Arizona driver license manual

              Driver License Manual 2 3
Arizona Driver
License Manual
24 Motor Vehicle Division
About This Manual
This manual is designed to help you obtain a dri-ver
license or an instruction permit by explain-ing
the Arizona motor vehicle laws without
using technical language. It is not a proper legal
authority and should not be relied upon in a court of
law.
If you are applying for a motorcycle license, you will
need to study the Motorcycle Operator Manual in
addition to this manual. If you are applying for a
Commercial Driver License, please refer to the
Commercial Driver License Manual. All manuals are
available by calling one of the numbers below.
Q u e s t i o n s ?
(or if you have comments about this guide)
Phoenix (602) 255-0072
Tucson (520) 629-9808
elsewhere in Arizona 800-251-5866
(TDD service Phoenix 712-3222
elsewhere 800-324-5425)
www.dot.state.az.us
Revised 10/99
Table of Contents
Roadway And Vehicle Knowledge
Signal Lights ........................................................25
Traffic Signs .........................................................26
Mile Posts.............................................................28
Roadway Construction Warning Devices.............29
Pavement Markings..............................................30
Vehicle Dimensions/Equipment...........................30
Basic Driving Knowledge
Steering................................................................31
Signaling ..............................................................32
Turning................................................................32
Braking And Stopping..........................................35
Right-Of-Way......................................................36
Speed Limits ........................................................37
Passing .................................................................38
Backing................................................................38
Parking.................................................................38
Driving Te c h n i q u e s
City Driving.........................................................40
Freeway Driving...................................................41
Driving The Open Road......................................42
Night Driving ......................................................43
Emergencies.........................................................44
Weather Conditions.............................................46
Defensive Driving
Attitude and Alertness..........................................48
Foresight ..............................................................48
Knowledge and Experience ..................................49
Scanning ..............................................................49
Blind Spots...........................................................49
Communicating...................................................50
The Space Cushion..............................................50
Compromise ........................................................50
Driver Safety........................................................51
Driver Impro v e m e n t
Revocation ...........................................................52
Suspension and Traffic School..............................52
Failure To Appear Or Pay Fine For Citation.........53
Altered Or Fictitious License................................53
Driving Under The Influence...............................53
Aggressive Driving................................................55
Test Review Questions . . . . . . . . . . . .5 6
Driver License Manual 2 5
Roadway And
Vehicle Knowledge
The flow of traffic on our streets and highways is
controlled by various signal lights, traffic signs and
pavement markings. You must fully understand their
meaning in order to drive safely. There are also vari-ous
requirements concerning vehicle equipment that
you should know. This section provides information
about these important basics.
Signal Lights
Signal lights (red, yellow and green) are placed at
many intersections to regulate the direction and flow
of traffic. These traffic lights apply to pedestrians,
bicycle and moped riders, as well as to motorists. You
must obey the signals unless a police officer is direct-ing
traffic.
R e d
This signal means STOP. You must come
to a complete stop before you reach the
intersection, stop line or crosswalk.
Remain stopped for as long as the light
stays red. Where not prohibited by signs,
a right turn may be made after coming to
a complete stop, when motor traffic and
pedestrian traffic are clear.
Ye l l o w
This signal means CAUTION. A steady
yellow light is a warning that the light is
about to turn red. If you have not entered
the intersection, you should come to a
safe stop. If you are already in the inter-section,
you should continue moving and clear it
safely. Speeding up to “beat the light” is illegal and
could cause an accident.
G re e n
This signal means GO. You may go through an
intersection in the direction indicated by the signal if
the roadway is clear. Check right and left for oncom-ing
traffic.
Flashing Red Light
A flashing red light has the same meaning as a Stop
sign. You must come to a full stop; then proceed
with caution when the roadway is clear.
Flashing Yellow Light
A flashing yellow light means you should slow
down and proceed with caution if the roadway is
clear.
Red Arro w
A lighted red arrow means that you may not turn
in the direction of the arrow. You must stop and
wait for the green arrow to appear before making
the turn.
Yellow Arro w
A yellow arrow warns that the light is about to
change to red. If you have not entered the intersec-tion,
you must stop and wait for a
green arrow. If you are already in the
intersection, you should continue your
turn and clear the intersection safely.
G reen Arro w
A green arrow appearing alone or with
another signal light means that you
may proceed in the direction of the
arrow, if you are in the proper lane and
the roadway is clear.
Inoperative Signal Lights
When approaching an intersection with
an inoperative traffic control signal,
come to a complete stop before enter-ing
the intersection and then proceed
when the roadway is clear. If two vehi-cles
arrive at the intersection at about the same
time, both must stop and the driver of the vehicle
on the left must yield the right-of-way to the driver
on the right.
26 Motor Vehicle Division
Tr a ffic Signs
Traffic signs regulate traffic and provide important
information.
The shape of a traffic sign can give you as much
information about the meaning of a sign as the sign’s
color or wording. When visibility is poor, such as
in heavy rain, dust storms, or fog, you may be able
to make out only the shape of a particular sign.
R e g u l a t o ry
R e c t a n g u l a r
These signs regulate traffic and direct the driver’s
speed and direction.
Octagon — eight sides
This shape is reserved for stop signs. You must
come to a complete stop.
Triangle pointing down
This shape requires that you yield the right-of-way
to cross traffic or to merging traffic.
No Right Turn No “U” Turn
Turn Left or
Go Straight
Driver License Manual 2 7
Wa rn i n g
D i a m o n d
These signs are yellow. They warn of a possible danger ahead.
Tu rn, Curve And Winding Road Signs
These signs are used to warn drivers of turns in the
roadway. Below the signs may be small yellow
square signs indicating the safe speed to drive
through the curve.
