Nevada's Driver Handbook
u turns are not prohibited only on
When prohibited by a traffic sign or signal • In a business district, except at an intersection or an appropriate opening on a divided highway • On curves • Near a grade where there is less than 500 feet of visibility in both directions
Construction and maintenance signs mean
When used, you must slow down and follow the direction of the posted signs and any construction flaggers who may be present. Violations in construction and work zones result in increased traffic fines
On two-lane roads where traffic moves in opposite directions, you may pass on the left only when:
You can see clearly ahead and there is no immediate oncoming traffic; — There is a broken yellow line on the highway or when the broken yellow line is in your lane
To figure how far this is
count by one thousandths
roundabouts move
counterclockwise
for pedestrians at a red light
do not cross unless a pedestrian signal or police officer directs otherwise
When you hear the siren or see the flashing lights of an emergency vehicle, you must
drive to the right side of the road and stop
blue
driver services/food/lounges
Steering Fails
ease up on the accelerator. • slow down and then gently apply the brakes. Use your 4-way flashers to warn other drivers! • If your vehicle heads off the road or toward another vehicle or a pedestrian, apply the brakes quickly using maximum pressure.
dotted white lines
either indicate an extension of a lane line through an intersection or may indicate exit-only lanes on a freeway.
The major cause of traffic accidents in Nevada is
failure to yield right-of-way
yellow
general warning
crosswalk lines
marked by solid white lines or various patterns. Always stop your vehicle before the crosswalk.
for pedestrians at a green light
may cross the intersection unless a pedestrian signal or police officer directs otherwise. If a crosswalk is marked, pedestrians are to use the marked area. Pedestrians facing a green turn arrow are not to cross unless a pedestrian signal or police officer allows them to do so.
double yellow lines
mean you cannot pass if the lines on your side are solid
When another vehicle comes up behind yours and signals to pass,
move to the right in your travel lane and let it pass.
for pedestrians at a yellow light
must not start across the street unless a crosswalk signal or police officer directs them.
flashing yellow arrow means
must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
pennant
no passing
Red —
no/stop
When can a motorcycle operator use a complete traffic lane
on all highway and streets where motorcycles are allowed.
when can you make a turn at a red light
only when you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left. You must signal, come to a complete stop, and yield right-of-way to pedestrians and all other traffic that is moving as directed by the signal.
When you reach a marked or unmarked crossing, you must yield and watch for
pedestrians
The use of a cellular phone or other handheld wireless communications device to engage voice communications is
prohibited, unless it is hands free
circle
railroad crossing ahead
brown
recreation area/scenic
orange
road construction or repair
shield
route marker
broken or dashed yellow lanes
s mean you may pass when it is safe to do so
flashing red light means
same as stop sign. that you must come to a full stop. You may go only when the road is clear and you have the right-of-way.
pentagon
school zone/rossing
entering a freeway
search atleast 20-30 seconds
yellow lanes
separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions
yellow arrow means
signal is going to change to red and warns you to clear the intersection
A blowout (when a tire suddenly loses air) can throw a vehicle out of control for safe recovery:
Grip the steering wheel firmly. • Ease up on the gas pedal to slow down. Do not hit the brakes! • Look for a safe place to pull off and signal your intent to move off the highway. • When you are sure your vehicle is under control and you have slowed down, gently use the brakes to stop.
Most cars will begin to lose traction and "hydroplane" between
speeds of 35 and 55 mph in heavy rainfall.
Octagon
stop
What is a No-Zone?
the area around large commercial trucks or buses where cars "disappear" into blind spots.
Brakes Fail
Try pumping the brake pedal; Use the emergency parking brake. • If possible, shift to a lower gear. To prevent wear on the brakes, use a lower gear when you are driving downhill for long stretches. • NEVER place the vehicle into "park.
solid white lines mean
used in several ways. When solid white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, do not change lanes or pass. The only exception High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on a freeway. You may cross to enter or exit the HOV lane. A solid white line is also used to mark the edge of the highway as well as the boundary between a travel lane and a highway shoulder.
diamond
warning
You should buckle your seat belt and make sure your passengers do too
when you are getting ready to drive, before you start the engine
stop lines
wide white lines painted across a traffic lane where you must stop before you enter the intersection.
The legal parking position for any vehicle to parallel park is
with the front and rear wheels within 18 inches from the curb
No Parking Allowed
within 20 feet of a crosswalk
Vehicles entering a main road from a minor road, private road or driveway
y must yield the right-of-way to all traffic
introverted triangle
yeild
a red arrow means
you cannot make the movement shown by the arrow.
If an officer believes you are driving under the influence
you cannot refuse to be tested for the presence of alcohol or drugs
flashing yellow light
you may go ahead, but proceed with caution.
