Maryland Driver's Manual Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the Maryland Driver's Manual covering licensing, rules of the road, and safety procedures.

Visual Acuity

A vision requirement for a Maryland driver's license that must be at least $20/40$ in each eye.

Binocular Vision

A vision requirement for a Maryland driver's license indicating the ability to use both eyes together.

Field of Vision

The continuous area of sight which must be at least $140$ degrees to qualify for a driver's license.

Knowledge Test

A $25$ question exam lasting $20$ minutes that checks knowledge of motor vehicle laws, safe driving practices, and traffic signs.

Driving Skills Test

An assessment of a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely and responsibly on public roads and a special course.

Supervising Driver

An individual who is at least $21$ years old, has been licensed for at least $3$ years, and is seated beside the driver with a Learner's Permit.

Rookie Driver/Graduated Driver Licensing System (GLS)

The process for new drivers of all ages to gain experience, starting with a Learner's Instructional Permit, then a Provisional License, and finally a Driver's License.

Learner's Instructional Permit

The first stage of the GLS, lasting up to $2$ years for new drivers, requiring a vision screening and knowledge test to obtain.

Provisional Driver’s License

The second stage of the GLS, held for at least $18$ months, allowing unsupervised driving with specific restrictions.

Emancipation

A legal decision where a court determines a minor is no longer under their parents' control.

Developmental Disability Disclosure Card

A voluntary blue card the size of a driver's license providing details about a disability and communication tips for law enforcement.

Defensive Driving

The practice of searching ahead and being ready to change speed or lanes to identify risks and avoid crashes.

Right-of-Way

Rules stating when a driver should yield, allowing other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians to go first.

Yielding

Letting other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians move ahead of you or cross the road in front of you.

Posted Speed Limit

The maximum legal speed allowed on a road under ideal (perfect) conditions.

Following Distance

The space between two vehicles, recommended by the MVA to be a minimum of $3$ to $4$ seconds.

Reference Point

An object ahead, such as a bridge or sign, used to calculate the following distance between vehicles.

Unobstructed

A road condition where there are no median strips, signs, or other obstacles in the way.

Steady Red Signal

A traffic signal requiring a complete stop at the stop line, crosswalk, or before entering the intersection.

Steady Yellow Signal

A signal indicating the light is changing to red, providing time for drivers to stop safely or clear the intersection.

Steady Green Signal

A signal allowing a driver to proceed with caution after checking that no other vehicles are in the intersection.

Stop Line

A wide white line painted across the road showing where a vehicle must stop at an intersection.

Reversible Lanes

Lanes where traffic can travel in one direction during certain hours and the opposite direction during others, marked by lane use signals.

Octagon Shape

The exclusive eight-sided shape used for stop signs, requiring a complete stop.

Triangle Shape

The shape used exclusively for yield signs, indicating a driver must slow down and give right-of-way.

Visibility

The ability to clearly see everything on the road, including other vehicles, pedestrians, signs, and pavement markings.

Inclement Weather

Bad weather conditions, such as rain, snow, or fog, that may cause unsafe driving conditions and require headlights.

Traction

The grip between tires and the road that allows a vehicle to start, stop, and change direction.

Black Ice

A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on asphalt roads caused by melting and refreezing.

Hydroplaning

A condition where tires lose contact with the road and ride on a sheet of water, potentially causing loss of control.

Work Zone

A specific area on a road marked by orange signs where construction, maintenance, or utility work is occurring.

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

A measurement of the amount of alcohol in a person's blood, with the legal limit for Maryland drivers being $0.08$ or higher.

Distracted Driving

Any activity that takes a driver's eyes, hands, or mind away from the task of driving.

No-Zones

Four large blind spots around trucks and buses where other vehicles disappear from the driver's view.

Implied Consent

A legal agreement where driving on Maryland roads means consenting to a drug or alcohol test if requested by law enforcement.

Move Over Law

A law requiring drivers to move to a non-adjacent lane when approaching stopped vehicles with flashing lights.

Administrative Actions

Actions the MVA may take, such as suspension, revocation, refusal, or cancellation of a license for law violations.