You're approaching traffic lights. What does the amber light on its own mean?
- A Prepare to go
- B Go if the way is clear
- C Go if no pedestrians are crossing
- D Stop at the stop line
Why this is the answer
As you approach traffic lights that have been on green for some time, anticipate that they'll soon change. Check your mirror so that you know what traffic is behind you and how far away it is. If the lights change to steady amber, you should stop behind the stop line. If you're so close to the stop line when the lights change that to stop may cause a collision, you should continue. You'll only know the risk from traffic behind if you use your mirrors as you approach the lights.
Why the other answers don't fit
- A
- Prepare to go — Preparing to go is red and amber together.
- B
- Go if the way is clear — Going if clear is what the green light means.
- C
- Go if no pedestrians are crossing — Pedestrians are not the test; amber means stop unless you are too close to do so safely.
Where this comes from
- Driving: the essential skills — section 6
- The Highway Code — page 122
- Know Your Traffic Signs — page 140
Rule numbers link to The Highway Code on gov.uk.
Where this question comes from
The question, its options and the explanation are reproduced word for word from the DVSA revision question bank under licence. The licence requires them to appear unaltered, so we cannot reword them and neither can anyone else — that is why you will meet the same wording on other sites. Everything else on this page is written by Theory Hub: the explanation of why each wrong answer is wrong, the topic guide and the revision notes.
Asked in: Driving Instructor (ADI Part 1)
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