DC Driver's Manual

What three things must a driver remember about vehicle safety for bicyclists?

1. Give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space
2. Look for bicyclists before opening doors
3. Yield to bicyclists when turning

What four things must a driver remember about vehicle safety for pedestrians?

1. Always yield and grant the right of way
2. Yield to pedestrians when turning
3. Use cautions when approaching intersections and crosswalks
4. Never pass a stopped vehicle at a crosswalk

To ensure safety, bicyclists should:

1. Follow the rules of the road
2. Stop at red lights/stop signs
3. Always wear a helmet
4. Watch for opening doors when passing cars
5. Do not ride on sidewalks in downtown areas

What are the three steps to the Dutch Reach method?

RSF


1. Check your rear view mirror.
2. Check your side view mirror.
3. Open the door with your far hand.

What is the first step of the Dutch Reach Method?

Check your rear view mirror

What is the second step of the Dutch Reach method?

Check your side view mirror

What is the third step of the Dutch Reach method?

Open the door with your far hand

How far away should bicyclists be from cars?

At least 3 feet

What is a HAWK signal?

High-Intensity Activated CrossWalK that is designed to help pedestrians safely cross busy streets

If the HAWK signal has no lights,

Proceed

If the HAWK signal has a flashing yellow light,

Proceed with caution (Wait signal for pedestrians has been activated)

If the HAWK signal has a solid yellow light,

Slow down and prepare to STOP

If the HAWK signal has two solid red lights,

STOP! (walk signal is on)

If the HAWK signal has two flashing red lights,

STOP! Then proceed with caution if clear. (countdown for pedestrians)

You must operate under the GRAD program if you are under the age of

21

A learner permit allows you to operate a vehicle with

A 21+ person w/ a valid driver’s license in the passengers seat

You must have a parental consent form if you are under the age of

18

A learner permit is valid for

Two years

To obtain a provisional license you must be at least

16 and a half

How many hours must you drive before you can get a provisional license?

40

A provisional license is valid for

One year

You cannot operate a vehicle for compensation if you are under the age of

18

In order to gain a full drivers license, you must

* Have a provisional license for 6 months
* Have no pointable moving violations for 12 months
* Practice night driving for 10 hours

With a learner’s permit, you can only drive between the hours of

6 am to 9 pm

With a provisional license, you can only drive during the hours of

6 am to 11 pm Mon → Thurs / 6 am to 12 pm Fri → Sun in September & June

6 am to 12 pm in July & August

With a full drivers license between the age of 17-18, you can only drive during the hours of

6 am to 11 pm Mon → Thurs / 6 am to 12 pm Fri → Sun in September & June

6 am to 12 pm in July & August

You can operate a vehicle during GRAD restricted hours if you are driving to or from

* Work
* A school sponsored activity
* Religious/Athletic event
* Training session

True or False: If you have a learner’s permit, you cannot drive with other passengers in the vehicle.

True unless it is a 21+ driver in the passenger front seat.

True or false: If you have a learner’s permit, you can use a hands free accessory to use mobile devices.

False, you cannot use ANY mobile devices.

True or false: If you have a provisional license, you can drive alone.

True

True or false: If you have a provisional license, you can drive with one 21+ driver and other familial passengers.

True

True or false: If you are under 18, your parent/legal guardian is notified of your GRAD violations.

True

True or false: If you have a full driver's license AND are under 18, you can drive with no more than two passengers under 21.

True but this does not apply to siblings or children.

True or false: Any pointable moving violation for which you admit to, have been found liable for, or convicted of will not extend the amount of time you must wait to apply for a provisional/full license.

False

How many months must you be free of any pointable moving violations before moving to the provisional license stage?

6 consecutive months

Your learner’s permit will be suspended if you

have 8 or more points OR violate any GRAD program restrictions

If 8 points or more have been assessed against you or you have violated any GRAD program restrictions, your learners permit will be suspended for

90 days

How many months must you be free of any pointable moving violations before moving to the full license stage?

12 consecutive months

Your provisional license will be suspended if you

have 10 or more points OR violate any GRAD program restrictions

If 10 points or more have been assessed against you or you have violated any GRAD program restrictions, your provisional license will be suspended for

30, 60, or 90 days depending on whether it is your first, second, or third offense

True or false: If you are 18 or older, you can sign up to become an organ/tissue donor.

True

True or false: DC DMV will register males between the ages of 18-25, with the Selective Service unless you choose to use the waiver form to opt-out of registering via the DC DMV driver license application process.

True

To register to vote in DC you must

* be a U.S. citizen
* be a D.C. resident
* be at least 18 years old on or before the next election
* not be in jail for a felony conviction
* not have been adjudged “mentally incompetent” by a court of law
* not claim the right to vote anywhere outside D.C.

Who must wear a seatbelt in a vehicle?

The driver and all passengers

True or false: You must be hands-free when driving with a cellular phone in DC

True, if you are not in the learner’s permit stage you can use hands-free accessories

Residents are required to update change of address within

60 days

True or false: Insurance must be maintained as long as the vehicle is registered.

True

Do not cancel insurance until

your vehicle tags are surrendered to DMV

If stopped by law enforcement while driving a motor vehicle in the District of Columbia, you will be responsible for providing

your valid driver license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance

Points stay active on your driving record for

two years

True or false: Points stay active on your driving record for one year.

False, they stay for two years

True or false: If you maintain a valid DC driver license for a full calendar year without obtaining pointable moving violations, you may be eligible to receive a Good Point on your driving record.

