Lane ramp and drawbridge signals — Florida Permit Test

Never drive in a lane under a red X. A yellow X means the lane signal is about to turn red, and a green arrow means you may use the lane while still obeying all other signs and signals.

A lane under a red X may have traffic coming the other way down it.

Red X. Never drive in a lane under the red X.

Lane signals are used where the direction of traffic flow changes during the day, to show a toll booth open or closed, and to show which lanes are open or closed.

The lane that was fine this morning can be closed or reversed by the afternoon.

when the direction of the flow of traffic changes during the day

Ramp signals control the rate of vehicles entering an expressway and alternate between red and green; you must wait for the green before entering.

Letting cars on one at a time is what stops the whole highway slowing to a crawl.

control the rate of vehicles entering an expressway

A red drawbridge signal means come to a complete stop at the marked stop line: the bridge is in operation and the roadway is closed to all traffic.

The road ahead is about to lift into the air, which no amount of care gets you across.

Red. Come to a complete stop at the marked stop line. The bridge is in operation and the roadway is closed to all pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic.

A yellow drawbridge signal means the light is about to turn red and the bridge is about to start operation, so stop if you can safely do so.

The gap between the yellow and the barrier coming down is shorter than it looks.

Yellow. The light is about to turn red. Stop if you can safely do so. The bridge is about to start operation.

A flashing yellow signal at a drawbridge means the bridge is in operation, so slow down and prepare to stop.

The flashing light is the bridge telling you it has already started to move.

When the yellow light is flashing, the drawbridge is in operation. Slow down and prepare to stop.

Stop when drawbridge gate lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers; driving around or under a gate, down or moving, is against the law.

The gate takes seconds to come down and the bridge takes seconds to start rising.

Many drawbridges have gates with flashing red lights and bells. Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers.

What does a red X over a lane mean?

Never drive in that lane at all. A lane under a red X may have traffic coming the other way down it. Official Florida Driver License Handbook, p.53: “Red X. Never drive in a lane under the red X.”