Traffic lights and arrows

Key points

1. If you are stopped and the light turns green, let crossing traffic clear the intersection before you go.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “If you are stopped at the intersection and the light turns green, you must allow crossing traffic to clear the intersection before you go ahead.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 33

2. Turning left on a steady green, always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “You should always yield to the oncoming traffic flow and pedestrians.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 33

3. A green arrow lets you turn that way if the intersection is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “GREEN Arrow This means you can turn in the direction of the arrow, if the intersection is clear of other roadway users.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 33

4. Steady yellow: stop if you can do so before the stop bar. If already in the intersection, continue safely.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “You should slow down and come to a complete stop, if you can do so before the stop bar. If you are already in the intersection when the yellow light comes on, you may continue safely through the intersection.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 33

5. Flashing yellow: slow down, look for entering traffic and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 33

   “This warning means slow down, look for any traffic entering the intersection and proceed with caution.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 33

6. On steady red you may turn right after stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “if there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on red, you may turn after stopping and yielding to traffic, including pedestrians.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 34

7. Flashing red: stop completely, look both ways and yield, just as at a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “use the same procedure as you would at a stop sign, by coming to a complete stop, looking both ways before entering the intersection and yielding right-of-way.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 34

8. A red arrow means stop and do not go that way until the green arrow returns.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “RED Arrow This means you must stop and you may not go in the direction of the arrow until the green arrow returns.”
   Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Handbook p. 34

3 questions from the Louisiana practice test

1. 1. A yellow signal is steady as you approach the stop bar. What does it warn you to do?

   1. Accelerate because the intersection is closing
   2. Prepare for the signal to change to red and stop if possible
   3. Stop only after entering the crosswalk
   4. Treat the light as a flashing green indication
   Show answer

   Prepare for the signal to change to red and stop if possible. Steady yellow is a transition warning, not an invitation to speed up. The driver should slow and make a complete stop before the stop bar when that can be done safely. If the vehicle is already in the intersection when yellow appears, continuing safely through is permitted. Accelerating to beat red risks entering after the signal changes, while stopping after the crosswalk places the vehicle too far forward. As the light changes from green to yellow, check your distance and stopping ability, then choose a controlled response.

2. 2. At a flashing red signal, what sequence must a driver follow before entering?

   1. Come to a complete stop, look both ways, and yield before entering
   2. Slow without stopping if the intersection appears clear
   3. Continue as if the signal were green
   4. Stop only when another vehicle is approaching
   Show answer

   Come to a complete stop, look both ways, and yield before entering. At a flashing red signal, stop behind the stop bar, crosswalk, or intersection before entering. The stop must be complete, followed by looking both ways and yielding right of way. Merely slowing is not enough even when the intersection appears empty, and continuing as if the light were green removes the required safety check. Use the pause to identify vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists from every approach. Enter only after the intersection is clear and the movement can be made without interfering with traffic that has priority.

3. 3. What does a green arrow at an intersection allow you to do?

   1. Turn in any direction without checking for people or vehicles
   2. Turn in the arrow's direction when the intersection is clear
   3. Proceed only after the arrow changes to yellow
   4. Enter the intersection and stop in the crosswalk
   Show answer

   Turn in the arrow's direction when the intersection is clear. A green arrow gives a protected movement in the arrow's direction, but it does not remove the need for a clear path. Check for roadway users, pedestrians, and signs that prohibit the turn before moving. The broad choice allowing any direction changes the limited permission into something much wider. Waiting for yellow defeats the signal, while stopping in a crosswalk creates a hazard and blocks pedestrians. Treat the arrow as permission for one indicated movement, subject to a final safety check.

Source: the Louisiana Class D and E Driver's Guide, Chapter 3: Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement 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.