Arkansas Driver License Study Guide – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, laws, signs, driving rules, safety strategies, and licensing concepts from the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide.

Littering (Arkansas)

Illegal act of throwing or depositing waste on streets or highways; first-offense fines $100–$1,000 plus up to 8 hrs community service.

Commercial Littering

Dumping or disposal of waste as part of a business; classified as a Class A misdemeanor in Arkansas.

Prima Facie Evidence Against Drivers

Arkansas rule stating litter thrown from a motor vehicle is presumed to have been thrown by the driver.

Move Over Law

Requires drivers to change lanes or slow down for stopped emergency or authorized vehicles with lights activated; fines up to $1,000 and possible license suspension.

Arkansas Seat-Belt Law

Primary-enforcement law making it illegal for front-seat occupants to ride unbelted; maximum fine $25 plus court costs.

Child Passenger Protection Act

Arkansas law requiring children < 6 yrs and < 60 lb to be in a safety seat and all under 15 to be properly restrained.

Protection from Secondhand Smoke for Children Act

Prohibits smoking in a motor vehicle when any passenger is under 14 years old.

Unattended Children & Pets (Heat Hazard)

Warning that vehicle interiors can rise 15 °F every 9 minutes, posing fatal risk if children or pets are left inside.

School-Bus Stop Law

Drivers must stop for a bus with flashing red lights from any direction unless separated by a median ≥ 20 ft.

Isaac’s Law

Arkansas Class C felony of negligent homicide for killing a person by illegally passing a stopped school bus.

Accessible (Handicap) Parking

Reserved spaces requiring a special certificate or plate; misuse is a Class A misdemeanor with fines and possible 6-month suspension.

Instruction Permit

Allows practice driving with a licensed driver ≥ 21 yrs beside you; minimum age 14; valid 2 years.

Learner’s License

Restricted license for ages 14–16; must drive with licensed adult ≥ 21 and hold 6 months crash-free before upgrade.

Intermediate License

Restricted license for ages 16–18; limits passengers, night driving (11 p.m.–4 a.m.) unless with adult or for specific purposes.

Class D License

Non-restricted Arkansas driver license for passenger vehicles under 26,001 lbs GVWR; minimum age 18.

Class M License

Motorcycle endorsement for riders ≥ 16; requires motorcycle knowledge and skills tests.

Class MD License

Restricted license for 14–16-year-olds to operate motorcycles ≤ 250 cc.

Motorized Bicycle Certificate

Credential for 14–16-year-olds to operate motor-bikes ≤ 50 cc if no other license is held.

Two-Second Rule

Minimum safe following distance under good conditions—start counting when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point.

Four-Second Sight-Distance Rule

Nighttime or reduced-visibility guideline: never drive faster than you can stop within four seconds of travel distance.

Safety Cushion

Space maintained in front, behind, and on both sides of your vehicle to allow time to react.

Blind Spot

Area beside or behind a vehicle not visible in mirrors; requires over-the-shoulder check before lane changes.

Split-Difference Rule

Technique of steering a middle course between two hazards, giving extra space to the greater danger.

Slow-Moving Vehicle Sign

Fluorescent orange triangle bordered with red indicating a vehicle traveling < 25 mph.

Work-Zone Sign

Orange, diamond-shaped warning of construction; Arkansas doubles fines for moving violations when workers are present.

Stop Sign

Red octagon requiring a complete stop and yield to crossing traffic and pedestrians.

Yield Sign

Red-and-white (or yellow) triangle instructing drivers to slow and give right-of-way; violation can mean $1,000 fine and 180-day suspension.

Right-on-Red Rule

After complete stop and if no sign prohibits, drivers may turn right on red when the way is clear.

Yellow Lane Markings

Lines separating traffic moving in opposite directions; solid double yellow means no passing either way.

Fog Line

Solid white line on roadway edge indicating outer boundary of drivable surface.

Shared Center Turn Lane

Center lane marked by parallel solid and broken yellow lines for left turns from either direction; cannot be used as acceleration lane.

Roundabout

Circular intersection where traffic moves counter-clockwise around a central island and entering vehicles yield to circulating traffic.

No-Zone

Large truck’s blind areas: 20 ft front, 200 ft rear, and along both sides—if you can’t see the driver’s mirror, they can’t see you.

Hydroplaning

Loss of tire contact with road surface on water film, typically at speeds ≥ 50 mph; remedy is to ease off accelerator and steer straight.

Antilock Braking System (ABS)

Computer-controlled braking that prevents wheel lockup; press pedal firmly and hold during emergency stop.

Hand-Over-Hand Steering

Turning method for sharp corners: pull wheel down with one hand while the other crosses over to continue turn.

Emergency Notification System (ENS) Sign

Blue sign at railroad crossings giving 24-hour phone number and crossing ID for reporting emergencies.

Hydroplane Speed Threshold

Point (about 50 mph on wet roads) where tires can lose all traction and ride on water layer.

Thirty-Minute Headlight Rule

Arkansas requirement to use headlights 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise or when visibility < 500 ft.

ABS vs. Non-ABS Emergency Stop

With ABS: press pedal hard and steer. Without ABS: threshold-brake—press, release if wheels lock, then re-apply.

Two-to-Four Second Gap (Merging)

Recommended opening when entering or changing lanes to fit safely into traffic flow.

Four-to-Six Second Following Distance

Extra space advised when following motorcycles or in poor conditions.

Hydraulic Brake Failure Procedure

Pump brakes, apply parking brake gradually, shift to lower gear, and steer to safe stop.

Blowout Response

Grip wheel firmly, ease off gas, steer straight, brake lightly, and pull off road.

