Maryland Driver's Manual

Flashcards for Maryland Driver's Manual Review

What tests are required to get a Maryland driver’s license?

To get a driver’s license, you must pass a vision screening, knowledge test, and driving skills test.

What does the vision screening test, and what are the vision requirements to qualify for a driver's license?

The vision screening tests how well you can see. To qualify, you must have binocular vision, visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye, and a continuous field of vision of at least 140 degrees.

What does the knowledge test check?

The knowledge test checks to see if you know about motor vehicle laws, safe driving practices, and traffic signs.

What does the driving skills test check, and where does it take place?

The driving skills test checks to see that you have the skills to drive safely and responsibly, and includes driving on public roads and a special course at the testing location.

What should you do if you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive?

You must let the MVA know if you have a medical condition that could affect your ability to drive.

What is the Rookie Driver/Graduated Licensing System (GLS)?

The Rookie Driver/Graduated Driver Licensing System (GLS) is the process for getting a noncommercial driver’s license if you’ve never had one before. It involves getting a Learner’s Instructional Permit and then a Provisional License before getting a Driver’s License.

What are the requirements for applicants younger than 25 to get a Learner's Instructional Permit?

Applicants younger than 25 must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, and if under age 18, a parent or legal guardian must co-sign the application. If under age 16, you must provide a completed Learner’s Permit School Attendance Certification form (DL-300).

What must you do while you have your Learner’s Instructional Permit if you are under 25?

Complete the Maryland Driver Education Program, practice driving at least 60 hours with a supervising driver (at least 10 hours must occur during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise), and keep a Practice and Skills Log to record your practice hours.

What must you do while you have your Learner’s Instructional Permit if you are 25 or older?

Complete the Maryland Driver Education Program, complete at least 14 practice hours with a supervising driver (at least 3 practice hours must occur during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise), and keep a Practice and Skills Log to record your practice hours.

How does a moving violation or suspension affect the length of time you must hold a Learner's Instructional Permit?

At any age, if you have been convicted of or given a Probation Before Judgement (PBJ) for a moving violation, you must hold the Learner’s Instructional Permit at least 9 months following the most recent date you were convicted of or granted a PBJ for a moving violation. This also applies if you have been suspended for any reason.

To graduate from a Learner’s Instructional Permit to a Provisional License, what must you do?

You must have successfully completed a Maryland approved driver education program, have a valid, unexpired Learner’s Instructional Permit, hold a Learner’s Instructional Permit without violations for the amount of time described above, not be convicted of any moving violations or have been granted probation before judgment for any moving violations during the time described above, submit a completed and signed Practice and Skills Log showing you completed at least 60 practice hours driving with a supervising driver (14 if you are 25 or older), and successfully pass the driving skills test.

To be eligible for a Driver’s License, what must you do?

Be at least 18 years of age, have had a Provisional License for at least 18 months, and have not been convicted of any moving violations or have been granted probation before judgment for any moving violations within the past 18 months.

What is required if you are a minor applying for a license?

If you are younger than 18 years old, you must have a parent or legal guardian co-sign their application.

What must you do to get a Maryland license if you have a license from another country?

Successfully complete a vision screening, knowledge test, and driving skills test, and a three-hour alcohol and drug education program approved by the MVA.

What are traffic control devices?

Traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings (lines on the road) that regulate, warn, and guide traffic.

When do you not have to obey all traffic control devices?

A police officer or other emergency personnel, or a school crossing guard in uniform directing traffic near a school.

What should you do at a steady red signal?

Come to a complete stop at the stop line, and remain stopped as long as the signal is red. Unless a sign prohibits turning on red, after coming to a complete stop, you may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street to another one-way street after yielding to pedestrians and all other traffic.

What does a steady yellow signal mean?

The signal is changing from green to red, giving you time to stop safely. If you are too close to the intersection to stop safely, carefully continue through the intersection.

What should you do at a steady green signal?

Proceed with caution after you have checked first to see that no other vehicles are in the intersection. Yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.

What should you do at a steady red arrow signal?

Come to a complete stop before reaching the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection, and remain stopped as long as the arrow signal is red.

What does a steady yellow arrow signal mean?

That permission to turn in the direction of the arrow is ending. You should slow down and proceed with caution.

What should you do at a steady green arrow signal?

Proceed with caution in the direction the arrow points, and yield to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.

What should you do at a flashing red signal?

Come to a complete stop at the stop line, yield to all other traffic and pedestrians, and proceed when the way is clear.

What should you do at a flashing yellow signal?

You must slow down and proceed with caution.

What should you do at a flashing red arrow signal?

Come to a complete stop before reaching the stop line, yield to all other traffic and pedestrians, and proceed in the direction of the arrow when the way is clear.

What do lane use signals tell you?

Never drive in a lane under a red “X” signal, may drive in a lane under a green arrow signal, move out of the lane as soon as you safely can with a steady yellow “X” signal, and can use the lane for a left turn with a flashing yellow “X” signal or two-way left-turn arrows.

How do traffic signs communicate information?

Traffic signs use symbols and words to communicate information. You should be able to quickly identify traffic signs by their shapes and colors, and the words, numbers, or symbols on them.

What do the different colors of traffic signs indicate?

Red means stop, yield, do not enter, or wrong way; yellow means general warning of what to expect ahead; white means speed limit, keep right, and some guide signs; orange means construction and maintenance work area warning; green means destinations, distances, and directions; blue means services like food, gas, and rest area signs; brown means recreation and cultural interest areas; fluorescent yellow-green means school, pedestrian and bicycle signs; fluorescent pink means emergency traffic incidents; and black means one way signs and signs that change messages.

