Virginia Driver's Manual Flashcards

Flashcards about the Virginia Driver's Manual, Section 2 and 3: Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings and Safe Driving

Traffic Control Devices

Traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings are used for traffic control to provide a smooth, orderly flow of traffic.

Red Light

Come to a complete stop at the stop line or before entering the intersection or crosswalk; remain stopped as long as the signal is red, unless turns are allowed.

Right turn on red

You may turn right while the traffic signal displays a red light after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic, unless prohibited by a sign or a red arrow.

Left turn on red

You may turn left at a red light if you are on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street, after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic, unless prohibited by a sign or a red arrow.

Red arrow

You must stop if you intend to move in the direction of the arrow as long as the red arrow is displayed, unless signs permit a turn on the red arrow after stopping.

Flashing red light

Come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians; proceed when the way is clear.

Flashing red arrow

Come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection, and proceed in the direction of the arrow when the way is clear.

Yellow light or arrow

A caution warning that the light is about to change; stop if you have not entered the intersection, or cautiously go through it if unsafe to stop.

Flashing yellow light

Slow down and proceed with caution.

Flashing yellow arrow

You may turn in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear, yielding to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians in the intersection.

Green light or arrow

You may go if the way is clear, yielding the right-of-way to vehicles coming from the other direction and pedestrians if turning without a green arrow.

Out of service signals

Stop and proceed as though it were an all-way stop, unless directed by law enforcement or portable stop signs are in use.

Red X

Never drive in a lane marked with this signal.

Yellow X or Yellow Diagonal Downward Arrow

Move out of the lane as soon as safely possible.

Green Arrow

You are permitted to drive in a lane marked with this signal.

Left-turn Arrow

You are permitted to enter in a lane marked with a one-way or two-way arrow only to turn in the direction of the arrow.

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs)

Appears over intersections without stoplights and alerts drivers when pedestrians are at a crosswalk.

Red sign color

Conveys stop, yield, do not, and no.

Black and white sign color

Conveys regulatory information.

Yellow and black sign color

Conveys a warning.

Yellow/green with black sign color

Advises of school zone, pedestrian and/or bicyclist activities.

Green and white, blue and white, and brown and white signs

Used to provide helpful information, such as destination types, motorists services, or historical/cultural interests.

Orange and black and pink and black signs

Used to advise and warn in construction (orange) and incident (pink) areas.

Octagon (Stop)

Always means stop; you must come to a complete stop.

Triangle (Yield)

You must slow down as you come to the intersection and be prepared to stop; let any vehicles, pedestrians or bicyclists safely pass before you proceed.

Rectangle (Regulatory or Guide)

Vertical signs generally give instructions or tell you the law; horizontal signs may give directions or information.

Diamond (Warning)

Warn you of special conditions or hazards ahead; slow down and drive with caution, be ready to stop.

Pentagon (School Zone/School Crossing)

Marks school zones and warns you about school crossings.

Speed Limit signs

Tell you the maximum legal speed that you may drive on the road where the sign is posted when weather conditions are good.

Do Not Enter – Wrong Way signs

Means you cannot drive in that direction; immediately slow down, pull over, and cautiously turn around.

One Way sign

Traffic flows only in the direction of the arrow.

No Left Turn sign

Left turns are against the law.

No Right Turn sign

Right turns are illegal.

No U-Turn sign

U-turns are illegal.

No Turn on Red sign

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

Do Not Pass sign

Marks the beginning of a no passing zone; you may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.

Left Turn Yield on Green sign

Tells you that the traffic turning left at a green light does not have the right-of-way and must yield to traffic coming from the other direction.

Keep Right sign

A traffic island, median or barrier is ahead; keep to the side indicated by the arrow.

Lane Use Control signs

These signs are used where turns are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes; traffic in the lane must turn in the direction of the arrow.

High Occupancy Vehicle signs

Indicates lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers as specified on the sign.

