247SimpleTests
DMV Permit · Right of Way

A driver is stopped at a red light and wants to turn right. There is a sign: 'NO TURN ON RED.' What must the driver do?

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

Wait for the green light before turning — 'NO TURN ON RED' signs are regulatory signs that prohibit turning at red lights; the sign overrides the general rule that right turns on red are permitted after stopping

  1. A Proceed through the red light to clear traffic
  2. B Turn right after a brief stop
  3. C Wait for the green light before turning — 'NO TURN ON RED' signs are regulatory signs that prohibit turning at red lights; the sign overrides the general rule that right turns on red are permitted after stopping
  4. D Turn right only if no traffic is visible

Why this is the answer

RIGHT TURN ON RED (RTOR):

General rule: In the US, right turns on red are permitted after a complete stop, yielding to pedestrians and cross traffic, EXCEPT when prohibited by a sign or pavement marking.

No turn on red sign: Located at intersections where RTOR is prohibited — often due to pedestrian safety concerns, visibility problems, or traffic volume.

Driver obligation: When this sign is present, treat the red light the same as a solid red — wait for the green before turning.

Locations: Common at pedestrian-heavy intersections, school zones, complex intersections; some cities (New York City) prohibit RTOR at all intersections unless otherwise marked.

Left turn on red: Permitted from a one-way street turning onto another one-way street in many states (after stop, yield to cross traffic); prohibited in others — check your state's specific rules.

Source: DMV Rules of the Road — No Turn on Red Sign

Practice more questions

This question is from our DMV Permit Practice Tests practice test. Take the full practice test to test your knowledge across all Right of Way and other topics.

Take the Rules of the Road practice test →

About this topic: Right of Way

Right-of-way rules are yielding rules — they tell you who must wait. At four-way stops, intersections without signals, and emergency-vehicle situations, knowing them prevents the most common urban crashes. This is one of 13 Rules of the Road questions on right of way, 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.

Related questions

Right of Way

At a T-intersection where one road ends at another, which driver has the right of way?

 Right of Way

When you enter an Interstate from an entrance ramp, you should:

 Right of Way

When a school bus stops on a multi-lane undivided road (3+ lanes), what should drivers do?

 Right of Way

At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals), who has the right of way?

State-specific guides

Need information for your state? Our state guides cover local requirements, fees, and what to expect on exam day.

California Texas Florida New York Pennsylvania Illinois Ohio Georgia

Recommended study materials

Study guide

DMV Permit Test Study Guide (Learner Editions)

State-by-state driver's license and learner's permit prep, road signs, and rules of the road in plain language.

Check Price → Study guide

Road Rules & Signs Workbook (Exambusters)

Targeted flashcard-style review of road signs, right-of-way rules, and speed limits for all 50 states.

Check Price → Study guide

Prepare for the Learner's Permit Test (Sterling)

Practice questions and explanations for teen and adult first-time driver license test takers.

Check Price →

As an Amazon Associate, CJ Affiliate, and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links above are affiliate links. Full disclosure →