Driving Test Practice

Maryland: Cheat Sheet

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Road signs

  • Mile marker signs are located every mile on interstate highways.
  • Regulatory signs are about traffic laws, and you must obey them.
  • Among the manual's warning signs, a yellow diamond with a vertical line and a short branch to one side is labeled Side Road Enters Ahead.
  • The manual says roads that lead to traffic circles have yield signs.
  • Among the manual's warning signs, a yellow diamond with a bicycle over a walking person is labeled Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing.
  • Among the manual's service signs, the green sign with an airplane is labeled Airport.
  • Among the manual's warning signs, a yellow-green pentagon with two children and a SCHOOL plate is labeled School Crossing Ahead.

Sign shapes and colors

  • A brown background is used for recreation and cultural interest areas.
  • A round sign is used to warn that there is a railroad crossing ahead.
  • Trapezoid signs show recreation and cultural interest areas and National Forest Routes.
  • The octagonal (eight-sided) shape always means stop, and you must come to a complete stop.
  • White signs show the speed limit, keep right, and some guide signs.

Traffic signals

  • At an intersection you may not drive across private property or leave the road to avoid obeying a traffic control device.
  • For a steady red arrow you must come to a complete stop and remain stopped as long as the arrow signal is red.
  • On a crosswalk signal, a solid yellow light tells drivers to get ready to stop.
  • A steady yellow signal means the signal is changing from green to red; it gives you time to stop safely.
  • A school crossing guard in uniform who is directing traffic near a school is one of the only two exceptions to obeying every traffic control device.
  • If there is no clearly marked stop line or crosswalk, you must stop before entering the intersection.

Right-of-way and turning

  • You should yield to drivers on a road you are entering from a driveway or a private road.
  • When turning, you yield to bicycles like you do with any other vehicle going straight.
  • You should switch on your turn signal before you get to the turn to let other drivers know what you plan to do.
  • On a steady green you must yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
  • The manual says you do not need to wait to enter the traffic circle if there is no traffic in it.
  • The manual says to yield to the driver on your right if both of you arrive at an intersection at the same time.
  • The manual says you may go through a red traffic signal if you are part of a funeral procession and have your lights on.

Alcohol and drugs

  • Illegal drugs, some prescription medications, and chemical inhalants can affect your alertness, concentration, coordination, and reaction time.
  • If a police officer submits a certified statement that you refused a test, the MVA will suspend your license.
  • With a child in your vehicle, the judge can double your fine and jail time for a drunk or drugged driving conviction.
  • Your license will be suspended if your blood alcohol concentration is .08 percent or higher.
  • A driver caught drinking and driving must install a breathalyzer car lock that prevents starting the vehicle if alcohol is detected.
  • Before you go out, make a plan to get home safely and designate a sober driver.

Speed and following distance

  • The manual says to lower your speed on wet roads to prevent hydroplaning.
  • The manual says to reduce your normal driving speed in fog.
  • The manual says most rear-end crashes are caused by following too closely.
  • You may drive slower than the posted limit based on road conditions, but it is illegal to drive any faster than the posted speed limit.
  • The manual says to continue slowing to the posted speed limit for the exit ramp.
  • The manual says the space needed between you and the car in front is much greater on wet roads than on dry roads.
  • You should increase the distance to four or five seconds, and possibly more if needed, behind vehicles that stop often.

Licensing basics

  • The Type 2 Learner's Instructional Permit lasts for up to 180 days.
  • The nighttime restriction covers 12:00 midnight to 5:00 a.m., when unsupervised driving is allowed only for listed purposes.
  • At least 10 of the practice hours must occur between 30 minutes before sunset and 30 minutes after sunrise.
  • The vehicle must have no cracks or other things on the windshield that could affect your ability to see.

Signals and vehicle controls

  • The manual says the law does not always require low beams there, but they make it easier for other drivers and construction workers to see you.
  • The manual says that before you drive you should adjust your seat and mirrors.
  • The manual says to use low beam headlights only in fog, and also fog lights if you have them.
  • When ABS engages, you may hear a rumble from the brakes and the brake pedal will vibrate under your foot.

Pavement markings

  • The manual says yellow pavement markings should never be on your right side; they should always be on your left side, marking the left edge of the road.
  • A single broken yellow line separates lanes where vehicles travel in opposite directions, and passing with care is permitted in either direction.
  • A stop line is a white, solid line that shows where a vehicle must stop for a STOP sign or red traffic signal.
  • A stop line is a wide white line painted across the road that shows where you must stop at an intersection.

Interstate driving

  • The manual says to turn on your emergency flashers to warn other drivers if you must stop on the shoulder.
  • The manual describes limited access highways as large roads with no intersections or traffic lights and a limited number of places to enter and exit.

Parking rules

  • Using a disability license plate or placard without the person with the disability present and without proper identification can bring a citation.
  • A vehicle with an automatic transmission should be placed in ‘park’ when you park.
  • Parking in a disability space is allowed only with an MVA-issued plate or placard when the person who qualified for it is the driver or a passenger.
  • A vehicle with a manual transmission should be placed in gear when you park.

Railroad crossings

  • The manual says to make sure there is room for your vehicle on the other side of the tracks before crossing.
  • At a flashing red signal at a railroad crossing you must come to a complete stop, even if you do not see a train, and proceed when it stops flashing and the way is clear.
  • A railroad grade crossing is where the railroad tracks are level with the road.

Pedestrians

  • A flashing hand with a countdown means "Don’t start"; a pedestrian who has already started should finish crossing.
  • The manual says most intersections have a crosswalk even if it is not marked.
  • The manual says to watch for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk at a traffic circle.

Sharing the road

  • The manual says not to switch lanes until you determine it is safe to do so.
  • Bicycles can stop and move quickly, so a bicyclist may swerve or change speed to avoid a road hazard that a motor vehicle driver cannot see.
  • When riding at night, Maryland State Law requires a white headlight on the front of your bicycle and a red reflector on the back.
  • Motorcyclists are allowed to use the whole lane, so you should not share a lane with a motorcycle.

Seat belts and child safety

  • The manual says you may contact Kids In Safety Seats (KISS) at the Maryland Department of Health if you are unable to purchase or obtain a child safety seat.
  • Under the seat belt restriction, all passengers must use safety belts or child safety seats.

Distracted and drowsy driving

  • One safety tip for phone use while driving is to keep your telephone conversations short.
  • The manual defines distracted driving as taking your eyes, hands, or especially your mind away from driving.
  • The manual prohibits earplugs, headsets, or earphones in both ears but says hearing aid devices are allowed.

Emergencies and crashes

  • You should watch what is happening around you and pick the safest time for everyone to get out.
  • The manual says black ice is caused by ice or snow melting and re-freezing.
  • The manual defines visibility as your ability to clearly see everything around you on the road, such as vehicles, pedestrians, signs, signals, and pavement markings.

Emergency vehicles and work zones

  • If it is not possible to move over, you must slow down to a safe speed and prepare to stop if necessary.
  • The manual says to expect the unexpected and be ready to react, including coming to a complete stop if traffic in front of you stops.
  • You should stay in your vehicle and keep your seat belt fastened.

Insurance

  • The manual warns that you will be fined up to $2,500 per vehicle each year if you do not keep insurance on all vehicles.

Losing your license

  • After the 30-day suspension, the minor’s driving is limited to employment and educational purposes for 90 days.
  • The MVA uses points to track violations and issue penalties.

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