Massachusetts Driver Education: Daily Review Sheets 1–3 Vocabulary

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Massachusetts driver education facts, laws, and safety rules from Daily Review Sheets 1–3.

Accident Notification Period

You must notify the police and RMV within 5 days if an accident involves injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.

Minimum Age for Driver’s-Ed Classroom

15 years and 9 months old.

Earliest Age for Learner’s Permit

16 years old.

Junior Operator License (JOL) Eligibility

You may take the road test 6 months after receiving your learner’s permit.

JOL Age Limit

A JOL is issued only to drivers under 18.

Learner’s Permit Validity

Valid for 2 years from the date of issue.

Adult License Renewal Cycle

Every 5 years.

Annual Vehicle Inspection

Cars must be inspected once every year.

Registration Renewal Frequency

Every 2 years.

Address Change Notification

Drivers must notify the RMV within 30 days of moving.

License Class D

Regular passenger vehicle driver’s license class you are applying for.

Missed Highway Exit Procedure

Continue to the next exit; never back up or cross the median.

Proper Seat-Belt Fit

Lap belt over the hips and shoulder belt across the chest.

Most Basic Safety Measure

Always wear your seat belts.

Seat-Belt Violation Fine

$25 per unbelted person (driver pays for anyone under 16).

Stopping on a Highway

Pull completely into the breakdown lane.

Flashing Yellow Light

Slow down and proceed with caution.

Flashing Red Light

Come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe.

Steady Yellow Light

Prepare to stop if it is safe to do so.

Green Arrow Signal

Indicates a protected turn in the direction of the arrow.

White vs. Yellow Road Lines

White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; yellow lines separate two-way traffic.

Single Broken Center Line

Traffic in either direction may pass when safe.

Double Solid Center Line

Passing is prohibited for traffic in both directions.

Solid Next to Broken Line

Only vehicles on the side with the broken line may pass.

Crossing Solid Lines

White: never; Yellow: allowed only when turning left.

Minimum Passing Sight Distance

You must see at least 400 feet ahead on a two-way road before passing.

Headlight Hours

Required from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Additional Headlight Requirements

Must use headlights when windshield wipers are on or visibility is poor.

Required Night-Driving Lights

Two white headlights, two red tail lights, and one white license-plate light.

Brake Lights

Three red lights on the rear of the vehicle that illuminate when braking.

Required Brakes

A foot brake and a separate parking (hand) brake.

Reverse Lights

Two small white lights on the rear that illuminate when backing up.

Child Car-Seat Placement

In the back seat, ideally in the middle; infants must face the rear.

Weather of Most Crashes

Clear, fair-weather days.

Driveway Exit Requirement

You must stop before crossing the sidewalk.

White Cane Law

Motorists must stop for a blind pedestrian even outside a crosswalk.

Crosswalk Pedestrian Rule

Drivers must stop for pedestrians who are in or about to enter a crosswalk.

Fundamental Speed Law

Posted speed limits apply only under ideal conditions.

Speeding Ticket Cost (MA)

$105 base fine plus $10 for each mph over the first 10 mph above the limit.

Defensive Driving

Being prepared for all potential hazards at all times.

Interstate Route Numbering

Odd numbers run north–south; even numbers run east–west.

Skid Recovery

Steer in the direction the vehicle is skidding.

Hydroplaning

Loss of traction caused by water between tires and roadway.

Right-of-Way

Legal permission to proceed first.

Stop-Sign Right-of-Way

First vehicle to stop goes first; if tied, yield to the vehicle on your right.

Rotary Right-of-Way

Vehicles already in the rotary have the right-of-way.

Intersection

Any location where two or more roads meet.

Passing on the Right

Permitted only in specific situations, such as when the vehicle ahead is turning left.

Complete Stop Definition

No forward movement and speedometer reads 0 mph.

Leaving Vehicle Unattended

Set the parking brake, shut off the engine, and lock the car.

Tollbooth Signal Colors

Red = closed, Green = open, Yellow = closing soon.

Ethyl Alcohol

Intoxicating ingredient in beer, wine, and liquor.

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

Psychoactive ingredient that causes marijuana intoxication.

OUI Blood-Alcohol Limits

0.08% for drivers 21+; 0.02% for drivers under 21.

Implied Consent Law

By driving, you consent to breath or blood tests for alcohol/drugs.

Large Animal on Road Procedure

Pull over and stop until the animal calms or moves.

Approaching Train Tracks

Slow, look, and be prepared to stop for trains.

Railroad Warning Sign

Round, yellow sign with a black crossbuck and R-R letters.

Legal Cell-Phone Use Age

18 or older (except for 911 emergencies).

Texting While Driving

Reading or sending messages is prohibited at all times.

Surchargeable Event

A moving violation or at-fault accident that increases insurance costs.

Blue Roadway Signs

Indicate motorist services (e.g., gas, food, lodging).

Green Roadway Signs

Provide guidance and directional information.

Yellow Roadway Signs

Warn of upcoming hazards or changes in road conditions.

Regulatory Sign Colors

Black, white, and red signs state laws or regulations.

Brown Roadway Signs

Identify recreational or historical sites.

Orange Roadway Signs

Mark construction or maintenance zones.

White Flashing Light Above Signal

Indicates an emergency vehicle is approaching the intersection.

Blue Flashing Light Above Signal

Signals a parking ban due to snow.

Hill Parking Rules

Uphill with curb: wheels away; downhill with curb: wheels toward curb; no curb: wheels to the right.

Turn-Signal Distance (Streets)

Signal at least 100 feet before turning.

Turn-Signal Distance (Highways)

Signal at least 500 feet before exiting or changing lanes.

School-Bus Stopping Distance

Stop at least 100 feet behind or in front of a bus with flashing red lights.

School Zone Sign

Yellow pentagon indicating a nearby school and crossing.

School Zone Speed Limit

20 mph.

Thickly Settled/Business District Speed

30 mph.

Outside Thickly Settled District Speed

40 mph unless otherwise posted.

Thickly Settled District Definition

Buildings are less than 200 feet apart for at least ¼ mile.

Parking Distance from Corner

You must park at least 20 feet away.

Maximum Distance from Curb

No more than 12 inches from the curb.

Parking Distance from Fire Hydrant

At least 10 feet away.

Distance from Active Fire

Stay back at least 800 feet.

Yielding to Emergency Vehicles

Pull over to the right and stop when lights and sirens approach.

Following Emergency Vehicles

Do not follow or park within 300 feet of a vehicle with flashing lights.

High-Beam Dim Distance (Oncoming)

Dim lights when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet.

High-Beam Dim Distance (Ahead)

Dim lights when you are within 200 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Railroad Crossing Stop Distance

Stop between 15 and 50 feet when lights are flashing.

JOL Passenger Restriction

For the first 6 months, no passengers under 18 unless a licensed driver 21+ is in the front seat.

JOL Night Driving Restriction

No driving between 12:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless with a parent or guardian.

Learner’s Permit Night Restriction

No driving between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless with a licensed parent/guardian.

Passenger/Night/Cell-Phone Violation Suspension

60 days for first offense, 180 days for second, 1 year for subsequent offenses (JOL).

JOL Speeding Suspension

90 days for the first offense; 1 year for additional offenses.

JOL Drag-Racing Suspension

1 year for first offense; 3 years for additional offenses.

Adult Speeding Suspension Rule

Three speeding citations within 12 months = 30-day license suspension.