Korea Class 1 Written Test key terms

The gap a driver keeps behind the vehicle ahead so that stopping is possible if it brakes suddenly. It grows with speed and shrinks on wet or icy roads. Korean law sets minimum time gaps at given speeds.

The total distance a vehicle travels from the moment the driver perceives a hazard until it comes to a complete stop. It combines the distance covered during reaction time with the braking distance itself.

The distance covered from the instant the brakes are applied until the vehicle stops. It increases with the square of speed and is longer on low-friction surfaces such as rain, snow, or loose gravel.

A driving style that assumes other road users may make mistakes and prepares for them in advance. It involves scanning ahead, keeping escape space, controlling speed, and communicating intentions clearly to others.

An area around the vehicle that the driver cannot see directly or through the mirrors. Before changing lanes, a driver should check it by turning the head, not relying on mirrors alone, because motorcycles and bicycles often hide there.

Loss of tire contact with the road when a layer of water builds between them at speed. Steering and braking stop responding. The driver should ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and hold the wheel steady until grip returns.

A road surface covered with ice where tire grip is drastically reduced. Braking distances can multiply several times, so drivers should slow down early, avoid sudden steering or acceleration, and use gentle, continuous inputs.

Driving while impaired by fatigue or sleepiness, which slows reaction and can cause brief involuntary lapses called microsleeps. It is a leading cause of serious highway crashes. Rest at a service area before symptoms appear.

Operating a vehicle after prolonged physical or mental exertion, such as long continuous driving or heavy work. Judgment and attention decline even if the driver does not feel sleepy. Regular breaks and adequate sleep are the only real remedy.

The interval between a driver noticing a hazard and beginning to act, typically around one second for an alert driver. It lengthens with fatigue, alcohol, distraction, and surprise, adding distance before braking even starts.

Moving from one marked lane to another. The driver must signal in advance, check mirrors and blind spots, match the speed of traffic in the target lane, and yield to vehicles already there before crossing the line.

A restriction on crossing lane lines at specific places, such as solid white or yellow lines, intersections, tunnels, bridges, and railroad crossings. Violating it obstructs traffic flow and is subject to fines and penalty points.

The line dividing traffic moving in opposite directions. A yellow line marks it, and crossing it to pass or turn is generally prohibited because oncoming traffic occupies that space. Solid lines forbid crossing; broken lines may allow it where safe.

Passing a slower vehicle traveling in the same direction. It must be done on the left in Korea, with a signal, after confirming the lane ahead and behind is clear, and never at places where it is expressly forbidden.

Reducing speed enough to stop promptly if necessary, without necessarily stopping. It is required in narrow roads, near schools, at sharp curves, on wet or foggy roads, and wherever visibility or road conditions make normal speed unsafe.

Bringing the vehicle to a complete halt and then proceeding only when safe. It is required at stop signs, before entering a road from an alley or private driveway, at railroad crossings, and in other situations the law specifies.

A road section near a school or kindergarten where stricter speed limits, parking bans, and heavier penalties apply to protect children. Drivers must slow down and watch for children who may step into the road unpredictably.

The principle that pedestrians have the right of way in specified places, such as crosswalks without signals and school zones. Drivers must stop or yield rather than force their way through, even when in a hurry.

A marked section of road where pedestrians cross. A driver approaching one must check for people and stop before it if someone is crossing or about to cross, and must not park or stop on it.

Failing to obey a traffic light, such as entering an intersection on red or ignoring a flashing signal. It is one of the most common causes of intersection collisions and carries fines and penalty points.

A signal warning that the light is changing to red. A driver already inside the intersection should clear it; a driver not yet entered should stop if stopping is safe rather than accelerating through.

A place where two or more roads meet. Right-of-way rules, signal obedience, and turning rules all apply here, and it is where a large share of urban crashes occur, especially during turns and lane changes.

Turning to the right at an intersection or into a road. The driver must signal, slow down, yield to pedestrians and bicycles crossing, and turn into the correct lane without cutting the corner.

A place where a road crosses railway tracks. A driver must stop before the tracks, look and listen for trains, and proceed only when the way is clear. Stopping on the tracks is prohibited.

Driving with a blood alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit, which in Korea is 0.03 percent. It impairs judgment and reaction and brings license suspension or revocation plus criminal penalties, including for refusing a breath test.

