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

   “A yellow caution light follows the green signal and 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. Traffic facing a red signal may turn right, except where a sign prohibits a right turn on red.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “An exception to this rule permits traffic facing a red signal to turn right except where a sign prohibits a right turn on red.”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

6. 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

7. 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

8. A flashing red light means you must stop behind a stop line, crosswalk or intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 6-3

   “Flashing RED Traffic Light This means you must stop behind a stop line, crosswalk, or intersection”
   South Carolina Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 6-3

9. Before entering, use the same procedure as you would at a stop sign, coming to a complete stop.

   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. Before turning right on red in South Carolina, where must the driver stop?

   1. Past the crosswalk after checking for traffic
   2. After entering the intersection beside the center island
   3. Only at the next stop sign
   4. Before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the turn
   Show answer

   Before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the turn. A right turn on red is permitted only where no sign prohibits it, and the driver must first stop before entering the near-side crosswalk. The driver must then yield to pedestrians lawfully in or beside that crosswalk and to other lawful intersection traffic. Stopping past the crosswalk gives pedestrians less protection, while the other options do not describe the signal rule. Use stop before the crosswalk as the immediate action cue, then yield before turning.

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.