P e n n a n t
This sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone.
School Crossing Sign
This five-sided (pentagon) shape marks a school crossing.
The speed limit is always 15 mph approaching a marked
school crossing.
R a i l road Wa rning Sign
A circle-shaped sign provides a warning that you are
approaching a railroad crossing.
Signal Ahead Two Way Traffic Bike Crossing Merge “Y” Intersection Divided
Highway
Low
Clearance
Slippery When
Wet
School Crossing
Ahead School Crossing
Cattle Crossing Crossroad to
the Right
Four-Way
Intersection
Crossroad to
the Left Hill Divided
Highway Ends
Side Road
at Angle
Pedestrian
Crossing
The Federal Highway Administration permits the optional use of fluorescent
yellow-green pedestrian, bicycle and school warning signs.
28 Motor Vehicle Division
R a i l road Crossing Sign
This sign marks the location of a railroad crossing. When
you arrive at a railroad crossing, you must stop no closer
than 15 feet from the nearest railroad track when you
observe any of the following:
• Flashing red lights
• Lowe red crossing gate
• Ringing bells
• Flagger warning of an approaching train
Do not cross the tracks until all signals have stopped and
the crossing gate is up all the way. Do not drive around or
under a gate that is lowered.
In addition to obeying the regulations above, the following
rules will reduce your chances of becoming another fatality:
• Expect a train on any track at any time
• Do not get trapped on a railroad cro s s i n g
• Get out of your vehicle if it stalls on the tracks
• Look for a second train in the other dire c t i o n
• Ne ver race with a train
• Watch for vehicles such as buses and gasoline tankers, which
must stop at railroad cro s s i n g s
• When driving at night, be alert for railroad crossing warning
signs that are not lighted
G u i d e
Highway Signs
Mile Posts
Arizona is one of the few states where all state highways
have mileage markers. These reference “posts” are set 2 feet
off the right shoulder and are about 1 mile apart.
Mile posts can be used to tell where you are located if you
have an accident, have mechanical problems, or are out of
gas. If you have to stop, note the route you are on and the
approximate distance from a mile post.
MILE
4
0
3
MILE
4
0
3
Interstate Route Marker U.S. Route Marker State Route Marker
Driver License Manual 2 9
Roadway Constru c t i o n
Wa rning Devices
Alerting and controlling devices are used in road
construction and in maintenance work areas to
direct drivers or pedestrians safely, as well as to pro-tect
the safety of highway workers. Orange is the
basic color for these devices. You must drive slowly
and be especially alert at all construction sites.
Always obey the posted speed limit.
C o n s t ruction and Maintenance Signs
Construction and maintenance signs are used to
notify drivers of possible danger in or near work
areas. Most signs used in highway and street work
areas are diamond-shaped.
Flashing Arrow Panels
Flashing arrow panels are used both day and night
to give advance warning to drivers to move to the
right or left into another lane. Slow down and pre-pare
to merge in the direction of the arrow.
E l e c t ronic Signs
Electronic message signs are used on some road-ways
to give you advance warning of construction
zones, special traffic directions, road closures or
even weather conditions.
Cones, Drums, and Barr i c a d e s
These devices are used to alert you and to guide
you safely through the work area. At night, they
may be equipped with warning lights. You must
slow down when you drive through these areas.
F l a g g e r s
Flaggers are often used in road work zones to stop,
slow or guide traffic safely through the area.
Flaggers wear orange vests or jackets and use red
flags or stop/slow panels to direct traffic through
work zones.
30 Motor Vehicle Division
Pavement Markings
Pavement markings are used to guide and warn
drivers, as well as to regulate traffic. Markings may
be either yellow or white and can appear in combi-nations.
Each combination has a different mean-ing.
Yellow center lines indicate that there is two-way
traffic, flowing in both directions. White lines
are used to separate lanes of traffic moving in the
same direction and to mark the edge of the road-way,
stop lines and pedestrian crosswalks.
B roken Yellow Lines
A broken yellow line indicates that pass-ing
on the left is permitted when the
roadway is clear. Since you are facing
oncoming traffic, overtaking and passing
must be done with extreme caution.
Solid and Broken Yellow Lines
A broken yellow line alongside a solid yel-low
line indicates that passing is permit-ted
only in one direction. If the broken
yellow line is on your side, you may pass
when the roadway ahead is clear. If the
solid yellow line is on your side, you may
not pass.
Double Yellow Lines
Double solid yellow lines mean that pass-ing
is not allowed in either direction. You
may not cross the lines unless you are
making a left turn.
B roken White Lines
Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic going in
the same direction. These lines may be crossed
with caution. (Remember to signal your intention
to change lanes.)
Solid White Lines
Solid white lines are used for turn
lanes and to prevent lane changes
near intersections. Arrows are
often used with the white lines to
indicate which turn may be made
from the lane.
Tu rn Lane Arro w
If you are traveling in a lane marked with a curved
arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the
direction of the arrow. If your lane is marked with
both a curved and a straight arrow, you may turn in
the direction of the arrow or you may go straight.
Painted Curbs
A painted curb means that you must follow special
rules to park there. The colors on the curbs mean:
W h i t e
You may stop only long enough to pick up or drop
off passengers.
Ye l l o w
You may stop only long enough to load or unload.
Stay with your car.
R e d
You may not stop, stand or park.
Vehicle Dimensions
Maximum Wi d t h
A vehicle and its load cannot be wider than 96 inch-es
(8 feet). On interstate highways and designated
state highways, the maximum width is 102 inches (8
feet 6 inches).
