Burundi Driving Theory Test key terms
Burundi Driving Theory Test · Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
- Stop sign
- Related: Right-of-way, Road marking
An octagonal red sign bearing the word STOP that requires a driver to bring the vehicle to a complete halt, check for traffic and pedestrians, and proceed only when it is safe.
- Yield (give way) sign
- Related: Right-of-way, Priority road
A triangular sign, usually inverted, telling the driver to slow down and let traffic on the intersecting or priority road pass before entering or crossing it.
- Priority road
- Related: Yield (give way) sign, Right-of-way
A road whose users have the right to pass first at junctions, often marked by a yellow diamond sign; traffic joining it must wait until it is clear.
- Road marking
- Related: Stop line, Lane divider
Painted lines, arrows, hatched areas or symbols on the road surface that guide, warn or restrict drivers, such as lane dividers, stop lines and edge lines.
- Stop line
- Related: Road marking, Stop sign
A solid white line painted across a lane at a junction or crossing that shows the exact point where a vehicle must halt when a stop is required.
- Lane divider
- Related: Road marking, Overtaking
A painted line separating traffic lanes; a broken line may be crossed when safe, while a continuous line must not be crossed except in specific permitted circumstances.
- Traffic light signals
- Related: Right-of-way, Stop line
Coloured lights controlling traffic flow: red means stop, amber means prepare to stop unless stopping is unsafe, and green means proceed if the way is clear.
- Right-of-way
- Related: Yield (give way) sign, Priority road
The legal entitlement of one road user to move ahead of another at a junction, crossing or narrow passage, with other users obliged to wait or slow down.
- Roundabout
- Related: Right-of-way, Indicator (turn signal)
A circular junction where traffic already circulating normally has priority and entering drivers must give way and move clockwise or anticlockwise as locally required.
- Overtaking
- Related: Lane divider, Safe following distance
Passing a slower vehicle travelling in the same direction, permitted only where visibility, road markings and signs allow and when no danger is created for other users.
- Safe following distance
- Related: Braking distance, Defensive driving
The gap kept behind the vehicle ahead, commonly measured by the two-second rule, so there is enough space to stop if that vehicle brakes suddenly.
- Speed limit
- Related: Braking distance, Defensive driving
The maximum legal speed for a road or vehicle category, shown by signs or fixed by law, and reduced further by weather, traffic or poor visibility.
- Indicator (turn signal)
- Related: Overtaking, Roundabout
A flashing light on the vehicle used to announce an intention to turn, change lane or leave a junction, given in good time to warn other road users.
- Clutch
- Related: Gearbox, Stalling
A pedal-operated coupling between the engine and gearbox that is pressed to disconnect power for gear changes and released gradually when moving off from rest.
- Gearbox
- Related: Clutch, Engine braking
The transmission component that matches engine speed to road speed through a set of selectable gears, allowing the vehicle to move off, climb and cruise efficiently.
- Engine braking
- Related: Gearbox, Braking distance
Slowing the vehicle by releasing the accelerator and selecting a lower gear so the engine resists motion, useful on long descents to spare the service brakes.
- Stalling
- Related: Clutch, Gearbox
The engine stopping unintentionally, usually because the clutch is released too quickly at low speed or the engine is labouring in too high a gear.
- Braking distance
- Related: Safe following distance, Tyre tread depth
The distance a vehicle travels from the moment the brakes are applied until it stops, increasing with speed, load, wet roads and worn tyres.
- Tyre tread depth
- Related: Braking distance, Aquaplaning
The depth of the grooves cut into a tyre's rubber, which channels water away from the contact patch; worn tread lengthens stopping distances on wet roads.
- Aquaplaning
- Related: Tyre tread depth, Skidding
Loss of grip when a layer of water lifts the tyre off the road surface, causing steering and braking to become unresponsive until speed drops and contact returns.
- Skidding
- Related: Aquaplaning, Defensive driving
Sliding of the tyres over the road surface after grip is lost, often through harsh braking, sudden steering or excess speed on a slippery surface.
- Defensive driving
- Related: Safe following distance, Hazard perception
A way of driving that anticipates mistakes by others, keeps a safe margin, scans ahead and plans escape routes so hazards are avoided rather than reacted to.
- Hazard perception
- Related: Defensive driving, Blind spot
The skill of noticing developing dangers early, such as pedestrians near the kerb, parked vehicles or poor visibility, and adjusting speed and position in good time.
- Blind spot
- Related: Hazard perception, Indicator (turn signal)
The area around a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors, requiring a shoulder check before changing lane or moving off.
- Seat belt
- Related: Child restraint, Head restraint
A restraining strap that holds occupants in their seats during a collision; drivers and passengers are legally required to wear one where fitted.
- Child restraint
- Related: Seat belt
A purpose-built seat or booster that positions a child safely and holds them securely, required for young children instead of an adult seat belt.
- Head restraint
- Related: Seat belt
The padded support behind the head that limits backward movement of the neck in a rear-end impact, reducing the risk of whiplash injury.
- Driving licence
- Related: Vehicle registration, Third-party insurance
The official document, issued after passing the required tests, that authorises a person to drive the categories of vehicle stated on it.
- Vehicle registration
- Related: Driving licence, Roadworthiness inspection
The official record and plate that identify a vehicle and its owner with the authorities, which must be kept valid and displayed as required.
- Third-party insurance
- Related: Driving licence, Vehicle registration
Compulsory cover that pays for injury or damage the insured driver causes to other people or their property, but not for the driver's own vehicle.
- Roadworthiness inspection
- Related: Vehicle registration, Tyre tread depth
A periodic official check of a vehicle's brakes, lights, tyres, steering and emissions to confirm it is safe and legal to use on public roads.
- Blood alcohol concentration
- Related: Impairment, Breathalyser test
The amount of alcohol in a person's blood, expressed as a percentage or in grams per litre, used to decide whether the legal driving limit has been exceeded.
- Breathalyser test
- Related: Blood alcohol concentration, Impairment
A roadside check in which a driver blows into a device that estimates alcohol level in the breath, used to enforce drink-driving laws.
- Impairment
- Related: Blood alcohol concentration, Fatigue
Any reduction in the ability to drive safely caused by alcohol, drugs, illness, fatigue or medication, making it unlawful or unsafe to take the wheel.
- Fatigue
- Related: Impairment, Defensive driving
Extreme tiredness that slows reactions and judgement; drivers should stop, rest and if necessary sleep rather than rely on fresh air or loud music.
- First aid
- Related: Warning triangle, Emergency call
Immediate basic care given to an injured person before professional help arrives, such as controlling bleeding, keeping them warm and not moving them unnecessarily.
- Warning triangle
- Related: First aid, Hazard warning lights
A reflective folding triangle placed on the road behind a broken-down vehicle to warn approaching drivers, set at a safe distance from the vehicle.
- Hazard warning lights
- Related: Warning triangle, First aid
All four direction indicators flashing together to signal that a vehicle is stationary, broken down or presents an unusual hazard to other traffic.
- Emergency call
- Related: First aid, Warning triangle
Contacting police, ambulance or roadside services after a crash, giving the exact location, number of casualties and any continuing dangers at the scene.