Florida Class E Drivers Handbook Study Guide

In your vehicle, what should you adjust before you start your engine?

The seat so you can reach all controls

What are the equipment requirements for windshields and side windows?

May not be composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has a mirrored appearance or reflects more than 25% of the light (side windows) or more than 35% of the light (rear window).

What are bumper height requirements? Are they the same for every vehicle?

No, a car weighing less than 2,500 lbs front is 22 in, and its rear is 22 in.

Why is drowsy driving dangerous?

It slows your thought processes and reaction time

What should you do if another driver is threatening you or intentionally driving dangerously around you?

Remain calm and try to put as much distance between you and them as possible.

What are the three main categories of distracted driving?

Visual, Manual, and Cognitive

Why is texting one of the most dangerous distracted driving behaviors?

Because it involves all three categories of distractions.

Can anyone drink and drive safely?

No.

Both your judgement and vision are affected after drinking alcohol. Which is affected first?

Judgement.

What can happen to you if you are in a crash and not wearing a seat belt?

Death. You are far more likely to be killed in a crash if you are not wearing a safety belt.

What age are children required to be in a car seat? In a car seat or booster seat?

Children under age 4 must be in a safety seat and children ages 4 and 5 must be in either a safety seat or a booster seat.

If a law enforcement officer stops a vehicle and the front seat passenger under 18 years old is not wearing a safety belt, who will be charged with the seat belt violation?

Drivers will be charged with a safety belt/ child restraint violation if any passenger under 18 is not properly restrained

What does a single broken white line on the highway mean?

You may cross this line to change lanes when it is safe to do so.

What does a double solid yellow line in the center of the highway mean? A double solid white line?

Changing lanes is not allowed.

What does a solid yellow line to the right of the center line of the highway mean?

Passing or crossing is prohibited in that lane, oncoming traffic may pass.

In this example, would a car be allowed to turn left?

Yes.

What do the colors of traffic signs indicate (red, orange, yellow, etc.)?

Red: Stop. Do not enter. Wrong way. Yield.
Orange: Construction and maintenance warning.
Yellow: General warning. Advisory of unexpected roadway conditions.

When more than one vehicle approaches a four-way stop sign, which one moves first?

Vehicles proceed through the intersection in the order that they arrived; the first vehicle to reach the intersection should move forward first. If vehicles arrive at approximately the same time, each driver must yield to the driver on their right.

What does a red traffic light mean? What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

Come to a complete stop. Used at dangerous intersections. Treat it like a stop sign; stop and proceed when safe.

After a full stop at a red traffic light when may a driver turn right?

If there is not a NOT TURN ON RED sign and the way is clear.

What does a green arrow showing at the same time as a red traffic light mean you can do?

You must be in the proper lane for such a turn and yield to vehicles and pedestrians.

What does a flashing yellow light mean?

Used at, or just before dangerous intersections and to alert you to a warning sign such as a school crossing or sharp curve. Proceed with caution.

If you are approaching a railroad crossing that does not have gates or lights and you see a train coming, what should you do?

Slow down and stop.

What happens to the force of impact when you double your speed? Triple your speed?

Braking distance and impact is 4 times greater. Tripling the speeds means the braking distance and impact are 9 times greater.

Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit for cars in a residential area?

30 MPH

What is the maximum speed limit on a limited access highway?

70 MPH

Can you be issued a citation for driving too slowly?

Yes.

What are the steps for making a smooth stop?

Check al mirrors and blind spots for traffic to the rear. Release the accelerator to allow the vehicle to slow. Press the brake pedal to activate brake lights and use a steady pressure.

What is the arm signal for a left turn? Right turn? Slow or stop?

Left arm extended, right arm turned upward (elbows bent), and arms bent downwards.

How long (distance) should you signal before making a left or right turn?

100 feet

When can you use a three-point turn? Where should you never make a three-point turn?

Only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn and you can’t go around the block. Never make a three point turn or a U-turn on a curve, a hill, the highway, or where there is a sign that prohibits U-turns.

What is an open intersection? When must you yield right-of-way?

