Maryland Driver's Manual Flashcards

Flashcards from the Maryland Driver's Manual, covering key vocabulary and concepts.

Vision Screening

Tests how well you can see. To qualify for a driver’s license, the applicant must have: Binocular vision, Visual acuity of at least 20/40 in each eye and A continuous field of vision of at least 140 degrees.

Knowledge Test

Checks to see if you know about: Motor vehicle laws, Safe driving practices and Traffic signs.

Driving Skills Test

Checks to see that you have the skills to drive safely and responsibly. The test includes driving on public roads and a special course at the testing location.

Learner’s Instructional Permit

Permit lasts up to 2 years. You must pass a vision screening and knowledge test to get the Permit.

Provisional Driver’s License

Permits you to drive without supervision but with restrictions. Restrictions are things like no passengers and no driving at night. You have a Provisional Driver’s License for at least 18 months before being eligible for a regular Driver’s License.

Driver’s License

The last stage of the Graduated Driver Licensing System. You must Be at least 18 years of age and Have had a Provisional License for at least 18 months.

Defensive Driving

Constantly observing your surroundings helps you to see problems that may cause you to change speed or change lanes. This includes watching the front, sides, and rear of your vehicle.

Yielding the Right-of-Way

Letting other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians move ahead of you or cross the road in front of you. It means letting them go first.

Appropriate Speed for Conditions

Maryland Vehicle Law requires you to drive at a reasonable speed and be aware of existing and potential hazards. You may drive slower than the posted speed limit, based on road conditions, but it is illegal to drive any faster than the posted speed limit.

Following Distance

The MVA recommends a minimum following distance of 3 to 4 seconds under ideal driving conditions. This means it takes 3 to 4 seconds to get to the same reference point as the car ahead of you.

Traffic control devices

Traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings (lines on the road) that regulate, warn, and guide traffic.

Steady Red Signal

Come to a complete stop at the stop line. If there is no stop line, stop before the crosswalk and before entering the intersection. Remain stopped as long as the signal is red.

Steady Yellow Signal

This means that the signal is changing from green to red. It gives you time to stop safely. It also provides time for vehicles already in the intersection to get through the intersection before the signal turns red.

Steady Green Signal

Proceed with caution after you have checked first to see that no other vehicles are in the intersection. This means be careful and pay close attention.

Types of Traffic Signs

Traffic signs use symbols and words to communicate information. The main background color of a traffic sign can quickly tell you what kind of information it has. Octagon: Stop, Triangle: Yield, Diamond: Warning, Pennant: No Passing, Rectangle: Regulatory or Guide

Pavement markings

Lines on the road that provide important guidance and information without requiring you to look away from the road.

Reduced Visibility

Visibility is your ability to clearly see everything around you on the road, like other vehicles, pedestrians, road signs, signals, and pavement markings. Reduced or low visibility means it is harder to see these things.

Driving in Fog

Guidelines and requirements for driving when it is foggy: Reduce your normal driving speed, have low beam headlights on, Also use fog lights if you have them.

Skidding

The possibility of skidding or sliding increases when traction decreases. Basic rules include: Release the accelerator (gas pedal) or brake pedal, whichever one you are using, to regain control of your vehicle, Steer in the direction you are skidding.

Hydroplaning

As your vehicle speed increases and the amount of water on the road increases, you can end up riding on a sheet of water. When this happens, your tires lose contact with the road

Work Zone Safety

You will come across work zones on all kinds of roads where construction, maintenance, or utility work is happening. Work zones can mean unexpected conditions.

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

A measurement of the amount of alcohol in your blood. Maryland considers drivers to be driving under the influence of alcohol when their blood alcohol concentration is .08 or higher.

Aggressive Driving

Includes: Speeding, tailgating, ignoring traffic signals and devices, making unsafe lane changes, not yielding the right-of-way, and unsafe or illegal passing.

Distracted driving

When you take your eyes, hands or especially your mind, away from driving.

No-Zones

The four large blind spots around trucks where other vehicles disappear from view. Includes: Side No-Zones, Rear No-Zones, Front No-Zones and Backing Up No- Zones

Share the Road

Drivers and riders have the responsibility to share the road safely. Look twice before merging, changing lanes, and pulling into traffic.

Administrative Actions

The MVA may suspend, revoke, refuse, or cancel your license if you violate motor vehicle laws.

Supervising driver

Supervising driver is: At least 21 years old, Currently licensed for at least three years in Maryland or another state to drive the same class of vehicles that you are driving and Seated beside you, unless the vehicle is a motorcycle.

Electric Bicycles

Are operated by human power with the assistance of an electric motor, Have fully operable pedals, Have two or three wheels and Have an electric motor with a rating of 750 watts or less.