Drivers ed MN

Facts and notes from drivers education

SMOG

**S**ignal on

check **M**irrors

**O**ver the shoulder

**G**O

Use this when changing lanes or committing any decision on the road to be safe

SIPDE

**S**can (search aggressively ahead, to the sides and behind to avoid potential hazards)

**I**dentify (locate hazards and potential conflicts, ex: pedestrians, other cars, motocycles, bikes, etc)

**P**redict (consider speed, distance and direction of hazards to anticipate how they might effect you)

**D**ecide (based on your prediction, decide what you would need to do if the situation changed quickly)

**E**xecute (carry out your decision)

SCRD

**3….. S**uspension (fail to pay fine or appear in court, convicted of a misdemeanour or break traffic law, allow someone to use id, etc)

**1….. C**ancellation (if you don’t have a legal right to drive, mental or physical disability, false info for license, crime which can lead to cancellation, do not qualify)

**2….. R**evocation (refuse to take a breathalyzer, convicted of manslaughter or any other crime while in vehicle, dui, felony with vehicle, etc)

**4….. D**isqualification (1st year of offense)

FUCR

**F**ire Hydrant (10 ft)

**U**ncontrolled intersection (20 ft)

**C**ontrolled intersection (30 ft)

**R**ailroad crossing (50)

**A**ll for parking

DWI

Driving While Intoxicated

DUI

Driving Under the Influence

Crosswalks and types of crosswalks

Areas on the road that a pedestrian can cross to another block or street

* Marked: has solid white lines on road
* Unmarked no lines, but always in area where road intersects

Where do you stop at a stop sign?

Behind the crosswalk

Right of way

When 2 vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the driver on the right lane has the right of way. This includes pedestrians, always yield to them

Yielding

Allowing other cars or pedestrians to cross or drive first. S driver who wants to make a left turn must yield to all vehicles approaching the opposite direction

Who has the right of way in an uncontrolled “T” intersection

The driver that is turning must yield to all cross traffic

What do you do when there is a funeral procession?

Yield to the entire procession

How long should you keep your permit before taking the behind the road test?

6 months

How much space does a motorcycle get on the road?

The whole lane just as a regular car does

Limited license

Under some circumstances, a limited license can be issued to someone whose driving privileges are revoked or suspended. Certain requirement must be met. You are restricted to a job, school, hospital, grocery store, etc

3 second rule

Safe following distance (can be 4 seconds depending on conditions)

Basic speed laws

Never drive faster than conditions allow

Posted speed laws

Under ideal conditions, the speed limit is the posted speed on the sign

Statuatory speed law

When speed limit is not posted, the rules is:

* 10 mph in alleys
* 30 mph on urban or town roads
* 50 mph in rural areas

How much can you be fined for breaking a speeding law?

$300 if you speed in a marked construction zone

What happens if you get caught driving 100 mph

Driving privileges will be revoked for a minimum of 6 months

When should you slow down when driving?

Bad weather, approaching a crash, a car with hazards on

When should you turn you signals on?

100 ft before the turn, continue until you’ve completed the lane change slights

How do you turn?

Wait until signaled to go, turn on signals, keep wheels straight while keeping foot on brake, continue on

Turning on red light (right)

Can make a turn to the right even if light is red, make sure to be in right lane

Turning on red (Left)

Go to the left lane, come to complete stop, yield to any vehicles or pedestrians, then turn (cant go if sign says “no turn on red”

What colours are regulatory signs?

Red: prohibits and commands

White: regulates

What colours are warning signs?

Yellow: warns

Yellow-green: warns and controls pedestrians and bicycle crossing and school areas

Orange: warns and controls in construction zones

What colours are informational signs?