Maximum Height
The vehicle and its load cannot exceed a height of 13
feet 6 inches.
Driver License Manual 3 1
Vehicle Equipment
B r a k e s
Eve ry motor vehicle must have brakes in good work i n g
condition. Cars and trucks must have both a foot brake
and an emergency brake. Each set of brakes must apply
to at least two wheels. A motorc ycle must have at least
one brake that may be applied by hand or foot. Tr a i l e r s
of 3000 lbs or more gross weight must be equipped
with separate brakes.
Safety Belts
Each front seat occupant of a motor vehicle manu-factured
after 1972 must have the seat belt properly
fastened and adjusted while the vehicle is in motion
(See Page 21).
Child Safety Seats
A child less than 5 years old must be properly
secured in a child passenger restraint system while
being transported in a vehicle in this state (See Page 20).
Head Restraints
Seat back, head restraints are designed to reduce the
chance of whiplash injury in rear-end collisions. If
they are adjustable, they should be positioned to fit
against the back of your head and to line up with the
middle of the ear.
M u ff l e r
Every motor vehicle must have a muffler in good
working condition and in constant operation to pre-vent
excessive or unusual noise. It is against the law
to use a muffler “cut-out,” bypass or similar device.
Air Pollution Contro l
Motor vehicles of 1968 model year and newer must
be equipped with an exhaust emissions system to
help reduce air pollution. Also, the engine of every
motor vehicle must be equipped to prevent the
escape of excessive fumes and smoke (See Page 19).
Windows and Wi n d s h i e l d s
Vehicles must have a windshield without cracks and
windshield wipers that are in good working condi-tion.
Sun screening materials on windows and
windshields are legal only within certain limits.
Owners should make sure that the manufacturer or
installer of the material complies with Arizona law.
R e a rview Mirro r s
Every vehicle that is made or loaded so that the
driver’s view to the rear is blocked, must have at
least one outside mirror that shows the view of the
highway for at least 200 feet to the rear.
H o rns and Wa rning Devices
A working horn that can be heard for 200 feet is
required on your vehicle. Emergency vehicles may
have a siren, whistle or bell.
Red Lights and Flashers
Flashing red warning lights are prohibited on the
front of the vehicle, even those vehicles that are dis-abled,
except on authorized emergency vehicles,
school buses and snow removal equipment.
Hazard warning signal lights (emergency flashers)
should be activated whenever your vehicle is
stopped on the roadway or shoulder of the road.
Basic Driving
K n o w l e d g e
This section introduces the basics of driving: steer-ing,
signaling, turning, braking and stopping,
right-of-way, speed limits, passing, backing and
parking.
S t e e r i n g
Many new drivers tend to turn the steering wheel
too much because they are using a fender or part of
the hood as a guide. The proper way to stay in
your lane of travel is to look well ahead and make
only slight steering corrections as needed. Only
practice can teach you how to steer.
32 Motor Vehicle Division
S i g n a l i n g
Other drivers expect you to keep doing what you
are doing. Signaling lets them know you are going
to do something different and gives them time to
react to your move. Signaling does not give you
the right-of-way. Turns may be indicated using
electric turn signals, hand signals, or both. The law
designates which
lanes and posi-tions
you must use
when turning, and
requires you to
signal at least 100
feet before you
turn. The hand
signals are shown
here.
You should always
signal before you:
• Change lanes
• Turn at an inter-section
or into a driveway or alley
• Enter or leave a fre ew a y
• Pull away from the curb
• Pull over to the side of the ro a d
• Sl ow down or stop suddenly
Here are some other important signaling rules
to follow:
• Get in the habit of signaling eve ry time you change
d i rection. Signal even if you do not see anyone else
a round. It is the car you do not see, that is the most
d a n g e ro u s .
• Use both turn and hand signals in heavy traffic. A
hand signal may be seen by drivers who are seve r a l
cars back and cannot see your car signal lights.
• If you plan to turn beyond an intersection, do not
signal until you are in the intersection. If you signal
e a r l i e r, another driver may think you intend to turn
at the intersection and might pull into your path.
Tu rn i n g
Rules for turning apply at all locations, even drive-ways
and alleys, not just at intersections. Signal,
reduce your speed and turn smoothly. As you turn,
make sure to check for pedestrians, mopeds and bicy-cles.
Right Tu rn s
As you prepare to turn right, stay close to the right
curb or edge of the road. Do not swing wide before
or while turning.
Right On Red
When making a right turn at a red light, you must
first come to a complete stop before reaching the
marked or unmarked crosswalk. Be sure to check for
signs that may prohibit the turn.
Always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, bicy-clists
and of course, oncoming traffic. Unless signs
direct you otherwise, turn into the right lane of the
road you enter.
Left Tu rn
Right Tu rn
S t o p p i n g
or Slowing
A b ru p t l y
Driver License Manual 3 3
Left Tu rn
O n e - Way Road To One-Way Road
Approach with your car in the traffic lane nearest
the left curb. Turn without swinging wide. Bring
your car into the extreme left traffic lane on the
road you are entering. This is the only left turn sit-uation
where, unless signs prohibit it, you may
make the turn against a red light after stopping
and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.
Left Tu rn s
On a two-way road, approach the turn with your car
in the lane just to the right of the center line. Turn
just to the left of the center point of the intersection.
Enter the lane just to the right of the center line.
This avoids conflict with other traffic making either
right or left turns.
If a special lane for making left turns has been signed
or marked, use that lane — do not turn left from any
other lane.
The following diagrams show you how to make left
turns from or into one-way streets. In some areas,
turns may be made from more than one lane. If this
is allowed, signs and pavement markings will tell
you. At some locations, turns may be prohibited by
highway signs.
