A police officer directs you to stop even though your traffic light is green. Which instruction should you follow?
Correct answer: Stop as the officer directs.
Follow the authorized person's traffic directions. A green light is not permission to ignore an officer controlling the intersection.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Traffic Controls. ↗
All signal lights at an intersection are out and no officer is directing traffic. How should you approach it?
Correct answer: Treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
Colorado's handbook says to treat an inoperative or malfunctioning signal as a four-way stop. Stop, observe and yield before proceeding safely.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Traffic Signals. ↗
You are stopping for a red light with a clearly marked stop line before the crosswalk. Where should your vehicle stop?
Correct answer: Before crossing the marked stop line.
Stop at the marked stop line without entering the crosswalk. Do not block pedestrians' crossing space.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Traffic Signals / Stop Location. ↗
Your light turns green while a pedestrian is still in the crosswalk across your path. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield until your path is clear.
A green light permits movement after yielding to people and vehicles already in the intersection or adjacent crosswalk. Wait for a clear path.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Steady Green Light. ↗
You may turn left on a circular green light, but an oncoming car is too close for a safe gap. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait and yield before making the left turn.
A circular green is not a protected left-turn arrow. Yield to conflicting oncoming traffic and pedestrians before making the permitted turn.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Steady Green Light / Green Arrow. ↗
A green arrow points left beside a circular red light. With a clear path and no conflicting instruction, what movement does the arrow permit?
Correct answer: A turn in the arrow's direction.
The arrow applies to the movement it points toward. Check for people or vehicles still in the path and use the appropriate lane.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Green Arrow. ↗
A steady red left arrow controls your turn lane. There is no instruction overriding it. May you begin the left turn?
Correct answer: No; wait for an indication that permits that movement.
A steady red arrow prohibits entering to make the movement it indicates. It is not treated like a permissive flashing yellow arrow.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Red Arrow. ↗
A flashing yellow left arrow is showing. What must you do before turning?
Correct answer: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when safe.
A flashing yellow arrow permits a cautious left turn after yielding. It does not give the same protected movement as a green arrow.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Flashing Yellow Arrow. ↗
What action is required at a flashing red traffic light?
Correct answer: Stop, then yield and proceed when safe.
A flashing red light has the meaning of a stop sign. Make a complete stop and yield before moving.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Flashing Red Light. ↗
You approach a flashing yellow traffic light. What is the appropriate response?
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed cautiously.
A flashing yellow light warns you to use caution. Slow down, scan for hazards and proceed only as the situation safely allows.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Flashing Yellow Light. ↗
A circular light changes from green to steady yellow. What does the yellow indication warn you about?
Correct answer: The green movement is ending and red is about to appear.
Yellow warns that the signal is changing to red. Prepare to stop when it is safe; do not speed up to beat the signal. It is not the same indication as a steady red light.
Source: CDOT Guidelines for Traffic Signal Vehicle Change and Clearance Intervals, 2024 edition, published 11/04/2024; physical PDF5 (printed2), Yellow Change Interval / Applicable Statutes. Safe-stop advice also in Driver Handbook physical10, flashing-yellow-arrow transition. ↗
You face a circular red light, want to turn right, and no sign prohibits the turn. What must happen before you turn?
Correct answer: Stop fully and yield to pedestrians and other traffic.
A permitted right turn on a circular red requires a complete stop and yielding. A prohibition sign or other controlling instruction still applies.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Steady Red Light. ↗
After stopping at a circular red, you want to turn left from a one-way street onto another one-way street carrying traffic to your left. No sign prohibits it. What does Colorado permit?
Correct answer: The left turn after yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.
The handbook permits this one-way-to-one-way left turn after stopping and yielding, unless prohibited. This does not make a left turn on red from a two-way street permissible.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Steady Red Light. ↗
Your green left arrow goes out but the circular green remains on; no sign or red arrow prohibits a left turn. What changes?
Correct answer: You must yield to conflicting traffic before turning.
When the protected arrow ends but a circular green remains, a permitted left turn must yield to through traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Green Arrow. ↗
A stop sign has no stop line, but there is a crosswalk on your side of the intersection. Where should you stop?
Correct answer: Before entering the crosswalk.
Without a stop line, stop before the near-side crosswalk. An empty crosswalk is not a reason to use it as the stopping space.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Stop Signs. ↗
There is a stop sign but no stop line or crosswalk. Where does the handbook direct you to stop?
Correct answer: At the nearest point before entering the intersecting roadway where you can see approaching traffic.
Stop before entering the intersecting roadway at the nearest point with a view of approaching traffic. Yield and proceed only when the movement can be made safely.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 10 (printed 7); Stop Signs. ↗
What do yellow centerlines ordinarily separate?
Correct answer: Traffic moving in opposite directions.
