NS Class 7 Knowledge Test key terms

The legal priority to proceed through a place in the road system when other road users must wait. It is given by signs, signals, markings, or rules, and is never simply taken by a driver who arrives first.

A crossing of two or more roads with no stop sign, yield sign, or traffic light controlling it. Drivers must slow down, look carefully, and yield to traffic already in or approaching from the right where rules require.

At a stop signed on all approaches, each vehicle stops fully and the first to arrive leaves first. If two arrive at the same moment, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

A turn that must yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a hazard, and to pedestrians in the crosswalk. On a green light without an arrow, the turner waits for a safe gap rather than assuming priority.

The conditions under which one vehicle may overtake another. Passing is normally done on the left, only when a broken line, clear sight distance, and safe space allow it, and never across a solid centre line or at a railway crossing.

When an ambulance, fire truck, or police vehicle approaches with lights and siren, drivers pull to the right and stop until it passes. On a two-way road with a median, traffic on the other side need not stop.

The red arm with flashing lights extended by a school bus picking up or dropping off children. Traffic in both directions must stop unless separated by a median, and must remain stopped until the arm retracts.

A red octagonal sign requiring a complete stop at the stop line or before the crosswalk. The driver then yields to cross traffic and pedestrians before moving on, treating the crossing as a fresh decision point.

A red-and-white triangular sign telling drivers to slow down and give way to traffic on the road they are entering. A full stop is required only when traffic or pedestrians make it necessary.

A sign that states a law or prohibition, such as a speed limit, turn restriction, or no-parking rule. These are usually white with black or red symbols and are enforceable, unlike warning signs.

A yellow diamond sign that alerts drivers to a hazard ahead, such as a curve, steep hill, or pedestrian crossing. It does not create a legal duty on its own but tells the driver to adjust speed and attention.

A white rectangular sign with black numerals showing the maximum lawful speed in good conditions. It is an upper limit, not a target, and drivers must slow below it for weather, traffic, or visibility.

The sequence of red, amber, and green indications controlling a junction. A steady green permits movement but does not guarantee priority, and an amber light means stop unless stopping is unsafe.

A green arrow shown before or alongside a full green light, giving protected movement in the arrow's direction. Traffic turning on the arrow has priority over oncoming traffic and pedestrians conflicting with it.

A signal that requires a full stop before proceeding when safe, working like a stop sign. A flashing amber light, by contrast, warns drivers to slow down and proceed with caution.

A continuous painted line separating opposing traffic streams. Drivers must not cross it to pass, because sight distance or road layout makes overtaking unsafe at that point.

A dashed line between opposing lanes that may be crossed to pass when it is safe. Where one side is solid and the other broken, only the traffic beside the broken line may cross.

A wide white bar painted across a lane at an intersection or crossing. It marks where a vehicle must halt for a stop sign, red light, or railway signal so that crosswalks and crossing paths stay clear.

The gap kept behind the vehicle ahead, commonly measured by the two-second rule in good conditions. The gap should grow with speed, rain, snow, darkness, or a heavy load behind you.

A method of checking following distance by counting the seconds between the vehicle ahead passing a fixed object and your own vehicle reaching it. Two seconds is the minimum in ideal conditions.

The buffer of empty road kept around a vehicle on all sides so there is room to react or escape. It is maintained by adjusting speed, lane position, and following distance as traffic changes.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Drivers should turn their head to check it before changing lanes, and should avoid lingering inside another driver's blind spot.

A brief glance over the shoulder toward the blind spot before a lane change or merge. Mirrors alone can miss a vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian, so the check confirms the space is clear.

The steps for moving between lanes: check mirrors, signal, shoulder check, confirm space, then move smoothly without slowing abruptly. The signal must be given early enough for others to react.

Loss of tyre contact with the road when water builds up faster than tread can clear it, leaving the vehicle floating and unresponsive to steering or braking. Easing off the accelerator and avoiding hard braking helps recovery.

The response to losing traction: look and steer where you want to go, ease off the accelerator, and avoid slamming the brakes. Braking hard during a skid usually makes the loss of control worse.

A braking system that rapidly releases and reapplies pressure to prevent wheel lock-up, keeping steering control during hard stops. Drivers should press firmly and hold rather than pump the pedal.

The mass of alcohol per volume of blood, used as the legal measure of impairment. It rises with the number and strength of drinks and falls only with time, not with coffee, food, or cold air.

Operating a vehicle while alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or a combination reduces the ability to drive safely. It is a criminal offence, and a driver can be charged even below the legal alcohol limit if unfit.

A fixed measure used to count alcohol intake, roughly a small glass of wine, a bottle of beer, or a shot of spirits. Knowing the count helps estimate blood alcohol, though individual effects vary widely.

A rule that learner and novice drivers must have no alcohol in their blood while driving. Any detectable amount can bring licence suspension, vehicle impoundment, or a return to an earlier licensing stage.

A lawful request by police for a breath sample or physical test at the roadside. Refusing without a valid excuse carries penalties similar to or heavier than those for impaired driving itself.

A marked or unmarked part of the road set aside for people on foot. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in it, and must not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for someone crossing.

The minimum space a driver should leave when overtaking a person on a bicycle, commonly about one metre on urban roads and more at higher speeds. Cyclists may need to swerve for hazards, so the gap protects them.

The strip beside parked cars where an opening door can strike a cyclist or passing vehicle. Drivers should open doors with the far hand and check mirrors, and cyclists should ride outside this strip.

Allowing motorcycles a full lane, checking mirrors and blind spots twice before turning or changing lanes, and giving extra following distance. Their small profile makes speed and distance harder to judge.

The large areas around a truck or bus that the driver cannot see, including directly in front, along both sides, and far behind. Drivers should avoid travelling in these zones and never pass a turning truck on the inside.

The path a long vehicle takes when turning right, swinging left first and leaving a gap on its right side. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should never move into that gap while the truck is turning.

The thickness of rubber remaining on a tyre, measured in the grooves. Worn tread lengthens stopping distance and raises hydroplaning risk, so tyres should be replaced before reaching the legal minimum.

The amount of air inside a tyre, checked when cold against the vehicle maker's recommendation. Incorrect pressure harms grip, fuel use, and tyre life, and a slow leak can lead to a blowout.

A quick walk-around check before driving covering tyres, lights, mirrors, fluid levels, and anything loose or leaking. It catches faults while the vehicle is stationary, when they are cheapest and safest to fix.

Turning on low-beam lights in darkness, rain, fog, or snow so the vehicle is visible and the driver can see. High beams should be dimmed for oncoming traffic and when following closely.

A staged system in which new drivers progress from learner to novice to full licence, with restrictions easing at each stage. It builds experience under lower-risk conditions before full privileges are granted.

Penalty points added to a driving record for convictions such as speeding or failing to stop. Accumulating enough points within a set period brings suspension, and novice drivers usually face lower thresholds.

A temporary removal of the legal right to drive, ordered for offences, demerit accumulation, or medical reasons. Driving while suspended is itself a serious offence carrying further penalties.

The legal obligation to stop, give details, and report a crash to police when injury or damage exceeds the set threshold. Leaving the scene of an injury collision is a criminal offence.

Protecting the crash site by moving vehicles off the road if possible, turning on hazard lights, and warning approaching traffic. Injured people should not be moved unless there is immediate danger.

The sign or pavement marking announcing a railway crossing ahead. Drivers should slow down, look both ways, and never stop on the tracks, because a train cannot swerve or stop quickly.

The area around a crash or breakdown where hazards remain, such as fire, traffic, or spilled fuel. Bystanders should call for help, keep clear of traffic lanes, and follow directions from responders.