Traffic signals and arrows

Key points

1. At a red light, stop at the stop line or before the crosswalk and wait until the intersection is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “As with the stop sign, you must stop at a marked stop line or before a crosswalk. Remain stopped until the light changes and the intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

2. A yellow light warns that the signal is changing from green to red.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “A yellow indication means WARNING or CAUTION. The light is changing from green to red.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

3. Green means go, but only if the intersection is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Green means GO-but only if the intersection is clear.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

4. Flashing red means the same as a stop sign; go when the intersection is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Flashing red means the same thing as a stop sign-STOP. Proceed when the intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

5. A green arrow at a red light lets you turn that way, yielding to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “If the green arrow comes on at a red light, you may turn in the direction of the arrow. You must yield the right of way to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

6. You may turn right on red after stopping when the intersection is clear, unless a sign prohibits it.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “You may turn right on a red light after stopping when the intersection is clear of both pedestrians and vehicles, unless there is a sign prohibiting a right turn on a red light.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

7. You may turn left on red from a one way street onto a one way street, unless prohibited.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “You may turn left on a red light from a oneway street onto a one-way street, unless there is a sign prohibiting this.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

8. If signals are dark, stop and yield to any vehicle in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “If the traffic signals are dark, for example in the event of a power outage, the driver of a vehicle shall stop and yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 15

9. A flashing yellow left arrow lets you turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “You may cautiously turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 16

3 questions from the North Dakota practice test

1. 1. How must you treat a flashing red traffic signal?

   1. Like a green light and proceed without checking
   2. Like a flashing yellow signal and proceed without stopping if clear
   3. Like a steady red signal until the light changes
   4. Like a stop sign, then proceed when the intersection is clear
   Show answer

   Like a stop sign, then proceed when the intersection is clear. A flashing red signal has the same meaning as a stop sign. Stop first, then proceed only when the intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles. Treating it as yellow removes the required stop, and treating it as green ignores the traffic control entirely. The signal does not require a permanent shutdown of the intersection. Use the same routine as at a stop sign: stop at the marked line or crosswalk when present, look in every direction, and enter only after yielding as needed.

2. 2. How should you treat an intersection when its traffic signals are dark?

   1. Continue through because no indication is displayed
   2. Stop and yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection
   3. Treat the roadway with more lanes as automatically favored
   4. Wait for a police officer before making any movement
   Show answer

   Stop and yield the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection. Dark signals, such as during a power outage, do not remove the driver’s duty to control the approach. Stop and yield the right of way to any vehicle already in the intersection. Continuing merely because the lamps are off risks entering against traffic, and lane count does not create a special priority in the manual’s rule. You also do not need to wait for an officer if the intersection can be handled safely. Treat the unlit signal as a stop and yield situation, then proceed carefully.

3. 3. What may a driver do with a flashing yellow left-turn indication?

   1. Turn left immediately without checking opposing traffic
   2. Turn left cautiously after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
   3. Wait for a red indication before beginning the turn
   4. Use the indication to travel straight in either lane
   Show answer

   Turn left cautiously after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A flashing yellow left-turn indication allows a cautious left turn, but it does not provide an unqualified right of way. Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians before entering the turn. The red indication requires left-turning drivers to stop and wait, while the flashing yellow is the permissive condition. It also applies to the left-turn movement, not straight travel. As the arrow flashes, reduce speed, check the opposing lane and crosswalk, and turn only after those road users have been given priority.

Source: the North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Signs, Signals, and Road 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.