Navigating the Roads Flashcards
What is the definition of a traffic lane?
A traffic lane is a section of road for a single line of traffic.
What is the overall purpose of lane markings?
Lane markings on road surfaces help drivers to know which part of the road to use and to understand traffic rules.
What is the meaning of a Single Solid Yellow Line?
A Single Solid Yellow Line marks the center of a road with two-way traffic where passing is not allowed.
There is only one lane of traffic going in your direction and a Single Solid Yellow Line on your side of the road. Are you allowed to pass the vehicle in front of you?
No.
What is the meaning of a single set of Double Solid Yellow Lines?
A single set of double solid yellow lines indicates the center of a two-way road where passing is prohibited in both directions.
You are driving on a road with two sets of Double Solid Yellow Lines. Are you allowed to drive on or over this barrier?
No, except at designated openings.
You are driving on a road with two sets of Double Solid Yellow Lines. Are you allowed to make a left turn across this barrier?
No, except at designated openings.
You are driving on a road with two sets of Double Solid Yellow Lines. Are you allowed to make a U-turn across this barrier?
No, except at designated openings.
What is the meaning of two sets of Double Solid Yellow Lines spaced two or more feet apart?
This is considered a barrier. Do not drive on or over this barrier, make a left turn, or make a U-turn across it, except at designated openings.
Are you ever allowed to cross a single set of Double Solid Yellow lines to pass a vehicle?
No.
When are you allowed to make a left turn over a single set of Double Solid Yellow Lines?
To enter or exit a driveway, private road, or make a U-turn.
Construction or other road signs are instructing you to drive on the other side of the road because your side is closed or blocked. Are you allowed to cross a single set of Double Solid Yellow Lines to comply with this?
Yes.
You wish to enter an HOV carpool lane with a designated entrance on the left. Are you allowed to cross a single set of Double Solid Yellow Lines to accomplish this?
Yes.
What is the meaning of a Broken Yellow Line?
A Broken Yellow Line marks the center of a two-way road where passing is allowed.
There is only one lane of traffic going in your direction and a Broken Solid Yellow Line on your side of the road. Are you allowed to pass the vehicle in front of you?
Yes.
What is the meaning of a Single Solid White Line?
A Single Solid White Line marks traffic lanes going in the same direction, including on one-way streets.
What is the meaning of Double Solid White Lines?
Double Solid White lines indicate an non-crossable lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use lane such as a carpool (HOV) lane. You may also see them in or near freeway on or off ramps.
Are you allowed to change lanes over Double Solid White Lines?
No. Wait for a Single White Broken Line.
You want to change lanes, but there are Double Solid White Lines in the way. What form of lane marking must you wait for these lines to change into before changing lanes?
A Single White Broken Line.
What is the meaning of Broken White Lines?
Broken White Lines are crossable lines that separate traffic lanes on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction.
Can you cross a Broken White Line?
Yes.
What do End of Lane Markings look like?
Ending freeway and street lanes are usually marked with LARGE broken lines.
What is the meaning of End of Lane Markings?
If you are driving in a lane marked with broken lines, be prepared to exit the freeway or for the lane to end. Look for a sign that tells you to exit or merge.
If you are driving in a lane marked with broken lines, what type of sign should you look out for?
A sign that tells you to exit or merge.
If you are driving in a lane marked with broken lines, what should you be prepared for?
To exit the freeway or for the lane to end.
What is the meaning of Yield Lines?
A Yield Line shows approaching vehicles where to yield or stop.
What do Yield Lines look like?
A Yield Line is a solid white line of triangles that point toward approaching vehicles.
You see a solid white line of triangles that point toward approaching vehicles in your lane. What must you do?
Yield or stop at the line of triangles.
How are lanes numbered?
From the left to the right (the left/fast lane is Lane Number 1, the lane next to it to the right is Lane Number 2, then Lane Number 3, etc.)
You are driving in the left lane of a 3-lane road. What number lane are you in?
Lane Number 1.
You are driving in the right lane of a 3-lane road. What number lane are you in?
Lane Number 3.
What lane should you choose to pass or turn left?
The left lane.
What lane should you choose to enter or exit traffic?
The right lane.
What lane should you choose when you enter the road from a curb or shoulder?
The right lane.
What are the steps to take to change lanes?
- Signal.
- Check your mirrors.
