Key Colorado facts: Traffic Signals
Traffic control can also be given by law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards, and drivers must obey them. Traffic Controls, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10) A steady yellow signal warns that red is coming next; drivers not yet in the intersection should stop. Traffic Signals, Steady yellow light, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10) When the green arrow ends but the round green light stays lit, a driver may still make the turn once through traffic and pedestrians have been given the right-of-way, unless a sign or red arrow forbids it. Traffic Signals, Green arrow, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10) HAWK (High Intensity Activated Crosswalk) signals help pedestrians cross and use a yellow-red flashing sequence to alert drivers. Traffic Signals, HAWK signals, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10) After a flashing yellow arrow, the signal turns solid yellow, meaning it is about to turn red and you should not enter if you can stop safely, and then red, meaning stop. Traffic Signals, Flashing yellow arrow, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10) Sample Traffic Signals questions
A steady yellow light appears and you have not yet entered the intersection. What does Colorado's handbook say to do?
Keep your current speed Turn right without stopping Stop Speed up to clear it Show the answer
Stop
Steady yellow warns that red comes next. Stop, unless your vehicle is already in the intersection.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Traffic Signals, Steady yellow light, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10)
Why should you stay behind the painted stop line while a train passes?
Trains need room to stop there Trains overhang the tracks by about 3 feet The stop line is where tickets are issued The line marks where gates will land Show the answer
Trains overhang the tracks by about 3 feet
A train is wider than the rails, so stopping too close puts your car in its path.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Railroad Crossing, Pavement markings, printed p. 21 (PDF p. 24)
In some Denver areas, which way may light rail trains travel compared with other traffic?
Only across intersections, never along streets Only at night Against the direction of other traffic Only on sidewalks Show the answer
Against the direction of other traffic
Light rail runs with traffic in some places and opposite to it in others, and obeys signals and signs.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Light Rail, printed p. 21 (PDF p. 24)
Your green turn arrow goes off, but the circular green light stays on. May you still turn?
Yes, and oncoming traffic must stop for you No, you must wait for the next green arrow Yes, after yielding to through traffic and pedestrians Only if you are making a right turn instead Show the answer
Yes, after yielding to through traffic and pedestrians
With the circular green on, you may still turn once you yield, unless a sign or a red arrow forbids it.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Traffic Signals, Green arrow, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10)
A light rail train has just passed a crossing, but the gates are still down. What should you do?
Follow the train across the tracks Wait; another train may be coming Drive around the gates now Lift the gate arm and cross Show the answer
Wait; another train may be coming
Never drive around gates, even right after a train has passed, since another may come from the other direction.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Light Rail, printed p. 22 (PDF p. 25)
You come to a railroad crossing with no flashing lights or gates. What should you do?
Cross without looking if the bell is silent Stop on the tracks to look both ways Stop if needed and check for trains Speed up to cross quickly Show the answer
Stop if needed and check for trains
Without lights or gates, stop before the crossing if necessary to check for approaching trains.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Railroad Crossing, printed p. 21 (PDF p. 24)
A light rail crossing has an ordinary red traffic light instead of gates. What does it mean for you?
Slow down but keep moving Proceed if you can see no train Stop and do not cross the tracks It applies only to the train Show the answer
Stop and do not cross the tracks
Traffic lights, warning lights and gates at light rail crossings all mean the same thing: stop.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Light Rail, printed p. 22 (PDF p. 25)
A flashing yellow left-turn arrow changes to solid yellow. What does this mean?
The signal is about to turn red You now have a protected turn The signal is out of order Oncoming traffic must stop now Show the answer
The signal is about to turn red
Solid yellow follows the flashing arrow and warns that red is next. Do not enter if you can stop safely.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Traffic Signals, Flashing yellow arrow, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10)
Who besides signs and signals may direct traffic that you must obey?
Only federal officers Any driver waving from a parked car Passengers in your own vehicle Police, highway workers or school crossing guards Show the answer
Police, highway workers or school crossing guards
Law enforcement, highway personnel and school crossing guards can control traffic, and you must follow their directions.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Traffic Controls, printed p. 7 (PDF p. 10)
Why should you avoid shifting gears while crossing railroad tracks?
It sets off the crossing lights It damages the rails It is noisy for nearby homes Your vehicle could stall on the tracks Show the answer
Your vehicle could stall on the tracks
Changing gears on the tracks risks stalling there.
Source: Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337), Traffic Signs, Railroad crossings, printed p. 8 (PDF p. 11)
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Colorado Driver Handbook (DR 2337, January 2025 (file DR_2337_Jan2025.pdf, footer DR 2337 (12/05/24), PDF created 2024-12-04, 36 pages), linked from https://dmv.colorado.gov/drivereducation. dmv.colorado.gov refuses automated requests (Cloudflare 403), so the owner supplied the file; read 2026-11-09. Citations give the printed page and the PDF page (PDF page = printed page + 3). PDF pages 23 (printed p. 20) and 33 also carry hidden, off-page text left over from an older edition (sections 13.3-13.5 and 15.5-16, e.g. school bus fines of up to $300 and six points); it is not visible on the page and no fact is taken from it. Where the handbook is silent, DMV pages (dmv.colorado.gov, read 2026-11-09 through a fetch tool), the Code of Colorado Regulations (1 CCR 204-30, Rule 8) and signed acts on leg.colorado.gov are the source. Statute checks used the 2024 compilation of C.R.S. title 42 (as republished by colorado.public.law, not an official host, so it is not cited) together with the 2024-2026 bills that changed it. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.
DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