Skid Recovery

Stay off brakes, steer in direction you want front wheels to go, and continue steering corrections until control regained.

Two Types of DUI Limits (Arkansas)

0.08 % BAC for adults (DWI); 0.02 % for under-21 drivers (Underage DUI).

Designated Driver

Sober individual chosen to drive companions who have consumed alcohol.

Two-Tier License Suspension (Refusal)

Refusing alcohol test leads to license suspension separate from any DWI conviction.

Sight-Distance Rule (Night)

Drive at a speed that lets you stop within the range of your headlights—about 400 ft on high beam.

ABS Indicator Light

Dashboard warning that monitors antilock braking system; if illuminated, system may be disabled.

Arkansas Distracted-Driving Law

Prohibits texting for all drivers; bans handheld phone use for drivers < 18 and handheld calls for 18–20 except emergency.

Visual, Manual, Cognitive Distractions

Three simultaneous distraction types created by texting: eyes off road, hands off wheel, mind off driving.

Tire Tread Minimum

Replace tires when tread depth is below 1∕16 inch (fail penny test).

Hydraulic Brake Warning Signs

Squealing, foul odor, or pedal sinks indicate brake system needs inspection.

Organ Donor Designation

‘Organ Donor’ printed on Arkansas license indicates person’s consent to donate organs or tissue at death.

1-2-3 Checklist (Skills Test)

Items needed: permit, licensed driver ≥ 21, current insurance & registration before road test.

No Parking Zone Distances

Includes within 15 ft of fire hydrant, 30 ft of stop sign/traffic signal, 50 ft of railroad crossing, or 20 ft of crosswalk.

ABS Brake Feel

Pedal may pulsate or push back; keep holding pressure.

Hydroplaning Prevention

Maintain good tire tread and reduce speed on wet pavement.

Motorcycle No-Zone

Space directly in front, behind, and beside a motorcycle where a car must not crowd; allow 4–6 seconds following distance.

Left-Lane Law (27-51-301)

Left lane of multilane highway reserved for passing, avoiding hazards, or preparing a left exit.

ENS Phone Number

Railroad crossing emergency contact to stop train traffic or report obstructions.

ABS Advantages

Maintain steering control while braking hard, shorten stopping distance on many surfaces.

Over-Braking (Non-ABS)

Pressing brakes until wheels lock, causing skid; corrected by releasing pedal slightly.

Pedestrian White Cane Rule

Drivers must yield absolute right-of-way to pedestrians using white cane or guide dog.

Hill Parking Wheel Direction

Turn wheels away from traffic when parked uphill or downhill without curb; into curb when downhill with curb.

Stationary Emergency Vehicle Law

Move to farthest lane or slow down when passing stopped police, DOT, tow, or utility vehicles with lights on.

Parking Brake Requirement on Grade

Arkansas law: set parking brake and turn wheels toward curb or roadside before leaving vehicle unattended on a hill.

ENS Sign Location

Mounted on or near the crossbuck or signal housings at highway-rail grade crossings.

Tire Inflation (Cold PSI)

Check and set tire pressure when tires have been parked at least 3 hours or driven less than 1 mile.

Blind-Spot Check

Quick shoulder glance in direction of lane change after mirrors are cleared.

Bicycle Lane Full-Use Situations

Cyclist may take entire lane when preparing left turn, avoiding hazards, or when lane too narrow to share.

Hand Signal – Right Turn

Left arm bent upward at 90° outside window; used if vehicle signals fail.

Hand Signal – Stop

Left arm bent downward at 90° indicating slowing or stopping.

Hand Signal – Left Turn

Left arm extended straight out horizontally.

Emergency Flashers

Hazard lights activated to warn others of breakdown or emergency stop.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

Permits left turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians; proceed with caution.

Flashing Red Light

Same as a stop sign—complete stop, then proceed when safe.

Railroad Crossbuck

White X-shaped sign marking highway-rail grade crossing; requires yielding to trains.

Exempt Railroad Crossing

Marked crossing where specific vehicles are excused from mandatory stop because track is abandoned or seldom used.

Construction Zone Double Fine

Arkansas increases fines for moving violations when workers and warning signs are present.

Handheld Device Ban (Under 18)

Arkansas law prohibiting any wireless phone use, including hands-free, for drivers under 18 except in emergencies.

Hydroplaning Recovery

Do NOT brake; gently ease off accelerator and steer straight until tires regain traction.

ABS vs. Skid Control

ABS prevents skid by modulating brakes; without ABS, driver must pump brakes to avoid wheel lock.

Arkansas Organ Donor Registry

Database of residents who consent to organ/tissue donation, indicated by 'Organ Donor' on license.

Visual Lead Time (City)

Scan at least one city block or 15 seconds ahead to anticipate hazards.

High-Beam Use Rule

Dim headlights within 500 ft of oncoming traffic or when following within 200 ft.

ABS Operation Sound

Grinding or buzzing noise is normal during heavy braking; indicates system engagement.

Parking Distance from Curb

Arkansas requires vehicle to be within 18 inches of curb when parallel parked.

Alcohol Metabolism Rate

Body eliminates roughly one standard drink per hour; coffee or showers do not speed process.

Class C Misdemeanor Speeding (County Road)

Driving more than 15 mph over posted limit on Arkansas county road as set by judge.

Railroad Multiple-Tracks Sign

Plaque beneath crossbuck indicating the number of tracks to alert drivers to check for additional trains.

Vehicle No-Fault Rule (Skid)

Most skids result from driver speed too fast for conditions rather than road surface alone.

Illegal Backing

Prohibited to reverse in travel lanes except for safety; better to go to next exit or turnaround point.

Tire Blowout Common Cause

Under-inflation or worn tread leading to heat buildup and sudden failure.