Traffic Signals: practice questions

Question 1

What must you do at a steady red traffic light?

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Correct answer: Come to a complete stop behind the stop line

A red light means stop. Come to a full stop behind the stop line and wait until the light turns green; in the UAE you may not turn on red unless a separate signal or sign permits it.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, traffic lights (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 2

A steady amber (yellow) light means:

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Correct answer: Stop if you can do so safely; the light is about to turn red

Amber warns that red is coming. Stop if you can do so safely; only continue if you are so close that stopping suddenly would be dangerous. It is not a signal to accelerate.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, amber signal (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 3

When the light turns green, you should:

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Correct answer: Proceed only after checking the junction is clear

Green means you may go, but not blindly. Make sure the junction is clear of late-crossing vehicles and pedestrians before moving off.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, green signal (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 4

A flashing amber light at a junction usually means:

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Correct answer: Proceed with caution and give way as required

Flashing amber tells you to slow down and proceed carefully, giving way to other traffic and pedestrians as the normal priority rules require. It does not grant you priority.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, flashing amber (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 5

A green arrow signal pointing in one direction means:

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Correct answer: You may go in that direction when it is safe

A green arrow gives a protected movement in the direction it points; traffic crossing your path in that movement is held. Proceed in that direction when clear, but still watch for pedestrians.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, arrow signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 6

Directions from a police officer override the traffic-light signals at a junction.

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Correct answer: True

When a police officer is directing traffic, you must follow their hand signals even if they conflict with the lights — for example proceeding on red or stopping on green when instructed.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, police signals override (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 7

If the traffic lights at a junction are completely out of order, you should treat the junction as:

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Correct answer: An uncontrolled junction — proceed with great care and give way as required

With the lights dark, no one is given priority by signal. Slow right down, treat it as an uncontrolled junction, give way as the normal rules require and proceed only when clearly safe.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, signal failure (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 8

A red light combined with amber (red and amber together) usually indicates:

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Correct answer: Get ready to go, but do not move until green

Where used, red-and-amber together is a 'get ready' phase before green. Prepare to move but remain stopped until the light shows green.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, signal sequence (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 9

Lane-control signals above a motorway lane (a red X or a green arrow) tell you:

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Correct answer: Whether that lane is open (green arrow) or closed (red X)

Overhead lane signals manage which lanes you may use. A green arrow means the lane is open; a red X means it is closed ahead, so move out of it safely before you reach the closure.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, lane control signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 10

You should stop behind the stop line, not on top of it or past it, at a red light.

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Correct answer: True

The stop line marks where to wait so you do not block the crossing or the junction. Stopping on or beyond it can endanger pedestrians and is an offence.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, stop line (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 11

A dedicated pedestrian signal turns to let people cross. As a driver facing red, you must:

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Correct answer: Remain stopped until pedestrians have crossed and you get green

When pedestrians have the signal to cross, your red means wait. Stay fully stopped behind the line until they have finished crossing and your light shows green.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, pedestrian signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 12

Why is racing to cross a junction on a late amber dangerous?

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Correct answer: Cross traffic may start moving as your light turns red

Speeding up on a late amber means you may enter the junction just as the cross traffic gets green and pulls away, causing a side-on crash. Stop on amber whenever you safely can.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, amber and junction safety (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 13

When a police officer raises a hand with palm facing you, it generally means:

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Correct answer: Stop

A raised palm facing you is the universal hand signal to stop. Follow an officer's gestures promptly, as they take precedence over signs and signals.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, police hand signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 14

A green light does not give you the right to drive into a junction that is blocked with traffic ahead.

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Correct answer: True

Even on green, do not enter a junction unless you can clear it. Stopping in the middle blocks cross traffic when the lights change and causes gridlock.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, blocked junctions (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 15

A separate red arrow pointing left while the main light is green means:

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Correct answer: You may go straight but must not turn left yet

A red arrow controls one specific movement. A red left arrow with a green main signal means traffic going straight may proceed, but the left turn is still held until its arrow allows it.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, separate arrow phases (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 16

As you approach a green light that has been green for a long time, you should:

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Correct answer: Be ready for it to change to amber and prepare to stop

A light that has been green a while (a 'stale' green) may change as you arrive. Ease off, cover the brake and be ready to stop, rather than accelerating into a possible amber.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, anticipating signal change (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 17

At a junction with both traffic lights and a give-way line, when the lights are working you should:

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Correct answer: Follow the traffic lights

When the signals are operating, they take priority over road markings. Obey the lights; the give-way line only governs behaviour if the lights are off or flashing.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, signals vs markings (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 18

Even at a green light, you must give way to emergency vehicles using their lights and siren.

