Traffic light rules tell every driver, rider and pedestrian when to stop and when to go. In India they are set out in Regulation 12 of the Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017, which replaced the older Rules of the Road Regulations, 1989. Hand signals and police directions are covered in Regulations 11 and 13.
This guide explains each light, including yellow and flashing lights, the rule on turning left at a red light, the hand signals used when indicators fail, what the law says about jumping a red light, and a simple version of the rules for kids and students.
Traffic light colours and what they mean
| Signal | What you must do |
|---|---|
| Red | Stop before the stop line in front of the pedestrian crossing. If there is no stop line, stop before the crossing; if there is no crossing, stop before the signal. |
| Amber (yellow) | Stop before the stop line, unless you have already crossed it or are so close that you cannot stop safely. |
| Green | Go only if the way is clear, giving way to pedestrians and to vehicles already in the intersection. |
| Green arrow | Go only in the direction of the arrow. |
| Flashing red | Stop as for red, then go after giving way to pedestrians and to vehicles on the major road. |
| Flashing amber | Slow down and go with caution after giving way. |
| Flashing green arrow | Turn in the direction of the arrow after giving way to pedestrians, cyclists and merging vehicles. |
Source: Regulation 12, Motor Vehicles (Driving) Regulations, 2017.
Yellow traffic light rules
The yellow (amber) light is the one most people get wrong. It does not mean speed up. It means the signal is about to turn red and you should stop before the stop line. The only exception is when you have already crossed the line, or you are so close that braking hard would be unsafe. Approaching a signal at a sensible speed makes this decision easy.
A flashing amber light is different: under Regulation 12 you slow down and proceed with caution after giving way.
Can you turn left on a red light in India?
Under Regulation 12, a left turn on red is allowed after you give way to traffic coming from the right and to pedestrians and cyclists, unless a sign or signal device prohibits it. A junction may have a sign or signal that forbids the left turn, so always check before turning.
Never block the left lane at a junction if vehicles behind you are allowed to turn left, and never cut across people on the pedestrian crossing.
Stop line, junction and police directions
- Stop at the line. Regulation 13 says stop at the stop line and wait for the signal to proceed. Stopping on the pedestrian crossing is not allowed.
- Police come first. Obey police officers or authorised persons directing traffic, even if the light shows something else.
- Do not enter a blocked junction. Regulation 9 says do not enter an intersection that is blocked, even on green.
- Warning sign. A road signs triangle called Traffic Signal warns you that lights are ahead.
Hand signals when indicators do not work
Regulation 11 gives these hand signals for drivers whose indicators are missing or not working:
| You want to | Hand signal |
|---|---|
| Stop | Right forearm raised vertically outside the vehicle, palm facing right |
| Turn right or pass on the right | Right arm extended horizontally, palm facing forward |
| Turn left or drive on the left | Right arm extended and rotated anticlockwise |
| Let the vehicle behind overtake | Right arm extended horizontally and swung backward and forward in a semicircle |
These signals and the lights above are part of the learning licence test, so practise them with our LL mock test.
Jumping a red light: what the law says
The Explanation to Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act, as amended in 2019, treats jumping a red light, violating a stop sign and using a handheld communication device while driving as dangerous driving. For a first offence, Section 184 provides imprisonment of 6 months to 1 year, or a fine of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, or both. For a second or subsequent offence it is up to 2 years, or a fine of ₹10,000, or both.
States notify their own compounding amounts under Section 200, so the amount collected on the spot can differ by state. Licences can also be suspended for offences under Section 184. See traffic fines for the full penalty table.
Traffic light rules for kids and students
Here is a simple version of the traffic light rules for kids, suitable for a class 1 lesson or a classroom traffic light rules chart:
- Red light: Stop. Wait on the footpath.
- Yellow light: Get ready. Do not start to cross.
- Green light: Look right, look left, look right again, and cross only when vehicles have stopped.
Teach children to cross only at a zebra crossing or with the pedestrian signal, to hold an adult's hand, and never to run between vehicles. Drivers must give way to pedestrians at uncontrolled crossings under Regulation 39, but children should still wait until vehicles stop. More tips are on the road safety rules page.
Traffic light rules in Hindi
- लाल बत्ती: स्टॉप लाइन से पहले रुकिए।
- पीली बत्ती: स्टॉप लाइन से पहले रुकिए, जब तक आप लाइन पार न कर चुके हों या सुरक्षित रूप से रुक न सकें।
- हरी बत्ती: रास्ता साफ़ हो तभी आगे बढ़िए, पैदल यात्रियों को पहले जाने दीजिए।
- चमकती पीली बत्ती: धीमे चलिए और सावधानी से आगे बढ़िए।
For the Hindi guide to getting a licence, see driving licence kaise banaye.
Frequently asked questions
What does a yellow traffic light mean in India?
Stop before the stop line, unless you have already crossed it or are too close to stop safely. It does not mean speed up.
Can I turn left on a red light in India?
Under Regulation 12 of the 2017 Driving Regulations, yes, after giving way to traffic from the right, pedestrians and cyclists, unless a sign or signal prohibits it.
What does a flashing red light mean?
Stop as you would for a red light, then go after giving way to pedestrians and to vehicles on the major road.
Is jumping a red light dangerous driving?
Yes. The Explanation to Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act covers jumping a red light as dangerous driving, with a first offence fine of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, imprisonment, or both.
Where should I stop at a red light?
Before the stop line in front of the pedestrian crossing. If there is no stop line, stop before the crossing.
What is the hand signal for stopping?
Raise your right forearm vertically outside the vehicle with the palm facing right.