34 Motor Vehicle Division
Left Tu rn
Tw o - Way Road To One-Way Road
Approach the turn in the traffic lane just to the
right of the center line. As you enter the intersec-tion,
turn into the extreme left lane of the road
you are entering. (A right turn in the pattern also
is shown.)
Left Tu rn
O n e - Way Road To Tw o - Way Road
Approach the intersection in the traffic lane closest to
the left curb. Turn into the lane just to the right of
the center line. Do not move to the right lane with-out
checking traffic to your right and signaling for a
lane change. This turn cannot be made against a red
light.
Driver License Manual 3 5
distance will make it easier for the passing motorist
to pull back into the lane.
• When you are following a large vehicle, such as a
t r a c t o r - t r a i l e r, that blocks your field of vision of the
road ahead, you will need extra distance to see
a round the ve h i c l e .
Following Emergency Ve h i c l e s
You are not allowed to follow within 500 feet of fire
vehicles or other emergency ve h i c l e s .
Braking And Stopping
It takes long distances to come to a safe,
complete stop. Braking distance is dire c t l y
related to:
• Dr i ver perception time (length of time it
takes to see and re c o g n i ze a dangerous situ-a
t i o n )
• Dr i ver reaction time (time from perc e p t i o n
of danger to start of braking — the ave r a g e
is 0.75 seconds)
• Type and condition of the pave m e n t
• Type and condition of the tire s
• Vehicle design and condition of the shock
a b s o r b e r s
• Vehicle weight when loaded or tow i n g
• Type and condition of the brakes
• Speed of the ve h i c l e
The distance re q u i red to stop your vehicle is import a n t
in helping you choose a safe driving speed. This chart
can be used as a rough guide, but your actual stopping
distance will depend upon many of the above items.
When vehicles ahead do something unexpectedly, yo u
will need time to react. You need to keep enough fol-l
owing distance between you and the vehicles ahead to
a void a collision if the traffic stops suddenly.
A 2-second following distance is good for
most driving situations. Howe ve r, there
will be situations where a longer (3 to 6
seconds) following distance will be
re q u i re d :
• When driving on slippery roads, yo u
should double your following distance to
at least 4 seconds to allow for the extra
distance needed to adjust your speed or to
s t o p.
• When the driver behind you wishes to
pass, reducing your speed will allow that
d r i ver to pass more quickly. The added
Motor Vehicle Division
At a “T” intersection, the driver on the street which
ends must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the
cross street.
Alleys and Driveways
When entering the roadway from an alley or drive-way,
you must stop before reaching the sidewalk.
Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and approach-ing
vehicles.
Left Tu rn
When you are preparing to turn left, you must yield
the right-of-way to any oncoming vehicle and pedes-trian.
3 6
R i g h t - O f - Wa y
The law requires certain vehicles to yield the right-of-
way to other vehicles. The law does not actually
“give” the right-of-way to any particular motorist,
it just states who must yield. No one is allowed to
take the right-of-way if taking it means an accident
may result.
C o n t rolled Intersections
You must obey the traffic signals and signs. Yield
the right-of-way to other vehicles as directed. Do
not assume it is safe to proceed just because you
have the right-of-way. Check for traffic and pedes-trians.
U n c o n t rolled Intersections
If there are no traffic lights, stop signs or yield
signs, you should yield to the first vehicle in the
intersection.
If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at about
the same time, the driver on the left must yield to
the driver on the right.
Green vehicle has the right-of-way
Red Ve h i cle must yield.
Green vehicle has the right-of-way
Red Ve h i cle must yield.
Driver License Manual 3 7
School Buses
When approaching a school bus that is picking up or
dropping off passengers, you must come to a com-plete
stop before reaching the bus. A school bus will
have alternating flashing lights and a mechanical
stop-sign arm extended while passengers are entering
or leaving the bus. You must remain stopped until
the school bus moves ahead or until the stop-sign
arm and flashing lights are no longer shown. Look
out for children crossing the road in front of, or
behind the school bus.
You are not required to stop for a school bus on a
divided roadway, when traveling in the opposite
direction. A divided roadway is one in which the
road is separated by physical barriers such as a fence,
curbing or separation of the pavement. Roadway
striping by itself does not constitute a physical sepa-ration
of the roadway.
Caution: Motorists should exercise extreme care
when in the vicinity of any stopped school bus, as a
child may dart from the front or the rear of the bus.
E m e rgency Ve h i c l e s
Always be alert for emergency vehicles, especially at
intersections. Do not play your radio so loudly that
you are unable to hear sirens. Whenever a police car,
fire engine, ambulance or other emergency vehicle
approaches using a siren, lights or other warning
devices, you must yield the right-of-way. Drive at
once to the right side of the road and stop until the
vehicle has passed.
F u n e r a l s
Drivers must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle
that is part of a funeral procession being led by a
funeral escort vehicle flashing a red or a blue light.
P e d e s t r i a n s
You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians cross-ing
the street in any marked or unmarked crosswalk.
When the light turns green, you must still yield to
pedestrians and vehicles in intersections. The law also
requires vehicles to come to a complete stop at any
school crossing when the crosswalk is occupied by
any person. In the interest of safety, if you see per-sons
crossing any street, give them the right-of-way.
Visually Impaire d
The driver of a vehicle approaching a visually
impaired pedestrian who is carrying a white or
metallic cane, is using a guide dog or is assisted by
a sighted person, must yield the right-of-way and
take precautions to avoid injury to the pedestrian.
Speed Limits
Vehicle speed is an important part of traffic safety.
You must obey all speed regulations and be ready
to adjust your speed quickly if necessary.
