DMV study General Rules 1

Question 1

What are 3 things you need to pass to get a license?

What are the licensing requirements?
3 things

Answer 1

Knowledge test
Vision screening
Driving skills test

Question 2

What must your vision be to pass the vision screening?

As part of the vision screening, the applicant must have ___________?
3 things

Answer 2

1) Binocular vision (see out of both eyes)
2) Vision of 20/40 or better
3) 140 degree field of vision

*Corrective lenses (glasses) can be used. restriction may be put on you license

Question 3

What must you have on you before you can drive a vehicle?
3 things. May be located inside the vehicle.

What must your vehicle/driver have to be valid to drive on the road?

Answer 3

1) Valid license plates
2) Registration
3) Proof of insurance

Question 4

What does the GLS require?
(Graduated Driver Licensing)

Answer 4

Requires new drivers to gain driving experience.
1) having a supervising driver present while holding a learner’s permit.
2) A provisional license with restrictions

Question 5

How long is a Type 1 Learner’s permit valid for?

Answer 5

Up to 2 years

*Must be held for a minimum of 45 days

Question 6

What is a provisional license

Answer 6

It is a restricted license issued to new drivers who have never held a driver’s license or who have held a license less than 18 months

Question 7

What must a person do to graduate from a learner’s permit to a provisional license?

Answer 7

1) Completed a Maryland driver education program
2) Have a valid learner’s (instructional) permit.
4) Be free of any moving violations
5) Submit a completed practice and skills log which documents the minimum number of practice hours
6) Pass the driving skills test

Question 8

What is required to be eligible for a Driver’s License?

Answer 8

1) Be at least 18 years of age
2) Held a Provisional License for a minimum of 18 months
3) Have not been convicted of any moving violations within those 18 months

Question 9

What is the basic rule of driving?

Answer 9

The driver is responsible for operating the vehicle in a safe manner

At all times, the driver of a vehicle shall control the vehicle as necessary to avoid a crash.

Question 10

What is defensive driving?

Answer 10

Being aware of your surroundings at all times.
Constantly observing your surroundings, to the front, side and rear of your vehicle for danger.

Question 11

What can you do to ensure you are a safe and responsible driver? (5 things)

Answer 11

1) Adjust your speed, position and direction to respond to roadway conditions, ensure vehicle control and increase response time.
2) Let other drivers know your intentions by using turn signals
3) Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and other roadway users
4) Do not assume that the other drivers will do what they are supposed to do
5) Use caution at all times

Question 12

When should you yield the right of way? (let the other vehicle go first)

Answer 12

1) The driver who is at or arrives before you at the intersection
2) To drivers in the opposing traffic lane, when you are making a left turn
3) To the driver on your right, if both of you arrive at the intersection at the same time
4) To drivers on a public highway, if you are entering the highway from a driveway or a private road.
5) To drivers already on a limited access or interstate highway, IF you are on the entrance or acceleration ramp
6) To the driver on your right at a 4-way intersection with stop signs
7) Pedestrians, bicyclists and other drivers who are still in the intersection
8) To drivers on the through highway, if you are at a “T” intersection and are entering the highway by making a turn (either right or left)
9) To other drivers, if you are approaching an intersection with a yield sign.

Question 13

What is the posted speed limit?

Answer 13

The Maximum speed limit you can legally travel under IDEAL (perfect) conditions

*It is safest to drive at the same speed that most traffic is moving UP TO the maximum (posted) speed limit.
* Driving at a speed lower than other traffic encourages other vehicles to constantly pass you. This increases the chances of a crash.

Question 14

What is the responsibility of a new driver

Answer 14

• Take your time.
• Understand the rules of the road.
• Listen and learn from your teachers and instructors.
• Treat other drivers and passengers with respect.

Question 15

Each of us is responsible every time we get behind the wheel to:

Answer 15

• Drive sober.
• Pay attention.
• Wear a seat belt.
• Follow speed limits.
• Look twice for motorcycles.
• Share the road with pedestrians (people who are walking) and bicyclists.

Question 16

While you have your Learner’s Instructional Permit, you must?:

Answer 16

• Complete the Maryland Driver Education Program.
• Practice driving at least 60 hours with a supervising driver.
• At least 10 practice hours must occur during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise.
• Keep a Practice and Skills Log to record your practice hours. You can find the Practice and Skills Log on the MVA website.

Question 17

What is a Provisional Driver’s License

Answer 17

a License issued to new drivers who have never held a driver’s license.
- It permits you to drive without supervision but with restrictions.
- Held for at least 18 months before being eligible for a regular Driver’s License

Question 18

Before you drive: (what must you do?)

Answer 18

You and your vehicle should be in good condition to drive.
* You must have a valid Learner’s Permit or driver’s license, and vehicle registration card with you.
* You should adjust your seat and mirrors, and
* You should make sure you and all passengers are wearing a seat belt.

