NY DMV Permit Test key terms

Any sign, signal, pavement marking, or other fixture placed on or beside a road to direct, warn, or regulate drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Drivers must obey these devices unless a police officer or flagger directs otherwise.

A sign that states a rule or requirement, such as a speed limit, stop, yield, or lane-use rule. Most are rectangular with black, red, or green markings on a white background. Violating one is a traffic infraction.

A sign that alerts drivers to a change or hazard ahead, such as a curve, hill, merge, or pedestrian crossing. Most are yellow diamonds with black symbols. They tell you to slow down or prepare, not to stop.

A small yellow rectangular sign mounted below a warning sign that shows a safe recommended speed for the hazard, such as a sharp curve or exit ramp. It is a suggestion, not an enforceable speed limit, though driving faster may be unsafe.

A rectangular yellow sign with a black arrowhead pointing in the direction of a turn, placed on the outside of a sharp curve. A series of them guides drivers through the curve, especially at night or in bad weather.

A solid white line painted across a lane at an intersection or crosswalk showing where a vehicle must stop for a stop sign, red light, or pedestrian crossing. Stop before the line, not on or past it.

The part of a roadway set aside for pedestrians to cross, marked by painted lines or by the pavement between two parallel lines. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and passing a vehicle stopped at one is dangerous.

Lines, arrows, words, and symbols painted on the road surface to guide or regulate traffic. White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction; yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions or mark the left edge.

Two continuous yellow lines separating traffic moving in opposite directions. You may not cross them to pass or to make a left turn except into or out of a driveway or side road where permitted.

A dashed white line separating lanes that travel in the same direction. You may cross it to change lanes when it is safe, but a solid white line should not be crossed except in an emergency.

A red circular signal meaning you must come to a complete stop before the stop line or crosswalk and remain stopped. You may turn right after stopping only if no sign forbids it and you yield to traffic and pedestrians.

A signal that blinks on and off rather than staying steady. A flashing red works like a stop sign: stop, then proceed when clear. A flashing yellow means slow down and proceed with caution.

The walk/don't-walk light or hand symbol at a signalized crossing. A flashing hand means pedestrians already in the crosswalk may finish crossing but others should not start; drivers turning must still yield to them.

After stopping completely at a steady red light, you may turn right when the way is clear, unless a sign prohibits it. You must yield to pedestrians, cyclists, and cross traffic before turning.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles stop in the order they arrive and proceed in that order; if two arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first.

The legal priority to go first in a traffic situation. Having the right-of-way is something you yield to others, not something you take; drivers must still avoid a crash even when they technically have priority.

An intersection with no signs or signals controlling it. You must slow down, look in all directions, and yield to vehicles already in the intersection or approaching from your right.

A turn made at a steady green circular light when you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning. A green arrow, by contrast, gives you a protected turn with the right-of-way.

A left turn made on a green arrow, during which oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light. You may turn without yielding to oncoming vehicles but must still watch for pedestrians and finish the turn promptly.

A turn used to reverse direction on a narrow street, usually by backing into a driveway or side street and then pulling forward. It is safer than a U-turn on a busy road when done with care.

A turn that reverses your direction of travel within the roadway. It is illegal where signs forbid it, on curves, near hill crests, and in many business districts, because visibility and space are limited.

A stretch of road, marked by a solid yellow line on your side or a sign, where passing other vehicles is prohibited. These zones usually occur on hills, curves, and other places with limited sight distance.

Overtaking and moving ahead of another vehicle traveling the same direction. It is legal only when sight distance is clear, the lane ahead is free, and no sign or marking forbids it; you must return to your lane safely.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that mirrors do not show. Before changing lanes or passing, turn your head to check the blind spot rather than relying only on mirrors.

Moving your vehicle from one lane to another. Signal first, check mirrors and the blind spot, and change only when there is enough space; other drivers are not required to let you in.

Backing into a parking space along the curb between two parked vehicles, then straightening the wheels. Signal, check traffic, back slowly at an angle, and finish within about 12 inches of the curb.

A maneuver to turn around on a narrow road by turning across the road, backing to the opposite side, and pulling forward to complete the turn. It requires clear visibility and should not be done where it is prohibited.

The raised or painted edge between the roadway and the sidewalk or shoulder. Parking rules and parallel parking measurements are usually stated in relation to the curb, such as within 12 inches of it.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. Under normal conditions keep at least three seconds; increase it in rain, snow, darkness, or when following large trucks or motorcycles.

A method of judging following distance: watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object, then count seconds until you reach it. Three seconds is the minimum safe gap in good conditions.

Following another vehicle too closely, leaving no room to stop if it brakes suddenly. It is a major cause of rear-end crashes and is especially dangerous behind large trucks with limited rear visibility.

Losing tire contact with the road because a layer of water builds under the tires, causing skidding and loss of steering. Slow down in heavy rain, avoid sudden braking, and ease off the accelerator if it happens.

Loss of traction in which the tires slide instead of rolling, often from braking too hard or turning too fast on a slippery surface. Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go.

A thin, nearly invisible layer of ice on the road, often on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas. It forms when temperatures hover near freezing and makes the pavement look merely wet or dry.

The percentage of alcohol in a person's blood, used as the legal measure of intoxication. In New York, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is a crime for drivers 21 and older, with lower limits for commercial drivers and drivers under 21.

The rule that by driving on public roads you automatically agree to submit to a chemical test of your breath, blood, or urine when lawfully arrested for alcohol- or drug-impaired driving. Refusing can lead to license suspension even without a conviction.

The policy that drivers under 21 may not drive with any alcohol in their system; in New York, a BAC of 0.02% or higher can lead to license suspension. It applies even if the young driver does not appear impaired.

A rule requiring drivers to shift out of the lane next to stopped emergency, tow, or highway maintenance vehicles with flashing lights, or to slow down if a lane change is not possible. It protects workers and responders.

A police car, fire truck, ambulance, or other authorized vehicle using lights and siren. Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes, and never follow closely behind one responding to a call.

The large blind spots around a commercial truck, along its sides, directly behind it, and in front of the cab. If you cannot see the truck driver's mirror, the driver cannot see you, so avoid lingering there.