Elements such as road conditions, traffic flow and
the number of accidents are used to determine the
p roper speed limits for roadways. You must obey all
posted limits. The following speed limits must be
o b s e rved when no limit is posted:
• 15 mph when approaching a school cro s s i n g
• 25 mph in any business or residential district
• 55 mph on open highways or city fre ew a y s
• 65 mph on designated open highways
• 75 mph on rural interstate highways
Adjusting Speed to Conditions
The speed limits are set for the best driving condi-tions.
When driving in bad weather, your speed
should be reduced to a level that is reasonable.
Three guidelines are:
• When driving on wet roads, reduce your speed by at
least one-third .
• When driving on roads with snow or ice, re d u c e
your speed by at least one-half.
• When driving in bad we a t h e r, double the follow i n g
distance from the vehicle in front of yo u .
Motor Vehicle Division
Impeding Tr a ff i c
Driving too slowly can be as dangerous as driving
too fast. Remember to drive in the right lane and
a l l ow faster moving vehicles to pass whenever yo u
a re driving slower than traffic around you. If yo u
become lost or disoriented, pull off the ro a d w a y
instead of slowing your ve h i c l e .
P a s s i n g
When you want to pass a vehicle traveling in the
same direction, pass on the left. Signal that you are
about to change lanes. Make sure you have time and
room to get all the way in front of the vehicle yo u
a re passing without creating danger for vehicles com-ing
tow a rd you. Move into the left lane and pass the
vehicle. When you can see the front or headlights of
the vehicle you passed in your re a rv i ew mirro r, look
over your shoulder to be sure the lane is clear, signal
that you are changing lanes, then return to the lane
on the right. This pro c e d u re also applies to passing
s l ow - m oving bicycles and mopeds.
When another vehicle comes up behind you and
sounds its horn or flashes its lights, move to the
right when safe and let it pass. Never speed up
when another vehicle is passing you.
Passing on the Right
Passing on the right is permitted only when it is safe
a n d :
• The driver of the other vehicle is making a left turn
( Ne ver pass to the left of a driver who has signaled a
left turn.)
• An open highway is clearly marked for two or more
lanes of vehicles moving in the same direction as
you are going
• You are in a business or residential district where the
p a vement is wide enough for two or more lanes of
vehicles moving in the direction you are going
• You must never pass on the right by driving off the
p a ved or main portion of the ro a d w a y.
3 8
Do Not Pass
You must not pass when:
• Ap p roaching a curve or the top of a hill where yo u
cannot see ahead to be sure of safe passing
• Ap p roaching within 100 feet of a street cro s s i n g
• Ap p roaching within 100 feet of a railroad cro s s i n g
• Within 100 feet of a bridge, tunnel, or underpass
w h e re your view is blocked
B a c k i n g
Backing is dangerous because it is hard for you to see
behind your car. Here are some rules you should fol-low
whenever you have to back your car:
1. Check behind your car before you get in. Children
or small objects are hard to see from the driver’s
seat.
2. Place your arm on the back of the seat and turn
a round so that you can look directly through the re a r
w i n d ow. Do not depend on your mirro r s .
3. Back slow l y. Your car is much harder to control and
to stop while you are backing.
P a r k i n g
When you park on a public roadway, you must be
sure that you are not in the way of traffic, obstruct-ing
visibility or in an illegal parking zone.
Parallel Parking
Your ability to judge distances while controlling the
speed of your vehicle is the key to completing this
maneuver. When parallel parking, be sure to continu-ally
check for oncoming traffic.
To parallel park correctly:
1. Check traffic behind you and signal that you are
s t o p p i n g .
2. Stop when you are alongside the forw a rd car and
your car’s back bumper lines up with the back
bumper of the parked vehicle. Leave approx i m a t e l y
two feet between you and the forw a rd car.
Driver License Manual 3 9
3. Shift into re verse. While looking over your right
s h o u l d e r, back up slowly while turning the wheel
sharply to the right.
4. When your front bumper passes the rear bumper of
the forw a rd car, turn the wheel sharply to the left.
Keep backing until parallel to the curb.
5. Straighten the wheels and slowly pull forw a rd .
E m e rgency Parking
In the event it becomes necessary for you to leave
your vehicle parked on a highway or street, follow
these rules:
1. Pull onto the shoulder of the road as far away fro m
traffic as possible. If there is a curb, pull your ve h i c l e
as close to the curb as possible.
2. Set your parking brake, shift into park or leave the
vehicle in gear, and turn off the engine.
3. Lock your ve h i c l e .
4. Set out proper emergency signals.
Parking on a Hill
When you park on a down-hill
grade, turn your wheels
toward the curb and set
your parking brake.
If you park on an uphill
grade, turn your wheels to
the left, let your car roll
back until the right front
wheel rests against the curb
and stops. If there is no
curb, turn the wheels to the
right so that the car will roll
away from the center of the
road in the event the brakes
fail. Always set your parking
brake.
P rohibited Parking
It is illegal to park:
• On a sidew a l k
• In front of a private or public drivew a y
• Within the boundaries of an intersection
• On a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk at
an intersection
• On any fre eway or interstate highway (except for an
e m e r g e n c y )
• In any area with signs prohibiting park i n g
• Within 15 feet of a fire hyd r a n t
• Within 50 feet of a railroad cro s s i n g
• On a bridge or within a tunnel
• In such a way that you create a hazard for other
ve h i c l e s
I n t e rnational Symbol of Access
This symbol, which appears on reserved parking
signs, placards and license plates, is the internation-al
symbol of access for persons with physical dis-ability.
