Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

12 sample Signals & Pavement Markings questions with the correct answer, a short explanation, and the official handbook reference. Read through them, then take the quiz above.

1. 1. At an intersection with a bicycle box painted on the pavement, drivers must:

   Correct answer: Stop behind the box on a red light

   You must stop for a red light behind the bike box, not inside it, so cyclists can move in front of you. Turning right on red is prohibited at these crossings.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pavement Markings

2. 2. A steady red arrow is displayed for your lane. Under Virginia law you may:

   Correct answer: Not turn in the arrow's direction unless a sign allows it

   Virginia bars both right and left turns on a red arrow unless a sign specifically authorizes it. You must remain stopped as long as the red arrow shows.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals

3. 3. Broken white lines on a roadway separate:

   Correct answer: Lanes of traffic going the same way

   Broken white lines separate lanes headed the same way. You may cross them to change lanes when it is safe.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pavement Markings

4. 4. A center lane edged on both sides by one solid and one broken yellow line is set aside for:

   Correct answer: Making left turns from either direction

   This two-way center lane is only for making left turns from either direction. Drivers may not travel farther than 150 feet within it.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pavement Markings

5. 5. Two solid yellow lines down the middle of a road may be crossed only to:

   Correct answer: Make a left turn when it is safe

   Two solid yellow lines separate opposing traffic and forbid passing in both directions. You may cross only to make a left turn or to pass a pedestrian or cyclist when the opposite lane is clear.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pavement Markings

6. 6. A pavement symbol showing a bicycle beneath two chevron arrows (a 'sharrow') tells drivers that:

   Correct answer: Cyclists may use the full travel lane

   A sharrow appears on lanes too narrow to share side by side. It shows where cyclists should ride and reminds drivers to expect bicycles in the travel lane.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pavement Markings

7. 7. At a steady red traffic signal in Virginia, before turning right you must first:

   Correct answer: Stop completely, then yield before turning

   A right turn on red is allowed only after you come to a full stop, then look both ways and yield to pedestrians and traffic, including motorcycles and bicycles.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals

8. 8. A lane above the roadway is marked with a steady red X signal. This means you:

   Correct answer: Must never drive in that lane

   A red X over a lane means that lane is closed to you; never drive in it. A green arrow means the lane is open in your direction.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Lane Use Signals

9. 9. A broken yellow line runs beside a solid yellow line on a two-lane road. Passing is:

   Correct answer: Allowed only from the broken-line side

   You may pass only from the side where the line is broken. Drivers on the solid-line side may not pass, though they may cross it to make a left turn.

   Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Pavement Markings

10. 10. A curb painted red in Virginia generally means you may:

    Correct answer: Not stop, stand, or park there

    A red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking at all. White curbs allow a brief stop to pick up or drop off people; yellow curbs allow loading while you stay with the car.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Painted Curbs

11. 11. A flashing yellow traffic light means that a driver should:

    Correct answer: Slow down and proceed carefully

    A flashing yellow light marks a spot with extra hazards. Slow down and move through it with caution, staying alert for cross traffic and pedestrians.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals

12. 12. When you approach a flashing red traffic light, you should treat it like:

    Correct answer: A stop sign

    A flashing red light works like a stop sign: come to a full stop, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, and go only when the way is clear.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals