TAS knowledge test traffic lights and signs practice questions

Question 1

The traffic light ahead of you turns yellow as you approach. What must you do?

• Speed up to get through before it turns red
• Stop only if a vehicle is already waiting at the cross road
• Continue at your current speed, because yellow means proceed
• Stop, unless you are so close that stopping safely is not possibleCorrect answer

A yellow light means stop. The only exception is when you are already too close to pull up safely, for example when stopping would risk a rear end collision.

Rule cited: Australian Road Rules r 57, as adopted in Tasmania

Question 2

You are in the right turn lane and the light shows a red arrow pointing right. What must you do?

• Wait behind the line until the arrow is no longer redCorrect answer
• Turn if there is no oncoming traffic
• Turn slowly and give way to everyone
• Treat it as a give way sign

A red arrow bans the turn completely, no matter how clear the road looks. You wait for a green arrow or, where the signals allow it, a full green light.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: traffic light arrows

Question 3

What does a green arrow at a set of traffic lights mean?

• You may turn only after giving way to oncoming traffic
• You may go in the direction the arrow points, when the way ahead is clearCorrect answer
• You must turn in that direction whether or not you wanted to
• The signal has failed and you should treat it as a give way sign

A green arrow means traffic that would conflict with your movement is being held. You still check that the road you are entering is clear before moving.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: traffic light arrows

Question 4

Your light has turned green but people are still walking across the road in front of you. What must you do?

• Move forward slowly so they hurry along
• Drive around behind them
• Wait until they are clear of your path before moving offCorrect answer
• Sound your horn once, then proceed

A green light does not cancel your duty to avoid people already on the road. Give anyone still crossing time to finish.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: green lights and pedestrians

Question 5

You approach a railway level crossing and the twin red lights start flashing. What must you do?

• Cross quickly before the train arrives
• Cross if you cannot see or hear a train
• Slow down and cross with care
• Stop and wait until the lights stop flashingCorrect answer

Flashing red lights at a level crossing mean stop. A second train can follow the first, so do not move off until the lights go out and any boom gates are up.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: railway level crossings

Question 6

What does a yellow diamond shaped sign with a black symbol on it mean?

• It warns you of a hazard or a change in the road aheadCorrect answer
• It sets a speed limit you must not exceed
• It marks the start of a no parking area
• It shows a route to a tourist attraction

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs. They tell you what is coming up, such as a curve, a crest, a side road or livestock, so you can adjust your speed.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: warning signs

Question 7

What shape is a Give Way sign?

• A circle with a red border
• A triangle with the point facing downCorrect answer
• An eight sided shape
• A square standing on one corner

Give Way signs are downward pointing triangles with a red border. Learning sign shapes helps when a sign is dirty, faded or partly hidden.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: regulatory signs

Question 8

You see a round sign with a white horizontal bar on a red background at the entry to a street. What does it mean?

• The street is a dead end
• You may enter only to make a delivery
• You must not drive into that street past the signCorrect answer
• You may enter after giving way to all other traffic

That is a No Entry sign. It is often used at the exit end of a one way street, so entering there would put you head on into traffic.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: regulatory signs

Question 9

You have already moved into the intersection waiting for a gap to turn right, and the light turns yellow then red. What should you do?

• Reverse back behind the stop line
• Stay in the middle of the intersection until the light is green again
• Turn immediately, whether or not oncoming traffic has stopped
• Complete the turn as soon as the way is clearCorrect answer

Once you are legally in the intersection you should clear it rather than sit there. Wait for the oncoming traffic to stop, then finish the turn.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: turning right at traffic lights

Question 10

A yellow sign shows a curve symbol with the number 45 underneath. What does the 45 mean?

• The highest speed the curve can safely be taken at in good conditionsCorrect answer
• The legal speed limit for that curve, enforceable by camera
• The minimum speed you must maintain around the curve
• The distance in metres to the start of the curve

A number on a yellow warning sign is advisory. It is not the legal limit, but going faster than it around that curve is rarely sensible, and less so in wet weather.

Rule cited: Tasmanian road rules handbook, topic: advisory speed signs