Parking spaces marked with this symbol are
only to be used by vehicle displaying a valid plac-ard
or license plate with this symbol, and only
when transporting the person who was issued the
placard or plate.
It is illegal for anyone else to park in these spaces
and it may result in a minimum fine of $50.
Downhill-
Turn Wheels
Toward Curb
Uphill with Curb-
Turn Wheels Away
From Curb
Uphill - No Curb
Turn Wheels Toward
Edge of Road
Motor Vehicle Division
Driving Te c h n i q u e s
It is important for safety sake to obey traffic laws,
abide by the rules of the road and drive defensive l y.
City Driving
O n e - Way Stre e t s
If you will be traveling on a one-way street for sev-eral
blocks, it is best to stay in the center lane. The
left and right lanes will be used by turning ve h icles.
Reversible Lanes
Some travel lanes are
designed to carry
traffic in one direc-tion
at certain times
and in the opposite
direction at other
times. These lanes are usually marked by double-dashed
yellow lines. Before you start driving in
them, check to see which lanes you can use at that
time. There may be signs posted by the side of the
road or overhead.
School Crossing Ahead
You may encounter school crossings almost any-where.
These areas will have the following signs
and markings.
The maximum speed approaching a marked school
crossing is 15 mph. Passing another vehicle in a
school crossing is prohibited. There will often be a
crossing guard assisting youngsters crossing the
roadway. You must follow the instructions of the
crossing guard, and you must come to a complete
stop when any person is in the crosswalk.
4 0
Sharing the Road With a Bike
Bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as drivers
of motor vehicles, and they have the right-of-way
under the same conditions as motorists.
Motorists should be alert for bicyclists along the
roadway, because cyclists are often difficult to see.
Extra caution is necessary.
At night, you should dim your headlights for bicyc l i s t s .
Drivers should be prepared for a bicyclist swerving.
Although bicyclists must ride with the flow of traffic
and stay near the right side of the road, they can
legally move left for several reasons, such as:
• Turning left
• Avoiding hazard s
• Passing pedestrians or ve h i c l e s
• If the lane in which the person is operating a bicycle is
too narrow for a bicycle and motor vehicle to trave l
safely side by side
Important rules for bicyclists:
• Do not carry more persons than the design of the
b i c ycle permits
• Do not ride more than two side-by - s i d e
• Ride as near to the right side of the road as possible
• Use proper hand signals (See Signaling on Page 32)
• Do not bicycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol
— it is illegal
• When riding at night, have a white headlamp visible
f rom 500 feet, and a rear re f l e c t o r
Bike Crossing
School Crossing Ahead
School Crossing
Driver License Manual 4 1
Sharing The Road With A
M o t o rc y c l e
Mo t o rc yclists are more vulnerable to injury than a car
d r i ver if invo l ved in an accident. Most car/motorc yc l e
accidents are the result of a car turning in front of a
m o t o rc ycle; usually because the driver did not see the
m o t o rc ycle. Watch for the unexpected and give the
m o t o rc ycle its share of the ro a d .
S i z e
The small size of a motorcycle may make it hard to
spot in traffic, and it may appear to be farther away
and traveling slower than it actually is. Because it is
difficult to judge the distance and speed, drivers need
to pay close attention and take extra care.
Lane Position
Because of the motorc yc l e’s size, its position within a
lane will change as traffic conditions change. Often this
means riding in the left side of the lane to allow a bet-ter
view of traffic and road conditions. Howe ve r, as
conditions change, the rider may move to the center or
to the right side of the lane. These sideways move m e n t s
sometimes occur suddenly to avoid hazards. Mo t o r i s t s
need to be alert and to drive accord i n g l y.
I n t e r s e c t i o n s
Intersections are the most likely places for car/motor-cycle
collisions, which are usually the result of a dri-ver
turning into the motorcycle’s path. Do not
assume the rider’s intentions. A rider will move to
one side not only to prepare for a turn, but also to
avoid a hazard or to improve visibility.
Motorcycle turn signals do not automatically shut off
and riders may forget to cancel them after a turn is
completed. Make sure you know what the rider is
doing before you move into its path.
P a s s i n g
Mo t o rc ycles are allowed the full width of a lane in
which to maneuve r. Ne ver crowd into the same lane as
a motorc ycle. Returning to the original lane too soon
can force the rider to swe rve into traffic or off the ro a d .
F reeway Driving
Freeways and interstate highways are designed to
handle higher speed traffic safely. You need to be
comfortable with driving at these speeds and with
the special procedures discussed below before you
attempt freeway driving.
Entering a Fre e w a y
The key to entering a fre eway smoothly is to acceler-ate
on the entrance ramp/lane to match the speed of
f re eway traffic in the right lane. Then, signal, check
the traffic around you, and merge care f u l l y.
Dr i vers on the fre eway should signal and move left
one lane to assist traffic trying to merge from the
entrance ramp. Sometimes this does not happen,
h owe ve r, and it is up to you to adjust your speed to
m e r g e .
Stopping while entering a freeway is dangerous. If
you must stop, signal the vehicle behind you. Be
sure to leave enough room between you and the
vehicle ahead of you on the entrance ramp, so if
that vehicle stops, you can safely stop.
Lane Use
The right lane is used for entering and exiting, and
for slow traffic. The left lane is used by higher-speed
traffic.
Avoid the right lane of a fre eway during rush hour.
This will leave room for vehicles entering and exiting.
Be alert for other vehicles attempting to merge into
your lane, and use proper signals to let other dri-vers
know if you are changing lanes. Do not exceed
the posted speed limits. Avoid “tailgating” (follow-ing
the car ahead of you too closely).
