Driver's Education Lecture Notes Review

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering traffic signals, signs, pavement markings, safe driving practices, legal penalties, and licensing information.

Red Light

Stop fully before entering the intersection or crosswalk.

Right Turn on Red

Allowed if clear and no 'no turn on red' sign, after stopping fully.

Left Turn on Red

Allowed only from a one-way street to another one-way street after stopping, unless otherwise signed.

Red Arrow

Stop; you cannot go in the arrow's direction unless specified by a sign.

Flashing Red Light

Stop, then go when it's safe (like a stop sign).

Flashing Red Arrow

Stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then turn if safe.

Yellow Light or Arrow

Indicates the light is about to turn red; stop if safe, proceed carefully if already in the intersection, and do not speed up.

Flashing Yellow Light

Slow down and use caution, typically found in hazardous areas.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

Allows turning if safe, after yielding to traffic, pedestrians, bikes, and motorcycles.

Green Light or Arrow

Permits going if the way is clear, but stop for pedestrians and other vehicles first.

Out of Service Signal

Treat it like a four-way stop, unless directed by police.

Red 'X' Lane Use Signal

Do not drive in this lane.

Green Arrow Lane Use Signal

You may use this lane.

Yellow 'X' Lane Use Signal

Indicates that the lane use is changing soon.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)

Used to help pedestrians cross safely; includes flashing yellow, solid red, and flashing red phases for drivers.

Red Traffic Sign Color

Indicates stop.

White Traffic Sign Color

Conveys laws or rules.

Yellow Traffic Sign Color

Indicates general warnings.

Green Traffic Sign Color

Provides directions or guidance.

Blue Traffic Sign Color

Indicates services, like rest areas.

Orange Traffic Sign Color

Used for construction zones.

Octagon Sign Shape

Always means STOP, requiring a full stop before moving.

Triangle Sign Shape

Always means YIELD, requiring drivers to slow down and give the right of way.

Diamond Sign Shape

A warning sign, indicating an upcoming hazard or condition requiring caution.

Pentagon Sign Shape

Indicates a school zone or school crossing.

Circle with Slash Sign Shape

Denotes something is not allowed.

HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) Lane Sign

Designated for carpools, buses, and certain clean fuel/motorcycles, marked with a diamond symbol.

Advisory Speeds Sign

Suggested safe speed for specific road conditions or areas, such as exits.

Reduced Speed Ahead Sign

Warns that the speed limit will drop soon.

Merge Sign

Indicates two lanes joining, requiring careful merging.

Slippery When Wet Sign

Warns drivers to slow down on wet roads.

Low Clearance Sign

Warns not to enter if your vehicle is too tall for the overhead clearance.

Railroad Crossbuck

A warning sign indicating a railroad crossing, requiring readiness to stop for trains.

Flashing Arrow Boards

Used in work zones to show lane changes.

Flaggers

Workers with stop/slow signs directing traffic in work zones.

Rumble Strips

Raised strips on the road that cause vibrations to warn drivers to slow down.

Slow Moving Vehicles

Vehicles traveling under 25 MPH, which must display an orange triangle.

Red Pavement Markings/Reflectors

Indicate no entry or no parking zones.

Yellow Center Lines

Separate traffic moving in opposite directions.

Broken Yellow Lines

You may pass when it's safe.

Double Solid Yellow Lines

Indicate no passing is allowed in either direction.

Broken White Lines

Separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, allowing lane changes.

Solid White Lines

Show the edges of the road and separate lanes; generally, you should not change lanes across them.

Double Solid White Lines

Indicate no lane changing, usually for special lanes like HOV.

Yield Line

Triangles showing where to stop or yield, often found at roundabouts.

Shared Lane Markings (Sharrow)

Indicate that the road is shared with bicycles, requiring drivers to watch for them.

Bicycle Box

A green-painted area at intersections for bikes to stop ahead of cars, where drivers must stop behind it.

Reversible Lanes

Traffic direction can change depending on the time of day.

E-ZPass Lanes

Toll lanes for electronic payment where no stopping is required.

White Curb Marking

Stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers.

Yellow Curb Marking

For loading/unloading only; you must stay with your car.

Red Curb Marking

No stopping, standing, or parking allowed.

Hand Position (Steering Wheel)

Hold the steering wheel at 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock, sitting straight and relaxed.

Virginia Speed Limit (School/Business/Residential Zones)

25 MPH.

Stopping Distance Factors

Perception time (seeing the hazard), reaction time (moving foot to brake), and braking distance (car slowing to stop).

Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)

Prevent wheels from locking during braking; do not pump them.

