Traffic signals and officers

Key points

1. A police officer directing traffic overrules any traffic light or sign and must be obeyed.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “A police officer directing traffic overrules any traffic light or sign and must be obeyed.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

2. On a solid green, you must still yield to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Drivers must yield to pedestrians and vehicles in an intersection.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

3. A solid yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Solid YELLOW Traffic Light This is a warning light to let a driver know the traffic light is about to change to red.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

4. You may turn right on a red signal only if no sign prohibits a right turn on red.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “EXCEPTION: Drivers may make a right turn on a red signal ONLY IF there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on red.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

5. A flashing yellow means slow down, proceed with caution and be ready to stop for traffic entering the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Flashing YELLOW Traffic Light Slow down and proceed with caution. Drivers should be prepared to stop for any traffic flow entering the intersection.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

6. A flashing red means come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection before proceeding.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Flashing RED Traffic Light Drivers must come to a complete stop behind a stop line, crosswalk, or intersection before proceeding though the intersection”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

7. A green arrow lets you turn in its direction after yielding to traffic and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “GREEN arrow Drivers may turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding to traffic and pedestrians.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

8. A red arrow means do not enter the intersection unless another indication allows it.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “RED arrow Drivers may not enter the intersection unless permitted by other indications shown at the same time.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the New Hampshire practice test

1. 1. A New Hampshire traffic signal is flashing yellow. What should the driver be prepared for?

   1. Come to a complete stop and wait for green
   2. Stop, then go as at a stop sign
   3. Proceed at normal speed because cross traffic must stop
   4. Slow down, proceed with caution, and be prepared to stop for any traffic entering the intersection
   Show answer

   Slow down, proceed with caution, and be prepared to stop for any traffic entering the intersection. A flashing yellow traffic light means slow down and proceed with caution, and the manual adds that drivers should be prepared to stop for any traffic flow entering the intersection. It is not a stop signal, so waiting for green or treating it like a stop sign is wrong, but holding normal speed on the assumption that cross traffic will stop is dangerous. Flashing red is the signal that requires a complete stop before proceeding.

2. 2. What must a New Hampshire driver do at a flashing red traffic light?

   1. Slow down and proceed without stopping
   2. Come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection, then proceed after yielding
   3. Stop only if cross traffic is present
   4. Wait until the light stops flashing
   Show answer

   Come to a complete stop behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection, then proceed after yielding. A flashing red traffic light requires drivers to come to a complete stop behind a stop line, crosswalk, or intersection before proceeding through the intersection, yielding any right-of-way. It works like a stop sign, so the stop is required whether or not cross traffic is present, and the light will not change to green. Slowing without stopping is the flashing yellow rule. After stopping, look in all directions and go only when it is safe.

3. 3. When is a right turn on a solid red light allowed in New Hampshire?

   1. Never
   2. Only if there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on red, after stopping
   3. Whenever cross traffic is clear, without stopping
   4. Only between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
   Show answer

   Only if there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on red, after stopping. A solid red light means stop prior to entering the intersection and wait behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection until the light turns green. The manual's exception is that drivers may make a right turn on a red signal only if there is no sign prohibiting a right turn on red. The stop still comes first, and the turn is made only after yielding. There is no time of day condition, and the turn is not banned outright.

Source: the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Section 6: 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.