- Check traffic behind and beside you.
- Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move to make sure the lane is clear.
- Check your blind spots for other vehicles, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. Do not let your vehicle drift into another lane while doing this.
- Be sure there is enough space for your vehicle in the next lane. It is not necessary to slow down before a lane change.
Is it necessary to slow down before a lane change?
No.
Are you always required to signal before a lane change?
Yes.
Are you always required to check your mirrors before a lane change?
Yes.
Are you always required to check the traffic behind and beside you before a lane change?
Yes.
Are you always required to look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move to make sure the lane is clear before a lane change?
Yes.
Are you always required to check your blind spots for other vehicles, motorcyclists, and bicyclists before a lane change?
Yes.
What must you avoid while checking your blind spots before a lane change?
Accidentally drifting into another lane.
Are you always required to make sure there is enough space for your vehicle in the next lane before a lane change?
Yes.
How often should you change lanes?
As little as possible.
Last minute lane or direction changes increase the risk of what?
Collisions.
Once you have started moving through an intersection, what is important to do?
Keep going.
If you start to make a turn, what is important to do?
Follow through.
Is it ever acceptable to change lanes frequently, weaving in and out of traffic?
No.
If you miss a turn, what should you do?
Keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around.
What is a passing lane?
On a multi-lane road, the passing lane (far left lane) is the lane closest to the center divider and is used to pass other vehicles.
What is a carpool/high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane?
An HOV lane is a special lane reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles with decals.
Are you allowed to ride a motorcycle in a carpool/HOV lane?
Yes, unless otherwise posted.
Are you allowed to drive a low or zero emission vehicle in a carpool/HOV lane?
Yes, if your car has a special, DMV-issued decal.
What must you display on your car to drive a low/zero emission vehicle in a carpool/HOV lane?
A special, DMV-issued decal.
How can you tell the minimum number of people required to drive in a carpool/HOV lane?
Road signs at the on-ramp and along the road will tell you.
How can you tell the hours when the HOV rules apply?
Road signs will list the hours when the rules apply.
How are carpool/HOV lanes marked on the road surface?
With diamond symbols and the words Carpool Lane.
You are driving and see a lane marked with diamond symbols on the road surface. What type of lane is this?
A carpool/HOV lane.
Are you ever allowed to cross over Double Solid White Lines to enter or exit a carpool/HOV lane?
No.
Are you ever allowed to enter or exit a carpool/HOV lane anywhere other than at designated entrances and exits?
No.
Where are you allowed to enter or exit a carpool/HOV lane?
At designated entrances and exits.
What are the 4 types of vehicles you can drive in a carpool/HOV lane?
- Vehicles with the listed minimum number of passengers.
- Low/zero emission vehicles displaying a special, DMV-issued decal.
- Motorcycles, unless otherwise posted.
- Buses.
Are buses allowed to drive in carpool/HOV lanes?
Yes.
Where are Center Left-Turn Lanes located?
In the middle of a two-way street.
What are Center Left-Turn Lanes used for?
To prepare for and make a left turn or U-turn.
What lane markings are used for Center Left-Turn Lanes?
They are marked on both sides by Double Painted Lines. The inner line is broken and the outer line is solid.
How many feet are you allowed to drive in the Center Left-Turn Lane?
No more than 200 feet.
What are the steps for using a Center Left-Turn Lane?
- Look for other vehicles coming toward you in the Center Left-Turn Lane.
- Signal.
- Look over your shoulder to check your blind spots.
- Merge completely into the Center Left-Turn Lane so you do not block traffic.
- Turn when it is safe.
Is it ever acceptable to merge into a Center Left-Turn Lane without first checking if there are other vehicles in the lane coming toward you?
No.
Is it ever acceptable to merge into a Center Left-Turn Lane without signaling?
No.
Is it ever acceptable to merge into a Center Left-Turn Lane without first checking your blind spots?
No.
Is it ever acceptable to make use a Center Left-Turn Lane without first merging completely into the lane?
No.
How far are you required to merge into a Center Left-Turn lane before turning?
Completely.
You are driving and merge into a Center Left-Turn Lane 300 feet before making your turn. Was this an acceptable driving maneuver?
No. You are only allowed to drive 200 feet in a Center Left-Turn Lane.
How are turnout areas/turnout lanes marked?
With road signs.
