Traffic Signals

Key points

1. Obey traffic signals, except when an officer is directing traffic; then obey the officer.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “You must obey traffic signals, except when an officer is directing traffic. Then you must obey the traffic officer at all times.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

2. A steady yellow means the light is about to turn red; stop if you can do so safely before the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Warning! The light is about to turn red! You must stop if you can stop safely before entering the crosswalk at the intersection.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

3. A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign: You may go when it’s safe to cross the intersection.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

4. On red, stop completely before the crosswalk or intersection and remain stopped until green.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Come to a complete stop before entering the crosswalk or intersection. You must remain stopped until the light turns green.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

5. After a complete stop you may turn right on red, or left from one way into one way, unless signs forbid it.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “After coming to a complete stop, you may turn right on red and you may turn left from a one-way street into a one-way street unless there are signs forbidding the turn.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

6. A flashing yellow light means slow down, look both ways and drive carefully through.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Slow down, look in both directions and drive slowly and carefully through the intersection. Be prepared to stop.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

7. On a flashing yellow arrow, turn left cautiously after yielding; oncoming traffic has the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “cautiously proceed with left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

8. A lit green arrow lets you turn that way even while the red light is on.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “When the green arrow is lit, you may turn in the direction of the arrow, even when the red light is still on.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 26

9. A flashing Don't Walk signal means pedestrians should not leave the curb but may finish crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “Don’t leave the curb, but continue if already in the intersection.”
   Oklahoma Driver Manual, Handbook p. 27

3 questions from the Oklahoma practice test

1. 1. After stopping at a red light in Oklahoma, when may a driver turn right?

   1. Immediately, without checking traffic
   2. After a complete stop, when safe, unless a sign forbids the turn
   3. Only after another driver waves the vehicle through
   4. Never, even when the intersection is clear
   Show answer

   After a complete stop, when safe, unless a sign forbids the turn. A driver may turn right on red only after making a complete stop, and the turn must be safe and permitted by the signs. The driver must yield to pedestrians and vehicles using the intersection. Turning immediately skips the required stop, while another driver's wave cannot replace the traffic rules. The cue is stop, check, yield, then turn only when no sign prohibits the movement.

2. 2. What does a flashing yellow light require at an Oklahoma intersection?

   1. Stop and remain stopped until green
   2. Proceed at the posted maximum without checking
   3. Slow down, look in both directions, and drive slowly and carefully
   4. Make a left turn immediately
   Show answer

   Slow down, look in both directions, and drive slowly and carefully. A flashing yellow light means caution. Drivers should slow down, look in both directions, proceed slowly and carefully, and be prepared to stop. It does not impose the complete stop associated with a flashing red light, and it never grants permission to rush through at the posted maximum. The left-turn choice adds a movement the signal does not require. Treat the flashing yellow as a warning that demands observation and controlled speed.

3. 3. On a flashing yellow arrow for a left turn, who has the right-of-way?

   1. Vehicles behind the turning driver
   2. The driver turning left
   3. Oncoming traffic and pedestrians
   4. Only vehicles in the left-turn lane
   Show answer

   Oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A flashing yellow arrow permits a cautious left turn only after the driver yields to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. It is not the protected movement provided by a solid green arrow. The turning driver must reduce speed, check the path, and wait for a gap that does not interfere with people or vehicles already entitled to proceed. A vehicle behind cannot claim priority merely because it is queued in the same lane.

Source: the Oklahoma Driver Manual, Chapter 4: Signs, Signals and 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.