Traffic Light Sequence

What is the traffic light sequence?

The sequence of traffic lights is as follows;

1. Red light = Stop
2. Red and amber light = Prepare to go
3. Green light = Go
4. Steady amber light = Stop if it’s safe
5. Red light = Stop

Let’s look at each of the lights in a bit more detail.

Red lights

You must stop behind the solid white line when the traffic lights are red. It’s mandatory, and there isn’t any wiggle room. You will endanger yourself and other road users if you cross the solid white line when the lights are red.

Use the MSM routine on the approach to a red light, slow down progressively and gently come to a stop. Avoid braking harshly as it’s bad for the environment and it could catch out following traffic.

When waiting at a red light, look for clues that the lights are about to change. For example, cycle traffic lights, countdown timers and the traffic on an adjacent road coming to a stop could all indicate the lights are about to change.

What is the penalty for running a red light?

If a traffic light camera catches you running a red light, you could receive a fine of £100 and have three penalty points added to your driving licence.

Red and amber light

When a red and amber light appears together, you must remain stationary but ready to move off when the lights change.

If you move off at a red and amber light, you could endanger anyone crossing the junction at the last minute. Instead of jumping the gun, keep the handbrake on, select first gear, find your biting point and keep your feet still. Wait for the lights to change to green before making progress.

Red and Amber Traffic Light

Flashing amber light

Some traffic lights and pedestrian crossings have different light sequences. For example, the pelican crossing has a flashing amber light after a red light. This light is different from the red and amber light as you can move off if the crossing is clear, but remember, pedestrians have priority at flashing amber lights. Be prepared to give way if a pedestrian is at or on the crossing.

Green light

Next in the sequence is a green light, and this means go! Always make progress when the lights are green, and the junction or exit is clear. If other vehicles are waiting in the intersection or your exit is blocked, remain behind the solid white line.

Preparing your vehicle before the lights change can help you move off without stalling or rolling backwards if you’re moving off on a slope.

If you’re turning right at the traffic lights, you will need to give way to oncoming traffic and wait for a safe gap before turning.

Green Filter Traffic Light

Green filter light

Some traffic lights also have a green filter phase. A filter light is a green arrow pointing in a specific direction, either left, right or straight ahead. During this sequence, the lights could change from red & amber to green, then onto a green filter light. Or red & amber, then straight to a green filter.

Filter lights indicate priority over other traffic, so you must make progress whenever you’re at one.

Steady amber lights

After some time, the green light will change to a steady amber light. This light means stop if it’s safe to do so, but you’re responsible for judging what’s ‘safe’.

If the light is amber and you’re already at the solid white line, or if you notice following traffic right behind you, it’s probably safer to continue than it is to stop. You’re not breaking the law by driving through a steady amber light, but only do so when it’s the safest option, and the lights haven’t changed from amber to red. You must stop at an amber light if you have enough time and space.

Traffic light road sign

The traffic light road sign is a red triangle around a set of three lights. The sign warns drivers of a traffic light-controlled junction up ahead, and you can find it in areas where the traffic lights are hard to see.

The signal can be combined with a plate to provide further instructions, for example;

• The distance to the lights
• The signals only work part-time
• There’s a crossing up ahead

How to approach traffic lights on your driving test

Each year a significant number of candidates fail the driving test due to an incorrect response at a traffic light. An incorrect response can frustrate other road users and lead to an accident.

Making progress

You will fail your driving test if you do not proceed when a traffic light is green and your road or exit is clear. This includes filter lights and temporary traffic lights as well.

Why is it important?

Other road users often move off on autopilot at traffic lights. If you fail to make progress and the driver behind you is not paying attention, they could see the green light and drive into the back of your vehicle.

A failure to make progress can also frustrate other road users, and this could cause them to act dangerously by driving around your vehicle.

What does the driving examiner expect from you?

• Good pedal coordination so as not to stall.
• Make progress when the lights are green, and the road ahead or your exit is clear.

Common faults

• Stalling at the lights and holding up following traffic.
• Failing to go at a green filter light.

Tips

• When waiting at a red light, prepare your vehicle to move off by setting the gas, finding your biting point and placing your left hand on the handbrake. Preparing your vehicle in this way should help you move off without stalling.
• If you are first at the lights and you notice other road users behind you, try not to panic. If you prepare your vehicle and keep your feet still, you should move off without stalling.
• Keep a lookout at any traffic lights that have more than three lights. One of the extra lights could be a filter light.
• If you’re turning right at a set of lights and the junction is clear, you must complete your turn in one motion once the green filter light is visible. You will fail your driving test if you do not make progress once the green filter light appears or if you wait in the middle of the junction once you’ve started turning.
• Cross the solid white line, clear the junction and enter the new road as you have priority.
• If the lights change from green to amber just as you approach the solid white line, do not panic and slam the brakes. Harsh braking when there is following traffic could cause an accident.
• You must remain behind the solid white line if the traffic light is green but the junction or road isn’t clear. If you cross the solid white line, but you’re unable to clear the junction, you will block oncoming traffic once the lights change. If this happens, your test will come to an end.

