Virginia Driver's Manual: Signals, Signs, Pavement Markings & Safe Driving (Vocabulary Flashcards)

A vocabulary-focused set of flashcards covering key terms and definitions from the Virginia Driver's Manual sections on Signals, Signs, Pavement Markings, and Safe Driving.

Red light

A signaling light that requires you to come to a complete stop at the stop line (or before the intersection/crosswalk) and remain stopped unless turns are allowed.

Right turn on red

You may turn right on a red light after a complete stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic; not allowed where signs say 'No Turn on Red' or when a red arrow is displayed.

Left turn on red

You may turn left on red from a one‑way street onto another one‑way street after a complete stop and yielding to others; not allowed where signs say 'No Turn on Red' or when a red arrow is displayed.

Red arrow

You must stop if you intend to move in the direction of the arrow; you may not proceed while the red arrow is displayed; Virginia law prohibits turns on red arrows.

Flashing red light

Come to a complete stop and yield to others; you may go when the way is clear; at railroad crossings you must stop even if you don’t see a train.

Flashing red arrow

Come to a complete stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, and proceed in the direction of the arrow when the way is clear.

Yellow light or arrow

A caution that the light or arrow is about to change; if not in the intersection, stop; if already in, proceed cautiously.

Flashing yellow light

Slow down and proceed with caution; used at locations with higher-than-normal hazards.

Flashing yellow arrow

You may turn in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear; yield to other traffic and pedestrians.

Green light

You may go if the way is clear; a green arrow allows you to go in the arrow direction.

Green arrow (lane use)

Permits driving in a lane marked with a green arrow signal when the way is clear.

Left-turn Arrow (lane use)

You may enter a lane marked with a left-turn arrow to turn in the direction of the arrow.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBS)

A signal system at intersections without stoplights that activates with a yellow flash, then solid yellow, red lights, walk signal, and finally red lights flashing to indicate crosswalk clearance.

Traffic Signs (colors)

Sign colors convey meaning: red with white = stop/yield; black with white = regulatory; yellow with black = warning; green/white, blue/white, brown/white = information or services; orange/black and pink/black = construction/incident.

Sign Shapes: Octagon

Stop sign; eight sides; always means stop.

Sign Shapes: Triangle

Yield sign; slow down and be prepared to stop.

Sign Shapes: Rectangle

Regulatory or guide signs; vertical give instructions or law; horizontal give directions or information.

Sign Shapes: Diamond

Warning signs; alert to hazards ahead; slow down.

Sign Shapes: Pentagon

School Zone/School Crossing signs; five-sided shape.

No Right Turn

Right turns are illegal; do not turn right when you see this sign.

No U-Turn

U-turns are illegal; do not turn around.

No Turn on Red

You may not turn on a red light; wait for a green signal.

Speed Limit

The maximum legal speed under good conditions; electronic signs may adjust; penalties may apply for unsafe speeds in rain/snow.

Do Not Enter - Wrong Way

You cannot drive in that direction; you must slow, pull over, and turn around.

One Way

Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.

Do Not Pass

Beginning of a no-passing zone; you may not pass cars ahead in your lane.

Left Turn Yield on Green

Left-turning traffic at a green light must yield to oncoming traffic.

Keep Right

There is a traffic island/median ahead; keep to the indicated side.

HOV Lanes

High Occupancy Vehicle lanes reserved for buses, vanpools, carpools or other qualified vehicles; sometimes reversible; marked by a diamond symbol.

No Left Turn

Left turns are illegal; in Virginia, U-turns are treated as two left turns and may be illegal if posted.

Bicycle Lane

Lane reserved for bicyclists; drivers should not drive in it except for turning.

Sharrows

Shared lane markings (bicycle symbol with double chevrons) indicating bicyclists may ride in the lane and drivers should expect them.

Bicycle Boxes

Boxes at intersections where bicycles move in front of drivers after a red light; drivers must stop behind the box; right turns on red aren’t allowed here.

Toll Plazas and E‑ZPass

Virginia toll facilities accept E‑ZPass; transponders allow electronic payment; cash lanes exist for non-transponder users.

Bus-Only Lanes

Lanes reserved for buses; marked with BUS ONLY or red pavement.

Open Joints / Expansion Joints

Road signs warning of joints on bridges/ramps that can affect stability and traction.

Rumble Strips Ahead

Warning signs for rumble strips in advance of work zones; slow down and proceed cautiously.

Pavement Markings (colors and meanings)

Road markings in red, yellow, or white; white lines mark edges and turn lanes; solid/dashed lines indicate passing or lane changes; yellow lines mark centerline and passing rules.

Broken Yellow Center Line

Passing is allowed from the broken side when the opposite lane is clear.

Double Solid Yellow Lines

Center of the road; passing is not allowed in either direction.

Broken White Lines

Lane separation for traffic in the same direction; lane changes allowed with caution.

Solid White Lines

Mark turn lanes and discourage lane changes near intersections or ramps; right edge of pavement.

Dotted White Lines (Dotted lines)

Indicate lane guidance; often used to guide turning lanes or denote openings of turn lanes.

White Lane Arrows / Only

Arrows indicate which turn may be made from the lane; ONLY arrows constrain the direction of travel.

Wrong-Way Arrows

Arrows indicating the correct traffic direction; driving the wrong way is dangerous and illegal.

Shared Lane Markings (Sharrow)

Bicycle symbol with double chevrons used to indicate bicyclists may ride in the lane and drivers should share.

Bicycle Boxes

Bike boxes at intersections; cyclists move into the box in front of drivers; right turns on red not allowed there.

Toll Lanes and E‑ZPass Rules

Electronic toll collection; cameras may bill if you drive in a non-toll lane.

Railroad Crossings / Crossbuck

Railroad crossing signs warn drivers to look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains; crossbuck indicates railroad crossing.

Railroad Crossing (Flashing Lights/ Gates)

Gates or flashing lights may accompany crossbuck; stop when lights flash and gates lower; wait until lights stop and gates rise.

Pavement markings at crossings

X and RR markings on pavement near rail crossings; stay alert for trains from any direction.

Ramps & Turn Lanes (Yield Line)

Yield line (triangles) marks the point you must yield or stop; often seen at roundabouts.

Roundabout

A circular intersection where entering vehicles yield to traffic inside the circle and pedestrians; drive counterclockwise; use signals when exiting.

Stop for School Buses

You must stop for stopped school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop sign from any direction on a highway, private road or school driveway; wait until children clear and bus moves.

Stopping Distance (Perception, Reaction, Braking)

Total distance to stop depends on perception time, reaction distance, and braking distance; weather and road conditions affect all three.

Three-Second Rule (Safe Following Distance)

A common guideline for following distance to allow enough time to react; not explicitly named here but implied in stopping discussions.

Antilock Brakes (ABS)

ABS helps prevent wheel lock during braking; do not pump ABS brakes; consult owner’s manual for specifics.

Blind Spots

Areas around the vehicle not visible in mirrors; check over shoulder before lane changes or passing.

Yielding to Pedestrians/Bicyclists

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks or when pedestrians are crossing; turns on red require extra caution.

Pedestrian Safety for Special Situations

Drivers must stop for pedestrians using canes or guide dogs and for those crossing lawfully; funeral processions and military convoys have special yielding rules.