If a single lane is provided to be used only for turning,
you may only enter the lane if you are making a right turn, and may not travel through an intersection while driving in the right-turn lane
turning right
you must be in the extreme right-hand travel lane or a lane designated for right turns.
railroad crossings
you must stop at least 15 feet Never park 50 feet .
if you double your speed from 30 mph to 60 mph then
your braking distance does not become twice as long. It becomes four times as far
To make safe and legal turns, you must:
• Signal your turn at least 100 feet ahead (about 10 car lengths) on city streets and 300 feet (30 car lengths) on open highways
between cars and commercial vehicles
Over 200,000 crashes occur
Accelerator (Gas Pedal) Sticks fail
Quickly press your foot hard against the pedal and release; Shift to neutral. • Apply the brakes. • Pull off the highway to the right (if possible) and stop. • NEVER place the vehicle into "park."
45 mph
Reduced speed areas going into towns
you should stay behind a vehicle behind
atleast 2 seconds
When approaching an intersection
look left, right and left again
rectangle
traffic regulation or direction
Pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections have the right-of-way over vehicles
true
You must not pass on a two-lane road:
When coming to a curve or the top of a hill where you cannot see far enough ahead to be sure it is safe — At or within 100 feet of a street crossing — At or within 100 feet of a railroad crossing
When headed uphill and there is a curb
turn your front tires away from the curb.
turning left on a two-way road
, use the lane just to the right of the center line and complete the turn into the traffic lane closest to you going in your intended direction.
Braking distance means
" is how far your vehicle travels during this time
fine for parking in a handicap
$250
The legal limit of blood alcohol content for a driver above 21 years of age is
.08
How to Drive in a Roundabout
1. As you approach, choose which lane to use as you would for any other intersection. 2. Use the left lane to turn left, complete a U-turn or go straight. Use the right lane to turn right or go straight. 3. Yield. Those in the roundabout have the right-of-way. Wait for a gap in the traffic. 4. Decrease your speed to travel with the traffic already in the roundabout. 5. Use your right turn signal when exiting.
When passing on a two-lane road, turn your left signal light on
100 feet ahead in business or residential areas or 300 feet ahead in other areas
you should Look ahead
12 seconds ahead of you
Stopping distances on slippery roads are
2 to 10 times greater than on dry pavement
No Parking Allowed
20 feet of a fire hydrant if angle parking is permitted
While driving on a highway, you must look ahead at least how many seconds to watch traffic patterns
20-30
how many feet should cars be from bycicles
3 feet
When your vehicle is headed downhill
turn your front tires toward or into the curb or road shoulder.
When headed uphill and there is no curb,
turn your front tires toward the road shoulder.
.Rural interstate freeways
70 mph
The permitted maximum speed on Nevada rural interstate freeways is
70 mph
25 mph
Business and residential areas and school zones
when to change to low beams
Change to low beams when you are at least 500 feet before any oncoming vehicles and 300 feet before any vehicle you are following.
stop signs mean
Come to a full stop behind the stop sign at the crosswalk or stop line. If your view is blocked, slowly move forward to determine when it is safe. If no signs or markings exist, you must slow down and stop, if necessary, at the point nearest the intersection where you have a view of approaching traffic on the through highway. • Give right of way to pedestrians and to any cross traffic before moving forward.
Driving at night always
Do not look directly into the headlights of oncoming vehicles; look down and to the right side of your lane; Always drive within the range of your headlights
If your vehicle engine is flooded
Do not pump the gas pedal. Instead, press the pedal to the floor, and run the starter steadily for short intervals (10 -15 seconds). • When the engine starts, release the gas pedal.
concentration or detectable amount of controlled substance in your blood (or .04% or more but less than .08%
Driver's license is revoked for 90 days — May be required to file an SR-22 Proof of Financial Responsibility (see Chapter 6) — Criminal penalties may be imposed
.02% alcohol concentration for drivers under 21 years of age
Driver's license is suspended for 90 days — May be required to file an SR-22 Proof of Financial Responsibility (see Chapter 6) — Criminal penalties may be imposed
Slowing or stop hand signal
Extend left arm downward, with palm of hand to the rear
Left turn hand signal
Extend left arm horizontally out of open window
Right turn hand signal
Extend left arm, with elbow bent upward, at about a 90-degree angle
the major cause of accidents in Nevada.
Failure to yield the right-of-way
in flash floods
Less than 1 inch of water can cause a driver to lose control of his or her car. • Most vehicles can float in 2 feet of water or less. • Cars traveling at a high rate of speed can be pushed off the road by only 6 inches of water.
