You want to turn right at a red light. There is no NO TURN ON RED sign. What must happen first?
Correct answer: Stop completely and yield to anyone in your path.
A permitted turn on red still requires a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and vehicles.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Steady Red Circle. ↗
In Massachusetts, a steady red arrow points right and no sign prohibits a turn on red. Which rule applies?
Correct answer: The usual stop-and-yield rules for turning on red.
Massachusetts applies its circular-red turning rules to a red arrow in that direction. Other states may use a different rule.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Steady Red Arrow. ↗
When may a left turn on red be permitted in Massachusetts, after stopping and yielding?
Correct answer: From a one-way street onto another one-way street, if not prohibited.
The left-on-red permission is limited to one-way to one-way turns, with the same stop, yield and posted-restriction requirements.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Steady Red Circle. ↗
A signal is flashing red as you approach an intersection. How should you proceed?
Correct answer: Stop, give the right-of-way and continue when safe.
Treat a flashing red signal as a stop sign. Every approaching driver must make the required stop.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Flashing Red Circle. ↗
The light changes to steady yellow while you approach, and you can stop safely. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop before entering the intersection.
Steady yellow warns that red is next. Stop when it is safe; do not start from a stopped position on yellow.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Steady Yellow Circle. ↗
What does a flashing yellow circular signal require?
Correct answer: Proceed cautiously while watching for conflicting traffic.
Flashing yellow is a warning, not a protected movement. Look both ways and proceed with care.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Flashing Yellow Circle. ↗
Your left-turn arrow is flashing yellow and an oncoming car is approaching. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield and wait for a safe gap before turning.
A flashing yellow arrow permits a yielding turn, not a protected turn. Check both oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Flashing Yellow Arrow. ↗
Your light is green, but traffic beyond the intersection leaves no space for your car. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait outside the intersection until there is room.
Green does not authorize blocking an intersection. Enter only when you can get completely through.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 81 (physical PDF page 89) — Steady Green Circle. ↗
You are turning left on a circular green light without a protected arrow. Who must you yield to?
Correct answer: Oncoming traffic and people crossing your intended path.
A circular green does not give a left-turning driver priority over oncoming traffic, pedestrians or bicycles in the path.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 82 (physical PDF page 90) — Steady Green Circle continuation. ↗
Both upper red lights on a pedestrian hybrid beacon are steady. What must a driver do?
Correct answer: Stop for the pedestrian crossing.
Steady red on this pedestrian beacon requires a stop. Do not confuse it with the later flashing-red phase.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 82 (physical PDF page 90) — Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon. ↗
A pedestrian hybrid beacon has changed to flashing red. What is the correct action?
Correct answer: Stop, then proceed cautiously if the crossing is clear.
In the flashing-red phase, drivers stop and may then proceed carefully when clear. The beacon does not use a conventional green phase.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 82 (physical PDF page 90) — Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon. ↗
Amber lights on a rectangular rapid flashing beacon are flashing for a pedestrian. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop for the pedestrian at the crossing.
The RMV manual directs drivers to stop for pedestrians when this pedestrian-activated beacon is flashing.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 82 (physical PDF page 90) — Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon. ↗
All traffic signal lights at an intersection are dark because of a power failure. How do you treat it?
Correct answer: As a stop sign in every direction, proceeding cautiously.
When signals are blacked out, the manual calls for an all-way-stop approach. Check that other drivers are yielding.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 82 (physical PDF page 90) — Traffic Signals Not Working. ↗
The pedestrian countdown reaches zero while someone is still crossing. What must you do?
Correct answer: Yield to the person already in the crosswalk.
A person already in the crossing keeps the right-of-way when the countdown ends. Do not force the person out of the way.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 82 (physical PDF page 90) — Pedestrian Signals. ↗
A stop sign has a painted stop line before a crosswalk. Where should you make the required stop?
Correct answer: Before the painted stop line.
Stop before a marked stop line or crosswalk, then yield and proceed carefully when safe. Slowing down is insufficient.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 86 (physical PDF page 94) — Stop and Yield Signs. ↗
You approach a YIELD sign and traffic prevents a safe entry. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stop and wait until you can give way safely.
A yield sign requires slowing and being prepared to stop. Stop whenever traffic conditions require it.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual, revised April 2026, printed page 86 (physical PDF page 94) — Stop and Yield Signs. ↗
