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Signal · Traffic lights

Yellow traffic light

Stop at the line if you safely can; go on only if you are too close to stop.

Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 57Asked in general knowledgeShown in 4 practice questions

What it means

What does a yellow traffic light mean in NSW?

In this signal head only the middle lamp is lit, a glowing amber, with red dark above it and green dark below. A steady yellow follows green and comes before red. It means stop at the line, unless you are so close that braking now would leave you stuck in the intersection. In that case you carry on through with care. The hour and the traffic make no difference.

What to do

  1. 1

    Expect a green that has been on a while to turn yellow.

  2. 2

    If you can pull up smoothly before the line, stop.

  3. 3

    If your wheels are already at the line, keep going carefully.

Practice questions with this sign

The light changes from green to steady yellow as you approach. What should you do?

Right.Not quite. The answer is C.

A steady yellow means stop unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 57

You are only a few metres from the stop line at 60 km/h when the light turns yellow, and braking now would leave you in the intersection. What should you do?

Right.Not quite. The answer is C.

At a steady yellow you must stop unless you cannot do so safely. If you are too close, continue through carefully.

Source: Road Rules 2014 (NSW) rule 57

Common questions

Is it illegal to go through a yellow light in NSW?
You must stop on a steady yellow unless you are so close that stopping would be unsafe.
Do I stop for a yellow light at 5 am on an empty road?
Yes, if you can stop safely. An empty road does not change what the yellow light means.
NSW Learner mock exam screen: 45 questions, no time limit, two sections with their pass marks
A practice question in NSW Learner answered correctly, with the explanation card
LP

Your L plate turns green when you would pass

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