New York · Handbook chapter 2 · 6 min read
Chapter 2: Traffic control
New York road signs by color and shape, every traffic light and arrow, turning on red (and why New York City is different), lane-use lights, pavement markings, HOV diamonds and traffic officers.
Why this chapter matters
Four of the 20 questions on the New York written test are about road signs, and you must answer at least two of them correctly to pass, whatever your overall score. Light and pavement-marking questions also come up often.
Signs by color and shape
| Type | Usual look | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Regulation | White rectangle with black (sometimes red) letters or symbols; some have other shapes | Rules on direction, lanes, turns, speed and parking |
| Warning | Yellow diamond with black letters or symbols | A hazard or a special rule ahead |
| Work area | Orange, black letters or symbols | People at work on or near the road |
| Destination | Green, white letters | Direction and distance to places |
| Service | Blue, white letters or symbols | Rest areas, gas, camping, medical help |
| Route | Varies by route type | Interstate, U.S., state or county route |
A red circle with a slash over a symbol means the action shown, such as a right turn, is not allowed, or that the vehicles shown may not use the road.
STOP and YIELD
- STOP (red, white letters): come to a full stop, yield to vehicles and pedestrians in or heading into the intersection, and go only when it is safe. Stop at the stop line; if there is none, before the crosswalk; if there is neither, at the point nearest the intersection where you can see cross traffic.
- YIELD (red and white, red letters): slow down as you reach the intersection, be ready to stop, and give the right-of-way. You must stop fully if traffic requires it.
Warning and work area signs
A yellow warning sign may be paired with a yellow and black recommended speed plate, which advises a lower speed. In a work zone, a speed limit as low as 25 mph can be posted. Even with no posted limit, you must slow down through the work zone and always obey the flag person.
Traffic lights
If the lights at an intersection are out of service or not working properly, stop as you would at a STOP sign, then follow the right-of-way rules unless a traffic officer directs you.
| Signal | What to do |
|---|---|
| Steady red | Stop and wait for green. With a green arrow shown too, you may go only in the arrow's direction, and only if the intersection is clear. |
| Flashing red | Same as a STOP sign: stop, yield, go when safe. |
| Red arrow | Do not go in that direction until the red arrow goes off and a green light or arrow appears. No turn on red at a red arrow. |
| Steady yellow | The light is about to turn red; be ready to stop. |
| Flashing yellow | Drive with caution. |
| Yellow arrow | The protected green arrow is ending; if turning that way, be ready to stop. |
| Steady green | Go, but yield to traffic as the law requires. |
| Green arrow | You may go in the arrow's direction, still yielding as required. |
Turning on red
- Right on red is allowed after a full stop, yielding to traffic and pedestrians.
- Left on red is allowed only from a one-way road into another one-way road, after a full stop and yielding.
- Not allowed where a NO TURN ON RED sign, another sign, a signal or a pavement marking forbids it.
- In New York City, turning on red is not allowed unless a sign permits it.
- A school bus carrying students may not turn right on any red light.
Lane-use control lights
Lights hung above the lanes show which lanes you may use:
| Light | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Steady red X | Do not drive in this lane. |
| Steady yellow X | Move out of this lane. |
| Flashing yellow X | This lane is for left turns only. |
| Green arrow | You may use this lane. |
Pavement markings
- White lines separate traffic going the same direction; yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions.
- Edge lines mark where the shoulder begins. You may not cross them unless an officer or an official sign allows it. An edge line that angles toward the center means the road narrows ahead.
| Marking | What it allows |
|---|---|
| One broken line | Pass or change lanes if it is safe. |
| One solid line | Pass or change lanes only when obstructions or traffic conditions make it necessary. |
| Solid line beside a broken line | On the solid side, no passing or crossing, except to turn left into a driveway. On the broken side, you may pass when safe. |
| Double solid lines | No passing or lane changing. Cross only to turn left into or out of the highway, such as at a driveway, or to make a U-turn. |
- Stop line and crosswalk: when a sign or light requires you to stop, stop before the stop line, or before the crosswalk if there is no stop line. You also stop there to yield to pedestrians, in-line skaters or scooters in a marked or unmarked crosswalk.
- Arrows show which lane to use. Be in the correct lane before you reach the solid line between lanes.
- Diamond symbol: the lane is reserved for buses, HOVs such as car-pools, bicycles or other special vehicles during the times shown on signs. On city streets, where the solid line becomes broken, other vehicles may enter the lane to make a right turn at the next intersection.
Traffic officers
Directions from a traffic officer override signs, signals and pavement markings. If an officer waves you through a red light, you go; if an officer stops you at a green, you stop. People who may direct traffic include police officers, fire police, work-zone flag persons, school crossing guards and school bus drivers.
Frequently asked questions
What shape and color is a warning sign?
Usually a yellow diamond with black letters or symbols. Work area warning signs are orange.
Can you turn right on red in New York?
Yes, after a full stop and yielding, unless a sign or marking forbids it. In New York City, you may not turn on red unless a sign allows it.
What should you do if the traffic lights are not working?
Stop as you would at a STOP sign, then go according to the right-of-way rules, unless a traffic officer tells you to proceed.
What does a flashing yellow X over a lane mean?
The lane may be used only for left turns.
Where do you stop if there is a crosswalk but no stop line?
Before the crosswalk.
Who do you obey if an officer's signal contradicts a traffic light?
The officer. An officer's directions take priority over signs, signals and markings.
Based on the New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), New York State DMV.