OR Driving Instructor flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Basic Speed Rule

Oregon law requiring drivers to travel at a speed reasonable and prudent for current conditions; posted limits are maximums, not targets, and lower speeds may be required.

Move Over Law

Oregon rule requiring drivers approaching stopped emergency or roadside assistance vehicles with flashing lights to change lanes if safe or slow at least 5 mph below the limit.

Implied Consent

Legal doctrine that operating a vehicle in Oregon constitutes consent to chemical testing after a DUII arrest; refusal results in license suspension under implied consent procedures.

Right Turn on Red

Permitted after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it; left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

Statutory Speed Limits

Oregon default limits when unposted: 15 mph in alleys, 20 mph school zones, 25 mph business and residential districts, 55 mph rural highways, 65 mph on specified freeways.

Child Safety Seat Rule

Oregon requires children under age 8 and under 4'9" to use an appropriate child seat or booster; all occupants in all seating positions must be restrained.

Railroad Crossing Stop Zone

When a signal or train requires a stop, halt within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail; do not shift gears while crossing.

Two-Second Rule

Minimum following gap in ideal conditions, measured by counting seconds between the lead vehicle and yours passing a fixed object; extend to three or more in rain or darkness.

Visual Lead Time

Scanning distance ahead measured in seconds of travel: 12-15 seconds in urban areas and 20-30 seconds on highways to identify hazards early.

Space Cushion

Buffer of space around the vehicle; add one second of following distance for each adverse factor such as rain, darkness, heavy load, or limited forward view.

Hydroplaning Threshold

Loss of tire contact with pavement can occur above roughly 35 mph on wet roads with standing water; reduce speed and avoid abrupt braking or steering.

Hazard Recognition Order

Prioritize the highest-risk hazard first, such as a pedestrian entering the roadway, then secondary hazards, then identify an escape route before it is needed.

Truck No-Zone

Large blind spots on both sides, directly behind, and in front of large trucks; pass quickly and do not linger alongside the trailer when overtaking.

Fatigue Stop Rule

After two hours of continuous driving or at the first sign of drowsiness such as yawning or lane drift, stop for a break; micro-sleep causes run-off-road crashes.

Intersection Scan Sequence

Before entering an intersection, look left, then right, then left again; confirm cross traffic has stopped before proceeding on a green light.

Night Beam Rule

Use low beams when following within 200 feet or meeting oncoming traffic within 500 feet; high beams are for open road with no nearby vehicles.

Push-Pull Steering

Steering method where one hand pushes the wheel up while the other pulls down; keep both hands on the wheel except when shifting or signaling.

ABS Braking Technique

With anti-lock brakes, apply firm continuous pedal pressure and do not pump; the pedal may vibrate, which is normal and indicates the system is working.

Mirror Adjustment

Set side mirrors so the vehicle's rear quarter panel is barely visible; this reduces blind spots and supports a shoulder check before lane changes.

Backing Procedure

Walk around the vehicle before reversing, then use mirrors and a shoulder check; back slowly and stop if visibility is lost because cameras are aids only.

Hill Parking Rule

Facing downhill, turn wheels toward the curb; facing uphill with a curb, turn wheels away; facing uphill without a curb, turn wheels toward the right edge.

Skid Recovery

Steer in the direction of the skid, ease off the accelerator, and avoid hard braking; use gentle steering and braking inputs on ice or snow.

Parallel Parking Steps

Signal, position two to three feet from the vehicle ahead, back at a 45-degree angle until the rear bumper clears, then counter-steer and straighten.

Following Distance Coaching

Use a fixed roadside object as a reference; count seconds from when the lead vehicle passes it to when the student's vehicle reaches the same point.

Instructor Age Requirement

Oregon DMV requires behind-the-wheel instructors to be at least 21 years old, hold a valid Oregon license, and have a clean three-year driving record.

Instructor Certification

Requires completion of a DMV-approved instructor training course and a criminal background check; certification must be renewed and first-aid training kept current.

Supervised Driving Hours

Oregon requires 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, for applicants under 18; instructors must document hours accurately and never falsify logs.

Dual-Control Vehicle

Behind-the-wheel instruction requires an operable passenger-side brake pedal; the instructor must verify it works before each lesson begins.

Instructor Ethical Limits

Instructors may not use student vehicles for personal errands, accept gifts influencing pass or fail decisions, or fail to report unsafe driving to parents or guardians.

Student Confidentiality

Student records, performance data, and personal information are protected; instructors may not disclose them without written consent except as required by law.

Lesson Termination Rule

If a student poses an imminent safety risk through repeated dangerous errors, impairment, or emotional distress, the instructor takes control and ends the lesson.

Mandatory Reporting Duty

Instructors must report suspected child abuse or neglect under mandatory reporting laws and must not coach students to conceal traffic violations.