True

How long must you maintain a valid DC driver license without pointable moving violations before you can recieve a Good Point on your record?

one year

If you accumulate 10 or 11 points,

your license will be suspended for 90 days

If you accumulate 12 or more points,

your license will be revoked and ineligible for reinstatement for 6 months

If you are convicted of certain criminal traffic violations in DC, including driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence, your minimum revocation period is

6 months for the first offense, 2 years for the second offense, and 3 years for the third or subsequent offense

True or false: Your driver license and vehicle can be suspended for failure to pay child support

True

True or false: You cannot have anything attached to or hanging from the rear view mirror while driving.

True

Traffic laws are intended to

prevent crashes and keep traffic moving

True or false: You commit a misdemeanor or felony when you disregard any traffic law or fail to do something required by the law

True

True or false: You must obey the instructions of a police officer even though they may be contrary to laws, signs, signals, and markings.

True

Aggressive drivers cause \___ of all fatal crashes.

2/3

To protect yourself from aggressive drivers, you should

* Get out of the way and let an aggressive driver pass
* Don’t challenge them
* Avoid eye contact
* Always be a courteous driver

True or false: If you are confronted by an aggressive driver, you should not let them pass.

False, get out of their way.

A person is a reckless driver if they drive

* With a willful disregard for the safety of people or property
* In a manner that indicates a willful disregard for the safety of people or property

A person is guilty of negligent driving if they drive a motor vehicle

in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers any property or the life of any individual

If you are involved in a crash, you must

* Stop
* Remain & move car away from line of traffic if possible
* Aid any injured person
* Identify yourself
* Provide insurance information
* Leave a written notice if the owner cannot be located
* Make required report to insurance company

If you strike and injure a domestic animal, you should

immediately notify the police department having jurisdiction in the area where the crash occurred

Before you drive, you should check

vehicle brake lights & signals

You should move into the proper lane to turn

well before you need to make the turn

Before you make a turn, you should look

behind you and to both sides

Before backing a motor vehicle you must check

the rear window and both side view mirrors

You should only sound your horn to

warn a pedestrian, cyclist or the driver of another vehicle in the event of an emergency

You should use hand signals in addition to turn signals when

the sun is shining brightly and when vehicles immediately behind you obscure your turn signal

You must slow down when

* Coming to an intersection, railroad grade crossing, curve, or the crest of a hill
* Near playgrounds and schools, or where children are playing
* Traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway
* There is danger to pedestrians
* Weather or highway conditions, or your own condition, require slower speeds for safety

What is hydroplaning?

As speed increases, the wiping action of the tires becomes less effective and tires start to ride on a layer of water just as with a water ski.

If you feel any loss of control due to hydroplaning, you should

take your foot off the gas pedal and hold the steering wheel firmly in the direction you intend to go

What is the four second rule?

Watch the car ahead of you when it passes a reference point, such as a sign or overpass. Then count to four seconds. If you pass the same spot before you are finished counting to one thousand four, you are following too closely.

When driving in bad weather, you should increase the distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you to

four or five seconds

What activities can lead to distracted driving?

* Eating, drinking beverages, or smoking
* Changing the music
* Personal grooming tasks
* Engaging in intense, complicated, emotional, or lengthy conversations on cell phones or with passengers
* Reading a road map, newspaper or taking notes
* Focusing attention on children or pets, especially those who are being rowdy
* Retrieving unsecured cargo or objects
* Driving an unfamiliar vehicle without first adjusting the mirrors and seat, selecting entertainment options and locating the lights, turn signals and windshield wipers
* Using cellular phones

To avoid highway hypnosis,

* Keep your car cold
* Keep shifting your eyes from one area of the roadway to another
* Avoid staring straight ahead

You should not remain behind the wheel for more than

3 hours at a time

To avoid the glare from oncoming headlights, you should

glance back & forth between the side of the road and straight ahead.

If you are driving during the winter, you should use

chains, snow tires, or radial tires

If you are driving during the winter, you must

slow down, keep a safe distance, & do not slam on the brakes

True or false: Highways and roads freeze first before ramps & bridges.

False

If your vehicle begins to skid and is equipped with an anti lock brake system,

do not pump the brakes; maintain steady pressure to regain control

What trick should you use to prevent skids?

Drive as though you have an egg between your foot and the gas/brake

If your vehicle begins to skid and is NOT equipped with an anti lock brake system,

pump the brakes

If you begin to skid, you should steer

in the direction of the skid

True or false: If you begin to skid, you should brake.

False. You should take your foot off the gas.

If you are driving in a fog, you should use \_____ headlights.

Low beam; high beams often reflect back into your eyes

Yellow pavement markings indicate

the left travel edge of the roadway & to divide opposing roadways (Yellow in the middle, white on the side : two syllable one syllable)

White pavement markings indicate

the right travel edge of the roadway (Yellow in the middle, white on the side : two syllable one syllable)

Interstates and highways are usually reached by a(n)

entrance ramp & acceleration/deceleration lane

What is the purpose of the entrance ramp/acceleration lane?

They get you going in the desired direction and gives you an opportunity to speed up to the speed of traffic

If there is a short entrance to an interstate with no acceleration lane, you should

speed up on the entrance only after you have found a gap in the traffic

You should get into the right lane at what point before reaching the exit?

Well before

When should you slow down when exiting a highway?

As soon as you enter the deceleration ramp but NOT on the main highway

True or false: In the District of Columbia, it is legal to pass on the right or the left.

True