Traffic lights and arrows

Key points

1. Turning left on a green light, yield to through traffic from the opposite direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Left turns on a green light must yield to through traffic coming from the opposite direction.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

2. A yellow light means the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A yellow light means the traffic signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

3. You may clear an intersection on red if you entered on yellow, but entering after the light turns red is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A vehicle may clear an intersection on a red light, if the vehicle entered the intersection while the signal was yellow; but it is against the law to enter an intersection after the light turns red.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

4. On red, you may turn right after stopping if no traffic is coming, unless a sign prohibits it.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “You may turn right after stopping if there is no approaching traffic unless a sign is posted prohibiting such right turns.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

5. On red, you may also turn from a one way street into the nearest lane of another one way street going that direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Even though the light is red, a turn is permitted from a one-way street into the nearest lane of another one-way street running in the direction of that turn.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

6. A flashing yellow light means slow down and watch for others.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A flashing yellow light means you must slow down and watch for others.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

7. A flashing red light means come to a full stop and go only when it is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A flashing red light means you must come to a full stop and proceed only when it is clear.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

8. A green arrow lets you go that way from the proper lane. A flashing yellow arrow means proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A green arrow means you may go in the direction of the arrow, if you are in the proper lane. A flashing yellow arrow means proceed with caution in the direction of the arrow.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

9. A red arrow means no turning that way until it turns green. Obey the light over your lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A red arrow means no turning in the direction of the arrow, until it turns green. When there is more than one traffic light, obey the one that is over your lane.”
   Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 35

10. When the light turns green, do not rush in. Make sure your path is clear of crossing traffic.

    Source: Handbook p. 43

    “At a traffic signal when the light turns green, avoid immediately moving into the intersection. Take the time to make sure your path of travel is clear and there is no crossing traffic.”
    Kentucky Driver Manual, Handbook p. 43

3 questions from the Kentucky practice test

1. 1. At an intersection, what must a driver do at a flashing red light?

   1. Treat it as a green light if cross traffic is absent
   2. Slow briefly and continue without stopping
   3. Come to a full stop, then proceed only when the way is clear
   4. Stop only when a pedestrian is visible
   Show answer

   Come to a full stop, then proceed only when the way is clear. Kentucky treats a flashing red light as a stop requirement. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, check for vehicles and pedestrians, and continue only after the intersection is clear. Merely slowing does not satisfy the rule, and a flashing red indication never becomes green because cross traffic happens to be absent. Waiting for a pedestrian is also too narrow because vehicles can approach from any direction. The reliable cue is red plus flashing: stop fully first, then make a cautious decision about proceeding.

2. 2. A yellow traffic light appears while you are approaching the intersection. What is the proper response?

   1. Continue at the same speed because yellow permits unrestricted entry
   2. Accelerate so the signal cannot turn red before you enter
   3. Stop when stopping can be done safely
   4. Reverse away from the intersection immediately
   Show answer

   Stop when stopping can be done safely. Yellow warns that the signal is about to become red. A driver should stop when a safe stop is possible, checking traffic behind before braking. The tempting acceleration choice treats the interval as extra time to enter, yet the manual specifically directs drivers to stop rather than race the change. If you are already too close for a safe stop, continuing through cautiously is different from deliberately speeding up. A useful cue is to see yellow as a transition toward stop, not as permission to begin another approach through the intersection.

3. 3. A green arrow pointing left permits a driver to:

   1. Proceed straight regardless of the arrow direction
   2. Turn right from any lane
   3. Turn left when in the proper lane
   4. Ignore pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection
   Show answer

   Turn left when in the proper lane. A green arrow authorizes movement in the arrow’s direction when the driver is in the proper lane. A left arrow therefore supports a left turn, not a right turn or an unrelated straight movement. The signal does not erase lane requirements or make it safe to ignore people and vehicles already in the intersection. Check the lane under the arrow, follow the indicated path, and remain alert for anything lawfully occupying the roadway. The arrow’s direction is the immediate cue, while the proper lane determines whether the movement applies to you.

Source: the Kentucky Driver Manual, Section Six: 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.