In short: At "Traffic light out of order or flashing amber" the examiner mainly wants to see: Recognise: the light is out of order or flashing amber, it does not regulate priority, flashing amber only warns; Traffic signs and priority rules apply again; Reduce speed, be ready to brake, approach with particular care; Look both ways. A severe mistake that can end the test: drive through at speed, it flashes amber, so care and carry on.
You approach a junction with traffic lights. The light is out of order and flashes amber. On your pole is the “give way” sign (sign 205), the cross road has sign 306 (priority road). A car approaches from the left.
The examiner says„Fahren Sie bitte geradeaus über die Kreuzung.“
"Please drive straight across the junction."
What you have to show
- Recognise: the light is out of order or flashing amber, it does not regulate priority, flashing amber only warns
- Traffic signs and priority rules apply again
- Reduce speed, be ready to brake, approach with particular care
- Look both ways
- Give way to the cross traffic on the priority road
- Without signs right before left applies
The right order
- Recognise: light out of order, it regulates nothing
- Reduce speed, approach ready to brake
- Read the signs: sign 205 on the pole
- Look left and right
- Give way to the cross traffic
- Only go when the junction is clear
Typical mistakes
What the examiner records in the protocol
The examiner files every situation under five competence areas in the electronic test protocol. This is how the points of this situation are spread:
- Recognise: the light is out of order or flashing amber, it does not regulate priority, flashing amber only warns
- Traffic signs and priority rules apply again
- Look both ways
- Without signs right before left applies
- Reduce speed, be ready to brake, approach with particular care
- Give way to the cross traffic on the priority road severe mistake
How the examiner grades: the electronic test protocol explained →
A strong answer
The light is out of order and flashes amber, so it regulates nothing. I reduce speed and approach ready to brake, with particular care. Now the traffic signs apply: there is sign 205 on my pole. I look left and right and give way to the cross traffic on the priority road. Only when the junction is clear do I go. If signs are missing, right before left applies.
What the law says
§ 37 (1) sentence 1 StVO: light signals take precedence over priority rules and priority signs. A dark light or one that only flashes amber gives no alternating light signal under § 37 (2) StVO. Then the traffic signs apply (here sign 205, § 8 (1) sentence 2 no. 1 and (2) StVO), without signs “right before left” (§ 8 (1) sentence 1 StVO). § 38 (3) sentence 1 StVO: flashing amber light warns of danger.
Legal text: § 37 StVO · § 8 StVO · § 38 StVO · Anlage 2 StVO (Verkehrszeichen) (gesetze-im-internet.de)
Quick check
The traffic light is completely dark, there are no signs at the junction. Who goes first?
- Whoever arrives first
- Whoever comes from the right
- Whoever goes straight on
Show the answer
Tap the steps in the right order or explain in your own words what you would do. The app checks your answer instantly, free and without registration.
Practise this situation in the app