What Does a Flashing Yellow Arrow Mean?
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Quick answer
You may turn, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians first.
Correct answer: Turn with caution after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
A flashing yellow arrow means the protected turn is over but turning is still allowed. You may proceed into the intersection and complete your turn only after yielding to oncoming vehicles and any pedestrians in the crosswalk. It replaced the old habit of a plain green ball for permissive turns because studies showed drivers understood the flashing yellow arrow more clearly. The key word is yield: you are permitted to go, but you do not have the right of way.
Why the other answers are wrong
Stop and wait for a green arrow
A flashing yellow arrow does not require you to stop and wait. You may turn as soon as it is safe. Treating it like a red arrow blocks traffic behind you unnecessarily.
You have the right of way to turn
This is the dangerous misread. Flashing yellow means yield first. A steady green arrow gives you a protected turn with the right of way; the flashing yellow arrow does not.
The signal is broken, treat it as a stop sign
A flashing yellow arrow is a normal, intentional signal phase, not a malfunction. A broken signal is usually a dark or flashing red, which you treat as a stop.
What the handbook says
Handbooks describe the flashing yellow arrow under traffic signals as a permissive turn: proceed with caution after yielding. A steady yellow arrow, by contrast, warns that the turn signal is about to turn red.
Memory tip
Flashing yellow = "yield then go." Steady green arrow = "go, it is yours." The flash is the difference between permission and protection.
Related practice questions
More Traffic Signals questions with explanations:
- Traffic Signals
1. A steady (solid) red traffic light means:
- Stop and remain stopped until the light turns green
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- Stop, then continue without waiting
- Yield only to pedestrians, then go
Why: A steady red light requires a full stop behind the stop line or crosswalk. You must wait until the light turns green; a right turn on red is allowed after stopping only when the way is clear and no sign prohibits it.
- Traffic Signals
2. A flashing yellow X over a traffic lane indicates:
- The lane is permanently closed
- The lane is open only to buses
- Stop before the lane
- Use the lane only to make a left turn, with caution
Why: A steady or flashing yellow X over a lane signals that the lane is for turning or that you should clear it because its status is changing; use it only as directed and with caution.
- Traffic Signals
3. Flashing yellow beacons posted at a school zone sign mean:
- Reduced school-zone speed limits are now in effect
- Ignore them outside of summer
- The school is permanently closed
- You may pass stopped school buses freely
Why: Flashing beacons at a school zone indicate that the lower school-zone speed limit is in force, usually at arrival and dismissal times. Slow down and watch closely for children.