Green: guides and informs

Blue: describes services for motorists

Brown: historic, cultural or recreational site

stop

Come to a complete stop. Remain stopped until pedestrians and vehicles with the right of way have cleared the intersection. Then proceed with caution.

yield

Slow down or stop, if necessary. Give the right of way to all other vehicles and pedestrians, and wait until it is safe to proceed.

do not enter

Do not enter that lane or road if this sign is facing you.

wrong way

You have entered a lane of oncoming traffic. You are traveling in the wrong direction.

no left turn

no right turn

no u turn

no parking

speed limit

Speed limit signs indicate the maximum speed at which you may drive on an area of road. Minimum speed limits are usually posted on interstate freeways with controlled access. Do not drive slower than the minimum posted limit unless bad weather or poor road conditions make it necessary.

Do not pass

Marks the beginning of a no-passing zone.

One way

Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.

keep right

Stay to the right of a traffic island, median ahead.

roundabout

When approaching a multi-lane roundabout get in the appropriate lane well in advance of the roundabout. Lane use signs will always show which lanes can be used for different turns.

lane-use control signs

Turning is required or specified from a specific lane. Traffic in the right lane may proceed straight ahead or turn.

no turn on red

Wait for the traffic signal to turn green before you turn.

center lane only

The center lane is shared, for the purpose of making left turns, by traffic traveling in both directions.

reduced speed ahead

Begin reducing your speed.

restricted lane

The diamond symbol indicates that the traffic lane is reserved for a specific use or a certain type of vehicle. The lane may be designated for cars with two or more passengers or for bus, commercial vehicle, or bicycle use.

handicapped parking

Parking spaces posted with a blue “handicapped parking” sign are reserved for vehicles displaying disability license plates or a disability parking permit.

railroad crossing (at lights)

Warning signs, pavement markings, gates, and flashing red lights are positioned at most railroad crossings. Pavement markings include a stop line, an “X,” and the letters “RR” painted on the pavement in front of the crossing. An X-shaped sign identifies a railroad crossing. If there is more than one track, a sign below the crossbuck indicates the number of tracks. An “exempt” sign means that bus and truck drivers who are usually required to stop at railroad crossings may proceed without stopping.

railroad crossing (before)

These signs alert motorists that a railroad crossing is ahead.

school zone

These yellow or fluorescent yellow-green, pentagon-shaped warning signs indicate that a school or an approved school crosswalk is ahead. Watch for children and be prepared to stop.

school crossing

Watch for children in crosswalk and be prepared to stop. Drivers must yield to all pedestrians in crosswalks. The school crossing sign with the arrow below is the standard marking.

pedestrian crossing

These signs direct drivers to watch for pedestrians. Slow down and be prepared to stop for pedestrians. Yield the right of way to pedestrians.

no passing zone

This sign is on the left side of a two-way highway. It warns of the beginning of a no passing zone.

Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem

This emblem must be displayed on all vehicles that travel at speeds of 30 mph or less, such as farm implements or horse-drawn vehicles, when they are making use of a public road. Adjust your vehicle speed or prepare to change lanes when you see this sign.

Crossroad

A four-way intersection is ahead. Prepare to yield.

side road

Traffic is coming from your right. Watch for vehicles entering the roadway.

T-intersection Ahead

The road you are traveling on will end soon. Prepare to turn right or left. Yield to cross traffic.

Y intersection ahead

The road ahead splits into two different directions. Be prepared for traffic crossing in your path and prepare to turn in one direction or the other.

Curve

The road curves in the direction indicated. If the sign displays a speed limit, slow to the indicated speed.

roundabout (yellow)

As you approach a roundabout slow down to the advisory speed and prepare to stop if necessary.

winding road ahead

The road ahead winds back and forth.

two-way traffic ahead

You are leaving a one-way road and entering a two-way road. Stay to the right.

divided highway begins

The road is dividing. Stay to the right.

divided highway ends

The divided road ends ahead. Two-way traffic will no longer be divided by a center island.

traffic signal ahead

There is a traffic light at the next intersection.

slippery road

The road surface is slippery when it is wet. This sign is often located near bridges and overpasses.

