Driving Exam Study Guide

Exam Preparation Notes

Attendance and Exam Eligibility

  • Must be marked present for modules 1-14 to take the final exam.
  • The system automatically checks attendance and reports to the RMV.
  • If absent for any module 1-14, the final exam cannot be taken.
  • Makeup modules should be booked with module 15 as the last one.

Exam Day Instructions

  • Be patient during breaks as attendance is verified.
  • A review will occur before the final exam; content questions can be asked in the chat.
  • Stay attentive and do not wander off during breaks.

Hazards and Safe Driving Practices

  • Hazards are dangers to you, your vehicle, or others.
  • Immediate actions: slow down, increase following distance, and allow more decision-making time.
  • If your car malfunctions, attempt to move it completely off the road.
  • Exit the vehicle only if it is safely off the road and you can get your body away from danger.
  • Otherwise, stay buckled in the car, even if it's not moving.
  • Warn other drivers using triangles or other warning devices if the car is in a hazardous location.
  • Acknowledge that most drivers prioritize speed over safety.
  • Statistics: 42,000 people die annually in car wrecks in the US.

Six Conditions of Driving

  • Six ever-present conditions affect every trip and make no two trips the same.
  • Every wreck can be attributed to at least one of these conditions.
  • The six conditions are:
    • Driver
    • Light
    • Road
    • Weather
    • Vehicle
    • Traffic
Driver Condition
  • Statistic: 85% of traffic wrecks in the US are due to driver error.
  • Driver error, not bad luck, causes wrecks.
  • The driver is often the only controllable condition.
  • Drivers must know the rules of the road and driving conditions.
  • The most common type of wreck in the US is a rear-end collision, caused by following too closely.
  • Reaction time: It takes the average person one second to see brake lights and move their foot to the brake.
  • Safe following distance: At least three seconds under normal driving conditions.
  • Increase following distance in adverse conditions like rain.
  • How the Three-Second Rule Works: As the car in front passes a stationary object, count three seconds before you pass the same object.
  • Following too closely means you rely on the driver in front of you.
  • Running into the car in front of you is due to not leaving enough reaction room.
Distracted Driving
  • Drivers are more distracted than ever due to technology.
  • Radios, CD players, MP3 players, navigation systems, cell phones, and computers all contribute to distraction.
  • Using these items while driving means you are doing two things simultaneously, dividing focus.
  • Never input GPS addresses while driving. Pull over first.
  • Texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving and is against the law.
Mental Conditions and Road Rage
  • Mental conditions like stress and emotions impact driving.
  • Emotional states can affect attitude and lead to road rage.
  • Two types of road rage:
    • You experiencing road rage.
    • Road rage directed at you.
  • When experiencing road rage, you may take unnecessary risks.
  • Road rage against you involves someone willing to cause bodily harm out of anger.
  • Diffuse the situation, if possible, by apologizing.
  • Always remember that someone could be mentally unstable.

Light Conditions

  • Good decisions depend on clear visibility; adequate light is essential.
  • Too much or too little light can be dangerous.
  • Use low beam headlights in rain and fog to avoid glare.
  • Use sunglasses and sun visors when the sun is low in the sky.
  • Overrunning Headlights:
    • Low beams provide about 100 feet of vision.
    • High beams provide about 200 feet of vision.
    • Stopping distance at 35 mph is about 100 feet.
    • Stopping distance at 53 mph is about 200 feet.
    • Driving faster than these speeds means you won't have enough time to stop.
    • (speed↑)  ⟹  (stopping distance↑)(\text{speed} \uparrow) \implies ( \text{stopping distance} \uparrow)
  • Keep headlights clean for maximum light.

Road Conditions

  • Over 90% of wrecks happen at intersections, making them the most dangerous areas.
  • Intersections are locations where vehicles stop, slow down, turn, and cross paths.
  • Turn lanes provide relief and reduce road hazards.
  • Be aware of road shapes: straight, flat, banked, hills, and signs.
  • Also, consider the surfaces, for examples:
    • Concrete
    • Asphalt
    • Sand
    • Dirt
    • Gravel
    • Oil
    • Water
  • Assess the shoulder of the road for drop-offs, sand or packed dirt.
  • On the interstate, pull completely off the road into the grass when stopping on the shoulder.