The cancellation of a driver's license by the licensing authority for serious violations such as drunk driving, hit-and-run, or accumulating too many penalty points. Driving afterward is unlicensed driving and is punished.

Points added to a driver's record for traffic violations. When the total reaches the threshold for the license class, the license is suspended or revoked. Points are reduced over time without further violations.

A temporary ban on driving imposed for violations or point accumulation. The driver must surrender the license for the stated period, and driving during suspension is treated as unlicensed driving.

The process of obtaining a Korean driver's license, usually consisting of a written knowledge test, a skills test on a course, and an on-road driving test. Class 1 covers larger vehicles and requires the appropriate tests.

The knowledge portion of the licensing process, testing traffic laws, safe driving, vehicle care, and emergency response. It is usually taken by computer at a testing center, and a passing score is required before skills testing.

A practical test on a closed course that checks basic vehicle control, such as starting, stopping, gear use, and maneuvering. Passing it is a prerequisite for the on-road test in the standard licensing sequence.

Placing goods on or in a vehicle. Loads must be secured so they cannot fall, must not block the driver's view or lights, and must stay within legal weight and dimension limits. Overloading changes braking and steering behavior.

Carrying more weight or bulk than the vehicle is designed or legally permitted to handle. It lengthens braking distance, strains tires and suspension, and is subject to penalties at weigh stations.

The amount of air inside a tire, which affects grip, wear, fuel use, and stability. Pressure should be checked when tires are cold and kept at the manufacturer's recommendation, since low pressure raises heat and blowout risk.

The gradual loss of tread depth as a tire is used. Worn tires grip poorly, especially in rain, and raise hydroplaning risk. Tread depth should be checked regularly and tires replaced before reaching the legal minimum.

A temporary loss of braking power when brakes overheat, common on long downhill grades with continuous use. The driver should use engine braking and lower gears instead of riding the brakes, and let them cool.

Slowing the vehicle by shifting to a lower gear so the engine resists motion. It reduces reliance on the foot brakes on long descents, helping prevent overheating and fade, especially with heavy loads.

A road sloping downward. Speed tends to build, so the driver should select a lower gear before the descent, avoid coasting in neutral, and keep enough space to stop without heavy braking.

The steps after a collision: stop immediately, check for injuries, call police and emergency services, secure the scene with warning devices, and exchange details. Leaving the scene without doing this is a criminal offense.

Leaving the scene of an accident without stopping, identifying oneself, or helping injured people. It is among the most severely punished traffic offenses in Korea and can lead to license revocation and imprisonment.

A reflective triangle placed behind a stopped vehicle to warn approaching traffic. On highways it should be set up well back from the vehicle, and occupants should wait in a safe place away from the roadway.

Chest compressions, with rescue breaths if trained, used on a person who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Early CPR after a cardiac arrest or severe crash injury greatly improves the chance of survival until paramedics arrive.

Immediate basic care given to an injured person before professional help arrives, such as controlling bleeding, keeping the person warm, and not moving someone with a suspected spinal injury. It aims to prevent worsening until rescuers take over.

A high-speed divided highway with controlled access. Special rules apply: no stopping or parking on the shoulder except in emergencies, no pedestrians or bicycles, and strict lane discipline with higher speed limits.

The strip beside the travel lanes on a highway. It is for emergencies only, such as breakdowns or medical problems. Driving along it to bypass congestion is illegal and dangerous because stopped vehicles and people may be there.

Driving habits that cut fuel use and emissions, such as smooth acceleration, steady speed, timely gear changes, correct tire pressure, and avoiding unnecessary idling. It also reduces wear and improves safety.

Running the engine while the vehicle is stationary. It wastes fuel, emits pollutants, and causes needless engine wear. Drivers should shut off the engine during long waits, subject to local idling-restriction rules.

The speed range at which a vehicle uses fuel most efficiently, often roughly 60 to 80 kilometers per hour for passenger cars. Driving steadily near it, rather than accelerating and braking repeatedly, saves fuel.

Pressing the accelerator hard so the vehicle speeds up rapidly. It burns extra fuel, increases emissions and tire wear, and reduces the time available to react to hazards ahead. Smooth acceleration is safer and cheaper.