Question 19

How to be a safe and responsible driver:

Answer 19

• Adjust your speed, position, and direction to respond to road conditions.
• Keep control of your vehicle.
• Increase the time you have to respond to what is happening around you.
• Let other drivers know what you plan to do by using turn signals, etc.
• Maintain a safe distance between your vehicle and other people using the road.
• Do not assume that other drivers will do what they are supposed to do.
• Always be careful.

Question 20

What are Right-of-way rules?

Answer 20

These rules state when you should “yield the right-of-way” to others.

You should yield the right-of-way to:
* The driver who is at or arrives before you at an intersection.
* The driver on your right, if both of you arrive at an intersection at the same time.
* The driver on your right at a four-way intersection with stop signs.
* Pedestrians, bicyclists, and other drivers who are still in an intersection.
* Drivers already on the road as you stop at a “T” intersection.
* Other drivers, if you are approaching an intersection with a yield sign facing you.
* Drivers in the opposing traffic lane, when you are making a left turn. (The opposing traffic lane is the one with vehicles going in the opposite direction.)
* Drivers on a road you are entering from a driveway or a private road.
* Drivers already on a highway, if you are on the entrance or acceleration ramp.

Question 21

Driving over the speed limit has severe and often disastrous effects because it:

Answer 21

• Reduces your ability to handle curves and drive around obstacles in the road.
• Takes longer to stop your vehicle
• Decreases your ability to recognize and react to a hazard or dangerous situation.
• Increases the risk of crashes because other vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians may not be able to judge your distance accurately.
• Increases the force and impact in a crash, which more likely results in serious injuries and deaths.

Question 22

When should you reduce your speed?

Answer 22

• Sharp curves or hills – where it is hard to see.
• Slippery roads.
• Roads where there may be pedestrians or animals.
• Shopping centers, parking lots, and downtown areas.
• Heavy traffic.
• Narrow bridges and tunnels.
• Toll plazas.
• Schools, playgrounds, and residential streets.
• Railroad grade crossings. This is when the railroad tracks are level with the road.

Question 23

What is the safe following distance? (under ideal conditions)

Answer 23

a minimum following distance of 3 to 4 seconds under ideal driving conditions.

Your stopping distance will depend upon many things, including:
* The amount of time it takes you to see that there is a dangerous situation.
* The type and condition of the road.
* The condition of your tire treads.
* The condition of your vehicle’s brakes.

Question 24

When turning, you should:

Answer 24

• Look for signs and signals that say when you can turn.
• Plan your turn before reaching the turning point.
• Switch on your turn signal before you get to the turn to let other drivers know what you plan to do.
• Look in front, behind, and to both sides of your vehicle to make sure it is safe to turn.
• Adjust your speed for the turn.
• U-Turn: When the way is clear, turn into the outside or right-hand lane traveling in the opposite direction

Question 25

When passing other vehicles is allowed, you must:

Answer 25

• Estimate the time and space needed to pass and be sure you can pass without getting in the way of any other vehicle.
• Use your turn signal before passing so drivers around you know what you plan to do.
• Leave plenty of space and go around the other vehicle at a safe distance.
• See both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rear-view mirror before returning to the lane you came from.

Question 26

Rules for passing on the right:

Answer 26

it is ok to pass on the right side if it is safe to do so and:
* The other vehicle is about to make a left turn.
* You are on an unobstructed road with two or more lanes moving in the same direction.
Unobstructed means there are no median strips, signs, or other things in the way.
* You are on an unobstructed one-way road with two or more lanes.

Question 27

When should you not pass another vehicle?

Answer 27

You may not pass:
* When you are in a no-passing zone.
* Where the solid yellow line in the middle of the road is on your side.
* Where there are double solid yellow lines.
* When passing will interfere with the safe operation of other vehicles.
* When approaching the top of a hill or on a curve and you cannot clearly see ahead.
* When your view is obstructed as you come within 100 feet of a bridge, elevated road, or tunnel.
* When crossing or within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing.
* On the shoulder of the road, either to the right or to the left.

Question 28

What are general parking rules?

Answer 28

always:
* Park in areas that are clearly meant for parking.
* When parking along the road, park your vehicle as far away from traffic as possible.
If there is a curb, park as close to it as possible.
* Set your parking brake when you park.
* Place the vehicle in gear if it has a manual transmission or in ‘park’ if it has an automatic transmission.
* Check your mirrors and traffic before opening the door.
Shut the door as soon as you can after getting out.
* Take your car keys with you.
It is a good habit to lock the doors whenever you leave your vehicle.

Question 29

Who is required by law to wear a seat belt or be restrained in a child safety seat?

Answer 29

Everyone - The driver and all occupants

Question 30

What is one of the most
common causes of vehicle crashes? and Why?

