If there are still other vehicles in the intersection when your red light turns green, you should:

We use cookies and other technologies to understand and improve your browsing experience. By using our site, you agree to us collecting this information and to our Privacy Charter.

Traffic signals run on a sophisticated system, called SCATS. This constantly assesses how many vehicles are travelling through the intersection in each direction. The system then adjusts the length of the green light to compensate. This ensures queuing and delays are minimised.

Many intersections are also linked to adjacent intersections along a major traffic route. The timing of the signals is then governed by creating the best traffic flow along the route.

You may regularly turn right at an intersection and ‘know’ that, for example, approximately six cars will get through on the green. However, at another time of day this will differ. And on a different day of the week this may also change, because traffic conditions have changed.

The system also gives priority to trams and buses at some intersections. While some motorists might not appreciate this, giving these mass-transit modes priority reduces congestion by encouraging people to use public transport. In some locations, pedestrians may also get a longer crossing time where many people cross, or slower pedestrians are present. This may also change the length of green time you receive at the intersection.

Red light arrow drop-out

Ever approach an intersection where the red-turn arrow switches off and no green-turn arrow is displayed? Don’t worry – it’s not a glitch!

In this scenario, the red arrow indicates that it’s not safe to turn just yet. When it drops out, it’s letting you know that you might be able to start turning, but you need to watch the remaining traffic lights and be mindful of oncoming traffic before you go. If the remaining light is green, you may start to turn right, just as you would at an intersection without arrow lights.

At some intersections once the arrow drops out there are no other traffic lights. In this case, you can start to turn after giving way to other road users.

Traffic lights at freeway entry ramps

Some freeway entry ramps are controlled by lights to make merging safer and easier by spacing out vehicles, known as ramp metering. Some operate 24/7, while others only switch on during peak-traffic times. Here’s how they work:

• When the lights start to operate, the yellow light flashes for around one minute.
• The lights then turn red for drivers on the entry ramp to stop at the stop line.
• The lights then begin their green, yellow and red cycle.
• The red traffic light means drivers must stop and not proceed until the light turns to green, just like standard red traffic lights at intersections.
• Only one vehicle can enter the freeway from each lane, unless signs state otherwise.
• Some freeway ramp signals allow trucks or vehicles with two or more people (T2/T3) to bypass the lights for priority access onto the freeway.

What to do when traffic lights are not working

First things first – don’t panic! When the lights are out, flashing yellow or just not working properly, simply approach the intersection with caution and courtesy, giving way to any vehicles approaching from the right. If you’re turning right, remember to give way to both oncoming traffic and traffic on your right.

When it’s safe to, you might also want to report the problem. You can do this by:

• locating the pale green or grey box at the side of the intersection and noting the intersection identification number
• calling VicRoads on 13 11 70 and quoting the identification number.

Do you stop or slow down at yellow lights?

Drivers’ behaviour suggests they think of the yellow light as an extension of the green, rather than as a warning to stop at the imminent red. A better way to think of the yellow is that it is at the start of the red, not at the end of the green.

A yellow light is not a signal to travel faster through the intersection to beat the red light. You must not travel through a yellow traffic light if you're able to stop safely before the stop line. If you can’t safely stop before the stop line, you must stop before entering the intersection itself.

If you’ve already entered the intersection when the light turns yellow or red, you must exit the intersection as soon as you can safely do so.

Keep in mind, just because you’ve crossed the stop line, does not necessarily mean you have entered the intersection. At this point, our recommendation would be that you stop.

Check out our Youtube video on Traffic Lights for more.

Anticipating light changes

RACV’s Drive School Manager, Peter Phillips, suggests that the “traffic and environment should be considered when deciding if it’s safe or not to stop. Learner drivers should exercise caution, learn to anticipate light changes and prepare to stop rather than prepare to race through”.

RACV receives many calls regarding red light camera infringements. Much of the time, the driver has decided they can continue through the intersection on the yellow light, misjudging either the traffic speed, the length of time it takes to get to the stop line or the length of the yellow light.

The trigger for a red-light camera is located just over the stop line and is activated 0.5 seconds after the yellow light changes to red. So in order to get a red-light camera fine, you have not stopped during the yellow and have gone through the red half a second too late.

Do not block the intersection

If the traffic ahead has not cleared the intersection or there is not enough room for your vehicle to reach the other side without blocking the intersection, do not enter the intersection.

By blocking the intersection, drivers delay traffic including emergency vehicles as well as risk substantial penalties.  Watch our video on blocking an intersection for further information.