What is the purpose of a turnout area/turnout lane?
To allow vehicles behind you to pass on two-lane roads.
What type of road has turnout areas/turnout lanes?
Two-lane roads.
When are you required to merge into a turnout area/turnout lane?
When you are driving slowly on a two-lane road, where passing is unsafe, and there are 5 or more vehicles following you.
How many vehicles need to be following you on a two-lane road for you to be required to merge into the next available turnout area/turnout lane when you are driving slowly?
5 vehicles.
You are driving slowly on a two-lane road, where passing is unsafe, and there are 4 vehicles following you. Are you required to merge into the next available turnout area/turnout lane?
No. You are only required to use a turnout area/lane when there are 5 or more vehicles following you.
You are driving slowly on a two-lane road, where passing is unsafe, and there are 5 or more vehicles following you. Are you required to merge into the next available turnout area/turnout lane?
Yes.
What must you always do before entering a bike lane?
Check your blind spots for bicyclists.
What are the 6 different types of bike lanes?
- Standard bike lanes
- Buffered bike lanes
- Bike routes
- Bicycle boulevards
- Separated bikeways
- Shared roadway bicycle markings
What are standard bike lanes, and how are they marked?
Standard bike lanes are established along streets adjacent to vehicle traffic.
Typically marked by a single solid white line that turns into a dash-line near intersections.
What are buffered bike lanes, and how are they marked?
Buffered bike lanes use chevrons or diagonal markings to provide greater separation from traffic and on-street parking.
What are bike routes, and how are they marked?
Bike routes use bike route signs and shared road markings to designate a preferred route for bicyclists on streets shared with vehicle traffic.
What are bicycle boulevards?
Bicycle boulevards prioritize bicycle travel on streets shared with vehicle traffic.
What are separated bikeways, and how are they marked?
Separate bikeways are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic and for exclusive use of bicyclists. They are also known as cycle tracks or protected bike lanes. The separation may include flexible posts, grade separation, inflexible barriers, or on-street parking.
What are shared roadway bicycle markings?
Shared roadway bicycle markings alert driver that bicyclists can occupy the lane and help bicyclists maintain a safe lane position in traffic. They are often marked with bicycle symbols and arrows on the road surface.
What are the 3 instances when it is legal to drive in a bike lane?
- Parking (where permitted).
- Entering or leaving the road.
- Turning (within 200 feet of an intersection)
How many feet away from an intersection do you need to be before entering a bike lane?
200 feet.
You are driving and merge into a bike lane 300 feet away from an intersection. Was this legal?
No. You must be within 200 feet of an intersection before enter a bike lane to make a turn.
You are driving and merge into a bike lane 180 feet away from an intersection. Was this legal?
Yes, because it was within 200 feet of the intersection.
What are the 9 steps to making a right turn?
- Drive close to the right edge of the road.
- If a designated right turn lane is available, enter at the opening.
- You can drive in a bike lane within 200 feet from the turn. Check for bicyclists in your blind spots.
- Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists between your vehicle and the curb.
- Start signaling about 100 feet before the turn.
- Look over your right shoulder and reduce your speed.
- Stop behind the limit line. A limit line is a wide white line that shows drivers where to stop before an intersection or crosswalk. If there is no limit line, stop before you enter the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection.
- Look both ways (left-right-left) and turn when it is safe.
- Complete your turn in the right lane. Do not turn wide into another lane.
What is a limit line?
A wide white line that shows drivers where to stop before an intersection or crosswalk.
Where should you stop if there is no limit line but there is a crosswalk?
Before you enter the crosswalk.
Where should you stop if there is no limit line and no crosswalk?
Before you enter the intersection.
When making a right turn, are you allowed to turn wide to change into another lane?
No. You must complete the turn in the right lane.
When making a right turn, how do you look both ways?
Left-right-left.
When making a right turn, where should your vehicle be located on the road?
Close to the right edge of the road.
Where are you required to enter designated right turn lanes?
At the opening.
If a designated right turn lane is not available, where should you make a right turn from?
Close to the right edge of the road.
How many feet before a right turn are you allowed to drive in a bike lane?
200 feet. Check your blind spots.
What must you check for before making a right turn?
Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists between your vehicle and the curb.
How many feet before making a right turn are you required to start signaling?
100 feet.
Before making a right turn, where must you look?
Over your right shoulder.
