Arkansas DMV Permit Test key terms

The legal priority to go first in a traffic situation. It is something a driver yields or is granted, never something a driver takes by force or assumes.

To slow or stop and let other traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians go ahead of you when the law gives them priority. Failing to yield is a common cause of intersection crashes.

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

A crossing with no signs or signals controlling it. Drivers must slow down, look both ways, and yield to traffic already in the intersection or approaching from the right.

A circular intersection where traffic flows one direction around a center island. Entering drivers yield to vehicles already circulating and do not stop inside the circle.

A lane that feeds traffic onto a highway or into another lane. Drivers in the merging lane must adjust speed and yield to traffic already on the main road.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. It should grow with speed and poor conditions so you have time to react and stop safely.

A way to check following distance: pick a fixed object ahead and count seconds until you reach it after the car in front passes it. Three seconds is a minimum in good conditions.

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment a driver perceives a hazard until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. It includes perception, reaction, and braking distance.

The distance a vehicle covers while the brakes are applied. It increases with speed, and on wet, icy, or gravel surfaces it can be much longer than on dry pavement.

When a layer of water lifts the tires off the road so they lose contact with the pavement. Steering and braking become ineffective; ease off the gas and avoid hard braking.

Loss of tire grip that makes a vehicle slide. To recover, ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

The grip between tires and the road surface that lets a vehicle accelerate, steer, and stop. It drops on rain, ice, snow, gravel, and oil-slicked pavement.

A driving approach that assumes other road users may make mistakes. It means scanning ahead, keeping space around your vehicle, and being ready to react to hazards.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Drivers must turn their head to check it before changing lanes or backing; large trucks have very large blind spots.

The large areas around a commercial truck where the driver cannot see other vehicles. Drivers should avoid lingering alongside or directly behind a truck in these spaces.

Following another vehicle too closely, leaving little time to stop if it brakes suddenly. It causes rear-end crashes and is especially dangerous behind large trucks that block the view ahead.

Operating a vehicle while your attention is on something else, such as a phone, food, or passengers. It delays reaction time and is a leading cause of crashes, especially among new drivers.

The delay between noticing a hazard and physically responding, such as hitting the brake. It lengthens when a driver is tired, distracted, or impaired.

Extreme tiredness that slows judgment, reaction, and attention behind the wheel. Drowsy driving can be as dangerous as alcohol impairment; the remedy is rest, not caffeine or loud music.

The percentage of alcohol in a person's blood, measured by breath or blood test. It rises with the amount and speed of drinking and falls only with time.

Any reduction in the mental or physical ability needed to drive safely, caused by alcohol, drugs, illness, or fatigue. Even small amounts can slow judgment and reaction.

The rule that a licensed driver automatically agrees to submit to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs when lawfully requested. Refusing can lead to license suspension even without a conviction.

A license suspension imposed by the licensing agency, often after a DWI arrest or test refusal, separate from any court case. It can take effect before the criminal matter is resolved.

Driving while intoxicated, meaning operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit or while impaired by alcohol or drugs. It carries serious penalties.

A policy that makes it illegal for drivers under 21 to drive with any measurable alcohol in their system. It applies even if the amount is below the adult legal limit.

An alcoholic beverage container that is open or has a broken seal while inside a vehicle's passenger area. Possession of one while driving is generally illegal.

A solid white line painted across a lane at an intersection or crosswalk. Drivers must stop before it, not on it or past it, when a sign or signal requires a stop.

The part of the roadway marked or otherwise designated for pedestrians to cross. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and must not block it when stopped.

A pavement marking that separates traffic moving in opposite directions. A single or double solid yellow line means passing or crossing into the other lane is generally prohibited.

A dashed yellow center line that marks where passing is allowed when it is safe. Drivers may cross it to pass if there is clear oncoming traffic and no other restriction.

A stretch of road where overtaking another vehicle is legal, usually marked by a broken center line. Passing is unsafe near hills, curves, and intersections even where lines permit it.

A line marking the outer edge of the travel lane, often white on the right and yellow on the left of a divided highway. It helps drivers stay in their lane.

Painted lines and arrows that guide drivers into correct lanes and show where passing, turning, or crossing is allowed. Their color and pattern carry specific meanings.

A signal that means the same as a stop sign: come to a full stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe. It often appears at malfunctioning intersections.

A signal warning drivers to slow down and proceed with caution. It does not require a full stop unless traffic or conditions demand it.

A marked area near a school where speed limits are reduced during set hours or when children are present. Drivers must slow down and watch for students and crossing guards.

The maximum lawful speed for a road under good conditions. Drivers must still slow below it for weather, traffic, and visibility, and the basic speed law always applies.

The rule that a driver must never travel faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Rain, fog, or heavy traffic can make the posted limit too fast.

A lane that lets a driver build up speed to match highway traffic before merging. Using it properly helps avoid sudden slowdowns and unsafe merging.