Maryland Driver’s Manual – Core Vocabulary

100 key vocabulary flashcards created from the Maryland Driver’s Manual to help new drivers master essential terms, rules, and safety concepts.

Vision Screening

An eye test that verifies binocular vision, at least 20/40 visual acuity in each eye, and a continuous 140-degree field of vision for driver licensing.

Learner’s Instructional Permit (Type 1)

A two-year permit for first-time drivers that requires vision and knowledge tests and mandates supervised driving practice.

Learner’s Instructional Permit (Type 2)

A 180-day permit for licensed drivers seeking a new license class; holder may take the skills test after 14 days.

Provisional License

The intermediate license stage allowing unsupervised driving with restrictions (passenger, nighttime, cellphone) for at least 18 months.

Driver’s License (Class C)

The full, non-commercial license that permits operation of regular cars, pickup trucks, and vans once GLS requirements are met.

Supervising Driver

A licensed driver age 21 or older with at least three years’ experience in the same vehicle class who must sit beside a learner.

Practice and Skills Log

MVA form used to record the required 60 (or 14) hours of supervised driving practice, including nighttime hours, for permit holders.

3-to-4 Second Rule

Recommended minimum following distance under ideal conditions; you should reach a fixed point at least three seconds after the vehicle ahead.

Stopping Distance

The total distance your vehicle needs to come to a complete stop, factoring perception, reaction, braking, road surface, and tire condition.

Right-of-Way

The legal right to proceed first; drivers must yield in specified situations such as to pedestrians, prior vehicles at intersections, and opposing traffic when turning left.

Posted Speed Limit

The maximum lawful speed under ideal conditions as indicated by regulatory signs; drivers must also adjust speed for weather and traffic.

Defensive Driving

Driving strategy that involves constant scanning, risk anticipation, speed and lane adjustment, and communication to avoid crashes.

Risk Management (Driving)

Adjusting speed, position, and following distance to reduce hazards and allow more reaction time.

U-Turn

A 180-degree turn to reverse direction; only legal where permitted and must be made from the leftmost lane after yielding to oncoming traffic.

No-Passing Zone

A roadway segment where passing is prohibited, typically marked by a pennant-shaped sign and/or solid yellow pavement lines.

Lane Use Signals

Overhead electronic signals (green arrow, red X, yellow X) that indicate whether a lane is open, closed, or for reversible/left-turn use.

Steady Red Signal

Traffic light indicating drivers must make a full stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection until the signal turns green.

Steady Yellow Signal

Warns that the light is about to turn red; drivers should stop if safe to do so.

Steady Green Signal

Indicates you may proceed after yielding to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.

Flashing Red Signal

Requires a complete stop and yielding to traffic and pedestrians before proceeding—equivalent to a stop sign.

Flashing Yellow Signal

Advises drivers to slow down and proceed with caution through the intersection.

Red Arrow Signal

Prohibits movement in the arrow’s direction until the arrow turns green.

Yellow Arrow Signal

Warns that the protected turning period is ending and drivers should prepare to stop.

Green Arrow Signal

Allows protected movement in the arrow’s direction after yielding to traffic already in the intersection.

Regulatory Sign

White or red sign that states traffic laws or regulations (e.g., speed limit, one-way, no U-turn) drivers must obey.

Warning Sign

Yellow or fluorescent yellow-green diamond-shaped sign alerting drivers to hazards, road conditions, or changes ahead.

Guide Sign

Green, blue, or brown sign that provides directional, service, or recreational information to road users.

Octagon Shape

Eight-sided sign shape exclusively used for STOP signs.

Triangle Shape

Inverted triangular shape used only for YIELD signs.

Diamond Shape

Sign shape that warns of special road hazards or conditions ahead.

Rectangle Shape

Vertical rectangles convey regulatory information; horizontal rectangles give guidance or directions.

Pentagon Shape

Five-sided sign indicating a school zone or school crossing.

Round/Railroad Sign

Circular yellow sign with black “X” and “RR” that warns of an upcoming railroad crossing.

Pennant Sign

Side-pointing triangular sign marking the start of a no-passing zone on two-way roads.

Yield Sign

Red-and-white triangular sign requiring drivers to slow or stop to let other road users proceed first.

Stop Line

Solid white pavement line indicating where vehicles must stop at a STOP sign or red light.

Crosswalk

Marked or unmarked portion of a roadway designated for pedestrian crossing where drivers must yield.

Broken White Line

Separates same-direction lanes where lane changes are permitted with caution.

Solid White Line

Marks the right edge of the roadway or separates same-direction lanes where lane changes are discouraged or prohibited.

Broken Yellow Line

Centerline on two-way roads allowing passing when it is safe and clear.

Double Solid Yellow Line

Centerline indicating no passing for traffic in either direction; left turns across the line are allowed when safe.

Shared-Use Lane Marking (Sharrow)

Painted bicycle symbol with chevrons reminding drivers that bicyclists may use the full travel lane.

Hydroplaning

Loss of tire contact with the road surface on water, causing loss of steering and braking control.

Skidding

Loss of traction causing wheels to slide; corrected by easing off pedals and steering in the direction of the skid.

Work Zone

Area of road construction or maintenance marked by orange signs and devices where drivers must reduce speed and stay alert.

Move Over Law

Maryland law requiring drivers to change lanes or slow down when passing stopped emergency, service, or tow vehicles with flashing lights.

Traffic Circle (Roundabout)

Circular intersection where entering traffic must yield to vehicles already circulating counter-clockwise.

Acceleration Lane

Extra lane allowing entering drivers to adjust speed to match freeway traffic before merging.

Deceleration Lane

Exit-ramp lane that lets drivers slow to a safe speed for an off-ramp without impeding freeway traffic.

