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. What does a steady yellow traffic light mean when you are already in the intersection?

   1. You may continue safely through the intersection
   2. You must reverse out of the intersection
   3. You must stop immediately in the crossing path
   4. You may turn in any direction without yielding
   Show answer

   You may continue safely through the intersection. Yellow normally warns that the signal is about to turn red, so a driver approaching the stop bar should slow and stop when that can be done safely. The situation changes once the vehicle is already in the intersection. The guide allows that driver to continue safely through rather than stopping in the middle of the crossing. Reversing is unpredictable, and the signal does not remove the duty to yield during a turn. Clear the intersection smoothly, watching for people and vehicles, then wait for the next legal movement.

2. 2. What does a flashing red traffic light require before entering an intersection?

   1. A slow roll through without stopping when no signal is visible
   2. A complete stop, a look in both directions, and yielding right-of-way
   3. A stop only if another vehicle is approaching from the left
   4. Immediate passage because flashing red means the signal is inactive
   Show answer

   A complete stop, a look in both directions, and yielding right-of-way. A flashing red light is an active stop control, not a signal that can be ignored when the road looks empty. Stop behind the stop bar, crosswalk, or intersection, then look both ways and yield before entering. A slow roll fails to provide the required complete stop, and checking only the left side can miss traffic or pedestrians approaching from another direction. Use the same deliberate sequence as a stop sign: stop, scan, yield, and proceed only when the path is safe.

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.