Disabled Parking signs

Parking spaces marked with these signs are reserved for people with disabled parking permits.

Warning signs

Alert you to possible hazards ahead; slow down and watch for other pavement markings, signs, signals or work zones that may follow.

Advisory Speed sign

Indicates the maximum safe speed for a highway exit.

Reduced Speed Limit Ahead sign

Prepare to reduce your speed; the speed limit is changing ahead.

Stop Ahead/Yield Ahead sign

A stop sign or yield sign is ahead; slow down and be ready to stop.

Signal Ahead sign

Traffic signals are ahead; slow down and be ready to stop.

No Passing Zone sign

This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone; you may not pass cars ahead of you in your lane, even if the way is clear.

Merge sign

Two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction are about to become one; drivers in both lanes are responsible for merging safely.

Lane Reduction sign

The right lane ends soon; drivers in the right lane must merge left when space opens up; drivers in the left lane should allow other vehicles to merge smoothly.

Divided Highway Begins sign

The highway ahead is split into two separate roadways by a median or divider and each roadway is one-way; keep right.

Divided Highway Ends sign

The highway ahead no longer has a median or divider; traffic goes in both directions; keep right.

Slippery When Wet sign

When pavement is wet, reduce your speed; do not brake hard or change direction suddenly; increase the distance between your car and the one ahead of you.

Low Clearance Sign

The overpass ahead has a low clearance; do not proceed if your vehicle is taller than the height shown on the sign.

Hill sign

A steep grade is ahead; check your brakes.

Deer Crossing sign

Deer cross the roadway in this area; slow down, be alert and be ready to stop.

Horse-Drawn Buggies sign

Regularly travel in this area; slow down and don’t use the horn; state law requires motorists to pass with at least three feet of clearance when the way is clear.

Tractors and Farm Equipment sign

Regularly travel in this area; be ready to slow down or stop; only pass when the way is clear.

Pedestrian Crossing sign

Watch for people entering a crosswalk or crossing your path; slow down and be prepared to stop; a second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the crosswalk.

Bicycle Crossing/Bike Path sign

Bicycles regularly cross or ride beside traffic in this area; drive with caution; a second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the bike crossing.

School Zone/School Crossing sign

Watch out for children crossing the street or playing; be ready to slow down or stop; obey speed limits and signals from any crossing guards; a second sign with an arrow may show the actual location of the sidewalk.

Open Joints sign

Slow down; open joints on bridges or ramps could cause a motorcyclist to lose control of the motorcycle.

Expansion Joints sign

This sign is used when a joint across lanes creates a bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.

Intersections sign

An intersection is ahead; be alert for vehicles entering the road on which you are traveling.

Y Intersection sign

You must bear either right or left ahead.

T Intersection sign

The roadway you are traveling on ends ahead at a stop sign; you must turn right or left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Roundabout signs

Indicate a circular intersection with an island in the center is ahead; entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to traffic already in the circle and travel in a counter clockwise direction.

Right Curve – Side Road sign

The road ahead curves right and a side road joins from the left within the curve; be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling on.

Sharp Right Turn sign

Slow down and be prepared for a sharp right turn in the road ahead.

Sharp Right and Left Turns sign

Slow down and be prepared for the road ahead to turn sharply right, then left.

Right and Left Curves sign

The road ahead curves right, then left; slow down.

Right Curve with Safe Speed Indicator

The road ahead curves right; slow down to the safe speed indicated.

Winding Road sign

The road ahead winds with a series of turns or curves; on all curves, slow down for better control.

Low Ground Railroad Crossing sign

A steep slope where the railroad tracks cross the road may cause the bottom of low vehicles to get caught or drag on the tracks.

Railroad Crossing signs

These signs warn you to look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails.

Railroad Crossbuck sign

This sign is a warning of a railroad crossing; look, listen, slow down and be prepared to stop for trains or any vehicles using the rails.