Answer 30

Speeding because it:
* Reduces your ability to handle curves and
drive around obstacles in the road.
* Takes longer to stop.
* Decreases your ability to recognize and
react to hazards.
* Increases the risk of crashes
* Increases the force and impact in a crash,
which more likely results in serious injuries
and deaths.

Question 31

What is 8-Sided Sign?
White Letters on Red

Answer 31

A stop sign

Question 32

Rules at a stop sign

Answer 32

• You must make a complete stop at the stop line.
• If there is no stop line, stop before entering a crosswalk.
• If there is no stop line or crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.
• You must yield to vehicles and pedestrians in the intersection
• remain stopped until it is safe to enter and continue through the intersection

Question 33

3-Sided Sign
Red Letters on White

Answer 33

Yield sign

• Slow down as you come to a yield sign.
• Look to the left and the right.
• Yield to pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles.
• Proceed only when you can do so safely

Question 34

Rectangular (4-Sided) sign
Black on White

Answer 34

Signs that regulate traffic such as a speed sign

Question 35

Stop Line

Answer 35

White, solid line that shows where a vehicle must stop for a STOP sign or red traffic signal

Question 36

Yield Lines

Answer 36

Rows of small triangles across the lane that show where a vehicle must yield to other vehicles or pedestrians

Question 37

What separates bike lanes from motor vehicle lanes.

Answer 37

Solid or broken white lines.

• You may see
  bike lanes marked with bike
  lane signs or by bicycle
  symbols and arrows.

Question 38

Pedestrian crosswalk lines

Answer 38

solid white lines that
show where pedestrians
cross.

*Crosswalks may
have additional lines
between the white, solid
lines or in place of them.
Other Pavement Markings
Pedestrian and Bicycle Pavement Markings

Question 39

A crash travelling 65 miles per hour (mph) or higher is:

Answer 39

More than twice as likely to result in death than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 45 or 50 mph.

• Five times as likely to result in death than a crash on a road with a speed limit of 40 mph or lower.

Question 40

What is the single most
effective way to prevent death and serious injury in a car crash?

Answer 40

Wearing a seatbelt

Question 41

What is visibility?

Answer 41

Your ability to clearly see everything around you on the road, like other vehicles,
pedestrians, road signs, signals, and pavement markings.
* Reduced or low visibility means it is harder to see these things.

Question 42

What are the most common causes of reduced visibility?

Answer 42

darkness
fog
heavy rain
snow

Question 43

When driving in reduced visibility situations, remember:

Answer 43

• Use the lines on the edge of the road or the right side of the road as a guide.
• Yellow pavement markings always be on the left side of your vehicle.
  Yellow is used to divide traffic going in opposite directions. It marks the left edge of the road.
• White pavement markings mark the right edge of the road.
  They also divide traffic
  traveling in the same direction.

Question 44

When should you use your headlights?

Answer 44

Headlights help you see when visibility is low.
* anytime there is not enough light to clearly see at least 1,000 feet in front of your vehicle.
- Nighttime, foggy conditions, and stormy weather
* Maryland law requires that you turn on your headlights when using your windshield
wipers in inclement weather.

Question 45

When to use low beams?

Answer 45

Driving in normal driving situations, like driving at night on a road with streetlights.
* Driving in fog, rain, snow, etc.
* Entering a tunnel or construction area.

Question 46

When to use high beams?

Answer 46

Use high beams on roads without streetlights so
you can see other vehicles and people.
You must:
* Change to low beams at least 500 feet before reaching vehicles coming toward you.
* Change to low beams when following a vehicle that is 300 feet or less in front of you.

Question 47

Why is driving at night more risky and more difficult
than daytime driving?

Answer 47

Due to reduced visibility. You can see only as far as your
headlights allow.
* It is harder to judge how
far away other vehicles are and how fast they
are moving.

Question 48

Rules for night driving

Answer 48

• Use your headlights and follow suggestions for when to use high beams.
• Do not stare into the headlights of traffic
  coming toward you.
• Look at the road in front of you, or slightly to
  the right of the lane you are traveling in
• Increase the distance between you and the
  vehicle in front of you.
• This will help prevent
  a crash if the vehicle in front of you needs to
  stop quickly.

Question 49

Rules for driving in fog

Answer 49

• Reduce your normal driving speed.
• When you see headlights or another vehicle’s
  taillights ahead, reduce your speed even more.
• If the fog is so thick that you cannot safely drive pull completely off the road to a safe location and turn on your emergency flashers.
• Use low beam headlights only or use fog lights if you have them.

Question 50

What is traction?
What reduces traction on the road?

Answer 50

the grip between your tires and the road that makes it possible for your vehicle to start, stop, and change direction.
Inclement weather such as rain, ice, snow

Question 51

What can you do to stay safe when driving in inclement weather?