Interstate Highway

A limited-access, multi-lane highway that crosses state lines and is identified by red-white-blue shield route signs.

Funeral Procession

A group of vehicles with headlights and hazard lights on that may proceed through red signals after the lead vehicle lawfully enters.

Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem

Orange triangular sign on vehicles that travel 25 mph or less, warning drivers to reduce speed and pass carefully.

No-Zones (Truck Blind Spots)

Large blind areas around commercial trucks (side, rear, front, backing) where the driver cannot see smaller vehicles.

Side No-Zone

Blind spot along both sides of a large truck; if you can’t see the driver’s face in the mirror, the driver can’t see you.

Rear No-Zone

Blind spot extending up to 200 feet directly behind a large truck or bus where the driver has no rear vision.

HOV Lane

High-occupancy-vehicle lane reserved for vehicles carrying the minimum posted number of people or qualifying vehicles at set times.

Bicycle Right-of-Way

Legal requirement that motorists yield to bicyclists when turning, entering bike lanes or shoulders, or at crosswalks.

3-Foot Passing Law

Maryland rule requiring drivers to leave at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicyclist.

Mopeds and Scooters

Two- or three-wheeled vehicles with small engines permitted on roads ≤ 50 mph; riders must follow all traffic laws.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

In-vehicle technologies (e.g., AEB, lane keeping, blind-spot warning) that help reduce crashes but do not replace attentive driving.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

ADAS feature that detects an imminent collision and applies the brakes if the driver fails to respond.

Lane Keeping Assistance

ADAS function that warns or steers a vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift over lane markings.

Blind Spot Warning

Sensor-based system that alerts a driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes that may not be visible in mirrors.

Duty to Remain (Crash)

Legal obligation to stay at the scene of a crash involving injury or property damage and exchange information or aid.

Roadside Emergency

Any unexpected vehicle breakdown or situation requiring stopping; drivers should pull off safely, use flashers, and remain alert.

Implied Consent Law

Maryland statute stating that licensed drivers agree to chemical testing for alcohol or drugs when lawfully requested by police.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Measure of alcohol in the bloodstream; driving at .08 or higher is considered DUI in Maryland.

Open Container Law

Prohibits open alcoholic beverages in a vehicle’s passenger area while on a public roadway.

Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS)

Illegal drugs or certain medications that impair driving; operating a vehicle while impaired by CDS is a criminal offense.

Aggressive Driving

Combination of multiple moving violations (e.g., speeding, unsafe lane changes, tailgating) that endanger people or property.

Distracted Driving

Any activity that diverts attention from driving—visual, manual, or cognitive—including cellphone use, eating, or adjusting controls.

Drowsy Driving

Operating a vehicle while fatigued, reducing reaction time and awareness similar to alcohol impairment.

Cell-Phone Ban (Hand-Held)

Maryland law prohibiting the use of hand-held mobile devices for calls or texting while driving; only hands-free permitted for adults.

Passenger Restriction (Provisional)

Rule that drivers under 18 with a Provisional License may not carry non-family passengers under 18 for the first 151 days unless supervised.

Nighttime Restriction (Provisional)

Prohibits unsupervised driving between midnight and 5 a.m. except for work, school, volunteer, or athletic events.

Seat Belt Law

Requires the driver and all passengers to wear a seat belt or be properly restrained in a child safety seat.

Child Safety Seat Requirement

All children under 8 years old (or under 4′9″) must ride in an appropriate child safety seat; under 2 must be rear-facing.

Air Bag Safety

Supplemental restraint system that works with seat belts; drivers should sit 10–12 inches from the wheel and children under 13 ride in back.

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Braking technology that prevents wheel lock-up during hard stops, allowing steering control; drivers should press firmly and hold.

Headset/Earplug Prohibition

Maryland law banning the use of earphones, headsets, or earplugs in both ears while driving, except hearing aids.

Parallel Parking (Skill)

Maneuver of parking parallel to the curb; practiced in driver education though no longer on the public-road test.

Three-Point Turn

Turning maneuver used to reverse direction on a narrow road by making a sequence of forward, reverse, and forward moves.

Back-In Parking

Parking method where a driver reverses into a space to allow safer forward exit; tested during the skills exam.

Driver Improvement Program (DIP)

Educational course mandated after certain traffic violations to reinforce safe driving practices and avoid further penalties.

Suspension

Temporary withdrawal of driving privileges for a specific period or until conditions are met.

Revocation

Termination of a driver’s license; driver must re-apply after the revocation period and meet all requirements.

Cancellation

Action that voids a driver’s license because it was issued in error, obtained fraudulently, or the holder is no longer entitled to it.

Disability Parking Placard

MVA-issued permit allowing parking in designated accessible spaces when transporting the qualified individual.

Organ Donor Registry

Maryland database of individuals who have consented to donate organs/tissue at death, indicated by a heart on the license.

Vehicle Insurance Requirement

All Maryland-registered vehicles must carry minimum liability coverage and drivers must present proof upon request.

Developmental Disability Disclosure Card

Optional blue MVA card that helps drivers with developmental disabilities communicate needs during law-enforcement encounters.

Vision Acuity Requirement (20/40)

Minimum sharpness of vision each eye must have (with or without correction) to qualify for a Maryland license.

Field of Vision Requirement (140°)

Minimum continuous peripheral vision span needed for licensure in Maryland.

Practice Hour Requirement

Permit holders under 25 must log 60 supervised driving hours (10 at night); applicants 25 or older must log 14 hours (3 at night).

Flashing Blue Lights in Work Zone

Indicates workers are present; drivers must obey signs, reduce speed, and drive with extra caution.

Emergency Vehicle Right-of-Way

Law requiring drivers to pull to the edge of the road and stop when an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren.