drive

General Driving Laws

  1. Speed Limits:

    • 65 mph on highways (unless posted otherwise).

    • 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways.

    • 25 mph in residential, school, and business areas (or 15 mph in alleys or near railroad crossings without gates/signals).

  3. Stop for School Buses:
    You must stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights (unless on a divided highway).

  4. Right-of-Way at Intersections:

    • Yield to the vehicle on your right at a 4-way stop.

    • Yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

  6. Turning on Red:
    You can turn right at a red light after stopping, unless prohibited by a sign.

  7. U-turns:
    Legal in residential areas if no approaching traffic within 200 feet, or when a traffic sign/light protects you.

  8. Signal Use:
    Signal at least 100 feet before turning.

  9. Lane Changes:
    Check mirrors, signal, and check blind spots before changing lanes.

  10. Double Solid Yellow Lines:
    No passing. You may cross to turn left, enter/exit a driveway, or make a U-turn if safe and legal.

  11. Solid Yellow with Broken Yellow:
    You may pass if the broken line is on your side.

  12. Center Left Turn Lanes:
    Used to start or complete a left turn, or make a U-turn when permitted.

Safe Driving & Road Rules

  1. Following Distance:
    Use the 3-second rule (or more in bad weather).

  2. Headlights:
    Use headlights 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and in bad weather when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.

  3. Dim High Beams:
    When within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or 300 feet of a vehicle you’re following.

  4. Roundabouts:
    Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

  5. Blind Intersections:
    Speed limit is 15 mph if you can’t see 100 feet in either direction.

  6. Railroad Crossings:
    Speed limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a crossing where you can’t see 400 feet in both directions.

  7. Hand-held Cell Phone Use:
    Illegal for all drivers. Hands-free devices only.

  8. Seat Belts:
    Required for driver and all passengers.

  9. Child Passenger Safety:
    Under 8 years or 4’9” must be in a federally approved child safety seat.

  10. Alcohol Limits:

  • 0.08% for 21 and over.

  • 0.01% for under 21 or on DUI probation.

Signs and Markings

  1. Flashing Red Light:
    Stop completely, then proceed when safe.

  2. Flashing Yellow Light:
    Slow down, proceed with caution.

  3. Yellow Curb:
    Loading and unloading passengers/freight only.

  4. Red Curb:
    No stopping, standing, or parking.

  5. White Curb:
    Stop only long enough to pick up/drop off passengers.

  6. Blue Curb:
    Parking for disabled placard/license plate holders only.

  7. Octagon Sign Shape:
    Stop sign.

  8. Triangle (Yield):
    Slow down and yield right-of-way.

  9. Diamond-shaped Signs:
    Warn of specific road hazards.

  10. Pentagon-shaped Signs:
    School zone/crossing.

Driving Emergencies & Special Conditions

  1. Skidding:
    Steer in the direction of the skid.

  2. Brake Failure:
    Pump brakes, downshift, and use emergency brake.

  3. Fog Driving:
    Use low-beam headlights, never high beams.

  4. Hydroplaning:
    Ease off accelerator, don’t brake suddenly.

  5. Mountain Roads:
    Vehicle going uphill has the right-of-way if vehicles meet head-on.

  6. Use of Headlights in Rain/Fog/Snow:
    Turn on headlights and windshield wipers.

Additional Rules

  1. Carpool (HOV) Lanes:
    Only for vehicles with the required number of occupants (usually 2+).

  2. Driver License Suspension:
    May occur if caught driving with a BAC of 0.08%+ or refusing a chemical test.

  3. Smoking in Vehicle with Minor:
    Illegal to smoke with anyone under 18 in the car.

  4. Reporting Accidents:
    Must report to DMV within 10 days if injury, death, or property damage over $1,000.