Driving Test Practice

Louisiana: Cheat Sheet

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Road signs

  • Sometimes arrows may be painted on the road as a supplement to lane use control signs.
  • The manual lists a yellow diamond sign with roadway lines pinching inward as Narrow Bridge or Underpass.
  • Yellow diamond-shaped signs advise you of approaching conditions such as curves, approaching side roads and traffic flow.
  • Passing areas are based on how far you can see ahead and consider unseen hazards such as hills and curves, intersections and driveways.
  • If the word “Exit” is written on the right side of an exit sign, the exit lane or ramp is to the right.
  • The manual's list of warning signs labels a yellow diamond with two upward arrows, a dashed line and a joining diagonal line as Do Not Stop Added Lane.
  • The manual says electronic message signs, also called dynamic message signs, post warnings about hazardous conditions such as fog, high winds or ice storms.

Sign shapes and colors

  • White is used as the legend color on signs with red, green, blue, brown and black backgrounds.
  • Incident signs are temporary and are fluorescent pink with black lettering.
  • The horizontal rectangle is used for guide signs, some warning signs and temporary traffic control signs.
  • A yield sign is a red and white downward pointing triangle with red letters.
  • The triangle shaped sign with the point sideways is used to indicate no passing zones.

Traffic signals

  • A steady DON'T WALK signal means pedestrians must not enter the roadway towards the signal.
  • A red arrow means you must stop and may not go in the direction of the arrow until the green arrow returns.
  • Traffic lights on the same signal are red, yellow and green from top to bottom.
  • The guide says that when a traffic-control signal is not functioning, the intersection reverts to an all-way or four-way stop.
  • Traffic control can also be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel or school crossing guards, and you must obey their directions.
  • A STOP HERE ON RED sign tells you where you must stop if the traffic light is red.

Right-of-way and turning

  • The guide says you should never make a hurried or unsafe lane change, because you can always take the next exit and turn around.
  • The guide says not to drive alongside large vehicles, such as trucks and buses, in a traffic circle or roundabout.
  • When turning left on red where permitted, you must yield to all traffic and pedestrians crossing in front or to the side of your vehicle.
  • The manual says that at "T" intersections you must yield to vehicles on the through road.
  • In a roundabout, traffic yields to the circulation traffic, and the vehicle in the roundabout has the right of way.
  • The guide says to make sure you know where you want to go and are in the proper lane before entering.
  • You should try to avoid turning around on a busy street, and it is better to circle an entire city block.

Alcohol and drugs

  • Alcohol is metabolized by the liver and eliminated through the kidneys and lungs, a process that takes time.
  • The test is administered at the discretion of a law enforcement officer who has reason to believe you were driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • The maximum penalties for a second DWI conviction include six months in jail with 48 hours’ mandatory jail time.
  • The manual says to stay as far away from the other vehicle as possible.
  • The results show a BAC of 0.08% or more for those 21 or older as grounds for losing driving privilege.
  • The manual gives the example that at 0.10% BAC there is 100 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.

Speed and following distance

  • Without an adequate visual lead, by the time you see an object in your travel path it may be too late to stop without hitting the object.
  • The manual says alert defensive drivers are well rested and would never take any drugs or alcohol that could affect their concentration before driving.
  • Increase your following distance by adding at least one additional second for night driving conditions.
  • The guide says that even within the posted limit, you must not drive so slowly that you impede other traffic.
  • At 50 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, braking distance can be about 158 feet.
  • When it is hard for you to see ahead because of darkness, you need to increase your following distance.
  • The manual defines open conditions as having a space or a larger area in which to drive that is without restrictions.

Licensing basics

  • Student non-immigrants (F-1, J-1, and M-1) must present the I-20.
  • The guide says procedural questions and complaints about an officer’s treatment of you can be forwarded to the officer’s supervisor.
  • The statement must attest that the applicant has a minimum of fifty (50) hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience.

