New York video lessons · Lesson 1 of 10
New York Signals, Signs and Markings: five situations explained
In this video
- Intro
- Outside New York City, may you turn right at a steady red light?
- What does one solid line between lanes mean in New York?
- May you turn right on a red arrow in New York?
- What color are lines that separate traffic moving in opposite directions?
- What color are work area signs?
- Recap
In short
You can turn right at a steady red after a full stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless NO TURN ON RED or another control prevents it. One solid line: you can pass or change lanes, but only when obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary. Do not go in the direction of a red arrow until it goes off and a green light or arrow comes on.
The five situations
Pick an answer first, the way the video pauses for you. Each one cites the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21).
Situation 1
Outside New York City, may you turn right at a steady red light?
Answer: B. Yes, after a full stop and yielding, unless a sign or marking prohibits it. You can turn right at a steady red after a full stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless NO TURN ON RED or another control prevents it.
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) › Chapter 4 › Traffic Lights
Situation 2
What does one solid line between lanes mean in New York?
Answer: B. You may pass or change lanes only when obstructions or traffic conditions make it necessary. One solid line: you can pass or change lanes, but only when obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary.
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) › Chapter 4 › Edge and Lane Lines
Situation 3
May you turn right on a red arrow in New York?
Answer: C. No. A turn on red is not permitted at a red arrow. Do not go in the direction of a red arrow until it goes off and a green light or arrow comes on. A turn on red is not permitted at a red arrow.
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) › Chapter 4 › Traffic Lights
Situation 4
What color are lines that separate traffic moving in opposite directions?
Answer: B. Yellow. Lines separating traffic moving in the same direction are white; lines separating opposite directions are yellow.
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) › Chapter 4 › Pavement Markings
Situation 5
What color are work area signs?
Answer: B. Orange with black letters or symbols. Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols. A work area speed limit as low as 25 mph can be posted.
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21) › Chapter 4 › Work Area Signs
Transcript
Intro
Signs, signals and road markings talk to you in shapes and colors. Let's decode five of them from the New York State Driver's Manual. For each one, pick your answer before I reveal it.
Situation 1
You're driving in a small town in upstate New York. The light is red, you want to turn right, and there's no sign about turns on red. Outside New York City, may you turn right at a steady red light? The answer is B: Yes, after a full stop and yielding, unless a sign or marking prohibits it. You can turn right at a steady red after a full stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless NO TURN ON RED or another control prevents it. Outside New York City, a right on red is allowed after a full stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless a sign or marking says no.
Situation 2
You're in the right of two lanes going your way, and a single solid white line separates you from the lane on your left. What does one solid line between lanes mean in New York? The answer is B: You may pass or change lanes only when obstructions or traffic conditions make it necessary. One solid line: you can pass or change lanes, but only when obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary. A single solid line means stay put unless you must. Change lanes across it only when something in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary.
Situation 3
You're in the right turn lane, and the signal for your lane shows a red arrow pointing right. May you turn right on a red arrow in New York? The answer is C: No. A turn on red is not permitted at a red arrow. Do not go in the direction of a red arrow until it goes off and a green light or arrow comes on. A turn on red is not permitted at a red arrow. A red arrow is different from a red ball. You can't turn on it at all; wait until it goes off and a green light or arrow comes on.
Situation 4
Picture a road from above: some lines are white and some are yellow. What color are lines that separate traffic moving in opposite directions? The answer is B: Yellow. Lines separating traffic moving in the same direction are white; lines separating opposite directions are yellow. Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic going the same way.
Situation 5
You're heading toward a stretch of highway where crews are working, and the warning signs start to appear. What color are work area signs? The answer is B: Orange with black letters or symbols. Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols. A work area speed limit as low as 25 mph can be posted. Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols. When you see orange, slow down: limits as low as 25 miles per hour can be posted.
Recap
You can turn right at a steady red after a full stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless NO TURN ON RED or another control prevents it. One solid line: you can pass or change lanes, but only when obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary. Do not go in the direction of a red arrow until it goes off and a green light or arrow comes on. Lines separating traffic moving in the same direction are white; lines separating opposite directions are yellow. Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols. Nice work. Try more signs and signals questions in Practice by Topic, then test yourself with a full mock exam.
The rules in this lesson
- You can turn right at a steady red after a full stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians, unless NO TURN ON RED or another control prevents it.
- One solid line: you can pass or change lanes, but only when obstructions in the road or traffic conditions make it necessary.
- Do not go in the direction of a red arrow until it goes off and a green light or arrow comes on.
- Lines separating traffic moving in the same direction are white; lines separating opposite directions are yellow.
- Work area signs are orange with black letters or symbols.
Original practice lesson written from the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21). EstatePass is not affiliated with or endorsed by the New York DMV; these are not official test questions.