driver Manual, Section Four: Rules of the Road. 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.