Railroad Crossbuck and Flashing Lights

Always stop when the light begins to flash and be alert for approaching trains; do not proceed until all trains or any other vehicles using the rails have passed, the tracks are clear, and the lights are no longer flashing.

Crossbuck, Flashing Lights and Gate

Stop when the lights begin to flash and before the gate lowers; remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing; do not attempt to drive around the lowered gate.

Rough Road, Bump, or Uneven Lanes signs

These signs are used when certain road conditions, such as loose gravel or road construction, affect the roadway surface and create potentially difficult conditions for motorists, especially motorcyclists.

Road Construction Ahead – Detour signs

These signs indicate a change in the traffic pattern or route ahead; slow down; unusual or potentially dangerous conditions are ahead.

Flashing Arrow Boards

Large flashing arrow boards or flashing message signs in work zones direct drivers to proceed into different traffic lanes and inform them that part of the road ahead is closed.

Flaggers

Highway workers who normally wear orange or yellow vests, or yellow-green shirts or jackets; they use STOP/SLOW paddles or red flags to stop or direct traffic through the work zone.

Photo Speed Enforcement sign

This sign indicates that automated photo enforcement is in place for speeding in a work zone; always obey the posted speed limit in a work zone.

Traffic Control Devices

Barricades, vertical signs, concrete barriers, drums and cones are the most common devices used to guide drivers safely through work zones; when driving near the devices, keep your vehicle in the middle of the lane and obey the posted speed limit.

Message Boards

Provide information about traffic, road, weather or other hazardous conditions; always obey any directions posted on these message boards.

Rumble Strips Ahead signs

Signs warn motorists of black or orange strips placed across the travel lanes in advance of work zones, including a flagger or lane closure; rumble strips should be slowly driven over, not swerved around.

Slow Moving Vehicles

Traveling at 25 MPH or less, such as farm equipment, horse-drawn vehicles or highway work vehicles, must display these signs when using a public highway; be prepared to adjust your speed or position when you see a vehicle with one of these signs.

Pavement Markings

Guide and warn drivers as well as regulate traffic; markings may be red, yellow or white.

Yellow center lines

Means two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions.

Broken yellow center lines

Means that passing on the left is allowed in either direction when the way ahead is clear.

A broken yellow line alongside a solid yellow line

Means that passing is allowed from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line; vehicles on the solid yellow line side may only cross the line to pass pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of scooters or skateboards, when the opposite lane is clear and you can pass safely.

Double solid yellow lines

Mark the center of the road and separate traffic traveling in two different directions; passing is not allowed in either direction.

Broken white lines

Separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction; you may change lanes with caution.

Dotted white lines

Used to show lane assignment in intersections and interchanges where there might otherwise be a tendency to drift out of a lane or an area of intended use; also used to denote the opening of a turn lane at an intersection and entrance/exit lanes at interchanges.

Solid white lines

Show turn lanes and discourage lane changes near intersections, interchange/on- and off-ramps, and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous; also mark the right edge of pavement.

White lane arrows

If you are in a lane marked with a curved arrow or a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the direction of the arrow; if your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may turn or go straight.

Double solid white lines

Separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction; most often they are used to designate special use lane from conventional lanes, as when used to separate a High Occupancy Vehicle lanes from the other lanes of an expressway; you may not cross these lines.

Bicycle boxes

Painted on the road at intersections; they contain a white bicycle symbol; drivers must stop for a red traffic signal behind all bicycle boxes, not inside the box.

High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes

Marked on highways by a diamond shape in the center of the lane; during heavy traffic periods, HOV lanes are reserved for buses, vanpools, carpools, other high occupancy vehicles, motorcycles, and certain clean special fuel vehicles.

Toll Plazas and Lanes

In Virginia accept payment using E-ZPass toll transponders; if you have a transponder, as you approach a toll plaza look for and follow signs with the purple E-ZPass logo.

Yield line

Is a line of triangles extending across the roadway that may be used with a yield sign to show the point at which you must yield or stop, if necessary; often seen at the entrance of a roundabout.