Yellow centerlines separate opposing traffic. Whether passing is permitted depends on the line pattern, signs and conditions.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Yellow Lines. ↗
Two adjacent travel lanes are separated by white lane markings. What does that color normally indicate?
Correct answer: The lanes carry traffic in the same direction.
White lane lines normally separate traffic traveling in the same direction. Additional signs and markings determine the use of each lane.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); White Lines. ↗
A broken white line separates your lane from the next lane. What does the marking permit?
Correct answer: A lane change when it is safe and otherwise allowed.
A broken white line allows safe lane changes. It does not replace observation, signaling or yielding to vehicles already in the lane.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Broken White Line. ↗
A broken yellow centerline is on your side. Assuming no other restriction, what does it indicate about passing?
Correct answer: Passing may be allowed if the entire maneuver can be made safely.
A broken yellow line can permit passing, but a driver still needs a safe view, space and a legal opportunity to complete the maneuver.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Broken Yellow Line. ↗
A solid yellow line is next to your lane and a broken yellow line is next to opposing traffic. You want to overtake an ordinary moving car. What does your line prohibit?
Correct answer: Crossing the solid line to pass that car.
For this ordinary car-passing situation, the solid line on your side marks a no-passing restriction. Separate permitted turns and bicycle-passing exceptions are different situations.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Solid and Broken Yellow Lines. ↗
You start a lawful pass where the broken yellow line is on your side. What must you plan for before that line becomes solid?
Correct answer: Return safely to your lane before the broken section ends.
Plan a pass that can be completed safely within the permitted section. Do not start a pass that depends on continuing into a prohibited stretch.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Solid and Broken Yellow Lines. ↗
A solid yellow centerline is present and you need to turn left into a private driveway. Is that line by itself a blanket ban on the turn?
Correct answer: No; the handbook permits crossing it for a safe left turn into a driveway.
The handbook allows a safe left turn across a solid yellow line into an alley, private road or driveway. Yield, check for other restrictions and avoid conflicts; this is different from passing a car.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Solid and Broken Yellow Lines. ↗
What should green-painted areas associated with a bicycle lane alert you to?
Correct answer: A designated bicycle area that makes bicycle travel more visible.
Green pavement highlights bicycle space and possible interactions with cyclists. Look carefully and do not assume a motor vehicle may occupy it freely.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Green Paint. ↗
You see a bicycle symbol with chevrons painted in a travel lane. What is the purpose of this sharrow?
Correct answer: Remind users that motorists and bicyclists share the lane.
A sharrow identifies shared use; the lane may be too narrow to travel side by side safely. A cyclist may use the lane's center to avoid hazards or improve visibility.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Sharrows. ↗
Broken lines appear where a bike lane and turning traffic cross paths. What should this conflict zone lead you to expect?
Correct answer: Drivers and bicyclists may cross each other's paths.
Conflict-zone markings highlight an area where travel paths meet. Check for cyclists and yield as required rather than assuming the broken line gives priority.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 12 (printed 9); Conflict Zones. ↗
A white diamond is painted in a travel lane. What should you check before using it?
Correct answer: The signs describing which vehicles or occupants qualify.
A diamond can mark a restricted-use lane. Read the posted conditions instead of assuming every diamond lane has identical requirements.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 13 (printed 10); Restricted Lanes / HOV Lanes. ↗
An HOV lane's sign requires three occupants during the current hours. You and one passenger are in an ordinary car with no exemption. May you use it?
Correct answer: No; two occupants do not meet the posted three-person requirement.
Follow the occupancy, hours and vehicle rules shown on the signs. This scenario has two occupants, not the required three, and no exception.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 13 (printed 10); High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes. ↗
A sign identifies a transit lane. How should you decide whether your vehicle may use it?
Correct answer: Read the posted permitted uses and restrictions.
Transit lanes may allow only transit vehicles or limited use by other authorized vehicles. Their posted rules determine who may enter.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 13 (printed 10); Transit Lanes. ↗
What is the purpose of a shared center two-way left-turn lane?
Correct answer: Left turns from either direction, not through travel or passing.
The shared center lane serves left turns from both directions. Do not use it as a passing lane or a lane for continuing along the road.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 13 (printed 10); Two-Way Left-Turn Lane. ↗
A lane is designated reversible. What should you understand about its permitted travel direction?
Correct answer: It can change at different times; follow the current controls.
A reversible lane carries traffic in one direction at some times and the opposite direction at others. Observe its signs and lane-control signals before entering.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 13 (printed 10); Reversible Lanes. ↗
A bicycle lane reaches an intersection, but green paint does not connect it across the junction. Does the lack of connecting paint erase the bicycle lane there?
Correct answer: No; the lane continues through the intersection.
The handbook states that a bike lane extends through an intersection even when paint does not connect its two sides. Watch for cyclists whose path your turn may cross.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook, DR2337 (12/05/24), physical PDF 13 (printed 10); Bike Lanes. ↗
