Preparing to drive: Your Vehicle Flashcards
Getting ready to drive
Before you start your engine:
be sure vehicle is in park or neutral.
adjust the seat so you can reach all controls.
adjust all rear-view mirrors so that you can use them without having to lean forward or backward.
move anything that blocks your view of mirrors or roadway.
lock all car doors.
put on your seat belt and make sure all passengers do the same.
Equipment Standards:
The equipment on your car must meet certain standards. You may be stopped at any time by law enforcement for a vehicle inspection.
Required Equipment: Brakes
Two braking systems. Each must be able to stop the car alone. The parking or emergency brake should be strong enough to hold the car on any hill.
Required Equipment: Low Beam Headlights
Show objects 150 feet ahead. Visible from 1,000 feet.
Required Equipment: High Beam Headlights
Show objects 450 feet ahead. Visible from 1,000 feet.
Required Equipment: Taillights
Two red taillights. Visible from 1,000 feet.
Required Equipment: Brake lights
Two red brake lights. Visible from 300 feet in the daytime.
Required Equipment: Licensed Plate Light
White light that makes the license plate visible from 50 feet.
Required Equipment: Directional Signals
Amber; or white (front) or red (rear). Visible from 500 feet.
Required Equipment: Horn
Heard from a distance of 200 feet.
Required Equipment: Mirrors
At least one rear-view mirror with view 200 feet to the rear.
Required Equipment: Windshield Wiper
In good working order to clear the driver’s view.
Required Equipment: Windshields
Must be safety glass and may not be covered or treated with any material that makes the windshield reflective or non transparent. Must be free of any stickers not required by law.
Required Equipment: Side and Rear Windows
May not be composed of, covered by, or treated with any material which has a highly reflective or mirrored appearance and reflects more than 25% of the light (side windows) or more than 35% of the light (rear window).
Required Equipment: Tires
Should have a minimum tread of at least 3/32 of an inch or greater, and no worn spots showing the ply.
Equipment NOT Permitted
Red lights visible from front or blue lights. For emergency/law enforcement vehicles only.
More than two spotlights, cowl or fender lights, fog lights, or other extra lights.
A siren, bell, or whistle.
A very loud muffler (heard from more than 50 feet) or one that emits smoke.
Signs, posters, or stickers on the windshield or windows (except if required by law).
A television that the driver can see.
Headsets/headphones worn by driver while operating a vehicle.
Bumper Height Requirements:
Owners of automobiles and pickup trucks are required to have both front and rear bumpers mounted within certain height levels. Height limitations are governed by the net shipping weight of the vehicle, not the modified or altered weight.
EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICES:
It is illegal to tamper with, remove, or cause not to work any pollution control device on your vehicle. Tampering will damage your vehicle and can cause increased air pollution, lower gas mileage, less vehicle efficiency, breathing difficulties.
Keep Your Car in Good Condition Brakes:
Check to see that the pedal stays well above the floor when you step on it. If the car pulls to one side when you use the brakes or if you hear any scraping or squealing noises, your brakes may need to be repaired.
Keep Your Car in Good Condition: lights
Check lights often, replace burned-out bulbs and keep lenses clean.
Keep Your Car in Good Condition: Tires
Inspect often for proper inflation/tire pressure, even tread wear, and damage.
Keep Your Car in Good Condition: Windows and Windshields
Keep the glass clean inside and out.
Keep Your Car in Good Condition: Rear window
If the rear window is covered by or treated with any material that makes it nontransparent, the vehicle must be equipped with side mirrors on both sides that allow the driver a view to the rear of at least 200 feet.
Read your vehicle owner’s manual
It is an excellent resource for information specific to your vehicle, such as: what types of fluids your car requires, what dashboard warning lights mean, what your car services intervals are, and more.
