Traffic Rules and Signs: Driver's License Test Prep

Right-of-Way Rule

No one is ever guaranteed the right-of-way. If a crash can be prevented by yielding, you must yield regardless of who was 'supposed' to go.

Who must obey traffic signals and signs?

All persons walking, driving, or biking on a street or highway.

Red Traffic Light

Stop. Right turn allowed after full stop unless prohibited. Left turn allowed ONLY from one-way to one-way after full stop unless prohibited.

Yellow Traffic Light

Signal changing from green to red; prepare to stop. Continue with caution only if too close to stop safely.

Green Traffic Light

Proceed with caution. You may go straight or turn unless signs prohibit it. Must yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.

Flashing Red Light

Complete stop; treat like a stop sign and proceed only when safe.

Flashing Yellow Light

Slow down and proceed with caution.

Dark Traffic Signal (Power Outage)

Treat as an uncontrolled intersection; reduce speed and prepare to yield.

Steady Red Arrow

Full stop; no movement in the direction of the arrow.

Flashing Red Arrow

May turn in arrow direction ONLY after a complete stop.

Steady Yellow Arrow

Arrow is ending; stop if possible or proceed cautiously.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

Movement allowed in that direction after yielding.

Steady Green Arrow

Proceed with caution in direction of arrow; yield to pedestrians/vehicles.

Regulatory Signs

Tell you laws/regulations for lane use, speed, turns, parking. Often square/rectangular, white/red/black backgrounds with black/red/white/green symbols.

Stop Sign

Shape/Color: Red octagon.

Yield Sign

Shape/Color: Red and white inverted triangle.

Speed Limit Sign

Color: White with black numbers and outline.

Overhead Lane Signals Rule

You must follow the signal above your lane; 'ONLY' means you MUST go in that direction.

Warning Signs

Warn of hazards or special conditions; usually yellow with black symbols.

Guide Signs

Give directions, locations, and distances (interstate, U.S. routes, state routes).

Work Zone Rules

Prepare early for lane closures; follow reduced speed limits (fines doubled); avoid sudden moves; maintain safe speed/spacing; do not weave; be alert for rough/uneven pavement.

Flashing Arrow Panels in Work Zones

Guide drivers into proper lanes or warn of closed lanes.

Flaggers in Work Zones

Must obey their hand signals as you would a traffic signal.

Emergency Vehicle Rule

Yield, pull to right edge/curb, and stop until vehicle passes. If you cannot move right, change lanes or slow below speed limit.

ENS Railroad Sign Purpose

Blue sign with emergency contact number + DOT location ID to report problems at crossings.

Do Not Do at Railroad Crossings

Do not beat the train, do not stop on tracks, do not block crossing, do not shift gears on tracks.

Railroad Advance Warning Sign

Round yellow sign with black 'X' and 'RR'.

Railroad Crossbuck with Flashing Lights

Stop; train is approaching.

Edge Line Color Meaning

Solid white line marking outside edge of road.

Broken White Line

Lanes moving same direction; may change lanes when safe.

Solid White Line

Do NOT change lanes.

Broken Yellow Line

Passing permitted.

Solid Yellow Line

No passing unless making a safe left turn into a driveway.

Reversible Lane Markings

Double broken yellow lines; direction controlled by overhead signals.

Reversible Lane: Green Arrow

You may use that lane.

Reversible Lane: Red X

Do NOT use that lane.

Reversible Lane: Yellow X

Move out; lane direction is about to change.

Reversible Lane: Flashing X

Left turns ONLY.

Reserved Lanes

Labeled 'Transit,' 'Bus,' 'Bicycle,' or 'HOV.' Must follow restrictions.

Roundabout Rules

Stay right of splitter island, slow to 10-15 mph, yield to traffic inside, never stop inside, travel counterclockwise.

Shared Center Turn Lane

For left/U-turns from both directions; solid yellow outside, broken yellow inside.

Vehicles Not Allowed on Highways

Minibikes, go-carts, golf carts, dirt bikes, motorized scooters, snowmobiles, ATVs.

Obeying Police Officers

Must follow officer directions even if they contradict signs/signals/laws.

Never Back Up Rule

Never reverse in a travel lane except for parallel parking.

Lane Use on Multi-Lane Roads

Stay right unless passing; center lane best when traffic merges; left lane for passing only.

Uncontrolled Intersection Rule

Yield to the vehicle on the right.

4-Way Stop Rule

First to arrive goes first; if tied, yield to the right.

School Bus Rule (General)

Must stop for stopped school bus with flashing red lights from either direction unless on 4+ lane highway and on opposite side.