Headlights Fail
Slow down and pull off the roadway as soon as you can using 4 way flashers
yield sign means
Slow down as you approach the intersection. • Give the right of way to pedestrians and through traffic
driving at a "reasonable or proper" speed , you must consider
The amount and type of traffic • The weather and the distance you can see • The condition of the road surface; that is, whether it is dry, wet, icy or snow-covered • The type of road: — whether it is flat and straight or steep and curvy — whether it is wide or narrow
If your vehicle drifts onto the shoulder or if you are forced off the road
Take your foot off the accelerator. If you brake, do so carefully. • Grip the steering wheel firmly. • Do not try to swerve back onto the pavement. Instead, stay on the shoulder until you have your vehicle completely under control and gently ease back onto the road.
Wet Brakes
Test them about every 200 feet, continuing until braking action returns to normal; put your car in low gear, drive slowly and lightly apply the brakes
Four-wheel ABS works like this: Whenever the vehicle's computer detects that one or more wheels are locking, ABS begins to pump the brakes to avoid locking
The driver needs to press hard on the brake pedal, hold it down and steer out of danger
Your stopping distance depends upon many factors, such as:
The type and weight of the vehicle you are driving • Your speed • The condition of the tires and brakes • The road surface • Your reaction time • How alert or how tired you are • Weather conditions
regulatory (rectangle) signs mean
They inform you of traffic laws and regulations. You must obey these signs.
warning signs (diamond shaped) mean
They tell you there are special conditions or hazards ahead.
65 mph
Urban freeways, rural highways
When you want to change lanes:
Use your rear and side-view mirrors to check traffic • Signal 100 feet (10 car lengths) on city streets, 300 feet (30 car lengths) on highways or freeways before changing lanes
Headlights are legally required
Whenever persons or vehicles cannot be clearly seen at a distance of 1,000 feet
at a red light
Where not prohibited by signs, a right turn may be made on a red light after coming to a complete stop. Signal for a right turn, then turn when motor and pedestrian traffic is clear and it is safe to proceed
No Parking Allowed
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant in a place where parallel parking is permitted
No Parking Allowed
Within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to any fire station and, on the side of a highway opposite the entrance to any fire station, within 75 feet of that entrance
No Parking Allowed
Within 30 feet of a traffic control signal at the side of a highway
No Parking Allowed
Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad
normal reaction times
are 2 to 2.5 seconds
center lanes
You may not travel more than 200 feet in a center turn lane before making a left-hand turn and you may not travel more than 50 feet in a center lane after making a left-hand turn onto the highway before merging with traffic
railroad crossing signs mean
You should look both ways when approaching the crossing and always stay clear of the tracks when a train is approaching
Whenever you park
Your vehicle should be visible for 200 feet (about 20 car lengths) in each direction.
On two-lane roads where traffic moves in opposite directions, you may pass on the left only when
a broken yellow line is in your lane
When sharing the road with commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailer rigs and buses, you need to:
a.) understand it takes more time and space for them to slow down and stop. b.) remember that commercial vehicles have substantial blind spots. C.) signal for turns or lane changes well in advance
Running Off the Pavement
accounts for a high number of fatalities in Nevada.
crossbuck
actual railroad crossing
green arrow means
go in the direction shown by the arrow, but you must yield to pedestrians, bicycles and traffic already in the intersection
green
go/guidance
According to Nevada driving law, under normal weather conditions, a driver must use headlights between
half an hour before sunset and sunrise
A vehicle going straight ahead that is already in the intersection
has the right-of-way over one turning left.
A vehicle already in the intersection
has the right-of-way over others just getting there
A flashing red traffic light
has the same meaning as a stop sign
Pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections
have the right-of-way over vehicles.
solid yellow lanes
indicate that you are not to cross over or pass. A solid yellow line is also used to mark the left edge on multi-lane divided highways.
"Braking time means
is how much time it takes for the brakes and friction between the road and tires to stop your vehicle.
turning left
keep your wheels pointed straight ahead until you begin to actually complete the turn.
white
law/rule
At a 4-way stop
the driver reaching the intersection first gets to go first, after stopping completely
school zones
the speed limit is either 15 or 25 mph from half an hour before school begins to half an hour after school ends, unless otherwise posted.
At an intersection where there are no traffic signs or signals
the vehicle on your right should usually go first
, if you are going 30 mph on ice
then stopping distance on ice would be 373 feet, well over the length of a football field.
You may use a center turn lane
to make a left turn into or from another street, road, or driveway
broken or dashed white lines means
to mark traffic lanes on roads which have more than one lane moving in the same direction. You should drive within these lanes and not straddle the lines. Passing is permitted when it is safe to do so
Right-of-way rules help
traffic move smoothly through intersections. They emphasize courtesy, common sense and cooperation
