Liberia Driver's License Written Examination cheat sheet

Sign shapes carry meaning: octagon = STOP, inverted triangle = YIELD, diamond = warning, rectangle = regulatory or guide, pentagon = school zone or school crossing.

Sign colors carry meaning: red = stop or prohibit, yellow = warning, white = regulatory, orange = construction or work zone, green = guide or direction, blue = services, brown = recreation or cultural.

A flashing red signal is treated as a STOP sign: come to a full stop, yield, then proceed when clear; a flashing yellow signal means slow down and proceed with caution.

A steady circular green permits movement straight or turns unless a sign or arrow prohibits it, but pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk still have the right-of-way.

A green arrow is a protected movement; traffic facing the arrow may proceed without yielding to oncoming traffic turning across its path.

A solid yellow center line separates traffic moving in opposite directions and must not be crossed to pass; a broken yellow line permits passing when safe.

A double solid yellow line prohibits passing in both directions; one solid plus one broken yellow line permits passing only for the side with the broken line.

A solid white line marks the right edge or separates lanes moving the same direction; a broken white line separates same-direction lanes and may be crossed when safe.

A stop line (solid white bar) marks where a vehicle must halt at a signal or STOP sign; where none exists, stop before the crosswalk, then before the intersection edge.

At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle arriving first has the right-of-way; if two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right.

A vehicle turning left across oncoming traffic must yield to that traffic and to pedestrians; the through vehicle keeps the right-of-way.

At a four-way stop, first to stop is first to go; simultaneous stops are resolved by yielding to the vehicle on the right.

A vehicle entering a public road from a private driveway, parking lot, alley, or unpaved road must yield to all traffic already on the road and to pedestrians.

When emergency vehicles approach with lights and siren, pull to the right edge and stop until they pass; if in an intersection, clear it first, then pull over.

Traffic circles and roundabouts: entering traffic yields to traffic already circulating; do not stop inside the circle except to avoid a collision.

A vehicle turning right must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to cyclists continuing straight on its right before completing the turn.

At a T-intersection with no signs, traffic on the terminating road yields to traffic on the through road.

Before turning or changing lanes, signal at least 100 feet in advance in urban areas and check mirrors and blind spots.

A safe following rule is the two-second rule: pick a fixed object, and if you reach it before counting two seconds after the vehicle ahead passes it, you are too close.

Double the following gap to at least four seconds in rain, at night, behind large vehicles, or when being followed too closely; increase further on gravel or wet laterite roads.

Speed must be reasonable and prudent for conditions; a posted limit is a maximum for ideal conditions, not a target in rain, fog, dust, or darkness.

Reduce speed before curves, hill crests, school zones, markets, and roadside settlements where pedestrians and animals may enter the roadway.

A common hazard rule: the distance needed to stop grows with the square of speed, so doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance grows with speed and with driver fatigue.

Pass only where markings and sight distance permit, never on a curve, hill crest, or at a crossing; return to the lane only when the passed vehicle is visible in the mirror.

Driving significantly below the flow of traffic is also hazardous; keep pace with surrounding traffic while respecting the posted maximum.

Alcohol slows reaction time, impairs judgment of speed and distance, and reduces peripheral vision; these effects begin before a driver feels intoxicated.

The safest and lawful choice is not to drive after drinking at all; designate a sober driver or use other transport.

Refusing a lawful breath or blood test, or driving while impaired, carries serious penalties including license suspension and possible imprisonment.

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs that cause drowsiness carry warning labels; combining them with alcohol multiplies impairment.

Common impairing drugs include antihistamines, sedatives, strong painkillers, and cough medicines; read the label and ask a pharmacist before driving.

Fatigue is impairment: symptoms include yawning, heavy eyelids, drifting between lanes, and missing signs; the remedy is to stop and rest, not to open a window.

Handheld phone use, texting, and adjusting music or navigation take eyes and mind off the road; even hands-free calls reduce attention to hazards.

Distraction types are visual (eyes off road), manual (hands off wheel), and cognitive (mind off driving); texting combines all three.

