GA Driving Permit Practice

Texting and Cell Phone Use While Driving

Any driver under age 18 who holds a Class D license or a learner's permit is prohibited from using any wireless device while driving. This includes cell phones, computers, and all texting devices. Exceptions are provided for emergencies and for drivers who are fully parked. The fine for a conviction is $150, or $300 if involved in an accident while using a wireless device. Any driver age 18 or over is prohibited from reading, writing, or sending a text message while driving. This ban applies to any texting device including cell phones, and applies to text messages, instant messages, email and Internet data. Exceptions are provided for emergency personnel, drivers responding to emergencies, and drivers who are fully parked. The fine for a conviction is $150.

Watching for Pedestrians When Making Turns

At most intersections where there is a pedestrian signal, the "Walk" signal of the crossing street corresponds to the green light of the roadway you are traveling on. This means that when you are authorized to turn, pedestrians are authorized to cross the street onto which you are turning at the same time. Therefore, before making your turn, you must stop and remain stopped for any pedestrians in the crosswalk of the road onto which you wish to turn until they have cleared the lanes of traffic upon which you are traveling.

Passing Bicyclists

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as motorists. Bicyclists are permitted to travel in the center of the traffic lane if there are safety hazards on the right side of the road (such as parked cars or debris) or if the lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a vehicle to share. Pass bicyclists with caution, treating them as you would any other vehicle and according to Georgia law. The law requires a driver to allow at least three feet between the driver and bicyclist when passing, if feasible. If it is not safe to leave three feet of space, the driver should wait until it is safe to pass the bicyclist

U-Turns

Do not make a U-turn on a curve or near the top of a hill if you cannot be seen by other drivers approaching from either direction. Do not make a U-turn where signs prohibit doing so.

Obey Flaggers

Flaggers are used to direct traffic through and around work zones. In a work zone, a flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign. Do not disobey a flagger's traffic control directions.

Reduce Your Speed

For safety reasons, the speed limit in most work zones is reduced. If the speed limit is not reduced in a work zone, drivers should obey the normal posted speed limit for the road on which they are traveling, but be more cautious of road conditions, lane position, and the presence of workers.

What do i do at the intersection where there are no stop signs, yield signs or other traffic signals.

If two vehicles come to the intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left must yield to the driver of the vehicle on the right.

Passing is prohibited on two-lane roads:

In areas marked by a solid yellow line on the right of the center line, or a "Do Not Pass" sign, or double yellow lines; Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing; Within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel. When a car approaching from the opposite direction makes passing unsafe or will be within 200 feet of your vehicle prior to the completion of a passing maneuver; On a hill or curve where it is not possible to see oncoming vehicles which might be close enough to be a hazard; On the shoulder of the road; When a school bus is stopped to load or unload passengers.

Stopping, Standing or Parking is permitted only momentarily to pick up or drop off passengers under the following conditions:

In front of a public or private driveway; Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection; Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic control signal; Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway; Within 75 feet of the spot across the street from a fire station driveway; Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing; At any place where official signs prohibit standing.

Illegal Signals

It is against the law to flash turn signals as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to other drivers in the rear.

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol

It is unlawful for any person to operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, a drug, or any other substance which impairs his/her ability to safely do so; A person 21 or more years of age is considered "Under the Influence of Alcohol" when 0.08 gm or more by alcohol weight is present in the blood; A person under 21 years of age is irrefutably considered "Under the Influence of Alcohol" when 0.02 gm or more by alcohol weight is present in the blood;

Median Strip

It is unlawful to drive across a dividing section, barrier, or unpaved strip which separates two roadways at any point other than at an authorized opening or crossover.

Weaving

It is unlawful to weave from one lane of traffic to another in order to move faster than the flow of traffic. A motorist may change lanes on a multi-lane highway and pass slower moving vehicles only when it is safe to do so. A driver's signaling to change lanes should be clearly indicated so as to warn vehicles of the movement.

Speed Limits

Maximum traveling speeds are determined based on the following general rules in Georgia unless otherwise posted: 30 miles per hour in any urban or residential district; 35 miles per hour on an unpaved county road; 70 miles per hour on a rural interstate; 65 miles per hour on an urban interstate or on a multi-lane divided highway; 55 miles per hour in all other areas.

