Traffic lights, arrows and roundabouts

Key points

1. If a signal is dark, as in a power failure, stop as if there were stop signs in all directions.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “If a signal light is dark, as in a power failure, stop as if there are stop signs in all directions.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

2. On red, stop before the stop line or crosswalk, whichever comes first.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Red Light: Stop before reaching either the stop line or the crosswalk, whichever comes first, and wait until the light is green”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

3. Right on red is usually allowed, but only after a full stop, scanning and yielding.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Right turns at circular red lights are usually allowed, but only after the driver has stopped completely, scanned the intersection and yielded the right of way to pedestrians and other vehicles.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 31

4. A flashing red light is like a stop sign: stop, then go after yielding to everyone.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “The flashing circular red light is like a stop sign. Stop, and proceed after yielding the right of way to all pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 32

5. At a solid red arrow, left turning drivers must stop and wait.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Solid Red Arrow: Drivers intending to turn left must stop and wait.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 32

6. On a flashing yellow arrow, turn left only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Flashing Yellow Arrow: Drivers are allowed to turn left after yielding to all oncoming traffic and to any pedestrians in the crosswalk.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 32

7. A solid green arrow gives left turns the right of way.

   Source: Handbook p. 32

   “Solid Green Arrow: Left turns have the right of way. Oncoming traffic has a red light.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 32

8. Roundabout traffic enters and exits by right turns and moves counterclockwise.

   Source: Handbook p. 29

   “A roundabout is an intersection control feature where traffic enters and exits only through right turns and proceeds in a counter clockwise direction.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 29

9. You may not change lanes once inside a roundabout.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “Drivers may not change lanes once in the roundabout.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 30

10. In a two lane roundabout with no signs, the right lane is for right turns or through and the left lane for left turns or through.

    Source: Handbook p. 30

    “When entering a two-lane roundabout with no signs or arrows the right lane is permitted to make right turning or through movements while the left lane is permitted to make left turns or through movements.”
    Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 30

3 questions from the Vermont practice test

1. 1. How must a driver respond to a flashing circular red traffic signal?

   1. Stop, then proceed after yielding to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles
   2. Slow down and continue without stopping
   3. Wait for the signal to become a solid green arrow
   4. Turn left only after sounding the horn
   Show answer

   Stop, then proceed after yielding to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. A flashing circular red signal has the same stopping expectation as a stop sign. The driver must stop, then yield the right of way to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles before proceeding. Merely slowing is insufficient, and waiting for a green arrow or using the horn does not describe the required response. At the approach, identify the signal color and flashing pattern, bring the vehicle to a full stop, scan all conflicting paths, and move only after the intersection is safe.

2. 2. What must a driver do when facing a solid red left turn arrow?

   1. Enter the intersection and wait there for green
   2. Turn after yielding to oncoming traffic
   3. Proceed straight through the intersection
   4. Stop and wait without entering to turn
   Show answer

   Stop and wait without entering to turn. A solid red arrow requires a left turning driver to stop and wait. Do not enter the intersection to turn while that arrow is displayed. Yielding and turning describes a different permissive signal, while proceeding straight or waiting inside the intersection disregards the red arrow's restriction. Stay behind the stop line, monitor the signal, and move only when a legal indication permits the movement. The word solid matters: a flashing indication can have a different rule, but a steady red arrow is a clear command to remain out of the intersection.

3. 3. Before turning left at a flashing yellow arrow, what must you do?

   1. Stop and remain stopped until a solid green arrow appears
   2. Turn immediately because the arrow gives protected priority
   3. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then wait for a safe gap
   4. Yield only to vehicles, not to pedestrians in the crosswalk
   Show answer

   Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then wait for a safe gap. A flashing yellow arrow permits a left turn only after the driver yields to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk. The arrow does not provide protected priority, and it does not require waiting through the entire signal cycle for a solid green arrow. Pedestrians remain part of the conflict check, not an exception. Read the arrow as permission with conditions: slow your approach, identify a safe opening, give way to opposing road users, and turn only when the path is clear.

Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Driving Safely and Studying for Your Permit. 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.