Georgia Driving Theory Test key terms

The legal priority to proceed first at a given place and moment. It is yielded, never taken, and is decided by signs, signals, markings, and standard rules rather than by who arrived first or who is larger.

An intersection where all approaches must stop. The first vehicle to come to a complete stop proceeds first; if two arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first, and a driver turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or right.

A downward-pointing red and white triangle meaning you must slow down and give way to traffic on the intersecting road or to pedestrians, stopping only if necessary. Failing to yield when required is a common cause of collisions.

A crossing of roads with no signs or signals controlling it. Drivers must slow down, be ready to stop, and yield to vehicles already in the intersection or approaching from the right when arriving at about the same time.

An intersection where traffic is directed by signs, signals, or a police officer. Drivers must obey the control in place even if it conflicts with the usual right-of-way habits they would otherwise apply.

An acceleration lane that lets a driver join a highway at a speed close to the traffic already there. The merging driver must yield to vehicles on the main road and adjust speed to fit into a safe gap.

An electrically operated light controlling traffic, usually red, yellow, and green. A steady red means stop, green means proceed when clear, and a yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red.

A warning that the green phase is ending and a red light will follow. A driver should stop if it can be done safely; entering the intersection on yellow when stopping is possible is a violation in many circumstances.

A signal mode used when normal light cycling is suspended or caution is needed. A flashing red works like a stop sign, while a flashing yellow tells drivers to slow down and proceed with care.

Entering an intersection after the signal has turned red. It is a leading cause of right-angle and pedestrian crashes and carries serious penalties, including points on the driving record.

An eight-sided red sign with white lettering requiring a complete stop at the marked line or before the crosswalk. The driver must then yield to traffic and pedestrians before moving on.

Paint, raised markers, or other lines applied to the road surface to guide and regulate traffic. They include center lines, edge lines, crosswalks, turn arrows, and hatch marks that drivers must obey like signs.

Two solid yellow lines marking the center of a two-way road where passing is prohibited in both directions. A single dashed yellow line allows passing when safe and legal.

A stretch of road where overtaking another vehicle is prohibited, marked by solid yellow lines, signs, or limited sight distance. Passing there risks a head-on collision with oncoming traffic.

Moving around and ahead of another vehicle traveling the same direction. It is legal only where sight distance and markings permit, and the passing driver must not exceed the speed limit or interfere with oncoming traffic.

The part of the road set aside for pedestrians to cross, marked with painted lines or left unmarked at intersections. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or not.

A person traveling on foot or using a wheelchair or similar device. Drivers must exercise care around pedestrians, yield to them in crosswalks, and watch for them near schools, buses, and parked cars.

A road user with little physical protection in a crash, such as a pedestrian, bicyclist, motorcyclist, or worker in a construction zone. Georgia law requires drivers to exercise due care around them.

A portion of the roadway marked for the exclusive or preferred use of bicycles. Motor vehicles may not drive or park in it, and drivers must check for cyclists before turning across one.

A Georgia rule requiring drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist on the road. If that clearance is not possible, the driver must wait until it is safe to pass.

A two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle that is harder to see and judge the speed of than a car. Drivers should give motorcycles a full lane, check blind spots carefully, and allow extra following distance.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead, usually measured in seconds. The three-second rule is the minimum in good conditions; rain, night, or heavy traffic calls for more space.

A method of checking following distance: watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object, then count seconds until your own vehicle reaches it. Fewer than three seconds means you are too close.

Driving too closely behind another vehicle. It reduces reaction time, blocks your view of the road ahead, and is a frequent cause of rear-end collisions, especially when the leader brakes suddenly.

A style of driving that anticipates mistakes by others and prepares for them. It includes scanning ahead, keeping escape space, avoiding distractions, and refusing to assume other drivers will obey the rules.

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

Moving from one traffic lane to another. It requires signaling, checking mirrors and the blind spot, and making sure there is enough space so you do not force other drivers to brake or swerve.

A light that indicates a driver's intention to turn or change lanes. Georgia law requires signaling before turning or moving laterally, and the signal should be given early enough to warn others.

An arm signal used to show a turn or stop when a vehicle's electric signals are not working or when riding a bicycle. Left arm straight out means left turn, bent upward means right turn, downward means stop.

Operating a vehicle while attention is diverted to another task such as texting, eating, or adjusting a device. Georgia's hands-free law bars holding a phone while driving and restricts other phone use.

Georgia's rule against holding or supporting a phone with any part of the body while driving. Calls may be made using voice commands, a mounted device, or a single earpiece, and texting is prohibited.

The legal principle that by driving on Georgia roads a person agrees to submit to a chemical test of breath, blood, or urine when lawfully arrested for driving under the influence. Refusal can cost the license.

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances that impair driving. Georgia prohibits driving at 0.08 percent blood alcohol or higher for adults and has a lower limit for underage drivers.

The percentage of alcohol in a person's blood, used as the legal measure of impairment. It rises with the amount and speed of drinking and falls slowly over time; coffee or a cold shower does not speed it up.

The rule that drivers under 21 may not drive with any measurable alcohol in their system. A violation can lead to license suspension even if the amount is below the adult legal limit.

Declining to provide a breath sample after a lawful DUI arrest. Under implied consent, refusal can result in automatic license suspension and may be used against the driver in court.

A temporary withdrawal of driving privileges by the state, often for offenses such as DUI, refusal to test, or accumulating too many points. Driving during a suspension is a separate crime.

A record-keeping method in which convictions for moving violations add points to a driver's record. Accumulating enough points within a set period triggers a suspension or other licensing action.

A traffic offense committed while the vehicle is in motion, such as speeding, running a red light, or failing to yield. It carries points and can raise insurance costs.

A lap and shoulder restraint that keeps occupants in place during a crash. Georgia requires front-seat occupants and children to be properly restrained, and unbelted riders can be cited.

A crash-tested seat sized for a child's age and weight. Georgia law requires a rear-facing seat for children under two and a booster seat for younger children until they fit an adult belt correctly.

The systems and habits that reduce injury in a crash, including safety belts, head restraints, airbags, and child seats. Airbags supplement belts but cannot replace them.

An inflatable cushion that deploys in a moderate to severe frontal or side impact. It works with the safety belt, and occupants should sit far enough back so the bag does not strike them at full force.

A braking system that prevents wheels from locking during hard stops so the driver can keep steering. In an emergency, press firmly and hold; the pedal may pulse, which is normal.

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

Riding on a thin layer of water so the tires lose contact with the pavement. It happens at speed on wet roads; the response is to slow gradually, avoid hard braking, and steer straight.

Applying the brakes as hard as needed to avoid a collision. With anti-lock brakes, hold firm pressure and steer; without them, brake firmly but avoid locking the wheels if possible.

A crash in which one vehicle strikes the back of another. It is usually the following driver's fault because that driver failed to keep enough distance or was distracted.

A written record of a collision filed with the state or police. Georgia drivers must report crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage, and must stop and exchange information at the scene.

Leaving the scene of a crash without stopping to give information or help. It is a serious offense, especially when someone is injured, and can lead to criminal charges and license action.

Evidence that a vehicle meets Georgia's minimum liability coverage. Drivers must be able to show it when registering a vehicle or when asked by law enforcement after a stop or crash.

The state's record that a vehicle is legally titled and licensed to be driven on public roads. It must be kept current, and the vehicle must display a valid license plate.

The numbered tag issued by the state and attached to a vehicle. It must be visible, unobstructed, and current; expired or missing plates can lead to a stop and a citation.