Managing your speed

Treat traffic lights as a potential hazard and approach with a measure of caution. Check your mirrors once you spot a set of lights and adjust your speed if there’s following traffic.

Why is it important?

If you approach the set of lights too quickly and slow down at short notice, you could end up impeding following drivers or crossing the solid white line when the lights are red.

What does the driving examiner expect from you?

• Use of MSM routine as you approach the lights.
• Anticipating the lights changing.
• Adjust your speed based on the road situation around you.

Common faults

• Approaching the traffic lights too quickly.
• Not checking your centre mirror for following traffic.
• Braking harshly on the approach to the lights.
• Crossing the solid white line when the lights are red.

Tips

• Use the MSM routine on the approach to the traffic lights. Check your mirrors well in advance of the lights and make a note of any following traffic.
• If you need to come to a stop, brake early and gently to give following traffic enough time to react to your change in speed. You will fail your driving test if you brake harshly on the approach to a set of traffic lights.
• Ease off the gas and anticipate the lights changing if they’ve been green for some time. Doing so will help you stop in good time if the lights change.
• If you maintain your speed and the lights change before you reach the solid white line, you could impede following traffic if you stop at short notice.
• Do not accelerate to make the light, as you could end up braking harshly if the lights change before you reach the solid white line.
• Always be prepared to stop at traffic lights.
• If you reach the solid white line and the lights change from green to amber, it’s safer to continue than it is to stop abruptly.
• Maintain a safe distance if you notice a vehicle in front as you approach a set of green traffic lights. It’s important not to get too close, as you need to give yourself time and space to slow down and stop if the lights change.
• You will fail your driving test if the other vehicle stops before the solid white line and you get too close to it.

Failing to stop at a red light

If you cross the solid white line or the temporary stop sign when the lights are red, you will fail your driving test.

Why is it important?

Pedestrians and traffic travelling in other directions have priority when the lights are red and you could cause a serious accident if you cross the solid white line.

What does the driving examiner expect from you?

• Slow down and stop in good time.
• Common faults
• Approaching traffic lights too quickly.
• Going over the solid white line.
• Running a red light.

Tips

• When approaching a red traffic light, you can use a reference point to stop yourself from going over the solid white line. As a general rule of thumb, stop your vehicle when the solid white line appears beneath your right door mirror.
• Never speed up to make the light, as you could end up crossing when the lights turn red. If this happens you’ll fail your driving test.
• Ease off the gas and cover the brake when approaching a light that has been green for some time. Be prepared to stop if the lights change before you reach the solid white line.
• Look out for temporary red lights on the road you are on. If you spot one and the light is red, you must stop before it and wait for it to turn green before proceeding.

Blocking the pedestrian crossing or junction

Only cross the solid white line at a traffic light junction when the lights are green and your road or exit is clear. You will fail your driving test if you’re on the crossing or in the junction when the lights change. Always assess the road situation before you cross the solid white line.

Why is it important?

Blocking the pedestrian crossing can inconvenience pedestrians, and they may end up having to go around your vehicle to reach the other side. It could also place anyone using the crossing in danger, as another driver could move off while the pedestrian is still on the crossing.

Blocking the junction is also dangerous as you could end up stuck in the path of oncoming traffic, which could cause a serious accident or a collision.

What does the driving examiner expect from you?

• Avoid blocking the pedestrian crossing.
• Assess whether or not your exit is clear before entering the junction.

Common faults

• Getting stuck on the pedestrian crossing.
• Getting stuck in the middle of the junction.

Tips

• When approaching a set of green traffic lights, always assume the lights are about to change.
• If you’re in slow-moving traffic and the traffic lights at the pedestrian crossing are green, make sure there is enough space on the other side of the crossing for your vehicle to fit before crossing the solid white line.
• If you make progress when there isn’t enough space on the other side, you could end up blocking the crossing when the lights change. If this happens, your test will come to an end.
• Before you cross the solid white line, check if the road or exit you plan to take is clear. If the exit is blocked, do not cross the solid white line, even if the traffic light is green.
• If you’re turning right at a traffic light controlled junction, you must complete your turn before the lights turn green for traffic travelling in other directions.
• Consider remaining behind the solid white line if the lights are green and there are other vehicles ahead of you waiting to turn right.
• You could find yourself blocking the junction and in the path of oncoming traffic, if you’re stuck behind other vehicles waiting to turn right.
• You will pick up a serious or dangerous fault if you block the junction on your test.