Before You Go Behind the Wheel

Low Clearance

Do not enter if your vehicle is taller than the height listed on the sign.

What is denoted on three-lane roads with traffic moving in both directions?

Drivers may use the center lane for making left turns or for passing

If the center lane is marked by a single broken yellow line on both sides?

Drivers traveling in either direction may use the center for passing

If both sides of the center lane are marked by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line?

Drivers traveling in either direction may use the lane for making left turns but not travel further than 150 feet in this lane.

True or false, these brakes must always be pumped?

False

True or false: If your driving is impaired, you can't be convicted of DUI with a BAC under .08%?

False

True or false: Keep flashers off.

False

True or false: Radar detectors are allowed in Virginia.

False

True or false: Requirements involving emergency vehicles apply in highway work zones.

False

What do you when your car stalls in tracks?

Get out of the car and run diagonally away from the track in the direction of the oncoming train.

What do you do when veering off the road, curved or straight?

Gradually reduce speed, look in the preferred direction and slowly steer back onto the roadway.

What sign indicates lanes reserved for buses and vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers as specified on the sign?

High Occupancy Vehicles

Use on highways, unless another car is within 500 feet coming toward you. If they are on an oncoming car, avoid looking directly at the bright lights. Glance toward the side of the road, then look quickly ahead to determine the other car's position. Keep doing this until you have passed the other car. Even if the other driver does not dim their headlights, do not turn on them on.

High-Beam Headlights

What information must be obtained with other people in a crash?

Name, address and license numbers of other drivers License plate numbers of other cars Name and address of anyone who was injured Name and address of witnesses Name, address and insurance policy number of other car owners

What are the danger areas around trucks and buses where crashes are more likely to occur are called?

No-Zones

Places where passing is unlawful and unsafe?

Off the pavement or shoulder of the road or when a solid line marks the left side of your lane

What is it called when the driver turns the steering wheel more sharply than expected, causing the rear wheels to slide toward the outside of the turn and possibly resulting in loss of vehicle control?

Over-correcting

What indicates that you must follow special rules to park there?

Painted curb White - stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers Yellow - stop only long enough to load or unload, and stay with the car Red - No stopping, standing or parking Blue - Reserved for the disabled

Broken Yellow Center Lines

Passing on left is okay, but pass only when the way ahead is clear

The three factors that determine the distance it takes to stop a car?

Perception - hazard recognition Reaction - distance the car travels between time one recognizes a problem and time the brakes are applied Braking - distance the car travels after applying the brakes

What do you do when an emergency vehicle approaches you in the opposite lane on an undivided highway?

Pull over to the edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

Pavement Markings

Red - areas not to be entered or used Blue - Reserved for the disabled Yellow - Two-way traffic flowing in opposite directions

What do you do if approaching or passing a person riding a bike, moped or power-assisted bike or other device?

Reduce speed and pass at least two feet to the left

What ways can this be prevented?

Reduce speed and use extra caution when driving on curved roads.

When ready to exit from a roundabout, which turn signal do you use to let drivers around know what you want to do?

Right

Which side of the roadway do you pull over to?

Right

What is an exception for hills, curves, intersections and railroad crossing being unlawful and unsafe in terms of passing?

Roads with two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction

An orange triangle sign with a red border means

Slow Moving Vehicle

Sharp Right and Left Turns

Slow down and be prepared for the road ahead to turn sharply right, then left.

Open Joints

Slow down. Open joints on bridges or ramps could cause a motorcyclist to lose control of the motorcycle.

What is the open area around a vehicle consisting of adequate following distance between it and the vehicles ahead and behind, plus swerve paths to left and right called?

Space Cushion

What must be done when leaving the work zone?

Stay in the lane and maintain the speed. Don't change lanes until you are completely clear of the work zone.

Divided Highway Ends

The divided highway on which you are traveling ends 350 to 500 feet ahead. You will then be on a roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right.

What must happen when two cars from different directions arrive simultaneously at an intersection with no signs or signals?

The driver on the left must allow the driver on the right to go first.

Divided Highway Begins

The highway ahead is split into two separate roadways by a median or divider and each roadway is one-way. Keep right.

Maximum fine for exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zone

$500

The blood alcohol content that confirms DUI for drivers 21 and up?

0.8% or higher

In the event of a dangerous condition existing at a rail crossing, what number is to be dialed which will enable the rail company to stop or reroute approaching rail traffic until the hazard is removed?

1-800-555-5555. Be sure to give the posted crossing number so the hazard can be identified correctly.

Maximum age to use mopeds?

16

At these posted speeds and on dry surface, what are the distances in seconds that allow drivers to steer and brake out of problem areas?

2 seconds - Under 35 MPH 3 seconds - 36-45 MPH 4 seconds - 46-70 MPH

Annually, driver distraction accounts for roughly how much of traffic crashes in Virginia?

20%

Average stopping distances on dry level pavements by speed limit?

25 - 85 35 - 135 45 - 195 55 - 265 65 - 344

Speed limit for school, business and residential zones?

25 MPH

Speed limit for rural rustic roads?

35 MPH

Speed limit for non-rural interstate highways and public roads that aren't part of the interstate systems?

55 MPH

Speed limit for interstate highways in certain rural areas?

70 MPH

Mopeds

A low power lightweight motorized bicycle Cannot be rated at over two horsepower or travel over 30 MPH

What is an exception for when a school bus is stopped to load or unload passengers on a public or private road is considered unlawful and unsafe in terms of passing?

