Michigan Permit Test key terms

A sign that gives a command or sets a legal requirement, such as a speed limit, stop, yield, or no-parking sign. Regulatory signs are usually white with black or red markings, and drivers must obey them.

A sign that alerts you to a change or hazard ahead, such as a curve, hill, or pedestrian crossing. Most are yellow diamonds with black symbols, so slow down and be ready to react.

A sign that gives information such as route numbers, destinations, distances, and services. Guide signs are usually green with white lettering on freeways and help you plan lane changes early.

A solid white line painted across your lane at an intersection. When you must stop, stop before this line, or before the crosswalk if there is no line, so pedestrians and cross traffic stay clear.

A signal that means slow down and proceed with caution. It does not give you the right-of-way, so check for cross traffic and be ready to stop if needed.

A line that separates traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid yellow line on your side means you may not pass, though you may still make a left turn across it where legal.

A dashed white line that separates lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. You may cross it to change lanes when it is safe, after checking your mirrors and blind spot.

A center lane marked with solid and broken yellow lines on both sides, used by traffic from either direction to make left turns. It is not a passing lane or a place to travel.

The legal priority to go first in a traffic situation. Right-of-way is something given, never taken; when in doubt, yield and wait for a safe gap.

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

An intersection with no signs or signals controlling it. Slow down, yield to traffic already in the intersection, and yield to the vehicle on your right if you arrive at the same time.

A maneuver that replaces a direct left turn on a divided road: you drive past the cross street, make a U-turn through a median opening, then turn right onto the street you wanted.

A circular intersection where traffic flows counterclockwise around a center island. Yield to vehicles already in the circle, enter to the right, and do not stop once you are inside it.

After a full stop, you may turn right on a red light unless a sign forbids it. Yield to pedestrians and cross traffic first. Michigan also allows a left on red from a one-way street onto a one-way street.

When a school bus has red lights flashing, stop at least 20 feet away and stay stopped until the lights go off. On a divided road with a median, only traffic on the bus's side must stop.

Michigan law requires you to move at least one lane away from stopped emergency, tow, or road-maintenance vehicles with flashing lights. If you cannot move over, slow down and pass with caution.

By driving in Michigan you agree to a chemical test if arrested for drunk or drugged driving. Refusing the test brings an automatic license suspension and points, even if you are never convicted.

Operating While Intoxicated: driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher, or while impaired by drugs. Michigan sets a lower .02 limit for drivers under 21 and .04 for commercial drivers.

Michigan's three-step system for new teen drivers: a Level 1 learner's license, a Level 2 intermediate license with limits on night driving and passengers, and a Level 3 full license.

Michigan's rule for crashes with no injuries: if the vehicles can be driven safely, move them off the travel lanes to a safe spot before exchanging information, so traffic is not blocked.

A way of driving that assumes other drivers may make mistakes. You stay alert, keep space around your car, scan far ahead, and plan an escape route so you can avoid a crash.

A way to judge following distance: watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object, then count seconds until you reach it. Three seconds is the minimum in good conditions; add more in rain, snow, or darkness.

The empty space you keep around your vehicle on all sides. A good cushion gives you time to react, and it should grow when roads are wet, slippery, or crowded.

The area beside and behind your car that the mirrors do not show. Turn your head to check it before changing lanes, and remember large trucks have much bigger blind spots than cars.

Driving faster than your headlights let you see and stop in time. If you cannot stop within the distance lit ahead of you, slow down, especially at night or in fog.

Doing anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind off driving, such as texting, eating, or adjusting the radio. Michigan bans texting while driving for every driver.

A loss of tire grip, often on ice, wet pavement, or loose gravel. Ease off the gas, look and steer where you want to go, and avoid hard braking or sharp turns.

A person traveling on foot, bicycle, or another unprotected mode who has little protection in a crash. Michigan requires at least 3 feet of passing space for these users; if there is no room, wait.

A large truck's blind spots, including directly in front, behind, and along both sides. A useful rule: if you cannot see the truck's mirrors, the driver cannot see you.

A motorcycle is entitled to the full width of a lane. No other vehicle may share a lane with a motorcycle, and you should allow extra following distance because motorcycles can stop quickly.

A vehicle that clears snow and spreads salt or sand. Stay well behind it, never pass on the right, and expect sudden turns, wide swings, and blowing snow that hides the road.

An orange triangle with a red border on the back of farm tractors and other vehicles that travel 25 mph or less. Slow down early and pass only when it is clearly safe.

An area where road work is going on. Slow down, watch for workers and narrowed lanes, and expect fines to be doubled for moving violations when workers are present.

A place where train tracks cross the road. Never stop on the tracks; if lights flash or a gate lowers, stop and wait, and never drive around a lowered gate.

A weather condition of thick, low cloud that cuts visibility. Slow down, use low-beam headlights, leave extra following distance, and never use high beams because they reflect back at you.

When tires ride up on a thin layer of water and lose contact with the road, so steering and braking stop working. Ease off the gas, hold the wheel steady, and avoid sudden braking.

A braking system that keeps the wheels from locking so you can still steer during hard braking. In an emergency, press the pedal firmly and hold it, even if it vibrates or makes noise.

The padded part at the top of the seat that limits how far your head snaps back in a rear-end crash. Set it so the top is level with the top of your head.