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DMV Permit · Intersections

What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

Treat it the same as a stop sign — come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe

  1. A Treat it the same as a stop sign — come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe
  2. B Slow down but keep going
  3. C Speed up through the intersection
  4. D The light is broken; ignore it

Why this is the answer

A flashing red traffic light means the same thing as a stop sign: come to a complete stop, yield to other traffic and pedestrians as required, and proceed only when it is safe. A flashing yellow light, by contrast, means proceed with caution — slow down and be alert, but you do not have to stop. Flashing signals are often used at night or at intersections where full signal operation is not needed. Treating a flashing red exactly like a stop sign — full stop, then go when clear — is standard intersection knowledge tested on the permit exam.
Source: Standard driver handbook, Flashing Signals

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About this topic: Intersections

Left turns, roundabouts, and flashing signals each have specific yielding and procedural rules. Intersection crashes are a huge share of all crashes. This is one of 7 DMV Permit questions on intersections, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our DMV Permit exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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