Minnesota DMV Permit Test key terms

The legal privilege of one road user to proceed ahead of another in a given situation. It is never taken by force; it is yielded by others or granted by rules such as signs, signals, and position.

A crossing of two or more roads with no signs, signals, or markings directing traffic. Drivers must slow down, look carefully, and yield to vehicles already in the intersection or approaching from the right.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles stop completely and proceed in the order they arrived; if two arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

A downward-pointing triangle sign telling drivers to slow down and let cross traffic or merging traffic go first. A full stop is required only when necessary to avoid conflict with other vehicles or pedestrians.

A lane where traffic entering a highway joins existing traffic. Entering drivers must adjust speed and yield to vehicles already on the main road rather than forcing them to change lanes or brake.

A short lane beside a highway that lets a driver build up speed to match traffic before merging. Using it properly avoids sudden slowing or cutting off vehicles already traveling at highway speed.

A circular intersection where traffic flows counterclockwise around a center island. Drivers entering yield to vehicles already circulating, and drivers in the circle do not stop for entering traffic.

A solid white line painted across a lane at an intersection or crosswalk. Vehicles must come to a complete stop before this line, not on it or past it, so pedestrians and cross traffic stay safe.

The part of a roadway set aside for pedestrians to cross, marked with painted lines or left unmarked at intersections. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and must not block it.

A dashed yellow center line separating traffic moving in opposite directions. It allows passing when the way is clear, though passing is never allowed when a solid yellow line is also present on your side.

A continuous yellow line marking the center of a road. When it is on your side of the center line, you may not cross it to pass, and it often marks a curve, hill, or area with limited sight distance.

A stretch of road where passing another vehicle is prohibited, usually marked by solid yellow lines, a sign, or poor visibility. Passing there risks a head-on crash with oncoming traffic.

A white line marking the right edge of the travel lane, or a yellow line marking the left edge on divided highways. It helps drivers stay in lane, especially in rain, fog, or darkness.

A line painted along the middle of a two-way road to separate opposing traffic. Its color and whether it is solid or broken tells drivers where passing is allowed and where it is not.

Painted lines and arrows on the pavement that guide traffic into lanes and show turn directions. Drivers must follow them, and crossing a solid white line is discouraged except when necessary and safe.

A lane set aside at an intersection for vehicles preparing to turn, often marked by arrows or a center lane shared by both directions. Drivers should enter it early and use it only for turning.

A traffic light that flashes red means the same as a stop sign: come to a complete stop, yield as required, then proceed when it is safe. It is common at intersections that are lightly traveled or temporarily out of order.

A traffic light that flashes yellow warns drivers to slow down and proceed with caution. Unlike a flashing red, it does not require a complete stop unless traffic, pedestrians, or conditions call for one.

A red, eight-sided sign that requires a full stop at the stop line or crosswalk. After stopping, the driver yields to cross traffic and pedestrians before moving on.

The maximum lawful speed on a road under good conditions. It is not a target speed; drivers must go slower when weather, traffic, visibility, or road surface make the posted limit unsafe.

The legal requirement to drive at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Going faster than conditions allow is unsafe even when you are under the limit.

A yellow warning sign showing a suggested speed for a curve, ramp, or other hazard. The speed shown is a safe recommendation for good conditions, not a posted legal maximum.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead, usually measured in seconds. A safe gap gives you time to react and stop if the lead vehicle brakes suddenly.

A method of judging following distance by counting the seconds between the lead vehicle passing a fixed object and your vehicle reaching it. Three seconds is a minimum in good conditions; add more in rain, darkness, or heavy traffic.

An area near a school where speed limits are lowered and warning signs or flashing lights alert drivers. Drivers must slow down and watch closely for children crossing or walking near the roadway.

A person traveling on foot, and in traffic law also someone using a wheelchair or similar device. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise extra care around them at all times.

A marked portion of the roadway reserved for cyclists, often separated by a solid white line. Drivers must not drive, stop, or park in it and should check for cyclists before turning across it.

The practice of driving safely alongside cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, buses, and large trucks. It includes giving extra space, checking blind spots, and yielding when other users have the right-of-way.

The large blind spots around a commercial truck or bus where the driver cannot see nearby vehicles. Staying out of these areas, especially alongside and directly behind, reduces the risk of a crash.

Moving around a truck or bus requires extra time and space because of its size and blind spots. Pass promptly on the left, do not linger alongside, and make sure you can see the truck's mirrors before returning to the lane.

The rule that a licensed driver agrees in advance to submit to a chemical test of breath, blood, or urine when lawfully arrested for impaired driving. Refusing can lead to license penalties even without a conviction.

Driving with enough alcohol or drugs in the body to impair judgment, reaction time, and control. Impairment can begin well below the legal limit, and combining substances makes it worse.

An open bottle or can of alcohol kept in the passenger area of a vehicle. Minnesota law generally prohibits open containers of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle, whether the vehicle is moving or parked.

Any activity that takes a driver's eyes, hands, or attention away from the road, such as texting, eating, or adjusting controls. Even a brief distraction at highway speed covers a long distance.

Minnesota's rule that drivers may not hold a wireless phone or use it for video, texting, or social media while driving. A single touch or voice command is allowed, and drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all while driving, even hands-free.

Parking a vehicle in line with others along the curb, between two parked cars. The maneuver requires signaling, checking mirrors and blind spots, and backing in slowly without striking the curb or other vehicles.

Parking on a slope requires setting the parking brake and turning the front wheels so the vehicle rolls into the curb if it moves. Facing downhill, turn wheels toward the curb; facing uphill with a curb, turn them away.

Driving a vehicle in reverse. Before backing, check mirrors and look over your shoulder, and back slowly; in Minnesota, drivers generally may not back up on a roadway except to park or when it is safe.

A separate brake, also called the emergency brake, that holds a parked vehicle in place. It should be set whenever you park, especially on a slope, and released before driving away.

A place where a road crosses train tracks, marked by signs, pavement markings, or signals. Drivers must slow down, look both ways, and never stop on the tracks; a train always has the right-of-way.

A loss of tire grip that causes the vehicle to slide, often on ice, rain, or loose gravel. If you skid, ease off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, avoiding hard braking.

When tires ride on a layer of water instead of the road, reducing steering and braking control. It happens at higher speeds in heavy rain; ease off the gas and avoid sudden braking until grip returns.

A safety restraint that keeps occupants in place during a crash and is required by law for drivers and passengers in Minnesota. Wearing one correctly, low across the hips and snug over the shoulder, greatly reduces injury risk.

A specially sized restraint for young children, required by Minnesota law for children under 8 years old and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches. It must be installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions.

An inflatable cushion that deploys in a crash to reduce injury. It works with a seat belt, not instead of one, and children under 13 should sit in the back seat away from front airbags.

Lights on the front of a vehicle that make it visible and light the road ahead. Minnesota law requires them from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is poor, such as in rain, fog, or snow, and headlights must be used whenever wipers are needed because of weather.

Red lights on the rear of a vehicle that show its position and are required to be on whenever headlights are on. They also include brake lights that brighten when the driver slows or stops.

A restricted license issued to new drivers, usually after passing a road test. Minnesota's provisional license carries limits on passengers and night driving for drivers under 18 during the first months.

A learner's permit that lets a new driver practice behind the wheel with a licensed adult. In Minnesota, permit holders must generally be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old seated in the front passenger seat.

A temporary loss of driving privileges ordered for violations such as impaired driving, excessive points, or refusing a chemical test. Driving while suspended is a separate offense with its own penalties.