Tennessee Car / Permit: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Test

Question 1

Under Tennessee law, the yellow light must stay on for at least how long before the red appears?

Accepted Answer

Three seconds — State law requires the yellow interval to last a minimum of three seconds before the signal turns red.

Answer

One second

Answer

Two seconds

Answer

Five seconds

Question 2

When you see a green (protected) turn arrow, you may:

Accepted Answer

Proceed in the arrow's direction with the right-of-way — A green arrow gives the right-of-way to move in the direction of the arrow after yielding to anyone still in the intersection.

Answer

Stop and wait for oncoming traffic to pass first

Answer

Turn only if the light also shows green above

Answer

Make a U-turn only

Question 3

On a Tennessee roadway, yellow lane lines are used to separate:

Accepted Answer

Traffic moving in opposite directions — Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic moving the same way.

Answer

Lanes of traffic going the same direction

Answer

The shoulder from the roadway

Answer

A bicycle lane from the travel lane

Question 4

A steady yellow traffic light means:

Accepted Answer

Caution, prepare to stop for the red light — Yellow warns that the light is about to turn red; slow down and prepare to stop rather than speed up.

Answer

The signal is malfunctioning

Answer

Speed up to clear the intersection before red

Answer

Turns are now prohibited in all directions

Question 5

A flashing yellow arrow at an intersection means a driver may:

Accepted Answer

Turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians — A flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Answer

Turn left with the right-of-way over oncoming traffic

Answer

Proceed straight through without stopping

Answer

Make no turn under any circumstances

Question 6

A broken yellow line down the center of a two-lane road means:

Accepted Answer

You may cross to pass when it is safe — A broken yellow center line means you may cross to pass when there is no oncoming traffic and it is safe.

Answer

Passing is never allowed in either direction

Answer

The lane is reserved for turning only

Answer

You are traveling the wrong way

Question 7

A single solid white line between lanes traveling the same direction tells a driver to:

Accepted Answer

Stay in the lane and avoid crossing the line — A solid white line means you should stay in your lane and not cross it to change lanes or pass unless an emergency requires it.

Answer

Cross freely to pass whenever desired

Answer

Use the lane only for left turns

Answer

Stop before crossing the line

Question 8

A center lane bordered by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on each side is intended only for:

Accepted Answer

Left turns in either direction — A two-way left-turn lane is reserved for vehicles making left turns from either direction; it cannot be used for passing or for through travel beyond a short distance.

Answer

Passing slower vehicles

Answer

High-speed through traffic

Answer

Parking during rush hour

Question 9

Above a reversible lane, a steady red "X" signal means:

Accepted Answer

You may not drive in that lane — A red X means the lane below it is closed and you may not drive in it.

Answer

You may drive in the lane

Answer

The lane's direction is changing soon

Answer

The lane is for turning only

Question 10

At a flashing red traffic signal, a driver must:

Accepted Answer

Stop completely, then proceed when clear — A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign: stop completely, then go when it is safe.

Answer

Slow down but keep rolling through

Answer

Treat it as a green light

Answer

Wait for the light to turn solid green

Question 11

A diamond shape painted in the center of a highway lane marks it as a:

Accepted Answer

High-occupancy vehicle lane — A diamond pavement symbol identifies a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane reserved for vehicles carrying multiple people.

Answer

Bicycle-only lane

Answer

Reversible rush-hour lane

Answer

Truck-restricted lane

Question 12

When a traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure, Tennessee law requires you to treat the intersection as:

Accepted Answer

An all-way stop — A signal that is out must be handled like an all-way stop, with drivers stopping as though stop signs faced every direction.

Answer

A place where the larger vehicle goes first

Answer

A yield for the busier road

Answer

A signal that can be ignored

Signals & Pavement Markings

Study questions with answers

1. Under Tennessee law, the yellow light must stay on for at least how long before the red appears?

2. When you see a green (protected) turn arrow, you may:

3. On a Tennessee roadway, yellow lane lines are used to separate:

4. A steady yellow traffic light means:

5. A flashing yellow arrow at an intersection means a driver may:

6. A broken yellow line down the center of a two-lane road means:

7. A single solid white line between lanes traveling the same direction tells a driver to:

8. A center lane bordered by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line on each side is intended only for:

9. Above a reversible lane, a steady red "X" signal means:

10. At a flashing red traffic signal, a driver must:

11. A diamond shape painted in the center of a highway lane marks it as a:

12. When a traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure, Tennessee law requires you to treat the intersection as:

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