Making Turns on Multi-Lane Highways

On a multi-lane, two-way highway, you must never drive to the left of the center line except when making a left turn. If traffic control signals or signs are present, you may only complete the turn when authorized to do so by the traffic control signals or signs. When making left turns, you must always yield to oncoming traffic, and wait for pedestrians to clear the lanes of traffic, driveway, sidewalk, or alley you are turning into.

What are the 3 most basic traffic laws?

1. Obey traffic control devices. 2. Obey the traffic directions of a law enforcement officer or firefighter. 3.Never drive on the roadway that has been closed for construction, special event or any other official reson

Passing Motorcyclists

A motorcyclist legally occupies the full width of a single lane when traveling. When passing a motorcyclist, a driver must pass in an adjacent lane. Drivers are not permitted to occupy the same lane as a motorcyclist while passing them.

Passing is Permitted When:

An obstruction makes it necessary to drive to the left of the center line, but only after yielding to oncoming traffic; A roadway includes two or more marked lanes in the same direction; A roadway with more than one lane is restricted to one-way traffic. Upon a multi-lane, two way highway, you must never drive to the left of the center line except when authorized to do so by traffic control signals or signs or when making a left turn into an alley, private road or driveway.

Super Speeder

Any driver convicted of speeding 75 mph on any two-lane road, or 85 mph and over anywhere in Georgia, will be assessed a $200 state fee. The state fee will be in addition to any local fines imposed in the jurisdiction where the speeding offense occurs. Failure to pay the state fee on time will result in a license suspension and additional $50 reinstatement fee. .

Stopping, Standing, and Parking

On the street side of any parked vehicle; On a sidewalk; Within an intersection; On a crosswalk; Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb; Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic; Upon a bridge or overpass, or within a highway tunnel; On any railroad tracks; On a controlled access highway; In the area between roadways on a divided highway, including crossovers; At any place marked by a no-parking sign.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is defined as driving any vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property. Penalties for reckless driving can include a fine of up to $1000, imprisonment for up to 12 months, and, if the driver is under 21 years of age, conviction will result in a suspension of all driving privileges.

Adjust Your Lane Position

Travel lanes are likely to be closed in work zones, and lane patterns may change as the work progresses. Sometimes, workers must operate within inches or feet of an open lane of traffic. When lanes are closed or narrowed, or workers are operating on the roadway near traffic, change lanes away from them if possible or shift slightly within the boundaries of your lane to give added distance between your vehicle and the workers. This will provide extra protection for you, your passengers and the workers along the roadway.

Steps to Parallel Parking

Turn your wheels sharply to the right and back slowly toward the car behind the space you wish to use; As your front door passes the back bumper of the car ahead of the space you wish to use, quickly straighten your wheels and continue to back diagonally into the space in a straight line; When your front bumper is completely clear of the car ahead of you, turn your wheels sharply to the left and back slowly toward the car behind you; Stop before making contact with the car behind you. Place the car in drive, turn your wheels sharply to the right and pull toward the center of the parking space; Always give the appropriate turn signal prior to beginning your parking maneuver and when you exit from a parallel parking space.

One Way Streets

Unless directed to by a traffic control device, authorized emergency personnel or construction workers, it is unlawful for a vehicle to be driven contrary to the direction posted on a one-way street or highway, except in situations where police vehicles or authorized emergency vehicles find it necessary to do so.

Use Headlights Properly

Use high-beam headlights only when driving in rural areas and when other cars are not nearby. You must use your headlights between one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise; at any time when it is raining; or when visibility is limited. You should dim (lower) your headlights when: You are within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle so as not to blind the driver; You are following closely (within 200 feet) behind another vehicle; You are driving on lighted roads; You are driving in rain, fog, snow, or smoke; Your vision is reduced to less than 200 feet.

How To Make A Left Turn

Using appropriate signals, and giving drivers ahead of and behind you adequate notice, activate your left turn signal; Move into the far left lane of the direction in which you are traveling, or into the turning lane if one is provided; Keep your wheels straight until you begin making the turn; Yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, including bicycles, which are approaching from the opposite direction, and pedestrians crossing either roadway; When safe to do so, and when traffic signals/signs permit, make your turn so that your vehicle ends up in the lane closest to the center lane(s) in your direction of traffic on the street you turned onto, or closest to the center line if there is no center lane; If there are multiple turning lanes on the street you are turning from, complete the turn so that your vehicle ends up in the corresponding lane on the street you are turning onto; Once you have entered an intersection to make a left turn, you cannot change lanes in the intersection; You must stop and remain stopped for any pedestrians in the crosswalk of the road you are turning onto until they have cleared the lanes of traffic that you are traveling on.

