Maryland Car / Permit practice
Signals & Pavement Markings
How to read traffic signals, lane lines, and pavement markings — including yellow and white lines, arrows, and flashing lights.
Questions reviewed against the official Maryland driver handbook · July 7, 2026
14 questions · pass with 11 correct. You get instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.
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. A red 'X' displayed over a traffic lane tells a driver what?
Correct answer: That lane must not be used at all
A red X above a lane means that lane is closed to the driver, who must never drive under it.
2. A steady yellow 'X' shown above a lane is telling a driver to do what?
Correct answer: Leave the lane safely as soon as possible
A steady yellow X means the driver should move out of that lane safely as soon as possible.
3. On a two-lane, two-way road, a single broken yellow center line means what?
Correct answer: Passing with care is allowed from either direction
A broken yellow line separates traffic moving in opposite directions and allows passing with care from either side when it is safe.
4. On a road marked with a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line, who may pass?
Correct answer: Only drivers on the side next to the broken line
With a solid-plus-broken yellow line, careful passing is allowed only for drivers on the side where the broken line lies; those on the solid-line side may not pass.
5. What should a driver do at a flashing yellow traffic signal?
Correct answer: Reduce speed and continue carefully
A flashing yellow tells a driver to slow down and move ahead with caution while staying alert for other traffic.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals: Vehicle Signals
6. How should a driver treat a flashing red traffic signal?
Correct answer: Stop completely, then proceed once it is safe
A flashing red is handled like a stop sign: come to a full stop, yield to other traffic and pedestrians, and go on when the way is clear.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals: Vehicle Signals
7. A steady yellow traffic light means what to an approaching driver?
Correct answer: The signal is about to turn red, so prepare to stop
A steady yellow warns that the light is about to turn red, giving drivers time to stop safely before the signal changes.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals: Vehicle Signals
8. A single solid white line at the outer edge of the pavement marks what?
Correct answer: The right edge of the road
A solid white edge line marks the right-hand boundary of the roadway and can also separate same-direction lanes where changing lanes is discouraged.
9. At a steady green light, what must a driver still do before entering the intersection?
Correct answer: Yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection
Even with a green light, a driver must proceed with caution and yield to pedestrians and any vehicles already in the intersection.
10. At a red light with no sign prohibiting it, when may a driver turn right?
Correct answer: After stopping fully and yielding to pedestrians and traffic
Unless a sign forbids it, a driver may turn right on red after a full stop, but must first yield to pedestrians and all other traffic.
11. What do double solid yellow lines down the center of a road indicate?
Correct answer: Passing is prohibited for traffic on both sides
Double solid yellow lines separate opposing traffic and mean passing is not allowed in either direction, though a left turn across them into a driveway is permitted.
12. A steady red arrow pointing in the direction a driver wants to travel requires what?
Correct answer: Stopping and remaining stopped while the arrow stays red
A steady red arrow means the driver must stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection and stay stopped while the arrow is red.
Source: Maryland Driver's Manual — Traffic Signals: Vehicle Signals
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