Older drivers

  • Persons over the age of 60 applying for a license for the first time must submit a detailed report from a physician and/or vision specialist.

Signals and vehicle controls

  • Winterizing a vehicle means making sure the brakes, wipers, defroster, headlights, and heater are all working properly.
  • Lower beam headlights let you see clearly about 150 to 200 feet ahead.
  • The manual says that as the tires approach the traction limits, they tend to slip sideways across the road.
  • The manual says eyes are the main thing that steers a car, not hands.

Pavement markings

  • Stop lines are solid white lines painted across the traffic lanes at intersections and pedestrian crosswalks, indicating the exact place at which to stop.
  • You must drive to the right of the centerline, but when it is safe you may cross a single broken yellow line to turn or pass another vehicle.
  • A single solid white line indicates that movement from lane to lane is hazardous (the wider the line, the greater the hazard), and you may cross it only with great care.
  • The manual says railroad cross markings are white markings painted in the traffic lane before railroad crossings.

Interstate driving

  • The manual says EVEN numbered Interstate highways go East and West.
  • You should not drive slower than the posted minimum speed unless the weather or road conditions demand a slower speed.

Parking rules

  • The manual lists parking in an accessible area without proper documentation and blocking the access aisle as parking violations concerning accessibility.
  • Some accessible parking spaces have a side area marked by blue lines with blue diagonal stripes, which is the access aisle.
  • The manual says to park as far away from traffic as possible and, if there is a curb, as close to it as possible.
  • The manual's "Park Smart" tips include using vehicle immobilizers.

Railroad crossings

  • The manual says to get out and move in the direction toward the approaching train, away from the tracks.
  • The manual says a 100 car freight train traveling at 55 miles per hour requires more than a mile to stop.
  • The manual says to remain stopped until the gates are raised.

Pedestrians

  • The pedestrian uses the sound of your engine as a guide, so drive up to the crosswalk to allow the person to hear you.
  • You should not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk; be prepared to stop for pedestrians walking in marked or unmarked crosswalks.
  • When pedestrians are in crosswalks, they have the right of way over motor vehicles, and you must stop for them.

Sharing the road

  • The manual says wildlife is more active at dusk and dawn.
  • The manual warns that animals standing near the roadway may bolt or change direction at the last minute, and others may follow since deer travel in groups.
  • The manual says that when following at night you should use low beam because the truck's many side mirrors reflect high beam lights right into the driver's eyes.
  • The manual says a child's helmet must fit properly and be fastened securely on the child's head with the straps of the helmet.

Seat belts and child safety

  • Seatbelts limit the forward motion of an occupant, stretch to slow down the occupant's deceleration in a crash, and prevent occupants being ejected.
  • Backseat passengers who are not belted can be thrown into other passengers as well as ejected from the vehicle in a crash.

Distracted and drowsy driving

  • The manual defines incidents as frequent but unpredictable events, some dangerous and frightening like near-misses, others merely annoying like missing your turn.
  • The manual says the number one driver distraction involved in most of the crashes is cell phone use.
  • Louisiana law prohibits anyone, regardless of age, from accessing, reading, or posting to a social networking site while driving.

Emergencies

  • With smoke coming from under the hood, first drive off the road clear of traffic and stop.
  • If it is dark, turn on the interior dome light so your vehicle can be seen.
  • Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles.

Emergency vehicles and work zones

  • Police vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks need more room to operate.
  • The manual states that in Louisiana traffic fines are double for construction zones.
  • The manual says the duty to pull over and stop for an emergency vehicle applies to traffic in both directions.

Insurance and registration

  • A repair shop rip-off occurs when the owner of an auto repair shop or glass shop offers to inflate a policyholder's damage estimate as a favor to cover the deductible.

Losing your license

  • The record includes traffic convictions received in other states.
  • The manual says you are required by law to stop, identify yourself and render reasonable aid, and failure to do so may result in a fine and time in jail.

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