Traffic lights

Key points

1. A green light means you may go through if the intersection is clear, with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “GREEN Traffic Light This means you may go through the intersection if it is clear to do so, with caution.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

2. A yellow light warns the signal is about to turn red, so stop and wait for the next green.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “is a warning that the signal is about to change to the red stop signal. Therefore, you should stop your vehicle and wait for the next green light.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

3. If you are already in the intersection on yellow, clear it as quickly as possible.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “If you are already in the intersection, clear the intersection as quickly as possible.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

4. On red, wait behind the stop line, crosswalk or intersection until the light turns green.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “You must wait behind the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection until the traffic light turns green.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

5. When turning right on red, stop before the near crosswalk and yield to pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “When turning on red you must stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the turn and yield right-of-way to pedestrians”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

6. Flashing yellow: slow down and proceed with caution.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “Flashing YELLOW Traffic Light This means slow down and proceed with caution.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

7. Flashing red: come to a complete stop and proceed as you would at a stop sign.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-4

   “use the same procedure as you would at a stop sign, by coming to a complete stop.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-4

3 questions from the South Carolina practice test

1. 1. What does a yellow caution light tell a South Carolina driver?

   1. The signal is about to change to red
   2. Cross traffic must stop for you
   3. You may turn without checking traffic
   4. The intersection is closed to vehicles
   Show answer

   The signal is about to change to red. A yellow light warns that the signal will soon become red, so a driver should prepare to stop rather than treat it as permission to accelerate. The distractor about cross traffic incorrectly assumes every other approach has already been stopped. If you are already in the intersection, clear it promptly, but if you are approaching and can stop safely, wait for the next green signal. A useful cue is to read yellow as a transition warning, not as an extra period of green. That distinction helps prevent entering an intersection just as opposing traffic receives its signal.

2. 2. What should a driver do at a flashing yellow traffic light?

   1. Treat the light as a yield sign only when turning left
   2. Stop behind the crosswalk and wait for a green signal
   3. Slow down and proceed cautiously, prepared to stop for entering traffic
   4. Continue at the posted speed without checking cross traffic
   Show answer

   Slow down and proceed cautiously, prepared to stop for entering traffic. A flashing yellow light calls for reduced speed and careful observation, not an automatic stop. The driver should be ready for traffic entering the intersection and should yield when the situation requires it. The choice requiring a green signal confuses this indication with a red signal. The option that permits normal speed removes the caution the signal is designed to create. A useful cue is yellow flashing means slow, look, and be prepared to stop.

3. 3. At a red traffic light, when may a driver generally turn right?

   1. Without stopping if the cross street appears empty
   2. After stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits the turn
   3. Only after waiting for a green right-turn arrow
   4. Before reaching the crosswalk so the vehicle can roll through
   Show answer

   After stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits the turn. South Carolina permits a right turn on red as an exception to the normal stop rule, but the driver must first stop before the near-side crosswalk and yield to pedestrians and lawful traffic. An empty appearance does not erase the stop. A green arrow is not always necessary, and rolling through the crosswalk violates the required stopping position. The cue is stop, check, yield, and turn only when no prohibition applies.

Source: the South Carolina 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.