road turns ahead

The road ahead sharply changes direction.

steep hill

The road ahead declines steeply. Make sure your vehicle’s brakes are in working order before you proceed.

crossing signs

Crossing signs warn drivers to watch for animals, humans, and vehicles crossing the road.

merging traffic

Crossing signs warn drivers to watch for animals, humans, and vehicles crossing the road.

added lane

Crossing signs warn drivers to watch for animals, humans, and vehicles crossing the road.

low clearance ahead

Crossing signs warn drivers to watch for animals, humans, and vehicles crossing the road.

narrow bridge

The bridge ahead is narrower than the roadway.

lane ends

Two lanes will become one.

constructions signs

Orange signs with black letters are used in construction and work zones. Slow down when you see an orange sign.

historic, cultural, and recreational signs

Brown signs point out historic sites, parks, and other points of interest.

motorists services signs

Blue signs direct you to services such as gas, food, motels, hospitals, and rest areas.

guidance and informational signs

Green signs indicate exits, distance to cities, interstate interchanges, street or route names, and bicycle routes.

route signs

traffic light signals

Light signals are used at intersections where traffic volume is high. Signals promote safety and orderly flow of traffic. If a traffic signal is not functioning, treat the intersection as you would an uncontrolled intersection.

intersectional gridlock

A driver shall not enter an intersection controlled by a traffic-control signal until the driver is able to move the vehicle immediately, continuously, and completely through the intersection without impeding or blocking the movement of cross traffic.

a steady red light

Stop and wait for the light to change. Come to a complete stop at the stop line, before the crosswalk, or before entering the intersection.

flashing red light

A FLASHING RED LIGHT is the same as a STOP SIGN.

yellow light

A steady yellow light or arrow means “caution.” The signal is about to turn red. Do not enter the intersection if you can stop safely before doing so. If you cannot stop safely, proceed through the intersection with caution. If you are waiting in the intersection to make a turn, and the signal turns from yellow to red, complete the turn as soon as it is safely possible. Do not back up.

flashing yellow light or arrow

A flashing yellow light or arrow means “caution.” Proceed through the intersection with caution. Yield the right of way to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.

green light

A green light means “go.” You may begin to cross the intersection as soon as it is clear. Yield to any vehicles or pedestrians in the intersection. When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic. When turning right or left, yield to pedestrians crossing in front of your vehicle.

green arrow

A green arrow means you can safely turn in the direction of the arrow. Your turn should be “protected” from oncoming traffic.

pedestrian signals

There are stop and go signals for pedestrians. Pedestrians must obey these signals.

steady downward green arrow lane signal

A steady downward green arrow means you are allowed to drive in the lane below the green arrow.

flashing yellow x lane signal

A flashing yellow X means you can use the lane below the flashing yellow X to make a left turn. You must use caution because left-turning vehicles from the other direction may be using the same lane.

steady yellow x lane signal

A steady yellow X means you should prepare to move into another lane in a safe manner. A lane- control change is being made in the lane below the steady yellow X. A steady red X will be displayed next, and you cannot occupy the lane at that time.

A steady downward yellow arrow lane signal

A steady downward yellow arrow means you should prepare to move into another lane in a safe manner. The freeway lane below the steady downward yellow arrow will be closed.

A flashing downward yellow arrow lane signal

A flashing downward yellow arrow means you can use the freeway lane under the flashing downward

Freeway Ramp Meters

Ramp meters are signal lights on freeway entrance ramps that help control the flow of merging traffic. Like traffic signals at intersections, red, yellow, and green lights indicate when drivers can proceed. Only one car may proceed each time the light is green.

The color red is used to prohibit and command a driver’s actions.

true

A slow moving vehicle sign must be placed on vehicles traveling at speeds of 40 mph or less on the highway.

false

Orange signs signify a construction zone.

true

Center lines are always yellow.

true

A flashing red light should be treated exactly like a stop sign.

true