Yielding the Right-of-Way

Allowing others to go first when it's unsafe to merge or in specific situations like intersections without signals, entering roads, or for pedestrians/cyclists.

Emergency Vehicle with Flashing Lights (Stationary)

Safely change lanes away from the vehicle or slow down significantly.

Emergency Vehicle (Moving)

Pull over to the nearest edge of the road and stop until the vehicle passes, and do not follow closer than 500 feet.

Roundabout - Entering

Yield to traffic already in the circle, drive counter-clockwise.

Over-correcting

Turning the steering wheel too sharply, which can lead to sliding or loss of control.

Hand Signal - Left Turn

Left arm straight out.

Hand Signal - Right Turn

Left arm upward.

Hand Signal - Stop/Slow

Left arm downward.

Space Cushion

Maintaining a safe distance around your vehicle to avoid crashes, using the 2-4 second rule depending on speed.

2-Second Rule (Following Distance)

Recommended following distance for speeds under 35 MPH.

Tailgating

Driving too closely behind another vehicle, which is dangerous and illegal.

Blind Spots

Areas around your vehicle that cannot be seen in mirrors, requiring a head turn to check.

Bicyclists

Treated like vehicles, must ride with traffic, single file when passed, and require at least 3 feet of space when passing.

Motorcycles

Difficult to see, requiring extra space in blind spots and never sharing a lane with them.

Truck No-Zones

Areas around large vehicles (side, rear, front) where the driver cannot see you.

Driving with a Trailer

Requires extra room for lane changes, slowing down if the trailer sways, and using small steering movements when backing.

Parking on Hills - Downhill with Curb

Turn wheels right.

Parking on Hills - Uphill with Curb

Turn wheels left.

Parking on Hills - Uphill without Curb

Turn wheels right.

Headlight Requirement (Poor Visibility)

Required in rain, snow, fog, or low visibility conditions, and always in bad weather, even during the day.

Low Beams (Night Driving)

Use in cities and when within 500 feet of another car on highways.

Fog Driving

Use low beams (fog reflects light), slow down, and look for road markings.

Aggressive Driving

Includes tailgating, speeding, running red lights, weaving, yelling, or rude gestures; can lead to license suspension.

Distracted Driving

Any activity that takes attention away from driving, such as texting or eating, leading to slower reactions and increased crash risk.

Drowsy Driving

Caused by lack of sleep, medications, or driving late, increasing crash risk by slowing reaction time and decision-making.

Illegal BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) for 21+

0.08% or higher.

Illegal BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) for Under 21

0.02% or higher.

Traffic Crash - Reporting

Report to police if there's injury, death, or major damage; notify insurance immediately.

Deer/Large Animal Hazard

Common in Virginia; if collision is unavoidable, brake firmly and stop in your lane rather than swerving.

Traffic Stops - Driver Actions

Stay calm, pull over safely, remain in vehicle, keep seat belt fastened, roll down window, show documents, keep hands visible, don't argue at the scene.

Virginia Seat Belt Law

All drivers and front passengers must wear seat belts; passengers under 18 must be properly secured.

Air Bags - Safe Usage

Work best with seat belts; sit at least 10 inches back from the steering wheel; children under 12 should ride in the back seat.

Child Safety Seat Requirement

Required for all children under 8 years old.

Rear-Facing Child Safety Seat

Required from birth to age 2, or longer if the seat allows.

Booster Seat Readiness

Until at least age 8 or until a seat belt fits properly (lap belt on thighs, shoulder belt across chest/shoulder, sits straight, knees bent).

Virginia Zero Tolerance Law

Law for underage drinking offenses.

License Suspension

Temporary loss of driving privileges; requires fees and proof of legal presence to reinstate.

License Revocation

Complete loss of driving privilege; requires reapplication and retaking all tests.

Driver Improvement Clinic Requirement (18 points)

Required if accumulating 18 demerit points in 12 months or 24 points in 24 months.

Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee (Virginia)

$500 fee if not carrying liability insurance, which can lead to license suspension.

Administrative License Suspension (0.08% BAC)

Automatic suspension (7 days for 1st offense, 60 days or until trial for 2nd offense, until trial for 3rd offense) separate from court penalties.

DUI with a Minor in Car

Extra penalties, including 5 days jail and up to $1000 fine.

Learner's Permit (Virginia)

Requires an accompanying licensed driver (21+, or 18-20 if parent/guardian) in the front seat, held for 60 days or after completing driver's ed.

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

Required for tractor-trailers, tankers, buses, vehicles with 16+ people, or hazardous materials.