Alabama Permit Test key terms

The legal privilege of going first in a traffic situation. It is not something you take; it must be given by others, and drivers should yield whenever another vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian is already entitled to proceed.

A downward-pointing triangular sign requiring drivers to slow down and let cross traffic or pedestrians go before entering or crossing an intersection. You need not stop if the way is clearly clear.

An eight-sided red sign meaning a vehicle must come to a complete halt behind the stop line, crosswalk, or edge of the intersecting roadway and may proceed only when safe.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles proceed in the order they arrived; if two arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first.

The maximum legal speed allowed on a road under normal conditions. It is not a target, and drivers must slow below it for bad weather, traffic, or poor visibility.

The rule that you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, even if you are below the posted limit. Rain, fog, or heavy traffic can make a legal speed unsafe.

A yellow warning sign showing a recommended speed for a curve, ramp, or other hazard. It is a safe-speed guideline, not an absolute legal limit, but exceeding it is unsafe.

A yellow diamond-shaped sign alerting drivers to upcoming hazards such as curves, intersections, or road changes. Drivers should slow down and use extra caution when they see one.

An orange diamond-shaped sign warning of road work, workers, or changed traffic patterns ahead. Fines for speeding in these zones are often doubled, so slow down.

A section of roadway where construction or maintenance is underway. Drivers must reduce speed, follow posted signs and flaggers, and avoid distractions to protect workers and themselves.

A line marking the left edge of lanes for traffic going one direction, or a center line separating opposing traffic. A solid yellow center line means no passing by traffic on your side.

A dashed yellow center line indicating that passing is permitted when safe. If a broken and solid yellow line are paired, only the side with the broken line may pass.

A stretch of road where passing another vehicle is legal and safe, usually marked by broken lines. Passing is prohibited on curves, hill crests, and at intersections.

A dashed white line separating lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. It means you may change lanes when it is safe and you have signaled.

A continuous white line marking the right edge of the roadway or separating lanes where lane changes are discouraged. Treat it as a boundary and avoid crossing it except in an emergency.

Moving from one lane of travel to another. Signal, check mirrors, and turn your head to check the blind spot before moving, and only change lanes when there is enough space.

The area around a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors. Drivers must turn their head to check it before changing lanes; every vehicle, especially large trucks, has one.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. Use the three-second rule in good conditions and add more time for rain, night driving, or following large vehicles.

A method for judging safe following distance: watch the car ahead pass a fixed object, then count at least three seconds before you reach it. Increase the count in poor conditions.

Following another vehicle too closely, leaving no room to stop if it brakes suddenly. It is a leading cause of rear-end crashes and is aggressive driving behavior.

Operating a vehicle in a self-centered, unsafe manner such as speeding, tailgating, cutting off others, or refusing to yield. It raises crash risk and can lead to serious penalties.

An escalation of aggressive driving into deliberate, angry acts such as chasing, threatening, or assaulting another driver. Avoid confrontation and report dangerous behavior to police.

Any activity that takes your attention off the road, including texting, eating, adjusting controls, or talking on a phone. Even a brief glance away can cause a crash.

Reading or sending messages while operating a vehicle. It combines visual, manual, and mental distraction and is illegal for all drivers in Alabama, with extra limits for young drivers.

Driving while tired or sleep-deprived, which slows reaction time and can cause brief lapses in awareness. Get rest, take breaks, and do not rely on caffeine to stay awake.

The legal principle that by driving on public roads you agree in advance to submit to chemical testing if lawfully arrested for impaired driving. Refusal can bring license penalties.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. In Alabama a driver 21 or older is impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more; lower limits apply to commercial and young drivers.

The percentage of alcohol in a person's blood, used to measure impairment. It rises with each drink and is affected by body weight, food, and time, but only time removes alcohol.

A policy that makes it illegal for drivers under 21 to have any measurable alcohol in their system. A violation can result in license suspension and other penalties.

An open bottle or can of alcohol inside the passenger area of a vehicle. Alabama law generally prohibits open containers of alcohol in vehicles on public roads.

Alabama requires front-seat occupants and all passengers under 15 to wear seat belts or be in proper child restraints. Buckling up reduces serious injury and death in crashes.

A car seat or booster seat designed for a child's size, required for young children in Alabama. Rear-facing seats are used for infants, then forward-facing seats and boosters as the child grows.

A rule requiring drivers to change lanes away from stopped emergency, tow, or utility vehicles with flashing lights, or slow down if a lane change is not possible.

A circular intersection where traffic flows one way around a center island. Entering drivers yield to traffic already in the circle, and you should not stop once inside it.

A signal meaning the same as a stop sign: come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe. A flashing yellow light, by contrast, means slow down and use caution.

An electric light controlling traffic flow, using red, yellow, and green. A steady red means stop, yellow warns that the light is changing, and green means proceed when clear.

After stopping completely at a red light, you may turn right when there is no sign prohibiting it and you yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.

When water on the road causes tires to lose contact with the surface, making steering and braking ineffective. Slow down in rain and avoid sudden moves to reduce the risk.

Regaining control when tires lose traction. Ease off the accelerator, look and steer where you want to go, and avoid hard braking; if your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, brake firmly.