This chapter teaches the three ways traffic is controlled: signs, signals, and pavement markings. It groups signs by shape and color — regulation, warning, work area, destination, route, and service signs — so you can identify a sign's purpose at a glance, even before reading its text.
The most heavily tested material covers what each traffic light color and arrow means — including flashing red, flashing yellow, and lane-use control lights above the roadway — along with reading pavement markings such as edge lines, the different lane-line patterns, and stop or crosswalk lines. Questions also test the rule that a traffic officer's direction always overrides a sign, signal, or marking.
A common mistake is assuming right turns on red are always allowed — New York City restricts this unless a sign specifically permits it, and a red arrow never allows a turn regardless of location. Another is confusing lane-use control lights: a flashing yellow "X" means the lane is for turning only, while a steady yellow "X" means to move out of that lane, not to proceed with caution.
How can I tell a warning sign from a regulation sign just by looking at it?⌄
Shape and color are the giveaway. Regulation signs are normally white rectangles with black or red lettering and tell you what you must or must not do; warning signs are normally yellow diamonds with black symbols and alert you to a hazard ahead — no need to read the text to know which category you're looking at.
If a traffic light is broken, what am I supposed to do?⌄
Treat the intersection as if it had a stop sign: come to a full stop, then proceed according to the normal right-of-way rules, unless a traffic officer is present and directing traffic — their instructions always take priority.
What's the difference between a broken lane line and a solid one?⌄
A broken line generally means you may pass or change lanes when it's safe to do so; a solid line on your side means you may not cross it except in limited situations like turning into a driveway. When a solid and broken line run together, only the driver on the broken-line side may pass.