The pdf format of “Virginia Driver’s Manual” published by Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles could be accessed here, which resides in the commonwealth’s DMV server. Here also provides Interactive Driver’s Manual With Practice Questions, which would also be interesting. I’m trying to make some notes on the manual and to make connections to remember some of the useful info. Even through it is a 40 some pages document, there are lots of info to be remembered in order to get a learner’s permit. The document and this blog is only for driver’s license in Virginia, if you live in another state, you need to find that by searching on Google.
Get Prepared
Documents needed for the knowledge exam, I assume no US citizen would read my blog to get one’s driver’s license:
- Passport.
- Additional document related to via like I20.
- Driver’s license from another country(optional but very powerful)
- 2 address of proof(bank statement, insurance)
Please refer to this document for address of proof from DMV’s site.
II: Signals
Color: red: stop; black: regulatory info; yellow&black; warning; green&white: destination; blue&white: motorists services; brown&white: historical or cultural interests; orange&black: construction; pink&black: incidents.
Flashing red light: At a flashing red light, come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians. You may go when the way is clear. At a railroad crossing, you must come to a complete stop even if you don’t see a train.
Yellow light or arrow: A yellow light or arrow are cautions warning that the light is about to change. If you have not entered the intersection, stop; or, if unsafe to stop, cautiously go through it. If you are already in the intersection, go through it cautiously. Do not speed up to beat the light.
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons: One yellow light at the bottom flashes when a pedestrianactivates the PHB. Next, the yellow light turns solid to alert drivers toprepare to stop. Then, the top two red lights on the PHB turn solid while a walk signal appears at the crosswalk, and drivers must stop. Lastly, while the walk signal counts down for the pedestrians, the PHB’s two red lights alternate flashing, telling the driver that if the crosswalk is now clear, they may proceed with caution.
!Flashing Arrow Boards: This road sign alerts you to proceed into different traffic lanes. Part of the road ahead is closed.
Traffic Control Devices: When driving near the devices, keep your vehicle in the middle of the lane and obey the posted speed limit.
If you are convicted of exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zone, you may be fined up to $500. If you are convicted of using a handheld communications device in a highway work zone, you will be fined $250.
Rumble Strips Ahead signs warn motorists of black or orange strips placed across the travel lanes in advance of work zones, including a flagger or lane closure. Rumble strips should be slowly driven over, not swerved around.
Slow Moving Vehicles traveling at 25 MPH or less, such as farm equipment, horse-drawn vehicles
or highway work vehicles, must display these signs when using a public highway. Be prepared to adjust your speed or position when you see a vehicle with one of these signs.
Double solid white lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Most often they are used to
designate special use lane from conventional lanes, as when used to separate a High Occupancy Vehicle lanes from the other lanes of an expressway. You may not cross these lines. You may enter the designated special use lane only where signs and markings allow.
Right Curve – Side Road: The road ahead curves right and a side road joins from the left within the curve. Be alert for vehicles entering the roadway you are traveling on
If both sides of the center lane are marked by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line, drivers traveling in either direction may use the lane for making left turns. However, they may not travel further than 150 feet in this lane.
Railway Crossing: School buses must always stop at railroad crossings, even when the lights are not flashing.
Bicyle Boxes: Right turns on red are not allowed at these intersections. If turning right on a green light, drivers must signal and yield to bicycles on the right.
High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes are marked on highways by a diamond shape in the center of the lane.
Paint Curb: white for pick up and drop off passengers; yellow for load and unload; red for do not stop, stand or park.
III: Safe Driving
reckless driving when 65MPH+20MPH as misdemeanor, if results in death and license suspended/revoked, may consider felony. $100 for driving 81-85MPH in 65-MPH zone.
25 MPH school, bussiness and residential areas; 35 MPH unpaved roads and 55 for other roads.
The maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles and motorcycles on non-rural interstate highways and public highways that are not part of the interstate system is 55 mph. Interstate highways may vary.
Stop for school bus: stop at all directions when school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop sign without a median or barrier, otherwise opposite direction can drive.
Stopping Distance: perception time+reaction distance+braking distance
for 25mph to 65mph: 85 feet, 135 feet, 195 feet, 265 feet, 344 feet. (85~reckless driving)
speed cushin: 2s under 35mph, 3s 35-45mph, 4s 46-70mph.
check left to right then left again before enter intersection.
Looking ahead will help you identify risks early and provide you with more time to react. Expert drivers try to focus their eyes 20 to 30 seconds ahead.
