Ramp meters — Utah Permit Test

A Utah ramp meter has only red and green lights that alternate, and allows one vehicle to pass each time the green light comes on.

Letting cars onto the freeway one at a time is what stops a whole ramp joining at once and locking the lane up.

Ramp meters look almost like traffic signals you see at intersections, except they only have red and green lights that alternate.

A lighted meter on sign at the entrance to a Utah on-ramp shows when ramp metering is in effect.

The sign is at the top of the ramp so a driver can still choose another route rather than joining a line of traffic.

A lighted “meter on” sign at the entrance to an on-ramp will indicate when ramp metering is in effect.

Utah ramp metering happens only when many vehicles are trying to enter the freeway, and drivers enter as usual when the meter on sign is dark.

An unlit meter is not a broken signal. It means the freeway can take you without being rationed.

If the “meter on” sign is not illuminated, drivers can enter the freeway as usual.

How many vehicles does a Utah ramp meter let through on each green?

One vehicle. Letting cars onto the freeway one at a time is what stops a whole ramp joining at once and locking the lane up. Utah Driver Handbook 2026-2027, p.40: “Ramp meters look almost like traffic signals you see at intersections, except they only have red and green lights that alternate.”