Weather Conditions

  • Adjust driving for various weather conditions, with rain being the most common.
  • Double your following distance in less-than-ideal conditions.
  • The first 15 minutes of rain are especially dangerous due to mixing with sand, gravel, oil, and grease.
  • After 15 minutes, most contaminants wash away.
  • Watch for water puddles that can cause hydroplaning.
  • Hydroplaning occurs when tires lose contact with the road due to a film of water.
  • Avoid braking when skidding; steering is impossible if tires lock.
  • Driving in fog limits vision, so slow down.
  • In heavy fog, use emergency flashers to increase visibility.
  • Snow and ice reduce traction, so triple your following distance.
  • When braking on snow or ice, use light pumping motions and start braking sooner.
  • Chains provide the best traction on ice.

Traffic Conditions

  • Be aware of other vehicles and be ready to react to other's mistake.
  • A Driving Plan:
    1. Scan the road ahead 12-17 seconds.
    2. Identify hazards early.
    3. Predict what others may do.
    4. Decide on your actions.
    5. Execute your decision.
  • Traffic conditions vary: be it:
    • City traffic
    • Secondary traffic
    • Open road traffic
    • Highway traffic
    • Interstate traffic
  • Most wrecks occur in the city due to the highest vehicle concentrations and 300 situations per mile.
    • Multiple lanes
    • Turn lanes
    • Traffic lights
  • Secondary roads are narrower with sharp curves and hills, fewer turn lanes and 25-55 mph speeds.
  • Open roads, like country roads, have two lanes and about 100 situations per mile, with speeds from 45-60 mph.
  • Interstates are the safest with divided lanes, no intersections or railroad crossings, but have high speeds (60-70 mph), making wrecks deadly.
  • (faster speed)  ⟹  (greater chance of fatality)(\text{faster speed}) \implies (\text{greater chance of fatality})

Pedestrians, Motorcycles, School Buses, and Emergency Vehicles

  • Pedestrians are considered traffic, should walk against traffic, and cross at intersections/marked crosswalks.

  • Yield to pedestrians even if they are not in designated areas.

  • Give pedestrians ample space.

  • Check oncoming traffic and signal before moving around pedestrians.

  • Stay alert around schools, parks, and playgrounds.

  • Motorcycles are often involved in collisions with 2/3 involving another vehicle, typically due to the vehicle driver not seeing the motorcycle.

  • Motorcycles have the right to the full lane width.

  • School bus laws vary by state; always stop when traveling in the same direction as a stopped school bus loading/unloading children with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign.

    • Also stop when traveling in the opposite direction unless there is a physical barrier in the road.

  • Yield to emergency vehicles by pulling over to the right and stopping, without blocking the way.

  • Never run a stop sign or red light for an emergency vehicle.

Animals on the Road

  • Be aware of surroundings, especially in rural areas at night.
  • You may encounter deer, possums, rabbits, foxes, bears, squirrels, dogs, and cats.
  • Avoid causing a more serious collision to avoid hitting an animal.
  • Do not swerve into a tree or ditch.
  • If safe to brake, do so.
  • No animal life is as valuable as a human life.

Blind Spots and No Zones

  • Blind spots are areas not visible in mirrors, located on the left and right, near the back tires.
  • Check blind spots quickly when changing lanes after signaling.
  • Do not stay in other vehicle's blind spots.
  • Trucks have large blind spots called "no zones."
  • If you cannot see a truck's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.
  • Stay 200 feet behind and 20 feet in front of trucks.

Vehicle Condition

  • Maintaining the vehicle is your responsibilty.

  • Problems usually have warning signs before failure.

  • Tires are the only part of the car touching the road.

  • Tire lifespan depends on tire quality and driving habits.

  • Faster driving wears tires quicker.

  • Tires have tread to channel water and prevent hydroplaning.

    • More tread improves water channeling.

