Maryland Driver's Manual Review

Vocabulary and key regulations based on the Maryland Driver's Manual, covering licensing, traffic control devices, and safe driving behaviors.

What is the visual Acuity Requirement to qualify for a drivers license

at least $20/40$ in each eye.

Continuous Field of Vision

To qualify for a driver’s license, an applicant must have a continuous field of vision of at least $140$ degrees.

Knowledge Test Specifics

A test checking knowledge of motor vehicle laws and safe driving practices, consisting of $25$ questions with a time limit of $20$ minutes.

Rookie Driver / Graduated Driver Licensing System (GLS)

The multi-step process for individuals who have never held a driver's license before to gain experience through a Learner’s Instructional Permit and a Provisional License.

Type 1 Learner’s Instructional Permit

A permit issued to individuals who have never had a noncommercial driver’s license, lasting for up to $2$ years.

Practice Hours (under age 25)

A requirement to practice driving for at least $60$ hours, with at least $10$ hours occurring during the period beginning $30$ minutes before sunset and ending $30$ minutes after sunrise.

Practice Hours (age 25 and older)

A requirement to practice driving for at least $14$ hours, with at least $3$ hours occurring between $30$ minutes before sunset and $30$ minutes after sunrise.

Provisional License

A license issued to new drivers that allows unsupervised driving with restrictions, held for at least $18$ months before eligibility for a regular Driver’s License.

Yielding the Right-of-Way

The act of letting other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians move ahead of you or cross the road in front of you.

Following Distance

The minimum recommended distance of $3$ to $4$ seconds behind the vehicle ahead under ideal driving conditions.

Octagon Shape (Traffic Sign)

An eight-sided shape that always signifies a complete stop.

Pennant Shape (Traffic Sign)

A three-sided, horizontal sign that marks the start of a no-passing zone.

Steady Yellow Signal

Indicates that the signal is changing from green to red, providing time for vehicles to stop safely or clear the intersection.

Flashing Red Signal

Requires the driver to come to a complete stop, yield to all other traffic/pedestrians, and proceed when the way is clear.

Double Solid Yellow Lines

Pavement markings that separate lanes of traffic traveling in opposite directions and prohibit passing in either direction.

Hydroplaning

A condition where tires lose contact with the road and ride on a sheet of water, causing a loss of control.

Single Solid White Line

A pavement marking that marks the right edge of the road or separates lanes moving in the same direction where lane changing is discouraged.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limit

Maryland considers drivers under the influence if their BAC is a measurement of $.08$ or higher.

Distracted Driving

Any activity that takes the driver’s eyes, hands, or mind away from the task of driving.

No-Zones

Four large blind spots around trucks and buses where other vehicles disappear from the driver’s view.

School Bus Stop Rule

Drivers must stop at least $20$ feet from the front or back of a school bus that has stopped with flashing red lights on.

Move Over Law

A law requiring drivers to move to a non-adjacent lane when approaching stopped emergency or service vehicles with flashing lights; violation is a misdemeanor.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

A system that prevents wheels from locking up during braking, allowing the driver to maintain steering control.

Child Safety Seat Law

Requires all children under age $8$ to ride in a child safety seat unless the child is $4’9’’$ or taller.

Electric Bicycle Class 3

A bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and ceases assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of $28$ miles per hour.

Developmental Disability Disclosure Card

A voluntary blue card the size of a driver's license used to provide details about a disability to law enforcement.