QUICK EVERYONE IN THE CAR!!

A comprehensive vocabulary study guide covering speed limits, right-of-way rules, traffic signs, signals, turning regulations, parking distances, DUI laws, and road markings for the DMV written test.

School zone speed limit (children present)

$$25\,mph$$

Residential or business district speed limit

$$25\,mph$$

Two-lane undivided highway speed limit

$$55\,mph$$

Freeway or expressway speed limit

$65-70\,mph$ (unless posted otherwise)

Speed limit for blind intersections, alleys, and railroad crossings (no signal)

$$15\,mph$$

Prima facie speed law

The basic speed law stating you must drive at a speed safe for current conditions, even if no sign is posted.

4-way stop right of way

The vehicle that arrived first goes first. If two arrive simultaneously, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Uncontrolled intersection right of way

The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Left turn yielding rule

The turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Freeway merging right of way

The merging driver yields to traffic already on the freeway.

Emergency vehicles procedure

Pull over to the right and stop when sirens or lights are active; do not block intersections.

Octagon (red) sign

STOP sign requiring a full stop.

Triangle (red and white, point down) sign

YIELD sign requiring you to slow and give way.

Diamond (yellow) sign

Warning sign for hazards ahead such as curves, schools, or merges.

Rectangle (green) sign

Guide or directional information, such as highway exits.

Rectangle (white) sign

Regulatory sign indicating rules like speed limits or no U-turns.

Pentagon (yellow or green) sign

Indicates a school zone or school crossing ahead.

Round (yellow and black) sign

Indicates a railroad crossing ahead.

Orange sign

Indicates a construction or work zone ahead.

Flashing RED signal

Treat as a STOP sign: stop, then proceed when safe.

Flashing YELLOW signal

Slow down and proceed with caution.

Red ARROW signal

No turn is permitted in the direction of the arrow, even after stopping.

Green ARROW signal

Protected turn: proceed in the direction of the arrow.

Left turn lane positioning (two-way street)

Start from the lane closest to the center line and complete the turn into the lane closest to the center line on the new street.

Right turn lane positioning

From the rightmost lane into the rightmost lane of the new street.

Turn signaling distance (residential/city)

At least $100\,feet$ before turning.

Turn signaling distance (highways)

At least $200\,feet$ before turning.

3-second rule

A method to determine following distance: pick a fixed point; you should not reach it until $3\,seconds$ after the vehicle ahead passes it.

Parallel parking distance from curb

Your car should be within $18\,inches$ of the curb.

Parking distance from a crosswalk

Do not park within $15\,feet$ of a crosswalk at an intersection.

Parking distance from a fire hydrant

Do not park within $15\,feet$ of a fire hydrant.

Parking distance from a stop sign

Do not park within $30\,feet$ of a stop sign.

Legal BAC limit (drivers 21+)

$0.08\%$ Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).

Legal BAC limit (drivers under 21)

$0.01\%$ (Zero Tolerance policy).

Legal BAC limit (commercial drivers)

$0.04\%$.

Implied consent

Law stating that refusing a breathalyzer results in automatic license suspension.

Broken yellow center line

Passing is allowed when safe.

Double solid yellow lines

No passing is allowed in either direction.

Solid white line

Do not cross; used for the edge of the road, crosswalks, and stop lines.

Yellow lines

Separate traffic going in opposite directions.

White lines

Separate traffic going in the SAME direction.

Headlight usage requirement

From $30\,minutes$ after sunset to $30\,minutes$ before sunrise, or whenever visibility is less than $1,000\,feet$.

Dimming high beams (oncoming)

Within $500\,feet$ of an oncoming vehicle.

Dimming high beams (following)

Within $300\,feet$ when following another vehicle.

Flashing school bus stop sign

Requires vehicles to stop in both directions (unless on a divided highway) until the arm is retracted.

Hydroplaning

When tires lose contact with the road due to water; one should ease off the gas, not brake hard, and steer straight.