Turn arrows — Illinois Permit Test

A constantly lit red arrow means a driver may not make the movement it shows until a green arrow appears, except for a right turn or a left turn from one one-way street onto another with traffic moving to the left.

The exceptions are the same two turns allowed on a red light, and both still need a complete stop first.

Red Arrow (constantly lit) - The constantly lit red arrow means you cannot make the movement shown by the arrow until a green arrow appears. There are two exceptions. You may make a right turn at a red arrow. You also may make a left turn at a red arrow when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left. In both instances, come to a complete stop and yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

A constantly lit yellow arrow means the green arrow is ending or the light is about to turn red.

It is the same warning as a yellow light, aimed at the turning movement only. The protected turn is finishing.

Yellow Arrow (constantly lit) - The constantly lit yellow arrow means the green arrow is ending or the light is about to turn red.

A flashing yellow arrow means a driver may turn the way the arrow points after yielding to pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection or crosswalk.

The flashing arrow gives permission without protection. Everything coming the other way still has priority.

Yellow Arrow (flashing) - The flashing yellow arrow means you may turn in the direction the arrow is pointed after yielding the right of way to any pedestrians and vehicles in the intersection or crosswalk.

A green arrow lets a driver go in the direction it points: straight ahead when it points up, right when it points right and left when it points left.

A green arrow is the protected movement, so nothing should be coming the other way. It is the only signal that promises that.

Green Arrow - When the arrow is pointed upward, you may go straight ahead only. When the arrow is pointed to the right, you may turn to the right. When the arrow is pointed to the left, you may turn to the left.

What may an Illinois driver do at a steady red arrow?

Turn right after a complete stop and yielding. The exceptions are the same two turns allowed on a red light, and both still need a complete stop first. Illinois Rules of the Road 2026, p.78: “Red Arrow (constantly lit) - The constantly lit red arrow means you cannot make the movement shown by the arrow until a green arrow appears. There are two exceptions. You may make a right turn at a red arrow. You also may make a left turn at a red arrow when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left. In both instances, come to a complete stop and yield the right of way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.”