A physical barrier or unpaved median separates traffic going in either direction

Low Ground Railroad Crossing

A steep slope where the railroad tracks cross the road may cause the bottom of low vehicles to get caught or drag on the tracks.

Keep Right

A traffic island, median or barrier is ahead. Keep to the side indicated by the arrow.

At what interval should the rearview mirror be used to check for behind traffic?

About every 10 seconds

Which of the three factors are affected by weather, visibility and conditions both mental and physical?

All of them

What must happen if the traffic lights at an intersection aren't working?

All vehicles coming to the intersection must stop and the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.

What should the car be equipped with to help prevent skidding and reduce stopping distance?

All-weather snow tires or chains

Side Road

Another road enters the highway from the direction shown. Watch for traffic from that direction.

What brakes are designed to prevent wheels from locking and the vehicle from skidding if applied suddenly?

Antilock

At what point is it appropriate to signal the turn?

At least 3-4 seconds/100 feet ahead

Factors that lead to disqualification for operating mopeds?

Been declared habitual offender and license is suspended or revoked for DWI

Under what circumstances should the following distance be increased?

Behind a large car blocking your vision, bad weather, heavy traffic, exiting an expressway, behind a motorcycle, being tailgated

What are the danger areas that cannot be seen in the mirrors on neither or both sides of the car called?

Blind spots

What if two vehicles are approaching each other and signaling to turn left?

Both vehicles should turn in front of each other so that the passenger sides of the vehicles are beside each other.

Which factor is affected by how fast the car travels, the condition of the brakes and tires and the pavement condition?

Braking

What is to be done when approaching a stopped vehicle with flashing lights on a four-lane highway?

Change to a lane not next the emergency vehicle

Lane Reduction

The right lane ends soon. Drivers in the right lane must merge left when space opens up. Drivers in the left lane should allow other vehicles to merge smoothly.

Right Curve - Side Road

The road ahead curves right and a side road joins from the left within the curve. Be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling on.

Right and Left Curves

The road ahead curves right, then left. Slow down.

Roundabout

These signs indicate a circular intersection with an island in the center is ahead. Also called rotaries or traffic circles, these intersections may have one or more lanes. Entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to traffic already in the circle.

Lane Use Control

These sings are used where turns are required or where special turning movements are permitted for specific lanes. Traffic in the lane must turn in the direction of the arrow.

Expansion Joints

This sign is used when a joint across lanes creates a bump or is wide enough to cause loss of traction in wet weather.

Who must drivers entering an interstate from an entrance ramp yield to?

Traffic already on the highway

True or false: Even though they are not touching a steering wheel, the passengers must keep their hands in plain view as well.

True

True or false: It is illegal to be in the left lane when reaching the No Passing Zone.

True

True or false: It's illegal to operate a moped faster than 35 MPH or on an interstate highway.

True

True or false: Never follow an emergency vehicle closer than 500 feet when its lights are flashing.

True

True or false: Never make a U-turn on a highway.

True

True or false: Never park more than one foot from a curb.

True

True or false: When retrieving proper documentation, one hand must be kept on the steering wheel.

True

True or false: You may not park within 500 feet where fire trucks or equipment are stopped answering an alarm.

True

True or false: You may turn left at a red light if you are on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street.

True

What should be done when parking on a hill with a curb?

Turn the front wheels of the car to prevent it from rolling into the street.

What should be done when parking on a hill without a curb?

Turn the front wheels so that if the car rolls, the rear will roll away from traffic.

What website can be used to find more information about message boards?

VA Department of Transportation

Regulatory or Guide Signs

Vertical - instructions or rules of law Horizontal - directions or information

Slippery When Wet

When pavement is wet, reduce your speed. Do not brake hard or change direction suddenly. Increase the distance between your car and the one ahead of you.

A broken yellow line alongside a yellow line

passing is allowed from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line.

What are used for turn lanes, stop lines, crosswalks, parking spaces and prevention of lane changes near intersections?

solid white lines

Left Turn Yield on Green

tells you that the traffic turning left at a green light does not have the right-of-way and must yield to traffic coming from the other direction

Light Rail

trains that share space with road traffic or have their own right-of-way

Use when driving in cities and towns, except on streets where there is no lighting. Switch to them whenever you meet oncoming traffic to avoid blinding the other driver. When following, use them whenever you are within 200 feet of the vehicle ahead.

Low-Beam Headlights

What should be done when tailgated?

Move over to another lane or gently tap the brakes to flash the brake lights and slow down.

What must be done when unable to locate crash victims or property damage?

Leave a note that can easily be found containing name, phone number, date and time of the crash and damage description.

Which headlights are to be used for fog and rain?

Low-Beam

What do you do when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and/or sirens are behind?

Immediately yield the right-of-way and safely pull over the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.

In business districts, cities and towns, where is the one place U-turns are allowed?

Intersections

What must be done when driving near barricades, vertical signs, concrete barriers and cones?

Keep the vehicle in the middle of the lane and obey the speed limit.

When must the crash report be given to the police?

Within 24 hours

What does the color orange represent in a sign?

Work zone = slow down

When on an unmarked two-lane road?

You may pass a slow vehicle on the left side if there are no signs prohibiting passage.

What separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction?

broken white lines

What kind of yellow lines are used to mark the center of a roadway with four or more lanes of traffic? You may not cross these lines to pass, but may cross them to make a turn.

double solid yellow lines