School Bus Penalties

Fines $115-$230 and/or 30-60 days jail first offense; higher for subsequent offenses. License suspension 1 month → 6 months → 1 year.

Parking: General Requirement

Turn off engine, lock ignition, remove key, set brakes, secure vehicle.

Parallel Parking Distance from Curb

Within 12 inches.

Parking on Hills (Uphill w/ Curb)

Wheels turned away from curb.

Parking on Hills (Uphill w/out Curb)

Turn wheels toward edge of road.

Parking on Hills (Downhill)

Turn wheels toward curb/edge.

Never Park

On sidewalk, in intersection, in front of driveway, 15 ft from hydrant, 20 ft from crosswalk, 30 ft from stop/signals, 50 ft from RR crossing, on bridges/tunnels, traffic obstruction areas, in fire lanes.

Speed Limit: School Zones

20 mph.

Speed Limit: Business Districts

25 mph.

Speed Limit: Residential Districts

25 mph.

Speed Limit: Two-Lane Roads

50 mph.

Speed Limit: Divided/4-lane Roads

55 mph.

Speed Limit: Controlled Access Highways

55 mph.

Speed Limit: Route 1 and I-495

65 mph.

Bicycle Passing Law

Must fully change lanes to pass if lane too narrow; must give at least 3 ft clearance; allowed to cross double yellow.

Honking at Bicyclists

Illegal unless avoiding immediate danger.

Bike Box

Area ahead of traffic lane for cyclists to wait for turns; increases visibility and prevents right-hook crashes.

Two-Way Cycle Track

Bike facility allowing two-way bike travel on one side of road; protects cyclists and reduces collision risk.

Shared Lane Marking (Sharrow)

Indicates lane shared by bikes and cars.

Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblem

Reflective orange triangle on tractors/slow vehicles; slow immediately and use caution.

Passing a Truck Rule

Check front/rear, pass only when legal; blink headlights when passing; return only when you see truck's front in your mirror.

No-Zone

Truck blind spots; avoid sides, rear, and close front areas of large trucks.

Child Car Seat: Under Age 2 AND under 30 lbs

Rear-facing

Child Car Seat: Under Age 4 AND under 40 lbs

Harnessed car seat

Child Car Seat: Age 4-7

Forward-facing with harness until height/weight limit is reached; then booster seat.

Child Car Seat: Age 8-12

Booster seat until adult seat belt fits properly.

10-Second Rule (Looking Ahead)

Always look 10 seconds ahead—1 block in city, ¼ mile on highway.

Backing Up Rule

Turn fully and look out back window; do not rely on mirrors.

Turn Signal Distance

Signal at least 300 ft (or 3 seconds) before turning.

Left Turn Hand Signal

Arm straight out.

Right Turn Hand Signal

Arm bent upward.

Slow/Stop Hand Signal

Arm bent downward.

3-Second Following Distance

Minimum normal following distance.

4-Second Following Distance Conditions

Slippery roads, being passed, following motorcycles, heavy loads, poor visibility, being tailgated, emergency vehicles, railroad crossings, hill stops.

Merging Gap Rule

Need about a 4-second gap.

High Beams Use

Use when no oncoming traffic; dim within 500 ft or one block.

Low Beams Use

Use when following vehicles, in heavy traffic, rain, fog, or snow.

Lights + Wipers Rule

Headlights must be on when wipers are on.

If Tires Lose Traction (Hydroplaning)

Ease off gas, steer straight, don't brake/turn until traction returns.

If Brakes Fail

Pump brakes; use parking brake slowly; shift to lower gear; look for safe stop.

If Brakes Get Wet

Dry by driving slowly in low gear and tapping brakes lightly.

If You Run Off Pavement

Don't brake; ease off gas; steer straight; re-enter road under 15 mph once safe.

If Tire Blows Out

Hold wheel firmly; slow gradually; brake gently; pull off safely.

If Engine Dies While Driving

Grip wheel firmly; vehicle may be hard to turn; pull off road and brake firmly.

If Headlights Fail

Try switch; use hazards/turn/fog lights; pull off.

If Gas Pedal Sticks

Shift to neutral; pull off road; turn off engine.

If Vehicle Fire

Stop, get off roadway; use dirt/sand; never water; move 100 feet away if fire grows.

If Stalled on Train Tracks

If no train, try restart; if train coming, leave vehicle and run away diagonally from tracks.

Correcting a Skid

Don't brake; steer in direction you want to go; counter-steer as vehicle straightens.

Alcohol Equivalency

5 oz wine = 12 oz beer = 1.5 oz liquor.

BAC Legal Limit

0.08%.

Implied Consent Law

Drivers must submit to chemical testing when arrested for DUI; refusal brings harsher penalties.