Traffic signals, pedestrian signals and railroad crossings

Key points

1. At a red light, stop at the stop line and stay stopped until the light turns green.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Come to a complete stop at the stop line. Remain stopped until the light turns green.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 51

2. After stopping on red, you may turn right if there is no NO TURN ON RED sign and the way is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “After stopping, you may turn right if there is not a NO TURN ON RED sign and the way is clear.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 51

3. A yellow light warns that the light is changing to red. Stop if you can do so safely.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Warning: the light is changing to red. ◆ Stop if you can safely do so.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 51

4. On a green light, go only if the intersection is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “Go, but only if the intersection is clear.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 51

5. A green arrow lets you turn in its direction, but you must still yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 52

   “You must yield the right-of-way to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 52

6. If a signal is out and no officer is present, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

   Source: Handbook p. 51

   “If a traffic signal is out of order and law enforcement is not present, treat the light/intersection as a four-way stop sign”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 51

7. Never drive in a lane under a red X lane signal.

   Source: Handbook p. 53

   “Never drive in a lane under the red X.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 53

8. Do not stop on the railroad tracks or within 15 feet of the crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “Do not stop on the railroad tracks or within 15 feet of the crossing.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 56

9. You must stop at a railroad crossing when lights flash, the gate is down, a flagger warns you or a train is clearly visible.

   Source: Handbook p. 56

   “the warning devices are flashing; ◆ the crossing gate is lowered; ◆ a human flagger is warning of an approaching train; and/or ◆ an approaching train is clearly visible.”
   Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 56

10. It is against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate.

    Source: Handbook p. 56

    “It's against the law to drive around or under a crossing gate”
    Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Handbook p. 56

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Florida practice test

1. 1. What does a steady yellow traffic light mean in Florida?

   1. The intersection is closed permanently
   2. The light is changing to red, so stop if you can safely do so
   3. Cross traffic must stop and you have priority
   4. You may always speed through before red
   Show answer

   The light is changing to red, so stop if you can safely do so. A steady yellow light warns that the signal is changing to red. Florida advises stopping if it can be done safely, because being in the intersection when the light turns red is extremely dangerous. Yellow is not permission to accelerate, and it does not establish permanent closure or priority over cross traffic. Check your stopping distance and brake smoothly rather than trying to beat the signal.

2. 2. At a steady red light, when may a driver turn right?

   1. Without stopping whenever no vehicle is approaching
   2. Whenever the driver has a green signal in another lane
   3. Only after waiting for the next full signal cycle
   4. After a complete stop, if no NO TURN ON RED sign applies and the way is clear
   Show answer

   After a complete stop, if no NO TURN ON RED sign applies and the way is clear. Florida permits a right turn after stopping at a red light when there is no NO TURN ON RED sign and the way is clear. The stop is mandatory even when the intersection appears empty, and the driver still must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and other traffic. Waiting through every cycle is more restrictive than the handbook requires. A signal in another lane does not authorize movement from this lane. Stop at the line, check the sign and crossing users, then turn only when safe.

3. 3. What does a green arrow permit, assuming the driver is in the proper lane?

   1. Enter from any lane because the arrow overrides lane position
   2. Make any turn without checking the intersection
   3. Wait for a red arrow before making the indicated movement
   4. Make the turn in the arrow's direction while yielding to traffic and pedestrians in the intersection
   Show answer

   Make the turn in the arrow's direction while yielding to traffic and pedestrians in the intersection. A green arrow authorizes movement in the direction shown, but it does not erase the duty to yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection. The driver also must be in the proper lane when a red light is illuminated at the same time. The unrestricted-turn choice removes those conditions, and waiting for red reverses the signal's instruction. Entering from any lane can create conflicts with adjacent traffic. Follow the arrow, confirm the lane, scan the intersection, and yield before completing the turn.

Source: the Official Florida Driver License Handbook, Traffic Controls. 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.