Traffic signals and pavement markings

Key points

1. On red, stop behind the crosswalk or stop line; unless posted otherwise, you may turn right after a full stop when clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “RED: Stop behind crosswalk or stop line. Unless otherwise posted, you may turn right on red after coming to a complete stop and when no pedestrians or cross traffic are present.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 41

2. On yellow, stop if it is safe; do not speed up to beat the light.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “The red stop signal will be exhibited immediately after the yellow light appears. Adjust speed immediately to come to a smooth stop. You must stop if it is safe to do so. Do not speed up to beat the light.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 41

3. Tennessee law requires the yellow light to show for a minimum of 3 seconds before red.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Tennessee law only requires the yellow light to be exhibited for a minimum of three seconds before the red light.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 41

4. On a green protected arrow you have the right of way, but first yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “When the arrow is green, you have the right-of-way and may drive the vehicle only in the direction of the arrow, after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 41

5. If a signal is not working, treat the intersection as an all way stop and stop as you would at stop signs.

   Source: Handbook p. 41

   “Tennessee state law requires that if a signal is not working, the intersection is to be treated as if it were a ll-way stop intersection. Stop as you would if there were stop signs in all”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 41

6. A DON'T WALK signal or raised hand means it is not safe to begin crossing.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “When the pedestrian signal shows the words “DON’T WALK,” or a symbol of a raised hand appears, it is not safe to begin crossing a street or intersection.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 42

7. A solid white line marks the right edge of the lane, and a yellow line marks the left edge of lanes going your way.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “A solid white line indicates the right edge of the traffic lane on a road. A solid or broken yellow line indicates the left edge of traffic lanes going in your direction.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 42

8. Two solid yellow lines may not be crossed to pass from either direction, but you may cross to turn into a driveway or side road.

   Source: Handbook p. 42

   “Two solid yellow lines between lanes of traffic mean you MAY NOT cross the lines from either direction, even if no oncoming traffic is in view. You may cross a solid yellow line to turn into a driveway or side road if it is safe to do so.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 42

9. With a solid and a broken yellow line, you may not pass if the solid line is on your side.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “you may not pass if the solid yellow line is on your side. If the broken yellow line is on your side, you are in the “passing zone” and may pass if it is safe to do so.”
   Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 43

10. One solid white line between lanes means stay in your lane, and never cross a double solid white line.

    Source: Handbook p. 43

    “One solid white line between lanes of traffic means that you should stay in your lane and should not cross the line to pass (unless an emergency situation requires you to change lanes). Also, you should not cross a double solid white line.”
    Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 43

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Tennessee practice test

1. 1. What does a flashing red traffic signal require before you proceed?

   1. A speed increase through the intersection
   2. A complete stop, followed by movement when it is safe
   3. A stop only if another vehicle is present
   4. Waiting for the signal to become steady green
   Show answer

   A complete stop, followed by movement when it is safe. A flashing red signal is treated like a stop sign. The driver must make a complete stop, check traffic and pedestrians, and proceed only when the movement is safe. It does not permit rolling through, speeding up, or waiting indefinitely for a steady green signal. Come to a full cessation before the crosswalk or stop line, then apply the ordinary right-of-way rules. A useful distinction is that flashing yellow calls for caution, while flashing red creates the same stopping duty as a stop sign.

2. 2. What should you do when a steady yellow light appears and stopping can be done safely?

   1. Accelerate so the vehicle enters before red
   2. Prepare to stop and stop rather than speeding up to beat the light
   3. Treat yellow as permission to turn without checking
   4. Stop only when a pedestrian signal is also red
   Show answer

   Prepare to stop and stop rather than speeding up to beat the light. A steady yellow signal warns that the red stop signal will appear immediately afterward. The driver should adjust speed for a smooth stop and must stop when it is safe to do so. Accelerating to beat the light increases conflict risk and is specifically discouraged. If the vehicle is already in the intersection, continue through carefully rather than stopping in the travel path. Check the stop line, crosswalk, and traffic behind you as you decide, but do not turn the warning into an invitation to rush.

3. 3. What does one solid white line between lanes of traffic mean in Tennessee?

   1. The lanes carry traffic in opposite directions
   2. You should stay in your lane and not cross the line to pass
   3. Passing is required before the line ends
   4. The lane is reserved for vehicles turning left
   Show answer

   You should stay in your lane and not cross the line to pass. White lane markings separate traffic moving in the same direction. A single solid white line signals that the driver should remain in the lane and should not cross it to pass, except when an emergency requires a lane change. The opposite-direction choice describes yellow markings, not white ones. Treat the solid line as a boundary that discourages routine movement across it, even when the adjacent lane looks open.

Source: the Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals. 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.