Key Louisiana facts: Traffic Signals
On horizontal traffic signals the red light is on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the right. Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Traffic Signals, PDF p. 38 A single solid white line means moving between lanes is hazardous and should be done only with great care; a wider line means a greater hazard. Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Lane Markings, PDF p. 40 White edge lines mark the right edge of the roadway; yellow edge lines may mark the left edge on divided streets and highways. Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Lane Markings, PDF p. 40 Railroad crossing pavement markings are a large X with two R's; the area is a no-passing zone with a white stop line. Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Lane Markings, PDF p. 40; Chapter 6, Traffic Laws and Regulations, Railroad Grade Crossing, PDF p. 100 At gated crossings, stop when the lights begin flashing, before the gates are lowered, and stay stopped until they are raised. Chapter 6, Traffic Laws and Regulations, Railroad Grade Crossing, PDF p. 100 Sample Traffic Signals questions
What does a small sign below a railroad crossbuck tell you?
How fast trains travel How many tracks there are The railroad's name When the next train is due Show the answer
How many tracks there are
Where there is more than one track, a sign under the crossbuck shows the number of tracks.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 6, Traffic Laws and Regulations, Railroad Grade Crossing, PDF p. 100
How do flag persons in a work zone direct traffic?
With green lights With hand-held horns With red flags or STOP/SLOW paddles With orange cones only Show the answer
With red flags or STOP/SLOW paddles
Flag persons wear orange and use red flags or STOP/SLOW paddles to stop, slow or guide you.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Flag Persons, PDF p. 38
You plan to turn left at a roundabout. How should you signal?
Signal left on the approach, then right about three-quarters around Signal left the whole way until you have left the circle Signal right on the approach and keep it on until you exit Give no signal, since all traffic goes the same way Show the answer
Signal left on the approach, then right about three-quarters around
Signal left as you approach. After going three-quarters of the way around, switch to a right signal to exit.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 6, Traffic Laws and Regulations, Roundabouts and Traffic Circles, PDF p. 97
In some cities the traffic lights hang sideways. Where is the red light on a horizontal signal?
On the right On the left In the middle It varies by city Show the answer
On the left
On horizontal signals red is on the left, yellow in the middle and green on the right.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Traffic Signals, PDF p. 38
A railroad crossing has gates and flashing lights. When should you stop?
When the lights start flashing, before the gates come down Only if a bell is ringing Only when you can see the train Only after the gates are fully down Show the answer
When the lights start flashing, before the gates come down
Stop as soon as the lights begin to flash and stay stopped until the gates go back up.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 6, Traffic Laws and Regulations, Railroad Grade Crossing, PDF p. 100
What does a flashing WALK signal mean, according to the Louisiana guide?
Pedestrians and turning vehicles may come into conflict Vehicles must stop in every direction Pedestrians must hurry back to the curb The signal is broken Show the answer
Pedestrians and turning vehicles may come into conflict
A flashing WALK may be used where people crossing and vehicles could conflict, so watch closely.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 5, Safe Driving Habits, Pedestrian Safety, Pedestrian Signals, PDF p. 81
What does a single solid white line between lanes tell you?
Traffic on each side goes in opposite directions Moving across it is hazardous, so cross only with great care You may cross it freely at any time It marks a bicycle lane Show the answer
Moving across it is hazardous, so cross only with great care
A solid white lane line means changing lanes there is hazardous. A wider line signals a bigger hazard.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Lane Markings, PDF p. 40
What is painted on the pavement before a railroad crossing?
A row of white triangles A yellow diamond A large X with two R's A bicycle symbol Show the answer
A large X with two R's
The X and two R's warn of the crossing. Passing is not allowed there.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Lane Markings, PDF p. 40 ; Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 6, Traffic Laws and Regulations, Railroad Grade Crossing, PDF p. 100
What does the Emergency Notification System sign at a railroad crossing show?
The speed limit for trains The train schedule A phone number and a US DOT crossing number The distance to the next crossing Show the answer
A phone number and a US DOT crossing number
Use the number to tell the railroad about an emergency or a warning device that is not working.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 6, Traffic Laws and Regulations, Railroad Grade Crossing, PDF p. 100
On a divided highway, where may you find a yellow edge line?
In the middle of each lane Along the right edge of the roadway Along the left edge of the roadway Across the lane at a stop Show the answer
Along the left edge of the roadway
White edge lines run along the right edge, and yellow edge lines may run along the left edge of divided roads.
Source: Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide, Chapter 3, Signs, Traffic Lights, and Pavement Markings, Lane Markings, PDF p. 40
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About these questions
We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Louisiana Class D & E Driver's Guide (DPSMV2052 (R08/25) on the cover (the table of contents page still prints the older form number DPSMV2052 (R03/2021)), linked from https://expresslane.la.gov/omv/resources/driver-manuals/ to Louisiana DPS's document system, read 2026-11-09. Page numbers cited are PDF pages (printed page = PDF page minus 5 in the main text). Questions and citations use the OMV Driver Manuals page as the official URL because the PDF itself is served from public.powerdms.com, which is not a .gov or .us host. Chapter 10 (Class D chauffeur's license, air brakes) and Chapter 10-A (trailers) are not used: they do not apply to Class E applicants. The guide's phone rules are out of date: it says drivers 17 or younger may not use a wireless device for calls or texts (PDF p. 116) and points to R.S. 32:59 for exceptions (PDF p. 83), but R.S. 32:300.5-300.8 were repealed by Acts 2025, No. 288, and the new R.S. 32:59 (Acts 2025, No. 288; Acts 2026, No. 677; read on legis.la.gov 2026-11-09) bars hand-held use for all drivers, allows hands-free calls and has no age rule; R.S. 32:289.1 still bars any cell phone use in the first year of a first license. Phone questions and phone coverage follow the current statutes, cited as the source; the guide's under-17 rule is not used. Full check of 2026-11-09 found more guide passages that current law no longer matches; questions follow the statute and these pages are not used as sources: work-zone fines 'double' (PDF p. 36; R.S. 32:57(H) sets $500-$1,000), plate destroyed after 3 days (PDF p. 141; R.S. 32:863.1 says 60 days), no stop for a school bus on 4- or 5-lane roads with a two-way left-turn lane (PDF pp. 93-94; not in R.S. 32:80(C)), first DWI fine $1,025 (PDF p. 129; R.S. 14:98.1 caps it at $1,000). 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 Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.
