Driving Exam Study Notes

Safe Distances Around Your Car

  • Maintain at least 6 ft. extra space around your car.
  • Reasons for needing extra space:
    • Bad drivers.
    • Poor weather or road conditions (rain, snow, ice).
    • Blind or obstructed driveways or roads.
    • Drivers backing out of parking spaces or driveways.
    • Children playing in yards or near the road.

Penalties for Violating the Law (Using a Phone While Driving)

  • 1st offense: 100 fine
  • 2nd offense: 250 fine + mandatory completion of distracted driving educational program
  • 3rd + subsequent offenses: 500 fine + insurance surcharge + mandatory completion of distracted driving educational program

Rules of the Road

  • Speed Limits:
    • School zone: 20 \, mph
    • Thickly settled/residential: 30 \, mph
    • Outside thickly settled: 40 \, mph
    • Highway: 50+ mph (if posted)
  • Right of Way:
    • Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
    • At four-way stops, the vehicle that arrives first goes first.
    • If unsure, yield to the vehicle on the right.
  • Lane Use:
    • Stay right except when passing.
    • Use turn signals 100 ft.beforeturning(before turning (500 ft. on highway).
  • Following Distance:
    • Follow the "3-second rule" minimum.
    • Pick a stationary object (sign, pole).
    • Observe when the vehicle ahead passes the object.
    • Start counting to three when the lead vehicle crosses the landmark.
    • If you reach the landmark before counting to three, you are too close.
    • If you reach the landmark after three seconds, you have a safe following distance.
    • Increase distance in bad weather or when behind large vehicles.

Junior Operator License (JOL) Laws

  • Under 18 cannot drive between 12:30 am - 5 am unless with a parent/guardian.
  • No passengers under 18 for the first 6 months of having a license (unless family).
  • First offense for breaking rules: 60-day suspension.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

  • Zero tolerance for drivers under 21: any BAC (blood alcohol content) results in license suspension.
  • For adults, more than 0.08\% BAC is considered illegal.
  • Refusing a chemical test = automatic suspension.
  • First offense OUI (Operating Under the Influence):
    • 1-year suspension (under 21)
    • 180 days (18-21)

Signs & Signals

  • Red = Stop/Prohibition
  • Yellow = Warning
  • Green = Direction/Guidance
  • Blue = Motorist services
  • Brown = Recreational/cultural interest
  • Orange = Construction/maintenance

Shapes of Signs

  • Octagon = Stop
  • Triangle = Yield
  • Rectangle = Regulatory/Guide
  • Diamond = Warning
  • Pentagon = School Zone
  • Circle = Railroad crossing

Markings

  • Yellow lines separate traffic in opposite directions
  • White lines separate traffic in same directions
  • Solid lines mean no passing
  • Broken lines mean passing is allowed

Using Your Horn, Headlights, and Emergency Signals

You must use your headlights and taillights:

  • From 30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise.
  • When you cannot clearly see people or vehicles 500 ft.$$ ahead due to insufficient light or weather conditions.
  • Whenever you use your windshield wipers.
  • In rain, snow, fog, or other weather that makes it hard to see.
  • To alert another driver to turn on their headlights.
  • While driving through a tunnel.