PA Permit Test flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Basic Speed Rule
- A driver must never travel faster than is safe for existing conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit. This rule applies in rain, fog, snow, heavy traffic, and on curves.
- Steer Clear Law
- Pennsylvania's Move Over Law. When approaching an emergency response area, drivers must move to a non-adjacent lane or slow to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.
- Uncontrolled intersection right-of-way
- At an intersection with no signs or signals, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right. A driver turning left must also yield to oncoming traffic.
- Point system suspension threshold
- Adults face a departmental hearing at 6 points and license suspension at 11 points. Drivers under 18 receive a 90-day suspension at 6 points.
- Speeding point penalties
- In Pennsylvania, 1-15 mph over the limit is 3 points, 16-30 mph over is 5 points, and 31 mph or more over is 6 points.
- Urban speed limit default
- Pennsylvania's default speed limit on urban and residential roadways is 25 mph unless a different limit is posted. Rural two-lane highways default to 55 mph.
- Left turn yield rule
- A driver turning left must yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles proceeding straight or turning right. Entering traffic from a driveway also requires yielding to all traffic.
- Stop sign shape
- A red octagon is the only sign shape used for STOP. Drivers must come to a complete stop, yield to traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe.
- Yield sign shape
- A red inverted triangle indicates YIELD. Drivers must slow down and yield the right-of-way to traffic on the intersecting road, stopping only if necessary.
- Flashing red signal
- A flashing red traffic signal is treated as a stop sign. The driver must stop completely, yield to cross traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when the way is clear.
- Flashing yellow signal
- A flashing yellow traffic signal means slow down and proceed with caution. It does not require a stop, but drivers should be alert for cross traffic or hazards.
- Steady yellow light
- A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. Drivers must stop if it is safe to do so; otherwise they should clear the intersection.
- Double solid yellow lines
- Double solid yellow center lines prohibit passing in both directions. A driver may not cross them to pass another vehicle, except to pass a bicyclist when safe.
- Broken yellow center line
- A broken yellow center line means passing is permitted when safe and the opposite lane is clear. It separates traffic moving in opposite directions.
- Work zone sign color
- Orange diamond-shaped signs indicate construction or work zones. Drivers should reduce speed and be alert for workers, equipment, and changed traffic patterns.
- Green arrow signal
- A green arrow means the driver may proceed in the direction the arrow points. A red arrow prohibits movement in that direction until the signal changes.
- Following distance rule
- In Pennsylvania, maintain at least 4 seconds of following distance below 40 mph and at least 5 seconds at 40 mph and above.
- Seat belt and child restraint law
- Pennsylvania requires seat belts for the driver and front-seat passengers. Children under 8 must be secured in an approved child restraint system.
- Headlight use requirement
- Drivers must use headlights from sunset to sunrise, during precipitation, and whenever visibility is too poor to see persons or vehicles at 1,000 feet.
- Adult DUI limit
- The legal blood alcohol concentration limit for adult drivers in Pennsylvania is 0.08%. Drivers under 21 violate the law at 0.02% or higher.
- Implied consent law
- A driver lawfully arrested for DUI must submit to chemical testing. Refusing results in a minimum 12-month license suspension under Pennsylvania's implied consent law.
- Hydroplaning recovery
- When hydroplaning, ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, and steer straight until the tires regain contact with the road surface and traction returns.
- Texting while driving ban
- Pennsylvania bans texting while driving for all drivers. Handheld phone use is prohibited for drivers under 18 and in work zones and school zones.
- Four-foot passing law
- Pennsylvania law requires motorists to give bicyclists at least 4 feet of clearance when passing. If safe, the driver may cross a double yellow line to do so.
- School bus stop law
- When a school bus has flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, all traffic must stop. On divided highways, only same-direction traffic must stop.
- Pedestrian crosswalk right-of-way
- Pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk have the right-of-way. Drivers must yield and may not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.
- Motorcycle lane sharing
- Motorcyclists are entitled to a full lane. A driver may not share a lane with a motorcycle or pass a motorcycle within the same lane.
- Truck No-Zone
- Large trucks have large blind spots on all four sides. Drivers should avoid lingering alongside a truck and should never pass a truck on the right.
- Emergency vehicle response
- When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren, drivers must pull to the right edge of the roadway and stop until the vehicle passes.
- Fog driving headlights
- In fog, use low-beam headlights rather than high beams. High beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility, while low beams illuminate the road ahead.
- Skid recovery technique
- If a vehicle skids, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go and ease off the accelerator. Do not slam the brakes during the skid.
- Downhill grade braking
- On a steep downhill grade, shift to a lower gear to use engine braking. This helps control speed and prevents the brakes from overheating.