Maryland Driver’s Manual – Key Vocabulary

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards that highlight essential terms, signs, laws, and safety concepts from the Maryland Driver’s Manual to aid in exam preparation.

Vision Screening

Eye test that checks binocular vision, at least 20/40 acuity in each eye, and a 140-degree continuous field of vision.

Knowledge Test

25-question, 20-minute exam on Maryland motor-vehicle laws, safe-driving practices, and traffic signs.

Driving Skills Test

On-road and closed-course exam used by the MVA to confirm that an applicant can drive safely and responsibly.

Reportable Medical Condition

Health issue (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, sleep apnea) that must be disclosed to the MVA because it could affect driving ability.

Learner’s Instructional Permit

First GLS stage that lets a new driver practice only with a qualified supervising driver; valid up to 2 years.

Provisional License

Second GLS stage that allows unsupervised driving with passenger, nighttime, and device restrictions for at least 18 months.

Driver’s License (Class C)

Full, unrestricted non-commercial license to operate cars, pickup trucks, and vans after completing GLS requirements.

Graduated Driver Licensing System (GLS)

Maryland’s three-step licensing process—Learner’s Permit, Provisional License, Driver’s License—designed to build experience safely.

Supervising Driver

Licensed driver 21 or older, licensed at least 3 years for the same class of vehicle, seated beside a permit holder.

Practice and Skills Log

MVA form used to record required practice hours (60 for <25 yrs; 14 for ≥25 yrs) before the skills test.

Defensive Driving

Constantly searching, communicating, and adjusting speed or position to avoid hazards and prevent crashes.

Right-of-Way

Legal privilege to proceed first; other road users must yield to the one who has it.

Following Distance (Three-Second Rule)

Minimum space—3–4 seconds in ideal conditions—kept behind the vehicle ahead to avoid rear-end collisions.

Stopping Distance

Total distance needed to perceive a hazard, react, and bring a vehicle to a complete stop.

No-Passing Zone

Area marked by a pennant sign or solid yellow line where overtaking another vehicle is prohibited.

No-Zones (Truck Blind Spots)

Large blind areas in front, behind, and on both sides of commercial trucks where the driver cannot see you.

Hydroplaning

Loss of tire contact caused by water that makes the vehicle ride on a thin film and lose control.

Work Zone

Section of road with construction or maintenance; identified by orange signs and often lower speed limits and lane shifts.

Traffic Circle (Roundabout)

Circular intersection where entering drivers must yield to traffic already in the circle and travel counter-clockwise.

Limited Access Highway

Roadway, such as an interstate, with no traffic signals and few entrances or exits, reached via ramps.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lane

Lane reserved for vehicles carrying the minimum posted number of occupants during specified hours.

Implied Consent Law

Maryland rule stating that anyone driving on public roads agrees to alcohol or drug testing if lawfully requested.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Measure of alcohol in the bloodstream; .08 or higher is legally considered driving under the influence in Maryland.

Distracted Driving

Any activity—including handheld phone use—that diverts eyes, hands, or mind from driving.

Aggressive Driving

Combination of deliberate unsafe behaviors—speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes—that endanger others.

Drowsy Driving

Operating a vehicle while sleep-deprived, resulting in slower reaction time and impaired judgment.

Move Over Law

Requirement to change lanes or slow to a safe speed when passing stopped emergency, service, or tow vehicles with lights flashing.

Seat Belt Law

Maryland statute mandating that the driver and every passenger wear a seat belt or appropriate child restraint.

Child Safety Seat

Federally approved restraint required for children under 8 years old unless they are at least 4’9” tall.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Electronic system that prevents wheel lock-up by rapidly pulsing brakes, allowing steering control during hard braking.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Vehicle technologies—e.g., automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist—that help drivers avoid or lessen crashes.

Organ Donor Designation

Voluntary decision recorded on a driver’s license to allow organ and tissue donation after death.

Developmental Disability Disclosure Card

Optional blue wallet-size card drivers with developmental disabilities may carry to help communicate with law enforcement.

Slow-Moving Vehicle Symbol

Orange triangle with red border placed on vehicles that travel 25 mph or less, alerting faster traffic to use caution.

Disability Parking Placard/Plate

MVA-issued permit allowing parking in marked accessible spaces; illegal use carries heavy fines.

Flashing Red Signal

Light that requires a complete stop, then proceeding only when the way is clear—treated like a stop sign.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

Signal allowing a permissive left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Lane Use Signal

Overhead symbol (green arrow, red X, yellow X) indicating whether a reversible lane is open or closed to traffic.

Stop Line

Wide white line across the road indicating where a vehicle must stop at a sign or signal.

Yield Sign

Red-on-white triangle instructing drivers to slow, and give right-of-way to pedestrians and cross traffic before proceeding.

Diamond-Shaped Warning Sign

Yellow or orange sign alerting drivers to special conditions or hazards ahead.

Pedestrian Crosswalk

Marked or unmarked area where pedestrians have the right-of-way for crossing the roadway.

Shared-Use Lane Marking (Sharrow)

Painted bicycle symbol with chevrons reminding motorists that bicycles may occupy the full travel lane.

Reversible Lane

Center lane where traffic direction changes by time of day, controlled by lane-use signals.