Ohio BMV Permit Test key terms

The legal priority to go first at an intersection or other shared space. It is something a driver yields to others rather than something a driver takes, and it is usually decided by signs, signals, or arrival order.

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

The gap in time or space between your vehicle and the one ahead. A common guideline is to stay at least three seconds behind, adding more time in rain, snow, darkness, or when following large trucks.

A simple method for checking following distance: watch the vehicle ahead pass a fixed object, then count seconds until you reach it. Fewer than two seconds means you are too close under good conditions.

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment the brakes are applied until it stops. It grows with speed and is much longer on wet, icy, or gravel surfaces.

When tires ride up on a layer of water instead of gripping the road, causing loss of steering and braking control. It happens most at higher speeds on wet pavement; ease off the gas and avoid hard braking.

A loss of tire traction in which the vehicle slides instead of rolling in the intended direction. To recover, ease off the accelerator, steer gently where you want to go, and avoid slamming the brakes.

A safety feature that rapidly pumps the brakes to prevent wheel lockup during hard stops. On a vehicle with ABS, press the brake firmly and hold it while steering; a pulsing pedal is normal.

A style of driving that assumes other road users may make mistakes. It means scanning ahead, keeping space cushions, anticipating hazards, and being ready to react rather than relying on others to do the right thing.

The buffer of empty space kept around your vehicle so you have room to steer or stop if something goes wrong. It includes distance ahead, behind, and to the sides.

The area beside and behind a vehicle that cannot be seen in the mirrors. Drivers must turn their head to check it before changing lanes, and they should avoid lingering in another vehicle's blind spot.

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

Following another vehicle too closely, leaving little room to stop if it slows suddenly. It is a leading cause of rear-end crashes and is especially dangerous behind large trucks that block your view.

A red, octagonal sign with white lettering that requires a complete stop before the crosswalk or stop line. You must yield to traffic and pedestrians before proceeding when it is safe.

A red-and-white triangular sign meaning you must slow down and give the right-of-way to traffic on the intersecting road. Stop only if necessary to let others pass safely.

Joining moving traffic from an entrance ramp or side road. Drivers on the ramp adjust speed to fit into a gap, while traffic already on the main road generally has the right-of-way.

A lane on an entrance ramp that lets a driver build up speed to match highway traffic before merging. Using it properly avoids sudden slowdowns for vehicles behind.

A pavement marking that separates traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid yellow line on your side means passing is prohibited; a double solid yellow line prohibits passing for both directions.

A dashed yellow line between opposing traffic lanes that permits passing when it is safe. If the line is broken on your side, you may cross it to pass; if solid on your side, you may not.

A stretch of road where passing is unsafe or illegal, often marked by solid lines, signs, hills, or curves. Passing there risks head-on collisions because you cannot see far enough ahead.

A pavement marking along the outer edge of a roadway. A solid white edge line marks the right boundary of the travel lane, while yellow edge lines may appear on the left of divided highways.

The pavement marking that divides traffic lanes. Yellow center lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, while white lines separate lanes moving the same way.

A signal that functions like a stop sign: come to a complete stop, then proceed when safe. At intersections where several directions flash red, follow the four-way stop order.

A warning signal telling drivers to slow down and proceed with caution. It does not grant the right-of-way, so check for cross traffic before entering the intersection.

The lights that indicate a driver's plan to turn or change lanes. Ohio law requires signaling before turning or moving laterally, and signals should be given far enough ahead to warn others.

Moving from one travel lane to another. A safe lane change requires checking mirrors and the blind spot, signaling, and confirming there is enough space before moving over gradually.

Looking in the rearview and side mirrors to monitor traffic behind and beside you. Mirrors should be checked regularly and before slowing, turning, or changing lanes, but they do not replace a blind-spot glance.

An area near a school where speed limits are reduced and special signs warn drivers to watch for children. Drivers must slow to the posted school speed limit during the times it is in effect.

A person who directs students across a street near a school. Drivers must obey the guard's signals and stop when directed, yielding to children in the crossing.

The maximum lawful speed on a road under good conditions. Drivers must also slow below the limit when weather, traffic, or visibility makes the posted speed unsafe.

The rule that you may never drive faster than is reasonable and safe for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. Rain, fog, ice, and heavy traffic can require speeds well below the maximum.

Operating a vehicle while affected by alcohol, drugs, or medications that reduce judgment and reaction time. It is illegal and dangerous, and impairment can begin well below the legal alcohol limit.

Driving while attention is taken away by activities like texting, eating, or adjusting devices. It raises crash risk sharply because eyes, hands, and mind are all drawn away from the road.

The time between noticing a hazard and beginning to respond, such as hitting the brake. It lengthens when a driver is tired, distracted, or impaired, increasing total stopping distance.

The legal priority pedestrians have in crosswalks and at intersections. Drivers must stop and yield for them rather than trying to pass through, and they should watch for people stepping off curbs.

A marked or unmarked path where pedestrians cross a street. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, and passing another vehicle stopped at a crosswalk is dangerous and often illegal.

A place where a road crosses train tracks, marked by signs, pavement markings, and often flashing signals or gates. Drivers must never stop on tracks and must yield to approaching trains.