Motor Vehicle Division
R e s t r i c t i o n s
On the freeway, you may not:
• Dr i ve over or across any dividing section or separation
• Make a U-turn
• Change lanes without signaling
• Dr i ve onto the fre ew a y, except at an on-ramp
• Pa rk or stop on the fre ew a y, except in specially prov i d-ed
areas (Pa rking on the shoulder of the fre eway is pro-hibited,
except in case of emergency. )
• Back up if you miss an exit (You must go on to the
next exit.)
• Dr i ve in any High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane
unless there are 2 or more persons in the vehicle, or
you have an Alternative Fuel license plate or you are
operating a motorc ycle or bus (These lanes have no
restrictions on weekends and holidays and betwe e n
9am-3pm and 7pm-6am Mo n d a y - Fr i d a y. )
• Dr i ve over or park in any part of a gore area. This is
the area between a through roadway and an entrance
or exit ramp.
Special Situations on the
F re e w a y
If you need assistance, pull over onto the right
shoulder as far as possible. Avoid stopping your
vehicle on or near freeway ramps.
To signal for assistance on the fre ew a y, turn on yo u r
emergency flashers and tie a white handkerchief or
s c a rf to the radio antenna, or raise the hood of the
c a r. To signal after dark, turn on your inside dome
light and/or set out flares or portable warning sig-nals.
Wait for help. Do not walk along the fre ew a y.
While driving on the freeway, watch for disabled
vehicles. If you are the first motorist to approach a
disabled vehicle, reduce your speed and turn on
your emergency flashers; then proceed around the
disabled vehicle with caution.
Exiting the Fre e w a y
Use your signals at least one-half mile before your
4 2
exit. Most freeways will have deceleration lanes to
assist you in your exit. Use proper braking to allow
for a smooth exit. Be sure to maintain adequate
space (space cushion) between your vehicle and the
vehicle ahead when exiting in heavy traffic.
Driving The Open Road
Driving on empty rural highways can be just as
dangerous as driving in heavy city traffic. It is easy
to relax your attention…and suddenly come upon
a dangerous surprise. Animals in the road, slow-moving
farm equipment just over the crest of a hill
or a low spot covered with water are not unusual
hazards in rural driving. Stay alert, watch for warn-ing
signs, and slow down when approaching curves
or hills that block your view of the roadway ahead.
Slow Moving Ve h i c l e s
Farm machinery and other slow-moving vehicles
can be particularly hazardous. Be sure to maintain
a safe following distance that provides an adequate
field of vision. Farm machinery
usually travels at 25 mph or less,
may take up more than one lane of
the road, and may not have signals.
To make a wide turn, operators of
farm machinery may first pull to
the left, then turn to the right.
When you see this symbol on the back of a vehicle
ahead, it is a warning to slow down. The vehicle
with the sign cannot travel faster than 25 mph.
Do not become impatient if you find yourself behind one
of these slow vehicles. It has the legal right to be there .
Sharing The Road With A Tru c k
He re are some suggestions from professional truck dri-ve
r s :
Driver License Manual 4 3
P a s s i n g
• When passing a truck, first check to your front and
re a r, and move into the passing lane only if it is clear
and you are in a legal passing zone. Let the tru c k
d r i ver know you are passing by blinking your head-lights,
especially at night. The driver will make it eas-ier
for you by staying to the far side of the lane.
• On a level highway, it takes only 3 to 5 seconds
longer to pass a truck than a car. On an upgrade, a
t ruck often loses speed, so it is easier to pass than a
c a r. On a downgrade, the tru c k’s momentum will
cause it to go faster, so you may need to incre a s e
your speed.
• Complete your pass as quickly as possible, and do
not stay alongside the other ve h i c l e .
• If the driver blinks the tru c k’s lights after you pass,
i t’s a signal that it is clear to pull back into the lane.
Be sure to move back only when you can see the
f ront of the truck in your re a r - v i ew mirro r. After
you pass a truck, maintain your speed.
• When a truck passes you, you can help the tru c k
d r i ver by keeping to the far side of your lane. Yo u
will make it easier for the truck driver if you re d u c e
speed slightly. In any event, do not speed up while
the truck is passing. After passing, the truck drive r
will signal to let you know that the truck will be
returning to your lane.
• When you meet a truck coming from the opposite
d i rection, keep as far as possible to the side to avo i d
a sideswipe accident and to reduce the wind turbu-lence
between the two vehicles. Remember that tur-bulence
pushes vehicles apart. It does not pull them
t o g e t h e r.
Following a Tru c k
• If you are following a truck, stay out of its “blind
s p o t” to the re a r. Avoid following too closely.
Position your vehicle so that you can see the tru c k’s
side mirrors. Then you will have a good view of the
road ahead and the truck driver can give you plenty of
warning for a stop or a turn. You will have more time
to react and make a safe stop.
• When you follow a truck at night, always dim yo u r
headlights. Bright lights from a vehicle behind will
blind the truck driver when they reflect off the tru c k’s
large side mirro r s .
• If you are stopped behind a truck on an upgrade, leave
space in case the truck drifts back slightly when it start s
to move. Also, keep to the left in your lane so the drive r
can see that you are stopped behind the tru c k .
Right Tu rn s
• Pay close attention to truck turn signals. Trucks make
wide right turns and sometimes must leave an open
space to the right just before the turn.
• To avoid an accident, do not pass a truck on the right if
t h e re is any possibility that it might make a right turn.
Night Driving
Reduced visibility, glare from oncoming headlights,
and unseen objects in the road all combine to make
night driving hazardous. In the late afternoon, as soon
as the light begins to fade, turn on your headlights —
not parking lights — to make your vehicle more visible
to others. You must use headlights from sunset to sun-rise,
but be aware that other drivers may not have
turned on their headlights.
