Tennessee Permit Test: Signals & Pavement Markings Practice Questions
Traffic lights, flashing signals, lane lines and curb colors.
Question 1
Under Tennessee law, what is the minimum time a yellow light must show before the red?
Correct answer: Three seconds
Tennessee law only requires the yellow light to show for at least three seconds before the red, so adjust your speed right away and stop if you safely can.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 2
The light turns yellow while you are already in the intersection. What should you do?
Correct answer: Continue cautiously through
If you are already in the intersection when the yellow appears, do not stop; continue cautiously through.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 3
Unless a sign says otherwise, when may you turn right on a red light in Tennessee?
Correct answer: After a full stop, with no pedestrians or cross traffic
Unless posted otherwise, you may turn right on red after a complete stop when no pedestrians or cross traffic are present.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 4
A traffic signal at an intersection is completely out. How does Tennessee law say to treat it?
Correct answer: As an all-way stop
State law requires that an intersection with a signal that is not working be treated as an all-way stop.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 5
What does a flashing yellow arrow mean for a left turn?
Correct answer: You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left after yielding to all oncoming traffic and to bicyclists and pedestrians in the crosswalk; wait for a safe gap.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 6
Your turn lane shows a green arrow. What must you still do?
Correct answer: Yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection
With a protected green arrow you have the right-of-way in that direction, but you must still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 7
Your lane has a red light, but the lane next to you has a green signal. May you turn?
Correct answer: No, all turns are prohibited from your lane
When the arrow is red or your lane has the red light, all turns are prohibited, even if other lanes have a green signal.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 8
How does Tennessee law define a pedestrian?
Correct answer: Anyone on foot or using a wheelchair
Tennessee law defines a pedestrian as any person afoot or using a motorized or non-motorized wheelchair.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 9
You notice a yellow line on your right and a white line on your left. What does this tell you?
Correct answer: You are going the wrong way
Yellow marks the left edge of lanes going your way and white marks the right edge, so yellow on your right and white on your left means you are going the wrong way.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 10
On a two-lane road there is a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the other. May you pass?
Correct answer: No, not while the solid line is on your side
With a solid and a broken yellow line, you may not pass if the solid line is on your side; drivers with the broken line on their side may pass when safe.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 11
When may you cross two solid yellow center lines?
Correct answer: To turn into a driveway or side road, when safe
You may not cross double solid yellow lines to pass from either direction, but you may cross to turn into a driveway or side road if it is safe.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 12
What does a single solid white line between two lanes going the same way mean?
Correct answer: Stay in your lane unless there is an emergency
One solid white line between same-direction lanes means you should stay in your lane and not cross to pass, unless an emergency requires a lane change.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 13
There is no painted stop line at an intersection where you must stop, but there is a marked crosswalk. Where do you stop?
Correct answer: Before the first line of the crosswalk
If no stop line is painted, stop before crossing the first line of a marked crosswalk; if there is none, stop before your bumper crosses the cross street's edge line.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 14
Your lane is marked with a curved arrow and the word ONLY. What must you do?
Correct answer: Turn in the direction of the arrow
In a lane marked with a curved arrow and the word ONLY you must turn in the arrow's direction; a lane with both curved and straight arrows lets you turn or go straight.
Source: Section B-3: Traffic Signs and Signals
Question 15
How are HOV lanes marked in Tennessee?
Correct answer: With a diamond-shaped marking in the lane
High Occupancy Vehicle lanes are marked with a diamond shape in the center of the lane, and signs give the minimum number of occupants and the hours.