  • Testing Tread Depth: Insert a penny headfirst into the grooves; the rubber should reach the top of Lincoln's head.

  • Brake pad lifespan depends on quality and speed; faster driving requires more frequent and harder braking.

  • Squeaky brakes indicate you should get them checked.

  • Low brake fluid can be identified by the brake pedal going towards the floor.

  • The car's temperature is regulated by airflow and coolant.

  • If the car runs hot, check the front grill and coolant levels.

  • Water can work as coolant, but it freezes and expands. Use antifreeze coolant to prevent freezing.

  • Other vital components include:

    • Battery
    • Belts
    • Transmission fluid
    • Windshield fluid
    • Headrests
    • Seat belts
    • Mirrors
    • Lights

Safety and Post-Crash Procedures

  • Prioritize safety and be considerate of other drivers.
  • After a crash:
    1. Get vehicles off the road if possible.
    2. Warn other drivers.
    3. Call for medical help immediately if anyone is injured (911).
    4. Call the police if the road is blocked or the crash is serious.
    5. Exchange information with all drivers, regardless of direct contact.
    6. Collect witness names and addresses.
    7. Do not leave the scene (it's a crime with potential prison time).
    8. Take pictures of the scene and vehicle damage but avoid sharing anything on the internet, where it can be used in court.
    9. File an accident report unless it's a minor accident.

Traffic Stops: Driver's Perspective

  • Pull safely to the side of the road as far as possible.
  • Have your license and registration ready.
  • Turn off the car and the radio.
  • Be polite and respectful (even when exercising your rights).
Actions During a Traffic Stop

  • Pull the vehicle completely off the roadway.

    • Do not block:
      • driveways
      • entrances
      • exits to parking lots
      • intersections.

  • If stopped by an unmarked vehicle:

    • Find a well-lit area or go to the nearest police station for safety.

  • If the officer is not in uniform:

    • You can ask to see their badge.
    • You can ask to see their ID.
    • You can also request a uniform marked police vehicle respond.

  • The officer's actions:

    • The officer will notify their department.
    • The officer will give a description of the vehicle.
    • The officer will also give the license plate information.

  • Things you should NOT do:

    • Don't exit the vehicle, unless instructed to.
    • Don't make any movements that could be construed as stealthy or furtive.
    • Don't reach under the seat.
    • Don't reach across the seat.
    • Don't reach for the glove box.
    • Don't reach to the back seat.

  • If you feel you have to stand outside the vehicle:

    • Have the other person in the vehicle remain there, unless given other instructions by the officer.
    • Do not put your hands in your pockets.
    • Do not stand between the vehicle and any other vehicle in the vicinity.

  • Things you SHOULD do:

    • Wait patiently in the car.
    • Turn the emergency flashers on.
    • Turn the engine off.
    • Turn the radio off.
    • Turn the dome light on.
    • Keep both of your hands visible (e.g. 10 and 2 on the steering wheel).
    • Let the officer initiate the conversation.

  • After the initial conversation, the officer may return to their vehicle with your information.

    • Continue to wait patiently in your vehicle with your hands visible.

  • If you are going to get a ticket, do not argue.

    • Sign the ticket.

      • Signing the ticket is not an admission of guilt, merely an acknowledgement that you promise to appear in court on the date indicated.

      • Departments usually seize your license in lieu of bail, unless you are from out of state.

        • A copy of the ticket acts as your driver's license in such cases.

      • If the officer determines you may not show up for court, they have the option to take you to jail.

Court Advice
  • Be clear and concise.
  • Don't get off topic.
  • Don't play games.
  • Judges are well-aware of people that continually try to push back the court dates, in the hopes that the officer will not be there.

Organ Donation

  • Organ donation decision is part of the driver's license application.
  • If under 18, parental consent is needed.
  • Organ donation saves lives by transplanting organs (heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, pancreas, tissue) after death.
  • Over 100,000 people nationwide are awaiting transplants.
  • Donating organs impacts up to 75 people.
  • A red heart is printed on the license to indicate organ donation.
  • For more information, go to registerme.org.

Final Exam Reminder

  • Make sure you were marked present for modules 1-14.