Yielding
Vechicle with flashing lights(do not work on highway working zones)
stationary: with flashing lights, change lane not next to vehicle or reduce speed; with vehicular hazard warning signal flashers, required to make a lne change or reduce speed; trash collection on high way change if for or more lanes, otherwise reduce 10 mph below speed limit and at least 2 feet to the left of vehicle; passing stationary mail vehicle, maintain safe speed for highway conditions; not parking in 500 feet of where fire trucks or equioment are stopped.
approaching same direction: emergency vehicle 500 feet when lights are flashing.
pull over at the edge on same direction and opposite direction if undivided highway.
passing: person riding a bicycle reduce speed and pass at least 3 feet to the left.
passing unlawful: hills, curves, intersections except 2 or more lanes; off pavement or on the shoulder of the reod; school bus stopped; solid line marks; approaching crosswalk and vehicle ahead or next to you stopped; Drivers are required to come to a full stop for a pedestrian using a cane or guide dog.
making turns: signaling 3-4 seconds or 100 feet.
Bicyclists are allowed to ride in the center of the lane, when necessary, such as when they are about to turn left or when the lane is too narrow to share side-by-side with a car. legally allowed on all public roads except interstates and most freeways(limited access highways). Bicyclists may ride no more than two abreast and may not impede the normal flow of traffic. State law requires motorists to pass cyclists with at least three feet of clearance.
It is against the law to operate a moped faster than 35 MPH or on an interstate highway.
Never drive beside a motorcycle in the same lane.
When passing, look for the entire front of the truck in your rearview mirror before pulling in front. And then, maintain your speed.
When backing up left, use left hand to move the wheel left. To back the trailer to the right, use right hand to move the wheel to the right.
Backing
turn body and head to the right and look out through rear window.
Parking
may not park: 15 feet of fire hydrant, entrance to fire, ambulance, rescue squad station; 20 feet of an intersection; 50 feet of railroad crossing; 500 feet from fire trucks and equipments.
Use low beam on foggy days as fogs will reflect.
Watch for ice on bridges and in shady areas. Bridges freeze before other road surfaces.
!On a two-way street, park on the right side of the road. On a one-way road, park on either side.
Deer/Large Animals
alert at dusk and dawn especially in the fall; slow down if see large animal as travel in groups; horn to scare; do not swerve, brake firmly.
!If you hit a deer, report it to law enforcement.
IV: Seat Belts, Air Bags and Child Safety Seats
driver, front seat passengers wear safety belts, younger than 18 with safety belt, booster seat or child safety seat with exception of waiver.
Air bags equipped: all passengers buckle up; move back >= 10 inches form steering wheel; adjust direction to chest; <=12 buckle up at back seat.
child safety seats: <=8 with child safety seat or booster seat; rear facing <=2 years; turn air bag off if placed at front passenger seat;
penalty: 50 first and 500 subsequent.
yield right of way by pull over at the edge
!It is illegal to transport children under age 16 in the bed of a pickup truck, even if equipped with a camper shell.
V: Penalties
suspension: withdrawn temp, reinstate at end of suspension period, within us; if license expire for more than 1 year, within us, pass two-part knowledge, road skills and vision exams.
revocation: terminated, re-apply to restore after revocation period.
!If your license has been revoked, that means that your privilege to drive has been terminated.
conviction based s and r,
| will R/S | may R/S | |
| DUI1 | 🔴operating vehicle 🔴injure under DUI 🔴drug offense using vehicle | 🔴driving license R/S under non DUI 🔴not to take blood/breath test |
| Dishonesty | 🔴false statement to DMV 🔴failing to stop and identify yourself at crash scene 🔴taking exam for other 🔴eluding police | 🔴operating without a valid driver’s license |
| Behavior | 🔴manslaughter 🔴involuntary manslaughter under DUI 🔴felony using vehicle | 🔴reckless or aggressive driving |
| Vehicle | 🔴no ignition interlock |
Driver Improvement Program
driving record of all convictions received from the court 12 months/24 months with 23,4,5 demerit.
- under 18: convicted demerit point traffic violation, complete a driver improvement clinic, if not done within 90 days, suspend driving privilege. After 2nd conviction, suspend for 90 days, 3rd conviction for 1 year or till age 18.
- age 18 or 19, if convict demerit point or safety belt/child restraint violation, complete driver improvement clinic.
- age 18 or older, 12 in 12 months/18 in 18 months, within 90 days to complete driver improvement clinic, if 18 in 12 months/24 in 18 months, suspend in 90 days and require a driver improvement clinic.
Medical Review Program
not require to present legal proof to reinstate driving privilege unless required for suspension/revocation or license expires.
level of consciousness, perception, judgment, motor skills
Insurance Monitoring Program
statement on the registration application that have liability insurance coverage or pay 500 uninsured motor vehicle fee.
suspend: not submit requested insurance policy information; break in insurance policy coverage and do not return license plates to DMV.
!The court or DMV will suspend or revoke your privilege to drive if you are convicted of reckless or aggressive driving, operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license, and/or failing to pay for gas.
Suspensions for Child Support-Related Requirements
child support payment for 90 days or $5000; fail to appear in court or comply with subpoena.