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Correct answer: True

Emergency vehicles on a call have priority over your green. If one approaches, yield and let it pass safely even if your signal is green.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, emergency vehicles at signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 19

A flashing red signal at a junction should be treated like:

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Correct answer: A stop sign — stop, then go when safe

A flashing red works like a stop sign: come to a full stop, give way to other traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when the way is clear and safe.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, flashing red (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 20

Why should you not rely on a 'countdown timer' at some signals to time your approach?

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Correct answer: It can tempt drivers to speed up or jump the change

Some drivers use a countdown to accelerate and beat the light, which causes red-light running and crashes. Approach every signal ready to stop, not racing a timer.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, approaching signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 21

You are first in line at a red light with a green filter arrow for turning. The filter arrow lets you:

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Correct answer: Make that one turn while the main light is still red

A green filter arrow permits only the movement it shows, even while the main signal is red. Take that turn when it is safe, giving way to any pedestrians, and do not make other movements.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, filter arrows (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 22

Running a red light is one of the most heavily penalised traffic offences in the UAE.

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Correct answer: True

Because it directly causes severe side-impact crashes, jumping a red light carries a heavy fine, a high number of black points and vehicle impound. Always stop on red.

Reference: UAE Government portal — new traffic laws and fines, red-light violation (https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/justice-safety-and-the-law/road-safety/new-traffic-laws-and-fines, verified 2026-06)

Question 23

When a police officer beckons you forward with a hand signal at a junction, you should:

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Correct answer: Move forward carefully as directed

An officer's signals direct traffic and override the lights. If beckoned forward, move when it is safe, watching for other road users the officer may also be directing.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, officer directing traffic (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 24

Signals at a pedestrian crossing showing a red figure for pedestrians mean a driver's light is likely:

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Correct answer: Green, but you must still watch for late pedestrians

A red pedestrian figure means pedestrians should not cross, which usually corresponds to a green for vehicles. Proceed if your light is green, but still watch for anyone crossing late.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, pedestrian crossing signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 25

At a junction controlled by lights, the safest habit when your light turns green is to:

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Correct answer: Pause, scan left and right, then go

A brief scan as you set off catches red-light runners and late pedestrians crossing from the side. This short habit prevents many serious junction crashes.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, junction scanning (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 26

A red X on an overhead lane signal means that lane is closed and you must move out of it safely.

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Correct answer: True

A red X over a lane means it is closed ahead, often due to a breakdown, crash or roadworks. Merge out of it in good time and never drive under a red X.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, red X lane closure (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 27

When you are stopped at a red light, you should keep your vehicle:

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Correct answer: Stationary and in control, leaving space ahead

Wait fully stopped with a small gap to the car in front, so you can see its rear wheels and have room to move if needed. Do not creep forward or block the crossing.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, waiting at lights (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 28

Bus or transit signals (special signals for buses) at a junction are intended to:

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Correct answer: Control buses separately, and do not apply to ordinary cars

Transit signals manage buses or trams independently of car signals. As a car driver, follow your own traffic light and do not act on a signal meant only for buses.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, transit signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 29

The general purpose of traffic signals at a busy junction is to:

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Correct answer: Allocate right of way in turn so traffic flows safely

Signals give each direction a turn to proceed, preventing conflicts where roads cross. Following them keeps a busy junction orderly and far safer than everyone deciding for themselves.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, purpose of signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Question 30

If a signal and a police officer give conflicting instructions, you must obey the police officer.

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Correct answer: True

Human direction takes precedence: an officer manages real conditions a fixed signal cannot see. Always follow the police officer's instructions even when they differ from the lights.

Reference: RTA — Driving Safely in Dubai handbook, police override signals (https://licensing.rta.ae/handbook/DrivingSafelyInDubaiEN.pdf, verified 2026-06)

Traffic Signals: practice questions

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