One without traffic control signs or signals. If a vehicle is already in the intersection;, you enter or cross a state highway from a secondary road;, your enter a paved road from an unpaved road; or, your plan to make a left turn and a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.

When may you drive in the left lane of a road with two lanes? With four lanes?

When you are overtaking or passing.

What does it mean if you see red reflectors on the lane lines facing you? What should you do?

You’re on the wrong side of the road. Turn around and get into the proper lane.

What is the recommended safe following distance?

Four seconds.

What are blind spots?

Areas near the left and right rear corners of your vehicle that you can’t see in your rear-view mirrors.

When should you increase your following distance?

During unfavorable weather or traffic conditions.

How do you check your blind spots when you are preparing to change lanes or turn?

Turn your head to make sure these areas are clear. Move forward or drop back so that the other driver can see you.

Where is it unlawful to overtake and pass?

on hills or curves where you can’t see at least 500 feet ahead;

within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, viaduct, tunnel, or railroad crossing;

when a school bus is stopped and has its warning flashers on and stop sign extended;

at crosswalks where a vehicle has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross.

Under what circumstances can you stop in the acceleration lane on an expressway?

When traffic is too heavy and there is no space for you to enter safely.

What should you do if you drive past your exit on a limited access highway?

You must go to the next one.

Where should you move your vehicle if you break down while driving on the highway?

You must move it completely off the pavement or on the shoulder.

What is the farthest away you can park from a curb?

12 inches

If you have a manual transmission, what gear should you put the car in when parking downhill? Uphill? What if you have an automatic transmission?

Manual transmission: shift to Reverse for downhill and First for uphill. Automatic transmission, you would shift the gear into park.

Where is parking prohibited?

On crosswalks
On sidewalks
In bicycle lanes
In intersections
On bridges
On overpasses

Which way should you turn your wheels when parking uphill along a curb? Which way should you turn them where there is not a curb? Which way should you turn them if parking downhill?

Turn the wheels away from the curb, turn wheels to the right, and turn the wheels to the curb.

Are motorists required to stop or yield for pedestrians crossing the street?

Yes.

What must you do when you see a pedestrian with a white cane in the street ahead of you?

Come to a complete stop, yield the right-of-way, and use extra caution when approaching.

What is the minimum distance a motorist must give when traveling next to a cyclist?

Three feet.

As a motorist, what should you do when preparing to turn right on a roadway with a bike lane?

Yield to any bicyclist and make your turn behind the bicyclist

When on the roadway, do motorcyclists and moped riders have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers?

Yes.

If you are driving a motor vehicle, are you allowed to share a lane with a motorcyclist?

No.

When a school bus is stopped to unload children on a highway divided with a raised barrier, are vehicles traveling in the opposite direction required to stop?

No. Proceed with caution.

When a school bus stops to unload children, are vehicles traveling in the same direction required to stop?

Yes.

What must you do when children or school crossing guards are present in a crosswalk?

Yield and stop at the stop line and note in the crosswalk.

What must you do if an emergency vehicle with activated lights and/or sirens is approaching you from behind?

Pull over to the closest edge of the roadway immediately and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. Do not block intersections.

What does the Move Over Law require you to do?

Vacate the lane closest to the stationary law enforcement, and if you cannot safely move over you must slow down to a speed of 20 MPH below the posted speed limit.

What is a “No Zone”?

Blind spots around a large truck.

At what times must you use your headlights?

Low visibility, bad weather, when turning on windshield wipers, at night, sunset and sunrise.

At night, within how many feet of approaching a vehicle from the rear must you dim your high beam headlights?

Not use high beam headlights within 300 feet of the vehicle ahead of you; use low beam headlights

Within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle should you dim your high beam headlights?

Not use high beam headlights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle; use low beam headlights.

When driving in the rain, fog, or smoke in the daytime, what lights should you use?

Low beam headlights.

What should you do when driving on wet roads in the rain? Why?

Increase following distance, since wet road conditions increase your braking/stopping distance.

What should you do if your right wheels go off the pavement while driving?

1. Take your foot of the gas pedal.
2. Hold the wheel firmly and steer in a straight line.
3. Brake lightly.
4. Wait until the road is clear. Turn back on the pavement at a slow speed (signal your intention).