Alcohol and the Law
Under implied consent laws, if you operate a motor vehicle on Virginia’s public roads, you agree to take a breath test upon request.
if involved in motor vehicle crash, can be arrested for DUI within 3 hours of crash without a warrant.
admin license suspension: if refuse a breath test/BAC is 0.08% or higher, being charged with DUI, suspend for 7 days for 1st offense, 60 days/go trial for 2nd offense; till trial for 3rd DUI offense.
Open alcohol containers: open container of alcohol in passenger area, contents removed and signs you have been drinking.
Transporting Children <=17 under DUI: 5 day jail term,+500~1000 fine in addition; 2nd DUI for additional 80 hours of community service.
impoundment: 30 days for DUI while license suspended, additional 90 days if convicted; 3 days or obtain license when driving without license after previously been convicted driving without license.
Restitution: 1000 for crashes under DUI.
Under age 21: if 0.02% to 0,08%->suspension for 1 year, $500 or 50 hours of community service; >0.08%, same as adult.
!If you are convicted of driving after illegally consuming alcohol, and your BAC was at least .02 percent and less than .08, the court penalty will include a suspension of your driving privilege for one year from the date of conviction, a minimum mandatory fine of $500, or the requirement that you complete at least 50 hours of community service.
provide alcoholic beverages: 1 year suspension, 12 months jail, 2500$.
misrepresentation of age: 500, 50 hours community service, 12 months jail, suspension more than 6 months less than 1 year.
if you are convicted of aggressive driving, your license could be suspended for ten days or for as long as six months.
Researchers estimate that between the hours of 10 PM and 2 AM three out of every ten drivers are drunk.
Twelve ounces of beer is the same as a shot of liquor or a five-ounce glass of wine.
Law enforcement officers are required to forward a written crash report to DMV when a traffic crash results in injury or the death of any person or total property damage is in excess of $1,500.
!In your lifetime, there’s a 50-50 chance that you’ll be involved in an alcohol-related crash.
!Nearly 50 percent of the drivers arrested for DUI are social-to-moderate drinkers. In your lifetime, there’s a 50-50 chance that you’ll be involved in an alcohol-related crash.
!If you refuse a breath test or your BAC is .08 or higher while you are driving and law enforcement charges you with driving while under the influence of alcohol/drugs, your driving privilege will be automatically suspended.
Summary
This part is going to put infomation regarding parameters like MPH, feet, age, time and fee into tables for better comparison.
| distancing | |||
| 2 feet | stationary highway trash collection, slow down 10 MPH | ||
| 3 feet | Horse-Drawn Buggies away approaching person riding bicycle, moped, or power-assisted bicycle | ||
| 15 feet | no park near hydrant entrance to fire, ambulance, rescue squad station | ||
| 20 feet | no park near intersection | blind spots may stretch up to 20 feet in front of the cab | |
| 50 feet | no park near cross road, railroad crossing | ||
| 100 feet | turn signal at least three or four seconds, 100 feet, ahead of the turn. | ||
| 150 feet | not travel more for more than 150 feet for left turn | ||
| 200 feet | lowbeam within 200 feet of vehicle ahead | blind spots approximately 200 feet behind the vehicle. | |
| 500 feet | no park near fire truck | use headlights when visibility <=500 feet lowbeam within 500 feet of vehicle ahead |
| 25MPH | 35MPH | 45MPH | 55MPH | 65MPH | 85MPH | |
| vehicle | slow moving vechicles(triangle with orange and red) | 🔹mopeds 🔸low speed vehicles operate on public roads with limit of 35 | ||||
| speeding | 81-84 in 65 with additional $100 | 20+ or 85MPH for reckless driving | ||||
| speed limit | school, business, residential | unpaved rd | 🔸all other roads 🔸The maximum speed limit for passenger vehicles and motorcycles on non-rural interstate highways and public highways that are not part of the interstate system is 55 mph. | |||
| speed cushion | 2s <=35 | 3s 35-45 | 4s 46-70 | |||
| average stopping distance | 85 feet | 135 feet | 195 feet | 265 feet | 344 feet |
| work zone | speeding | child | DUI | ||
| 50 | first offense for not secure childen | ||||
| 100 | additional if driving between 81-8MPH in 65 zone. | ||||
| 250 | using hand held devices in highway work zone | ||||
| 500 | speeding in highway work zone | uninsured fee age misrepresentation: 500 or 50 hours | 2nd&later offense for not secure childen | Alcohol violation <21: 500 or 50 hours of community service | |
| 1000 | 500-1000 transporting children under DUI | up to 1k restitution fee for DUI | |||
| 1500 | Law enforcement officers are required to forward a written crash report to DMV when a traffic crash results in injury or the death of any person or total property damage is in excess of $1,500 | ||||
| 2500 | providing alchol to children | ||||
| 5000 | suspend license for child support not in 90 days or $5000. |
- drive under influence of alcohol/drug[↩]
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