Massachusetts Driver’s Manual – Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, laws, and concepts from the Massachusetts Driver’s Manual, designed to help students recall definitions for the learner’s permit exam and safe lifelong driving.

REAL ID

A federally compliant Massachusetts Driver’s License/ID that will be required (or a passport) to fly within the U.S. or enter certain federal facilities beginning May 7 2025.

Standard Massachusetts License/ID

A non-REAL ID card that grants normal driving privileges but is NOT valid for federal identification purposes after May 7 2025.

Work and Family Mobility Act (WFMA)

2023 law allowing eligible customers to obtain a Standard Class D or M Driver’s License without proof of lawful presence.

Junior Operator (JOL)

A driver aged 16 ½–18 who holds a license subject to special education, passenger, and night restrictions.

Passenger Restriction (JOL)

First 6 months after licensure a junior operator may not carry passengers under 18 (except immediate family) unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+.

Night Restriction (JOL)

Prohibits a junior operator from driving 12:30 a.m.–5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent/legal guardian.

Hands-Free Law

Massachusetts law banning hand-held electronic device use while driving; adult drivers may use only hands-free mode, teens none at all.

Vulnerable Road User Law

Requires motorists to leave at least 4 ft. when passing pedestrians, bicyclists, roadside workers, etc., and to cross the center line if needed and safe.

Three-Second Rule

Minimum safe following distance: pick a roadside object and ensure 3 seconds elapse before you reach it after the vehicle ahead passes it.

Hydroplaning

Loss of tire traction caused by water on the road, making a vehicle ride on a film of water instead of pavement.

Move-Over Law

Drivers must reduce speed and move over a lane (if safe) for stationary emergency, maintenance, or recovery vehicles with flashing lights.

Four-Way Stop

Intersection where all approaches have STOP signs; vehicle arriving first goes first, otherwise yield to the vehicle on your right.

Right-of-Way

The legal privilege of the immediate use of the roadway; something you GIVE, not take, to avoid crashes.

Rotary

Large circular intersection (traffic circle) where traffic travels counter-clockwise and entering vehicles yield to traffic already in the circle.

Roundabout

Smaller, slower version of a rotary with yield lines and crosswalks, designed for speeds ≤ 25 mph.

Shared Lane Marking (Sharrow)

Painted bicycle symbol with chevrons indicating bicyclists may use the full lane and motorists must expect their presence.

Bicycle Box

Green pavement area ahead of a crosswalk at a signalized intersection allowing bicyclists to queue in front of motor vehicles.

Separated Bicycle Lane

Bike facility physically separated from motor-vehicle traffic by a curb, posts, or parking lane for increased safety.

Dutch Reach

Method of opening a car door with the far hand to force you to look back for bicyclists and prevent “dooring.”

Ignition Interlock Device (IID)

Breath-testing device required for drivers with 2+ OUI offenses; vehicle will not start if BAC exceeds preset limit.

Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)

Percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream; 0.08 % is the Massachusetts per-se limit for OUI (0.02 % for drivers < 21 administratively).

Implied Consent Law

By driving in MA you consent to breath/blood tests for OUI; refusal triggers immediate license suspension.

Habitual Traffic Offender

Driver with 3 major moving violations or 12 major/minor violations within 5 years; results in 4-year suspension.

Driver Attitudinal Retraining Course

Mandatory class for certain surchargeable events, speeding, or Junior Operator violations; must be completed within 90 days to avoid suspension.

SCARR Course

State Courts Against Road Rage program sometimes required for drag-racing or serious speeding offenses.

Surchargeable Event

Moving violation or at-fault crash recorded on driving record that can raise insurance and trigger license actions.

Civil Motor Vehicle Infraction (CMVI)

Non-criminal traffic violation such as speeding or running a stop sign, usually resolved by paying a fine.

Criminal Motor Vehicle Violation

Serious traffic offense (e.g., OUI, leaving crash scene) that can lead to arrest, court penalties, and license revocation.

Hydrant Parking Rule

Illegal to park within 10 ft of a fire hydrant or in a marked fire lane.

Fundamental Speed Law

Requires driving at a speed reasonable and proper for conditions, even if below posted limit.

Thickly Settled District

Area where buildings are < 200 ft apart for ¼ mile; default speed limit 30 mph (or 25 mph if town opts in).

Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB)

Two-red-light signal activated by pedestrians allowing safe mid-block crossing; drivers stop on solid red, proceed on flashing red when clear.

Advisory Bicycle Lane

Dashed-line bike lane on narrow roads that vehicles may temporarily use after yielding to bicyclists.

Channelizing Island

Painted or raised area guiding traffic and prohibiting driving/parking over it.

Three-Point Turn

Maneuver for reversing direction on a narrow road when a U-turn isn’t possible: forward left, reverse right, forward left.

Reaction Distance

Distance a vehicle travels from the moment a driver perceives a hazard until they begin to brake (≈ ¾ sec).

Hydrogen Line Marking (Double Solid Yellow)

Prohibits crossing for passing; may be crossed only for left turn when safe.

Driver Removal Law

After property-damage-only crash, involved vehicles must be moved out of travel lanes to avoid secondary crashes.

No-Turn-on-Red

Posted restriction that prohibits turning right (or left from one-way to one-way) on a red signal at designated intersections.

Emergency Vehicle Following Distance

Illegal to follow within 300 ft of an emergency vehicle responding with lights/siren.

Move-Over Distance for Bikes

Motorists must allow at least 4 ft when overtaking a bicycle, crossing center line if needed and safe.

Hydroplaning Response

Ease off accelerator, don’t brake, and steer straight until tires regain contact with road.

Unattended Idling Law

Massachusetts prohibits engine idling > 5 min; violators can be fined.

Green Pavement

Color used at conflict zones (e.g., bike-lane crossings) to alert drivers to potential bicycle presence.

Safe Passing Zone (Broken Yellow Line)

Centerline marking allowing vehicles to cross into oncoming lane to overtake when view is clear and safe.

Work Zone Speeding Penalty

Fines for speeding in posted work zones are doubled under MA law.

Child Passenger Restraint Law

Children must use a federally approved safety seat until age 8 or 57 inches tall; thereafter they must wear a seat belt.