Traffic signals and pavement markings

Key points

1. A red light means stop completely before the crosswalk or intersection and wait for green.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “A red light means you must make a complete stop before entering the crosswalk or intersection and wait until the light turns to green before proceeding.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 34

2. A red flashing light means stop completely, as at a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “A red flashing light means you must stop completely (treat as you would a stop sign).”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 34

3. A green arrow lets you go only in the arrow's direction, after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “A green arrow means you may proceed carefully only in the direction the arrow is pointing after stopping for pedestrians and yielding to vehicles within the intersection.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 34

4. Stop at the stop line when present, not at the sign or signal. In cities it is about four feet before the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “In urban areas, the line is usually located about four feet before the crosswalk. Drivers must come to a complete stop at the stop line, when present, not at the actual stop sign or traffic signal.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 36

5. Pedestrians in a crosswalk have the right of way over motor vehicles.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “When pedestrians are in the crosswalks, they have the right-of-way over motor vehicles.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 36

6. Broken yellow center lines mean a two-lane road where it is safe to pass in either direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Broken yellow lines are used when there are only two lanes and it is safe to pass in either direction.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 36

7. A single solid yellow line marks a no-passing zone when it is on your side of the broken line.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “These single, solid yellow lines on two-lane roads indicate zones where passing is prohibited. They will be located on the right of the broken yellow line when they apply to the lane in which you are traveling.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 36

8. Solid double white lines mean lane changes are prohibited.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “When the double white lines are solid, lane changes are prohibited.”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 36

9. Enter a center left-turn lane no more than 300 feet before your turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “You may enter this lane no more than 300 feet from the location of the left”
   Georgia Drivers Manual, Handbook p. 37

Numbers to know

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Georgia practice test

1. 1. What must a driver do when facing a flashing red traffic signal in Georgia?

   1. Slow down but continue without stopping
   2. Stop and wait until it is safe to proceed
   3. Accelerate through before cross traffic arrives
   4. Follow the vehicle ahead without stopping
   Show answer

   Stop and wait until it is safe to proceed. A flashing red signal requires a complete stop, with movement allowed only after it is safe to proceed. The rule is comparable to a stop sign, so merely slowing down is insufficient. Acceleration and following another vehicle do not replace the driver's own stop and safety check. The cue is the red flash: stop first, yield as needed, then continue only when the intersection is clear and safe.

2. 2. What does a steady red traffic light require before a driver enters the crosswalk or intersection?

   1. A rolling stop followed by an immediate turn
   2. A complete stop and waiting for green
   3. A stop only when another vehicle is visible
   4. A speed increase to clear the intersection
   Show answer

   A complete stop and waiting for green. Georgia's manual treats a steady red light as a command to stop completely before entering either the crosswalk or intersection, then wait for the signal to turn green. The rolling-stop choice removes the required full stop, while waiting for another vehicle is irrelevant because the signal governs the movement. The speed-up choice creates the very conflict the signal is meant to prevent. The practical cue is the red indication: stop at the proper point and remain there.

3. 3. What does a solid yellow line nearest your vehicle mean on a two-lane road?

   1. The vehicle is not in a passing zone
   2. Passing is allowed if the driver accelerates
   3. Passing is required before the line ends
   4. The lane is reserved for left turns
   Show answer

   The vehicle is not in a passing zone. A solid line nearest the vehicle means the driver is not in a passing zone. The marking does not require a pass, and extra speed cannot change the restriction. A left-turn lane has a different function and should not be inferred from a center line alone. Continue behind the slower vehicle until the markings show a legal passing zone and the traffic, sight distance, and available space all support a safe maneuver.

Source: the Georgia Drivers Manual, Section 7: Signs, Signals and 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.