What do the different shapes of traffic signs indicate?

Octagon means stop, triangle means yield, diamond means warning, pennant means no passing, rectangle means regulatory or guide, pentagon means school zone and school crossing, and round means railroad warning.

What should you do when you come to a stop sign?

Stop at the stop line, if there is no stop line, stop before entering a crosswalk, if there is no stop line or crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. You must yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection; and remain stopped until it is safe to enter and continue through the intersection.

What should you do when you come to a yield sign?

Slow down as you come to a yield sign, look to the left and the right, yield to pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles, then proceed only when you can do so safely.

What do rectangular (4-sided) signs with black on white mean?

This sign tells you the maximum speed limit for the part of the road where it is posted. You must obey them.

What do warning signs do?

They provide notice to road users of a situation that might not be readily apparent.

What are Mile Marker Signs?

Located every mile on interstate highways, they provide location information you can use if you need someone to find you.

What do Route Marker Signs do?

Identify the route number and the type of road.

What do Service Information and Guide Signs do?

They identify the businesses and services you can find if you take certain exits.

What do the different types of line markings indicate?

Traffic is going in the same direction, and crossing from one lane to the other is permitted on a Single Broken - White; vehicles are traveling in opposite directions, and passing with care is permitted in either direction on a Single Broken - Yellow; marks the right edge of the road on a Single Solid - White; marks left edge lines on divided highways, one-way roads, and ramps on a Single Solid - Yellow; marks the edges of reversible lanes on a Double (side-by-side) Broken - Yellow; all traffic is going in the same direction and you are not allowed to change lanes on a Double (side-by-side) Solid - White; and traffic is going in opposite directions and passing is not allowed in either direction on a Double (side-by-side) Solid - Yellow.

What do Word and Symbol pavement markings tell you?

How to use a lane, about lane reductions, what direction to travel, and are used with arrows or other word messages to show how you may move in that lane.

What is Traction?

The grip between your tires and the road that makes it possible for your vehicle to start, stop, and change direction. When you have good traction, you can better control your vehicle.

What should you do when driving in Fog?

Reduce your normal Driving speed. When you see headlights or another vehicle’s taillights ahead, reduce your speed even more. You must be prepared to stop quickly. If the fog is so thick that you cannot safely drive your vehicle, pull completely off the road to a safe location and turn on your emergency flashers. Use low beam headlights only. Also use fog lights if you have them.

What is hydroplaning?

As your vehicle speed increases and the amount of water on the road increases, you can end up riding on a sheet of water, which causes your tires to lose contact with the road.

What should you do when driving near Slow Moving Vehicles?

Be constantly aware of any vehicles that might be traveling at a much slower speed, change your vehicle’s speed and position if necessary, and only pass the slow-moving vehicle when it is safe to do so. If you must follow the slower moving vehicle waiting for a safe time to pass, use your emergency flashers to help warn others coming up behind you.

What are some examples of aggressive driving?

Speeding, tailgating, ignoring traffic signals and devices, making unsafe lane changes, not yielding the right-of-way, and unsafe or illegal passing.

What are some tips to reduce the possibility of becoming involved in an aggressive driving incident?

Allow extra time to travel, be patient, be courteous, focus on your driving behavior, always signal your intentions, obey all traffic laws, signs, signals, and pavement markings, yield the right-of-way, and avoid competing with other drivers.

What is distracted driving?

When you take your eyes, hands or especially your mind, away from driving.

What are some of the rules of the Road??

That the driver and all passengers of a motor vehicle must wear a safety belt or be buckled in a child safety seat, emergency vehicles have the right-of-way when using their sirens and flashing lights, and that if a school bus has stopped on the road with its flashing red lights on, you must stop at least 20 feet from the back of the school bus if you are behind it, or at least 20 feet from the front of the school bus, if you are in front of it.

In Maryland, what do you have to do when approaching any vehicles while they are stopped, standing, or parked on a road with its lights flashing?

You must move over to a lane that is not immediately adjacent to (right next to) the stopped vehicle. If it is not possible to move over, you must slow down to a safe speed and prepare to stop if necessary.

What are some examples of the “Advanced Driver Assistance Systems” (ADAS) vehicle technologies?

Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keeping Assistance, and Blind Spot Warning.

If you are involved in a crash where someone has been injured, including a pedestrian or bicyclist, what must you do?

Call 911 immediately to get help from police, fire, and ambulance, report the number of people involved, the type of injury, and the location of the crash, and do not move the vehicles.

What is implied consent?

In Maryland, if you drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle on a road or private property used by the public, you consent (agree) to take a drug or alcohol test if a law enforcement officer asks you to.

If you have one or more of the medical conditions listed, what must you do?

You must notify the MVA when you apply for or renew your driver’s license, or when the condition is diagnosed if it's after you receive your license.

What are the requirements for a supervising driver?

At least 21 years old, currently licensed for at least three years in Maryland or another state to drive the same class of vehicles that you are driving, and seated beside you, unless the vehicle is a motorcycle.

Who can be an organ donor?

Anyone 18 years old or older may be an organ donor, and minors at least 16 years old may be organ donors if a parent or guardian consents (agrees) in writing.

What do child safety seats include?

Car seats, booster seats and other federally approved child safety devices.

How does Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) work?

Whenever your vehicle’s computer detects that one or more wheels are locking, ABS begins to pump the brakes much faster so they don’t lock.

What are the laws concerning bicycle equipment?

Maryland State Law requires a white headlight on the front of your bicycle, and a red reflector on the back, visible from at least 600 feet away, when riding at night.