Traffic signals — Oregon Permit Test

If a signal appears dark, such as during a power failure, you stop as if there are stop signs in all directions.

Every driver arriving has lost the same information, so the only rule that works is the one that makes everybody stop and take turns.

If a signal appears dark, such as during a power failure, you should stop as if there are stop signs in all directions.

A steady red signal means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes.

Remaining stopped is the part that matters — the light changing is the only thing that releases you, not a gap in the cross traffic.

Steady Circular Red: A steady red signal means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes.

After a complete stop at a red signal, and unless a sign or officer says otherwise, you may turn right when entering a two-way road, and may turn right or left when entering a one-way road in the direction that road runs.

The left turn on red is the one drivers forget Oregon allows, and it works only onto a one-way road going the way you are turning.

When entering a two-way road, you may turn right.

A flashing red or a dark signal is treated the same as a stop sign.

Both mean the signal has stopped telling anyone what to do, so the intersection falls back to the rule that needs no equipment.

Flashing Red or Dark Signal: A flashing red or a dark signal is treated the same as a stop sign.

A steady red arrow means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes, except that the same turns allowed on a steady red signal are allowed on a red arrow.

The arrow looks more absolute than the circle and is not. It governs one movement, and the turn-on-red rules survive it.

Red Arrow: A steady red arrow means stop and remain stopped until the signal changes, except for allowed turns on red. The same turns allowed for a steady red signal are allowed for a red arrow.

A steady yellow signal warns that the signal is about to turn red: stop before entering the intersection, or if you cannot stop safely, drive carefully through it.

The choice is made before you reach the line. Stopping hard in front of a following driver is the other way this goes wrong.

Steady Circular Yellow: A steady yellow signal warns you that the signal is about to turn red. Stop before entering the intersection. If you cannot stop safely, drive carefully through it.

A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

Nobody is being told to stop, which means the hazard is one you have to find yourself rather than one the signal is holding back.

Flashing Yellow: A flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

A flashing yellow arrow means you may make the movement the arrow shows, but must first yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, which has a steady green signal.

Oncoming traffic is not being held for you — it has a green. The arrow gives permission to attempt the turn, not priority in it.

Flashing Yellow Arrow: A flashing yellow arrow means that you may make the movement indicated by the arrow, but first you must yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Oncoming traffic has a steady green signal.

On a steady green signal all movements are permitted unless a sign prohibits them, but a left turn must first yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic, and a right turn must first yield to pedestrians.

Green is permission to go, never priority over someone already crossing. Both turns carry a duty the straight-ahead movement does not.

Left turns must first yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. Right turns must first yield to pedestrians.

A steady green arrow means you have the right of way and may make the movement the arrow shows.

This is the one turn signal that actually holds the conflicting traffic, which is why it is the only one that grants right of way rather than permission.

Green Arrow: A steady green arrow means you have the right of way and may make the movement indicated by the arrow.

What must a driver do at an intersection where the traffic signal is dark?

Stop as if there were stop signs in all directions. Every driver arriving has lost the same information, so the only rule that works is the one that makes everybody stop and take turns. 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual, p.15: “If a signal appears dark, such as during a power failure, you should stop as if there are stop signs in all directions.”