Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, forms, signs, laws, and safe-driving concepts presented in the Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual and ‘Share the Road’ program transcript.

Motorcyclist’s Lane Rights

The legal entitlement of a motorcycle to occupy an entire traffic lane just like a full-size vehicle.

Motorcycle Profile

The small frontal outline of a motorcycle that makes judging its speed and distance difficult.

Blind Spot

An area around a vehicle that a driver cannot see with mirrors and must check by turning the head.

Following-Distance Rule

Leaving at least three to four seconds of space behind a motorcycle or vehicle for safe stopping.

High-Risk Situation (Motorcycles)

Traffic scenarios—such as left-turn crashes, blind-spot conflicts, and hazardous road conditions—where motorcycles are most likely to be hit.

Left-Turn Motorcycle Crash

A collision occurring when a vehicle turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcycle (about 40 % of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes).

Non-Commercial Learner’s Permit Application (DL-180)

PennDOT form required to apply for a Pennsylvania learner’s permit; valid for one year from the physical exam date.

Parent or Guardian Consent Form (DL-180TD)

PennDOT form that must be signed for permit applicants under 18; gives legal permission to test and drive.

Knowledge Test

The written PennDOT exam on signs, laws, and safe driving practices; 15 correct out of 18 questions required to pass.

Road Test

The on-road skills examination—by appointment—that includes vehicle controls and parallel parking.

65-Hour Skill Building

Mandatory supervised driving time (including 10 night and 5 bad-weather hours) required before an under-18 driver may take the road test.

Six-Month Waiting Period

Minimum time a learner under 18 must hold a permit before being eligible for the road test.

Junior Learner’s Permit

A permit issued to drivers under 18 with passenger and supervision restrictions.

Junior Driver’s License

License for drivers 16-17 with nighttime and passenger limits; can become a regular license after one year of safe driving.

Class C License

The standard non-commercial Pennsylvania license for operating passenger cars, pickups, or vans.

Class M License

Pennsylvania license classification required to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.

Vision Standards

PennDOT eyesight requirements that may impose glasses, daylight, or mirror restrictions if vision is poor.

Organ Donor Designation

The words “ORGAN DONOR” printed on a license when the holder volunteers to donate organs or tissue.

Veterans Designation

An optional mark on a driver’s license showing honorable U.S. military service.

Regulatory Sign

A black-white or red-white sign that states traffic laws drivers must obey (e.g., STOP, SPEED LIMIT).

Warning Sign

A yellow diamond (or orange in work zones) that alerts drivers to hazards or changes in road conditions.

Guide Sign

A green, blue, or brown rectangular sign that provides route, service, or recreational information.

STOP Sign

Eight-sided red sign requiring a complete halt before proceeding when safe.

YIELD Sign

Red-and-white triangular sign instructing drivers to slow and give right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians.

Divided Highway Sign

Yellow diamond indicating the road ahead splits into two one-way roadways separated by a median.

No Passing Zone Pennant

Yellow sideways triangle placed on the left side of a two-lane road marking the start of a no-passing stretch.

Chevron Alignment Sign

Series of black-and-yellow arrows guiding drivers through a sharp curve.

Ramp-Metering Signal

Traffic light on a highway entrance ramp controlling vehicle entry during heavy congestion.

Lane-Use Control Signal

Overhead light (green arrow, yellow X, red X) indicating whether a specific lane is open or closed.

Crossbuck

White X-shaped railroad sign that functions like a YIELD sign at train tracks.

Work Zone

An area with orange signs, cones, or flaggers where construction or maintenance is performed and fines double.

Flagger Ahead Sign

Orange diamond showing a person with paddle or flag, warning drivers to prepare to stop or slow in a work zone.

Centre Turn Lane

Shared middle lane marked by solid and broken yellow lines used only for left turns from either direction.

Four-Second Rule

Method to ensure a safe following distance—your vehicle should reach a fixed point four seconds after the car ahead.

Hydroplaning

Loss of tire traction on wet pavement causing a vehicle to ride on a film of water, starting around 35 mph.

Highway Hypnosis

Driver drowsiness or inattention from staring straight ahead for long periods, common on freeways.

Zero Tolerance Law

Pennsylvania rule making it illegal for drivers under 21 to operate a vehicle with a BAC of .02 % or higher.

Implied Consent Law

Provision stating that licensed drivers agree to chemical testing for DUI; refusal results in license suspension.

Steer Clear Law

Requirement to move over or slow down for emergency and tow vehicles on the roadside; fines apply for violations.

Anti-Texting Law

Pennsylvania ban on sending, reading, or writing text-based communication while driving; $50 primary offense.

Obedience to Hazardous-Condition Devices

Law prohibiting drivers from going around barricades or signs closing a road due to hazards like flooding.

Seat Belt Law

Statute requiring drivers, front-seat passengers, and all occupants under 18 to wear seat belts.

Child Passenger Safety Seat

Federally approved restraint required for children under 8, with rear-facing seats for infants under 20 lb and 1 year.

Class A License

Pennsylvania non-commercial license for operating combination vehicles over 26,000 lb with trailers over 10,000 lb.

Class B License

License permitting operation of a single vehicle over 26,000 lb, such as large motor homes.

DL-59 Form

Application to change from a junior driver’s license to a regular non-commercial license after eligibility is met.

Point System

PennDOT method adding points for traffic violations; corrective action begins at six points.

Special Point Examination

Written test required when a driver’s record first reaches six points; failure leads to suspension.

DL-102 Report of Eye Examination

Form given when an applicant fails PennDOT’s vision screening; must be completed by an eye doctor.

511PA

Statewide traveler information service (phone and web) providing traffic, weather, and incident updates.

No-Zone

Large blind-spot areas around trucks and buses where cars disappear from the professional driver’s view.

Three-Second Parking Adjustments

Maximum number of moves allowed during PennDOT’s parallel-parking portion of the road test.

Ramp Weave Lane

Shared highway lane where entering and exiting traffic must cross paths, requiring yielding by entering drivers.

Flash-Flood Barricade

Traffic control device closing a flooded roadway; driving around it violates the hazardous-condition law.

Hand-Over-Hand Steering

Turning technique where one hand pulls the wheel down and the other crosses over to continue the turn.

Push-Pull Steering

Method where one hand pushes the wheel up while the other pulls down, keeping hands on opposite sides.

Interstate Exit-Only Panel

Yellow box on a guide sign indicating the lane beneath will leave the highway at the next interchange.