Indiana BMV Permit Test key terms

A sign that tells drivers what they must do or must not do, such as a speed limit, stop, yield, or no-parking sign. These signs are usually white with black or red markings and are enforceable.

A sign that alerts drivers to a change in road conditions or a possible hazard ahead, such as a curve, hill, pedestrian crossing, or railroad crossing. Warning signs are usually yellow with black symbols or words.

A sign that gives information about routes, destinations, services, or distances, such as interstate shields, exit signs, and mileage markers. Guide signs are usually green, blue, or brown and do not give orders.

A traffic light that flashes yellow means slow down and proceed with caution. It does not require a stop unless traffic or conditions make stopping necessary; be ready to yield.

A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign: come to a complete stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe. It is often used when a signal is not cycling normally.

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A broken yellow line means you may pass when safe; a solid yellow line on your side means passing is not allowed.

The legal priority to go first in a traffic situation. Right-of-way is yielded, not taken: drivers must give it to pedestrians, emergency vehicles, and others as laws and signs require.

An intersection where all traffic must stop. The first vehicle to arrive goes first; if two arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

A circular intersection with no traffic signals. Drivers enter by yielding to traffic already in the circle, travel counterclockwise, and signal before exiting.

When turning left at a green light or stop sign, you must yield to oncoming traffic going straight or turning right, and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. Turn only when there is a safe gap.

A stop arm with flashing red lights extends from a school bus when children are getting on or off. Traffic in both directions must stop unless the road is divided by a median.

An Indiana law requiring drivers to change lanes away from stopped emergency, tow, or utility vehicles with flashing lights when possible, or to slow down significantly if they cannot move over.

A following-distance guide: pick a fixed object ahead, and when the vehicle in front passes it, count three seconds before you reach it. In rain, snow, or darkness, add more seconds.

A driving style in which you anticipate hazards, watch for other drivers' mistakes, and keep an escape route. It includes scanning ahead, checking mirrors, and avoiding assumptions about others' actions.

When water on the road lifts your tires off the pavement, reducing traction and steering control. Ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and steer straight until the tires regain contact.

Any activity that takes your attention away from driving, such as texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or talking to passengers. It increases the risk of a crash because your eyes and mind leave the road.

Driving while tired or sleepy. It slows reaction time and can cause brief lapses in attention; the safe response is to pull over and rest, not to rely on caffeine or loud music.

An area around a vehicle that the driver cannot see in the mirrors. Check over your shoulder before changing lanes, and avoid lingering in another driver's blind spot.

The large blind spots around a commercial truck, especially along the sides, directly behind, and in front of the cab. If you cannot see the truck driver's mirror, the driver likely cannot see you.

Indiana law requires drivers to leave at least three feet between the vehicle and a bicycle when passing. If the lane is too narrow to pass safely, wait until it is safe to change lanes.

A marked or unmarked area where pedestrians cross the road. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and should not block it while stopped in traffic.

A two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle that is harder to see than a car and can stop quickly. Give motorcycles a full lane and a safe following distance; do not share the lane.

The percentage of alcohol in a person's blood. In Indiana, a driver age 21 or older is legally impaired at 0.08 percent; a driver under 21 is over the limit at 0.02 percent.

By driving in Indiana, you agree to take a chemical test if an officer has reasonable grounds to believe you are impaired. Refusing the test can result in license suspension.

A law that makes it illegal for drivers under age 21 to have any measurable alcohol in their system, with Indiana's threshold set at 0.02 percent BAC.

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

Operating a vehicle while impaired by illegal drugs, prescription medicine, or over-the-counter medicine. It is illegal even if the medicine is prescribed, when it makes you unable to drive safely.

Indiana adds points to a driving record for traffic convictions. Accumulating enough points within a set period can lead to a warning, suspension, or probationary license.

Indiana requires drivers to carry liability insurance to pay for damage or injuries they cause. Minimum coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injury, plus $25,000 for property damage.

An area where road construction or maintenance is underway. Fines for speeding are doubled when workers are present, and drivers should slow down, merge early, and follow flaggers.

Indiana law that prohibits drivers from holding a mobile phone or similar device while driving. Phones may be used only in hands-free mode, with limited exceptions such as emergency calls.

A specially designed seat that protects young children in a crash. Indiana law requires children under age 8 to use an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat, and older children to use a seat belt.

The lower, wider headlight setting. Use low beams in fog, rain, snow, and at night when other vehicles are near; high beams can blind oncoming drivers.

A light that shows other drivers you plan to turn or change lanes. Signal before moving, and cancel the signal after completing the maneuver; Indiana law requires signaling before turns and lane changes.

What to do when tires lose traction: ease off the accelerator, steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go, and avoid hard braking. Slamming on the brakes can make a skid worse.

A sudden loss of tire pressure while driving. Hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the gas, and steer straight; do not brake hard. Pull off the road when it is safe.

A road covered with water. Do not drive through it: water can hide washed-out pavement and stall or sweep away a vehicle. Turn around and find another route.

A place where a road crosses train tracks. Slow down, look both ways, and stop if a train is coming; never stop on the tracks or try to beat a train.

A cloud of water droplets near the ground that reduces visibility. Slow down, use low-beam headlights, and increase following distance; do not use high beams because they reflect back and worsen glare.