How To Make A Right Turn

Using appropriate signals, and giving drivers ahead of and behind you adequate notice, activate your right turn signal;Approach the intersection in the right lane, staying as close as practicable to the curb or edge of the roadway; If there is a bicycle lane on the road on which you are traveling, you must yield to bicyclists traveling straight through the intersection before making a right turn; Make the turn in such a way as to end up in the right lane of the street into which you have turned and avoid entering any other lane of traffic. If there are multiple turning lanes on the street you are turning from, complete the turn so that your vehicle ends up in the corresponding lane on the street you are turning onto.

Obey the Signs

Warning signs in work zones usually have an orange background and black letters or symbols. They are used with other traffic control devices or flaggers to help direct traffic safely through work areas and to protect drivers, their passengers, and highway workers.

When Someone Passes You

When a driver behind you is overtaking your vehicle, be alert for any unsafe actions by the other driver. It is considered courteous to reduce your speed slightly, making it easier for the other vehicle to pass you. It is unlawful to increase your speed before you have been passed completely by the overtaking vehicle.

Stopping

When stopping or slowing down suddenly, the proper hand, arm, or brake operated stop signal must be given.

Driving Too Slowly

When there are two or more lanes for traffic moving in the same direction, slower vehicles should use the right lane except when passing or making a left turn. Driving too slowly on certain highways can be dangerous because it impedes the regular flow of traffic. On certain highways, minimum speed limits are posted. If you are unable to drive at the minimum speed, you should seek an alternate route.

What is Right of Way?

is a pharse used to describe who has the lawful right to enter a roadway, change lanes within a roadway, make a turn from a roadway, travel through an intersection, or make any other traffic related movements.

Yield to Mobile Work Vehicles

Some road work can be performed without actually closing lanes of travel. Pavement maintenance, debris removal, paint striping, utility work, and snow removal are examples of work accomplished while moving in traffic. Vehicles used in performing this type of work will have flashing amber lights and may have flashing arrows directing traffic to merge left or right. The vehicles may also display signs for the purpose of directing traffic or indicating hazardous conditions. These vehicles usually work at very slow speeds, such as 5 miles per hour, and may occasionally be stationary in the roadway. For your safety, and the safety of others, slow down, yield the right-of-way to these work vehicles, and follow any directions displayed by the work vehicles.

Following Emergency Vehicles

The driver of any vehicle, other than one on official business, must not follow any fire fighting apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm, or other emergency vehicles, closer than 200 feet, or drive into or park any vehicle within 500 feet of any fire apparatus stopped in answer to a fire alarm.

Passing Stopped Cars

Whenever any vehicle is stopped to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. When stopping to allow a pedestrian to cross in front of you, leave sufficient room between your vehicle and the crosswalk so that approaching traffic can see the entirety of the crosswalk.

Yield to Amber Lights in Work Zones

Work vehicles and heavy equipment will typically have flashing or revolving amber lights. You must yield the right-of-way to these vehicles. Reduce your speed as you approach any work zone where vehicles have amber lights displayed.

What to do if two vehicles reach the intersection approximately the same time?

Yield to any vehicles on your right.

Passing On The Right

You may pass on the right of another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn if there is sufficient pavement width for both your vehicle and the vehicle making the left turn. You may also pass on the right when traveling on a multi-lane highway carrying two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction

What do you do when traveling on a roadway that intersects with another roadway, faced with a stop sign, but other traffic is not.

You may proceed only after stopping and yielding the right-of-way to any other vehicle or pedestrian.

Railroad Crossings

You must always stop within 50 feet, but not less than 15 feet, from the nearest rail of a railroad crossing when any of the following apply: The signal is flashing; The crossing gates are lowered; A flagman is giving a signal; A train is approaching so closely as to create an immediate hazard; A train gives a warning signal and is an immediate hazard due to its speed or nearness to the crossing; A stop sign is posted. Under no circumstances should a motorist drive through, around or under any crossing gate while the gate is lowered. After stopping, remain stopped until all tracks have been cleared and it is safe to proceed.