Before making a right turn, are you required to:
1. Reduce your speed.
2. Maintain your speed.
3. Increase your speed.
Reduce your speed to prepare to stop at the limit line.
Where must you stop before making a right turn?
At the limit line, before entering a crosswalk, before entering an intersection.
When you reach the limit line (or the crosswalk, or the intersection), what are you required to do before making a right turn?
Look both ways.
What are the rules for making a right turn against a red light?
You may turn right at a red light after a complete stop unless there is a No Turn on Red sign. Follow the same 9-step process for making a typical right turn.
Are you allowed to make a right turn at a red light without first coming to a complete stop?
No.
Are you required to come to a complete stop before making a right turn at a red light?
Yes.
When are you not allowed to make a right turn at a red light?
When there is a No Turn on Red sign.
You wish to make a right turn at a red light, and there isn’t a No Turn on Red sign. Is this allowed?
Yes.
What are the rules for making a right turn against a red arrow light?
You may not turn right if you are stopped at a red arrow light. Wait until the light changes to green before making your turn.
Is it ever permitted to make a right turn against a red arrow light?
No.
What must you do if you wish to make a right turn but are stopped at a red arrow light?
Wait until the light changes to green before making your turn.
What are the rules for making a right turn at a public transit bus lane?
It is illegal to drive, stop, park, or leave a vehicle in an area designated for public transit buses. Signs will be posted to indicate the lanes are for bus use only. However, you may cross a bus lane to make a right turn.
Is it legal to cross a bus lane to make a right turn?
Yes.
Is it ever legal to drive, stop, park, or leave a vehicle in an area designated for public transit buses other than to cross a bus lane to make a turn?
No.
What are the rules for making a right turn onto a road with a dedicated lane?
You may make your turn in a dedicated right turn lane even if there is a red light for vehicles going straight through the intersection. If there is a traffic light or sign on the right curb of the right turn lane, you must obey that light or sign. Always yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk when turning.
What is a dedicated right turn lane?
A dedicated right turn lane does not merge into another lane and allows you to make a right turn without stopping.
Are you allowed to make your turn in a dedicated right turn lane even if there is a red light for vehicles going straight through the intersection?
Yes, unless there is a traffic light or sign on the right curb of the right turn lane that says otherwise.
When are you required to stop before making a turn in a dedicated right turn lane?
If there is a traffic light or sign on the right curb of the right turn lane that says to stop.
Are you generally allowed to make turns in a dedicated right turn lane without stopping?
Yes, unless there is a traffic light or sign on the right curb of the right turn lane that says to stop.
What are the steps to making a left turn?
- Drive close to the center divider or into the left turn lane.
- Enter designated left turn lanes at the opening. Do not cross any solid line.
- Enter two-way center left turn lanes within 200 feet of the turn. Respect the right-of-way of any vehicle, bicyclist, or motorcyclist already in the lane. Always yield to pedestrians.
- Start signaling 100 feet before the turn.
- Look over your left shoulder and reduce your speed.
- Stop behind the line limit. If there is no line limit, stop before you enter the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before you enter the intersection.
- Look both ways (left-right-left) and begin your turn when it is safe.
- Proceed into the intersection while turning to complete your turn in the left lane.
- Do not turn the wheel too soon and enter the lane of oncoming vehicles.
- Keep your wheels pointed straight ahead until it is safe to start your turn. IF YOUR WHEELS ARE POINTED TO THE LEFT AND A VEHICLE HITS YOU FROM BEHIND, YOU COULD BE PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
- Accelerate smoothly before and after the turn.
- Allow the steering wheel to straighten in the new lane.
When making a left turn, how do you look both ways?
Left-right-left.
When making a left turn, when should you allow the steering wheel to straighten?
In the new lane you have turned into.
Before and after a turn, should your acceleration be smooth or jerky?
Smooth.
What is the risk of preemptively turning your wheels in advance of a left turn instead of keeping them straight as you’re required to?
IF YOUR WHEELS ARE POINTED TO THE LEFT AND A VEHICLE HITS YOU FROM BEHIND, YOU COULD BE PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC.
In what position are you required to keep your wheels in advance of a left turn?
Pointed straight ahead until it is safe to start your turn.
What must you not do with your wheel when making a left turn?
Turn it the wheel soon and enter the lane of oncoming traffic.