Signals
Traffic Lights, Police Signals, and Hand Signals for BTT
A guide to traffic lights, amber decisions, flashing amber, green arrows, police-officer priority, and when drivers should signal clearly.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026. Handbook baseline: 43-49.
Amber means stop unless you are too close to stop safely.
Police-officer signals take precedence when directing traffic.
Give clear signals before turning, slowing, stopping, pulling out, or passing.
Study cue
traffic lights, police signals, and hand signals
Remember
Amber means stop unless you are too close to stop safely.
Remember
Police-officer signals take precedence when directing traffic.
Remember
Give clear signals before turning, slowing, stopping, pulling out, or passing.
Amber is a stopping signal
Learners sometimes treat amber as an invitation to hurry through. The safer interpretation is the opposite: stop unless you are already so close to the stop-line that stopping safely is not possible.
Do not accelerate to beat amber.
Check following traffic when stopping safely.
Stop behind the stop-line where required.
Flashing amber changes the junction mindset
When signals are flashing amber or out of order, you cannot behave as if you have a normal green light. Proceed cautiously and apply give-way rules, especially traffic from the right where relevant.
Slow down and observe all approaches.
Give way where the rule requires it.
Expect other drivers to be uncertain too.
Police signals override the usual order
If a police officer is directing traffic, follow the officer’s signal even if it differs from a light or sign. The question is usually testing priority of instructions, not the colour of the traffic light.
Officer signal first.
Then traffic lights.
Then signs and markings, depending on the situation.
Your own signal must be early and clear
Signals are communication. They help other road users predict your movement, but they do not give automatic priority. Signal early, check mirrors and blind spots, and move only when safe.
Signal before turning, slowing, stopping, pulling out, or passing.
Do not signal after the vehicle has already moved.
Cancel misleading signals when the manoeuvre is complete.
Scenario check
Apply the rule before you move on.
These short checks are intentionally close to how test traps feel: one detail changes the answer.
Question
The light turns amber just before the stop-line and you can stop safely.
Answer
Stop. Amber does not mean speed up.
Question
A police officer signals stop while the traffic light is green.
Answer
Follow the police officer’s signal.
Question
You signal right before changing lane.
Answer
Still check mirrors and blind spots. A signal does not create priority.
Next step
Turn this guide into active recall.
Read the related module for full explanation, then use flashcards to check whether the distinction is actually memorised.
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