Light signals: red, amber, green… and the others

The three colours of the classic traffic light

• Green: you may proceed — provided the way is clear and you can clear the junction without getting stuck in the middle.
• Steady amber-yellow: it announces the red. You must stop, unless you are already so close to the light that braking sharply would be dangerous.
• Red: stopping is compulsory, before the stop line or, failing that, before the light.

Arrows

A light may show an arrow instead of a full disc: it then applies only to the direction indicated. Green arrow pointing right = you may only turn right. Red arrow = stop for that direction, even if another light at the junction is green.

Flashing amber: caution, not priority

A flashing amber-yellow light (often at night) no longer regulates anything: it means take extra care. The junction reverts to the ordinary rules — with no other signs, it's priority from the right. This light gives you no right of way whatsoever.

Cycle lights: they can apply to you

The small lights bearing a bicycle symbol regulate traffic on the cycle path. When you ride on it with your two-wheeled moped — compulsory for class A (≤ 25 km/h), possible for class B (≤ 45 km/h) depending on the situation — it's those lights you follow, not the ones for cars. On the carriageway, you follow the ordinary lights.

One last case: lights made of white bars on a dark background. They are reserved for buses and trams — they never apply to you, so don't confuse them with your own lights.