A. Pull over to the left before you reach the intersection.

All questions in this section (Intersections) are listed below. If you click on a question it will show you the possible answers that you might be asked in the DKT theory test, plus the correct answer and an explanation if necessary.

• As you approach an intersection, you should check for traffic on your left and right:
• There are no traffic signs or signals at an intersection. If you intend to drive through the intersection, you must give way to:
• When making a right-hand turn at the intersection shown, you must give way to:
• If turning right at a T-intersection (as shown) must you give way to vehicles approaching from both the left and right?
• If a STOP or GIVE WAY sign has been knocked down, for example, as the result of an accident, does the line marked across the road have any meaning?
• If turning at an intersection are you required to give way to pedestrians?
• When you come to an intersection and the road beyond is choked with vehicles going in the same direction, what should you do?
• Right-turns must be made from which lanes when travelling on a laned roadway?
• In this diagram both vehicles O and P must pass through GIVE WAY signs before entering the intersection. Which vehicle goes first?
• Vehicle O is at a STOP sign
• If both vehicles P and O in the diagram are turning right, which vehicle is in the best position to turn left into the street marked 'X'?
• The diagram shows a marked pedestrian crossing at an intersection. There is also a STOP sign at the intersection. You have already stopped for a pedestrian. Must you stop again at the STOP line?
• A GIVE WAY sign at an intersection means that you must:
• Which vehicle in the diagram must give way?
• You want to make a left turn. You must use your left-hand indicator
• At the T-intersection shown in the diagram which vehicle should give way?
• You wish to make a right-hand turn from a ONE WAY STREET with no arrows marked on the roadway. You should position your vehicle:
• When there are no arrows marked on the road, left turns must be made from:
• What should you do on approaching a railway level crossing displaying a STOP sign?
• You are driving the car in the diagram. You must stop:
• If the boom gates are down and the signals are flashing, at a railway level crossing, you may begin to cross:
• When approaching a railway level crossing displaying this sign, you must:
• Even if the signal at a railway level crossing does not indicate that a train is coming, you should:
• You are in the car approaching the intersection shown, you should:
• You come to an intersection in Sydney with a Light Rail vehicle about to enter. What should you do?
• You approach an intersection in busy traffic and want to go straight ahead. The traffic lights turn green. When are you permitted to enter the intersection?
• You are at a busy intersection with slow moving traffic and want to go straight ahead. When the traffic lights change to green you should make sure that:
• The traffic on the other side of this intersection has stopped. You are in the car shown and want to cross the intersection. The lights are green. What should you do?
• Which statement is correct?
• As you drive into an intersection, the lights turn to yellow. You should:
• When these lights are flashing it means
• You wish to turn left here. The pedestrian lights are flashing red. You should:
• You drive up to an intersection with a stop sign. There is no painted stop line. Where should you stop?
• You drive up to an intersection with a stop sign in the car marked A and you wish to turn right. The car marked B facing you also has a stop sign and is indicating to turn left. Who can go first?
• This intersection does not have any traffic lights or signs. You are in car A and want to turn right. When can you go?
• You come to an intersection that does not have traffic lights or signs. How do you decide when to drive straight ahead?
• At this intersection there are no signs or traffic lights. You are in the car marked A. You want to turn left. What should you do?
• You are in car A and want to turn right at this intersection. Car B facing you is also indicating to turn right. What path should you take?
• When police officers are at intersections giving directions you must:
• You are in car A and are going straight ahead through the intersection. Who should give way?
• You wish to turn left at this roundabout. Which lane may you use?
• You are in the right hand lane and are planning to go straight ahead through this roundabout. When should you signal left to exit the roundabout?
• When you wish to turn left at a roundabout you indicate:
• You wish to go straight ahead at this roundabout. Which statement is true?
• You want to turn left at this roundabout. Which lane must you use?
• When you wish to drive straight ahead at a roundabout you may enter from either the left or right lane. As you continue around you should:
• When turning left at a roundabout you should enter and leave the roundabout:
• You wish to go straight ahead on this roundabout with two lanes. Which lane may you use?
• The motorcyclist wants to travel straight ahead through this roundabout. The rider should watch out for the marked car because the car:
• To turn back into the same road from which you joined this roundabout you must:
• In this roundabout with two lanes, can the marked car turn right?
• The red car wants to turn right and exit the roundabout in the street indicated by an arrow. Is the car positioned in the correct lane to do this?
• If you enter an intersection that is under the control of a traffic controller:
• You are at an intersection and see a pedestrian crossing the road into which you are turning. You must: