What does a flashing yellow arrow traffic light indicate?

A flashing yellow arrow indicates a permissive turn: proceed only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

In the United States, the signal is most commonly used for a left turn or U-turn. Unlike a green arrow, it does not provide protected movement. Opposing vehicles may still have the right of way, so drivers must judge the gap and turn only when it is safe.

The flashing yellow arrow was introduced to make turn permissions clearer than older signal arrangements, especially the use of a circular green light. A steady yellow arrow means the protected-turn phase is ending, while a steady green arrow generally permits a protected turn under the signal’s control.

The flashing phase can also help traffic engineers manage changing traffic volumes and reduce “yellow trap” confusion, in which opposing lanes receive misleadingly different indications. The exact signal rules can vary by jurisdiction, but the central message remains caution and yielding—not stopping automatically and not a protected turn.