Colorado DMV Permit Test key terms

The legal priority to proceed through an intersection or roadway space while others must wait. Colorado law does not grant right-of-way absolutely; a driver must yield it when required and may not assume it aggressively.

To slow or stop and let other traffic, pedestrians, or cyclists proceed before you do. Failing to yield when required is a common cause of intersection and merging collisions.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles proceed in the order they arrive; if two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first, and a left-turning driver yields to oncoming traffic.

A circular intersection where traffic flows counterclockwise around a central island. Entering drivers yield to vehicles already in the circle and never stop inside it.

An acceleration lane that lets a driver build speed to match freeway traffic before joining it. The merging driver must yield to vehicles already on the highway, adjusting speed to fit into a gap.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead, measured in seconds. The three-second rule applies in good conditions, and the gap should grow with speed, poor weather, heavy loads, or a tailgater behind you.

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment brakes are applied until it stops. It grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance, and wet or icy pavement lengthens it further.

A driver following too closely behind you. The safe response is to increase your own following distance ahead and let the driver pass rather than brake-check or speed up.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Drivers must turn their head to check it before changing lanes, and should avoid lingering in another vehicle's blind spot.

Moving from one traffic lane to another. Signal first, check mirrors and the blind spot, confirm space, then move smoothly without slowing abruptly or cutting off other vehicles.

A quick scan of the rearview and side mirrors before slowing, turning, or changing lanes. Mirrors supplement but never replace a direct look over the shoulder for the blind spot.

A driving style that anticipates mistakes by others and prepares an escape route. It means scanning far ahead, keeping space around the vehicle, and not assuming other drivers will obey the rules.

The empty margin kept around your vehicle on all sides so you have room to steer or brake if something goes wrong. It includes following distance plus open space beside and behind you.

Aggressive, hostile driving such as shouting, gesturing, tailgating, or deliberately cutting off another vehicle. The safe response is to avoid eye contact, not retaliate, and let the other driver go.

A red octagon with white lettering meaning a full stop is required at the marked line or before the crosswalk. The driver then yields to cross traffic and pedestrians before proceeding.

A downward-pointing red-and-white triangle telling drivers to slow or stop and give way to traffic on the intersecting road. Unlike a stop sign, a full stop is required only when traffic demands it.

A yellow diamond sign alerting drivers to a change or hazard ahead, such as a curve, hill, or pedestrian crossing. Drivers should slow down and be ready to respond when they see one.

A sign that states a law or requirement, such as a speed limit, no-turn, or one-way sign. Regulatory signs are usually white with black or red markings and must be obeyed.

A yellow speed plaque below a warning sign showing a safe speed for a curve, ramp, or hazard in good conditions. It is a recommendation, not the posted legal limit, though exceeding it is unsafe.

The maximum lawful speed on a road under good conditions. Colorado's default limits apply where no sign is posted, and driving faster than conditions allow is unsafe even below the limit.

The rule that a driver must never travel faster than is reasonable and prudent for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Rain, snow, darkness, or congestion can make the posted limit too fast.

A pavement marking that separates lanes moving in the same direction and discourages lane changes. A single solid white line should not be crossed except when necessary and safe.

A broken white line between lanes traveling the same direction showing that lane changes are permitted when safe. Drivers must still signal and check for space before crossing it.

Two solid yellow lines separating traffic moving in opposite directions. Crossing them to pass is prohibited, though a left turn into a driveway may be allowed where law permits.

A stretch of road, marked by solid yellow lines or signs, where passing other vehicles is prohibited because sight distance or road design makes it unsafe. Passing there risks a head-on crash.

Overtaking and moving ahead of another vehicle traveling the same direction. It requires a legal passing zone, clear sight distance, a signal, and enough room to return safely before oncoming traffic arrives.

An area near a school where lower speed limits apply during posted hours or when children are present. Drivers must watch for crossing guards, flashing beacons, and children entering the roadway.

A marked or unmarked portion of roadway where pedestrians cross. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and passing a vehicle stopped at one is dangerous and illegal in many cases.

The legal duty of drivers to yield to people on foot in crosswalks and at intersections. Colorado also requires drivers to exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians on the roadway.

A person traveling outside a motor vehicle, such as a pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist, or road worker, who has little protection in a crash. Colorado law requires drivers to give them safe clearance.

A portion of roadway designated for bicycle travel, often marked with symbols and solid lines. Motor vehicles may not drive in or block it, and drivers must check for cyclists before turning across it.

The space beside parked cars where an opening door can strike a cyclist. Drivers and passengers should use the far hand to open doors and check mirrors before opening into traffic.

The percentage of alcohol in a person's blood, used to measure impairment. Colorado's per se limit for drivers age 21 and older is 0.08 percent, and a lower limit applies to commercial drivers.

A Colorado offense for driving when alcohol or drugs have impaired your ability to drive safely, even below the 0.08 blood alcohol level. It can apply at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 or higher.

A Colorado charge for operating a vehicle while substantially impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. It applies at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher or when impairment is shown by other evidence.

The rule that a licensed driver agrees in advance to submit to a chemical test of breath or blood when lawfully arrested for suspected impaired driving. Refusal can bring license penalties.

When tires ride on a layer of water instead of the road, causing loss of steering and braking control. Ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and hold the wheel straight until traction returns.

Loss of tire grip that makes the vehicle slide. The recovery is to ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the front of the car to go, avoiding hard braking.

A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road, common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. Drivers should slow down and avoid sudden steering or braking when it is likely.

Driving in snow and ice, which requires slower speeds, longer following distances, gentle inputs, and winter tires or chains where conditions demand. Clear snow and ice from windows and lights first.

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

Flashing turn signals used to warn others that a vehicle is disabled, moving slowly, or creating a hazard. They should not be used routinely in rain or as a substitute for turn signals.

A vehicle system that reduces wheel spin by cutting power or braking a slipping wheel. It helps on slick surfaces but cannot overcome excessive speed or worn tires.