Traffic signals and turning on red

Key points

1. A green light means go, if the intersection is clear of vehicles and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If you are facing a green light, you have the right of way and may drive through an intersection as long as the intersection is clear of other vehicles and pedestrians.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

2. A steady yellow light means the green has ended and the signal is about to turn red.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “A steady yellow light means the green light has ended and the signal is about to turn red.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 33

3. When turning left on a green light without an arrow, yield to all oncoming traffic; only one vehicle at a time may enter to turn left.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “You must yield the right of way to all oncoming traffic. Only one vehicle at a time may move into an intersection to turn left.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

4. A flashing yellow arrow means turn only after yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “A yellow flashing arrow for a turning movement means that you may proceed with the turn only after you have yielded the right of way to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

5. To turn right on red, come to a full stop, check for vehicles and pedestrians and a No Turn on Red sign, and use the correct lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “you must come to a full stop, check to make sure that there are no vehicles and pedestrians in the path of your turn or about to enter the path of your turn, check that there is not a “No Turn on Red” sign and use the correct lane.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

6. You may turn left on red when turning from a one way street onto a one way street.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “You may turn left through an intersection with a red light or arrow if you are turning from a one-way street onto a one-way street.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

7. A flashing yellow light means slow down and use caution; if turning left, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “A yellow flashing light displayed without an arrow at an intersection means that you should slow down and use caution when traveling through an intersection. If turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

8. A flashing red light is the same as a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “A red flashing light at an intersection is equivalent to a stop sign”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

9. At an all way stop, if you arrive at the same time as another driver, the vehicle on the left yields.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “If you arrive at the same time as another driver, the vehicle on the left shall yield the rightof-way.”
   Indiana Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Indiana practice test

1. 1. A red flashing light at an intersection has the same legal meaning as what control?

   1. A stop sign
   2. A yield sign with no stopping duty
   3. A steady yellow light
   4. A green arrow
   Show answer

   A stop sign. Indiana treats a red flashing intersection signal like a stop sign. The driver must make a complete stop, then proceed cautiously only after checking the intersection and yielding as required. It is not equivalent to a green arrow, which provides movement authority when the path is clear, nor to a yield sign that may allow a slow entry without stopping. A steady yellow communicates that the right of way is ending. The visual cue is the red light pulsing on and off, which demands a full stop before movement.

2. 2. What does a steady yellow traffic light indicate?

   1. The green light has ended and the signal is about to turn red
   2. The driver has a new protected turn
   3. Cross traffic must stop for the next full minute
   4. The driver may enter regardless of the intersection's condition
   Show answer

   The green light has ended and the signal is about to turn red. A steady yellow light means the green phase has ended and the signal is about to turn red. A driver approaching the intersection is losing the right of way and should stop if able to do so safely. Yellow does not create a protected turn, impose a timed pause on cross traffic, or permit entry without checking the intersection. If the vehicle is already too close to stop safely, the manual allows completion of the movement rather than a sudden dangerous stop.

3. 3. Before making a permitted right turn through a solid red light, what is required first?

   1. Roll through after checking the left mirror
   2. Wait for a green arrow in every case
   3. Come to a full stop
   4. Turn immediately if the cross street is empty
   Show answer

   Come to a full stop. Indiana requires a full stop before a permitted right turn through a red light or arrow. After stopping, the driver still checks for vehicles and pedestrians in the turn path, looks for a No Turn on Red sign, and uses the correct lane. Rolling through after checking a mirror is not a full stop, and an empty cross street does not remove that requirement. A green arrow is not required in every permitted right-turn situation. Treat the red signal as a complete pause, then perform the remaining safety checks before entering the intersection.

Source: the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 6: Traffic Signs and Signals. 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.