A driver under 21 or a learner or provisional permit holder is generally held to stricter alcohol rules, including zero tolerance in many jurisdictions.

Before driving, walk around the vehicle to check tires, lights, mirrors, and the area behind and beneath for children, animals, or obstacles.

Tire tread must be adequate and pressure checked when tires are cold; underinflation raises heat, wear, and the risk of a blowout.

Lights: headlights for night and low visibility, low beams in fog or dust (high beams reflect back), brake lights when slowing, and hazard lights only when stopped or in an emergency.

Headlights are required from dusk to dawn and whenever visibility is reduced; many jurisdictions also require them in rain.

Check the dashboard warning lights: oil pressure and temperature warnings mean stop safely and investigate; a charging-system light means the battery is not being charged.

Brakes should feel firm and the pedal should not sink; a spongy or low pedal, pulling to one side, or grinding noise requires inspection before driving.

Check engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid levels regularly; never open a hot radiator cap.

Seat belts must be worn by the driver and all passengers; children belong in an appropriate child restraint in the rear seat.

Mirrors should be adjusted to minimize blind spots, and a shoulder check is still required before changing lanes.

Pedestrians in a marked crosswalk, and often at unmarked crossings, have the right-of-way; a driver must stop and remain stopped until they clear the lane.

Blind pedestrians may carry a white cane or use a guide dog; give them extra time and space, and do not sound the horn unnecessarily.

Motorcycles and bicycles are smaller and harder to see; check mirrors and blind spots twice, and give them a full lane width when passing.

A cyclist may need to swerve for potholes, drains, or debris; leave at least a metre of clearance when passing where conditions allow.

Large trucks and buses have large blind spots (no-zones) at the front, sides, and rear; if you cannot see the driver's mirror, the driver cannot see you.

Heavy vehicles need far more distance to stop and swing wide when turning; never pass a truck on the right as it prepares to turn right.

When a bus or school bus stops with flashing lights to load or unload, follow the local rule on stopping; children may cross unexpectedly.

At night, dim headlights for oncoming traffic and when following; glare can blind a cyclist or motorcyclist as easily as a car driver.

Animals, handcarts, and pedestrians often share the roadside in Liberia; slow down and expect unpredictable movement near settlements and markets.

If a tire blows out, hold the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, and steer straight; brake gently only after slowing, and pull off the road.

If brakes fail, pump the pedal, downshift, and use the handbrake gradually; steer toward an escape route and use terrain or a barrier as a last resort.

If the vehicle begins to skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and avoid hard braking.

If you must stop on the road, pull as far off as possible, turn on hazard lights, and place a warning triangle or reflector behind the vehicle.

At a collision: stop, check for injuries, call emergency services, and do not leave the scene; failing to stop is a serious offence.

Move vehicles only if they block traffic or create further danger; otherwise leave them as positioned until details are recorded.

Exchange names, addresses, license numbers, plate numbers, and insurer details with the other driver and any witnesses; record time, place, and road conditions.

Report the collision to the police as required by law, and notify your insurer promptly; keep a written record and photographs if possible.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger such as fire; keep them warm and still and wait for medical help.

A learner or provisional permit holder must usually drive only with a qualified supervising driver and display learner plates where required.

A driver's license is issued for specific classes; driving a class of vehicle not covered by your license is an offence.

Carry a valid license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance whenever driving; police may request them at a checkpoint.

Licenses and vehicle papers have expiry dates; renew before expiry, since driving with expired documents can lead to fines or vehicle impoundment.

A vehicle must pass any required roadworthiness or inspection test, and registration must be kept current.

Third-party insurance is commonly a legal minimum; driving without valid insurance exposes you to penalties and personal liability.

Report a change of name or address to the licensing authority within the period the law requires, and replace a lost or damaged license.

A license may be suspended or revoked for serious offences such as driving while impaired, reckless driving, or accumulating too many points.

Only drive a vehicle you are licensed and insured to operate, and never lend a vehicle to an unlicensed driver.