Massachusetts Permit Test key terms

The legal privilege to go first in a traffic situation, set by signs, signals, or rules. Drivers without the right of way must slow or stop and yield.

An intersection where traffic from all four directions must stop. Vehicles proceed in the order they arrived; if two arrive together, the one on the right goes first.

A circular intersection with no traffic signal. Entering traffic yields to vehicles already in the circle and then proceeds counterclockwise around the center island.

The maximum legal speed for a road, shown on signs or set by state law. Drive at or below it and slow further for weather, traffic, or road conditions.

A red octagonal sign that requires a complete stop at the stop line or crosswalk. Proceed only when the way is clear and you have the right of way.

A red-and-white inverted triangle sign telling you to slow down and give way to traffic on the intersecting road. Stop only if needed to avoid a collision.

An area marked by signs or pavement lines where passing another vehicle is prohibited, often near hills, curves, or intersections where visibility is limited.

A yellow center line made of short dashes. It separates traffic moving in opposite directions and means you may pass when it is safe and legal.

A continuous yellow center line separating opposite-direction traffic. You may not cross it to pass, but you may turn left across it into a driveway or side road if safe.

A white line made of short dashes that separates lanes moving in the same direction. You may cross it to change lanes when it is safe and your signal is on.

A continuous white line separating same-direction lanes or marking the right edge. Crossing a solid white line is discouraged and may be illegal in some places.

A marked or unmarked path across a roadway for pedestrians. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and stop before the stop line or crosswalk.

A solid white line painted across a lane at an intersection or crosswalk. A stop sign or red light requires you to stop before this line.

A traffic signal that flashes red means you must come to a complete stop, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe, like a stop sign.

A traffic signal that flashes yellow warns you to slow down and proceed with caution. It does not give you the right of way over cross traffic.

A traffic signal arrow that allows you to turn in the direction shown, usually while opposing traffic is stopped. It gives you a protected turn.

An area near a school where lower speed limits and extra caution apply during posted hours. Watch for children, crossing guards, and school buses.

A road area where construction or maintenance is underway. Speed limits may be reduced, lanes may shift, and workers or equipment may be close to traffic.

The space between your vehicle and the one ahead. Use at least a three-second gap in good conditions and more in rain, snow, darkness, or heavy traffic.

When water on the road lifts your tires off the surface, reducing steering and braking control. Slow down, avoid hard braking, and ease off the gas.

A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road, often on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. Slow down and avoid sudden steering or braking.

Bright headlights for dark roads with no oncoming traffic. Dim them to low beams when a vehicle approaches or when following another vehicle closely.

Driving while your attention is taken from the road by a phone, food, navigation system, passengers, or other activity. Even a brief distraction increases crash risk.

Driving while sleepy or fatigued, which slows reaction time and judgment. Pull over safely and rest; opening a window or drinking coffee is not a substitute for sleep.

Massachusetts law generally bars drivers from holding or using a phone or device while driving. Hands-free use is allowed only with limited interaction and when not distracting.

Massachusetts law requiring drivers to move over a lane, if safe, for stopped emergency, tow, or road-service vehicles with flashing lights; otherwise slow down and proceed cautiously.

A police car, fire truck, ambulance, or other authorized vehicle using lights or sirens. Pull to the right and stop until it passes, unless you are in an intersection.

When a school bus has red lights flashing and its stop arm out, traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median or barrier.

A lane or marked portion of the road reserved for bicycles. Drivers may not drive in it and must check for cyclists before turning or opening a door.

The blind spots around a large truck or bus where the driver cannot see your vehicle. Avoid lingering there, especially beside the trailer and directly behind.

A heavy commercial vehicle with longer stopping distances and wide turns. Give it extra room, avoid cutting in front, and stay out of its blind spots.

A two-wheeled motor vehicle that is harder to see and may stop quickly. Give motorcycles a full lane and a larger following gap.

A place where tracks cross the road. Obey signals and gates, look both ways, and never stop on the tracks; a train cannot stop quickly.

Massachusetts law says that by driving on public roads you consent to a chemical test if arrested for OUI. Refusing can lead to license suspension.

Operating Under the Influence: driving in Massachusetts while impaired by alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. It is a criminal offense and can apply even below .08 BAC.

Blood alcohol concentration, the percentage of alcohol in your blood. In Massachusetts, .08 or higher is over the legal limit for drivers 21 and older.

The Massachusetts rule that drivers under 21 can be charged with OUI with a BAC of .02 or higher, because any alcohol is illegal for them.

An open bottle or can of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle. Massachusetts law prohibits open containers of alcohol for drivers and passengers.

A breath, blood, or urine test used to measure alcohol or drugs after an OUI arrest. Refusing a test can trigger license suspension under implied consent.

Roadside physical and mental tests, such as walking a line, used by police to check for impairment. Poor performance can support an OUI arrest.