Answer 51

• Keep a safe distance
• Reduce your speed
• Make sure your tires have good tread and are in good condition
• Avoid slamming on your brakes because this may cause your vehicle to skid.
• Avoid jerking the steering wheel or quickly changing speed.
• Make sure your windshield wipers are working well.
• Use your headlights.

Question 52

What is black ice?

Answer 52

a thin layer of ice on blacktop (asphalt) roads caused by ice or snow melting and re-freezing.

Question 53

Rules for driving on ice and snow

Answer 53

• Slow down
• Keep your windows and lights clear.
• Remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before driving.
• Start very slowly, then test your brakes gently to find out how well you can stop.
• Start slowing down long before you come to the intersection or turn.
• Keep your gas tank and windshield washer fluid full.
• Use chains, snow tires, or radial tires on designated snow emergency routes when necessary.

Question 54

What is skidding and what increases the chances of skidding?

Answer 54

The loss of traction between a vehicle’s tires and the road surface, resulting in a sliding or slipping motion.
Skidding can occur when the tires are unable to maintain proper contact with the road.

sand, gravel,
uneven road surfaces, oil slicks/spills, increased
speed, or water on the road decreases traction and cause a skid.

Question 55

Rules if your vehicle begins to skid

Answer 55

• Release the accelerator (gas pedal) or brake
  pedal, whichever one you are using, to regain control of your vehicle.
• Steer in the direction you are skidding.
• Look where you want your vehicle to go.
• Press on your brake pedal only after you
  have traction again.
• Slowly accelerating (pressing on the gas) may help if your back wheels lose traction.

Question 56

What is hydroplaning?

Answer 56

When a layer of water builds up between the tires of a vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction and control.
- This typically happens during wet or rainy conditions when there is a significant amount of water on the road.

Question 57

Rules if your vehicle begins to hydroplane?

Answer 57

Keep your tires in good condition and Reduce your speed when the roads are wet.

If you start to lose control:
* Take your foot off the gas.
* Do not apply your brakes.
* Keep your vehicle going straight.
* Slow down until you get control back.

Question 58

Rules for railroad crossings

Answer 58

When you come to railroad tracks:
* Look for other vehicles that may be stopping before the railroad crossing.
- Buses, school buses,
and trucks carrying hazardous materials must stop before every railroad
crossing.
* Look for a train at any time. Trains can come from either direction and they may be closer and traveling faster than they appear.
* The road is closed if gates are down or warning lights are flashing. Stop and wait
until the gates go up and the warning lights stop flashing.
* After a train passes, look both ways before starting over the tracks.
Always make sure the
tracks are clear before crossing.
* Never start to cross the tracks unless you can get completely over before the train comes.
* Make sure there is room for your vehicle on
the other side of the tracks before crossing.

Question 59

What hazards can work zones present?

Answer 59

• New traffic patterns
• Temporary traffic control devices (signs, signals, or pavement markings)
• Narrow lanes
• Lane shifts
• Lane and shoulder closures
• Pavement drop-offs/uneven surfaces
• Reduced sight distance
• Detours
• Slow moving equipment

Question 60

Rules of traffic circles

Answer 60

Roads that lead to traffic circles have yield signs.
Yield to traffic already in the circle.

As you come to a
traffic circle:
* Reduce your speed.
* Keep to the right of the island.
* Watch for and yield
to pedestrians in the
crosswalk.
* Approach the yield line and wait for a gap in traffic.
- Watch for vehicles
exiting the traffic circle.

You do not need to wait
to enter the traffic circle if there is no traffic in it.

If the traffic circle has more than one lane, stay in
your lane.
When preparing to exit, turn on your right turn signal and move to the outside lane after you pass the exit before the one you plan to take.

Question 61

What are Limited access highways

Answer 61

Large roads with
no intersections or traffic lights.
They have a limited number of places to enter and exit the road.

Question 62

Stopping on an interstate or limited access road

Answer 62

You may only stop on the shoulder of an interstate if there is an emergency or your vehicle becomes disabled.

If you must stop on
the shoulder, turn on your emergency flashers to warn other drivers and stay inside your vehicle.

Question 63

Rules for funeral processions

Answer 63

Turn on your headlights and flashing hazard lights
so other vehicles give you the right-of-way.
- If you are part of the funeral procession you may travel through a red light.

All traffic must yield until all vehicles in the procession have passed,

Question 64

Slower moving vehicles

Examples: bicycles, horse-drawn vehicles, and farm vehicles.

What should you do?

Answer 64

• Change your vehicle’s speed if necessary.
• Only pass the slow-moving vehicle when it is safe to do so.

If you must follow the slower moving vehicle, wait for a safe time to pass, use your
emergency flashers to help warn others coming up behind you.