What should you do if your tires begin to skid while driving?

1. Take your foot off the gas pedal.
2. Do not use your brakes, if possible.
3. Turn the vehicle’s front tires in the direction you want to go (steer in the direction of the skid).

When emergency braking, what is the difference between conventional brakes and anti-lock brakes (ABS)?

To stop in an emergency situation where traction is lost. Drivers with conventional brakes should pump the brakes while drivers with anti-lock brakes must press down hard on the brake pedal, hold it, and steer out of danger.

What should you do during a tire blow-out?

1. Take your foot off the gas. Do not use the brakes.
2. Concentrate on steering.
3. Slow down gradually.
4. Brake softly when the car is under control.
5. Pull completely off the pavement/ roadway.

What must you do if you are involved in a minor accident and your vehicle is blocking the flow of traffic?

Move your vehicle to the side of the road if it is safe to do so, turn on hazard lights, and then contact authorities.

If you hit a parked car and are unable to find the owner, what should you do?

Attempt to locate the owner, and if not possible, leave a note including your name, contact information, and license plate number.

What are the penalties for leaving the scene of an accident involving injury or death?

Death: 1st degree felony, minimum 4-year prison term.
Serious bodily injury: 2nd degree felony.
Injury: 3rd degree felony

What are the requirements of the No-Fault Law?

provide proof of valid PIP and PDL insurance at the time of vehicle registration;

have a minimum of $10,000 in PIP AND a minimum of $10,000 in PDL coverage;

purchase the policy from an insurance agency licensed to do business in Florida;

maintain the insurance continuously throughout the registration period;

always have proof of valid Florida insurance readily available when the vehicle is being driven on Florida roadways.

If your license and registration are suspended for being in violation of the No-Fault Law, what must you do to get them reinstated?

You will have to get insurance and pay a reinstatement fee ($150 to $500). You may request a hearing.

What are the penalties if you are at fault in a crash and you are not insured in compliance with the Financial Responsibility Law?

If you do not provide proof of higher coverage limits, your driver license and/ or license plates will be suspended for up to three years.
In addition, if you are the driver or the owner of a vehicle involved in a crash that is your fault, FLHSMV can require you to pay for the damages before your driving privilege is reinstated.

What are the time restrictions for a motorist with a learner’s license?

After holding a learner's license for 3 months you may drive until 10 pm

What are the time restrictions for a licensed motorist under age 17? Under age 18?

A 16 year-old licensed driver may not drive between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver who is age 21 or older.

A 17 year-old licensed driver may not drive between 1:00 am and 5:00 am, unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver who is age 21 or older.

When can you be charged with driving under the influence (DUI)?What are the penalties for refusing to take a blood test, a urine test, or a breath test when suspected of driving under the influence?

if you are found to be driving or in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcoholic beverages, controlled substances, prescriptions, or over- the-counter medications.

-your license will be administratively suspended for a year if you have a breath or blood alcohol level (BAL) of .08 or above, or refuse to submit to a breath/blood alcohol test. a second refusal will result in an 18-month suspension and a first degree misdemeanor.

Any driver under 21 years of age who is stopped by law enforcement and has a BAL of .02 or higher will automatically have their driving privilege suspended for six months.

What can happen if you are found guilty of racing on the highway?

Your license will be revoked.

If you have a learner’s license, how many hours of driving experience are required to earn the Class E driver license?

50 hours of driving experience, 10 at night.

What education course are you required to take if you are applying for a learner’s license (or have never held a driver license)?

TLSAE COURSE

Are you required to notify FLHSMV of any health problems that may affect your driving?

Yes.

Why would one opt to take a Basic Driver Improvement Course?

They will receive an 18 percent reduction toward the civil penalty.

What maneuvers are required on a driving exam?

Approach of Crossing, Backing Up, Following at a Safe Distance, Obey Stop Signs, Obey Traffic Signals, Observe Right-of-Way, Parking on a Grade, Passing, Signal and turn, Stay in Proper Lane, Stop Quickly, Straight-In-Parking, Three-Point Turn, Proper Posture.