Headlights are a poor substitute for daylight. Ne ve r
d r i ve so fast that you cannot stop within the distance
you can see ahead with your lights. Use low beams
when driving on city or town streets. Use high beams
on highways when no other vehicle is coming tow a rd
you within 500 feet. Switch to low beams wheneve r
you meet oncoming traffic to avoid blinding the other
d r i ve r. When following another car, use low beams
w h e n e ver you are within 200 feet.
Motor Vehicle Division
If the high beams of an oncoming car are not
dimmed, avoid looking directly at the bright
lights. Glance toward the right side of the road,
then look ahead to determine the position of the
other vehicle. Keep doing this until you have
passed the other vehicle.
Do not become a victim of “Highway Hy p n o s i s” or
“White Line Fe ve r” (a trance-like state that can
occur during a long period of highway driving).
Anytime you become tired when traveling, pull ove r
and rest. Use the radio and fresh air to ward off
highway hypnosis. Stop eve ry hour to walk and exe r-cise.
This will help keep you alert .
E m e rg e n c i e s
Skids, tire blowouts and mechanical failures can
happen at any time. You need to be prepared to
handle them.
Some of the most common driving problems are dis-cussed
below. By following the suggestions, you should
be able to deal with most emergency situations.
Brake Failure
1. Pump the brakes rapidly. This may build up
enough pressure to stop your vehicle.
2. If pumping the brakes does not work, slowly
apply the parking brake. Be sure to hold the
brake release so you can ease off the brake if the
rear wheels lock and the car begins to skid.
3. Shift to low gear and look for a place to stop.
Do not pump anti-lock brakes.
Skid Recovery
Driving on a slippery roadway surface or braking too
sharply can throw your vehicle into a skid. W h e n
this occurs, there are several actions to take:
1. Do not press on the brake any further; this will
only make the skid worse.
4 4
2. Turn the wheel quickly in the direction you want
your vehicle to follow (in the direction of the skid).
3. As the car begins to straighten out, turn the wheel
quickly back the other way, so your vehicle does not
skid in the opposite dire c t i o n .
4. Continue turning the wheel back and forth as neces-s
a ry until your vehicle straightens to its normal path.
Ti re Blowout
1. Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep your ve h i c l e
going straight
2. Ease off the gas pedal; do not apply the brakes
3. Let the vehicle slow down until it is almost stopped
4. Just before your vehicle stops, pull off the ro a d w a y
and apply the brakes
F i re
• Fi res are usually caused by a short circuit in the electri-cal
system. If you have a fire, pull quickly off the ro a d ,
shut off the ignition to cut electrical power and get all
passengers away from the car.
• Always carry a fire extinguisher. Do not use water if
gasoline is burning since this will spread the flames. If
you do not have a fire extinguisher, a heavy blanket, a
heavy coat or sand can help to smother the flames.
• Fi res are dangerous. If you have any indication that
the fire may be beyond your control, get away fro m
the ve h i c l e .
O v e rh e a t i n g
Steam coming from under your hood may mean that
your cooling system has overheated. You should:
1. Pull to the side of the road and turn off your engine
i m m e d i a t e l y.
2. Raise the hood but do not open the radiator cap.
Opening the radiator cap while the engine is hot may
a l l ow steam to escape and cause seve re burns.
Driving a car with an overheated cooling system can
ruin the engine. Most cooling problems are easily
fixed by skilled mechanics.
Driver License Manual 4 5
Carry extra water in your car to add to your radia-tor
if the engine overheats. Never attempt to add
water while the engine is hot! Add water only after
the engine has cooled.
Power Steering Failure
( Example: Your engine dies as you pull around a corner. )
1. Pull on the wheel with both hands to complete the
turn and steer to the right side of the ro a d .
2. Stop the car; push the brakes extra hard if yo u r
vehicle has power brakes.
3. Shift to neutral and try to re s t a rt the engine.
Headlight Failure
1. Try the high beam/low beam switch. This may
re s t o re normal function.
2. Turn the headlight switch on and off several times.
3. If neither of these steps works, put on the park i n g
lights, emergency flashers or turn signals; pull to
the side of the road and stop.
Accelerator Sticks
1. Keep your eyes on the road and shift quickly to
n e u t r a l .
2. Pull off the road as quickly as you can.
3. Bring your car to a stop and turn off the engine.
C o l l i s i o n s
If you are stopped at a traffic light or stop sign and
another vehicle is approaching you from behind at
a high rate of speed, you should:
1. If possible, pull your vehicle forw a rd in an effort to
g i ve the approaching vehicle more room to stop.
2. If the accident cannot be avoided, brace yo u r s e l f
b e t ween the steering wheel and the back of the seat
and release your brake an instant before impact.
This will help to lessen the impact.
If you are in danger from a potential head-on colli-sion:
1. Reduce your speed and flash your headlights in an
e f f o rt to warn the other drive r. Using your horn
might also be effective .
2. Head for the shoulder of the road, even if you must
hit a fence or go through bushes.
3. If you cannot avoid the collision, try to maneuve r
your vehicle in such a way as to lessen the severity of
i m p a c t .
Always wear your safety belts. This is the best thing
you can do to protect yourself from injury in the
event of a collision.
Accident Report s
If you are involved in an accident, you are to remain
at the scene of the accident to provide assistance to
any person injured and to exchange information with
the other drivers. You should provide:
• Driver license number
• Name and address
• Insurance company name and policy number
• Information on witnesses of the accident
• License plate numbers
If anyone was injured, you are also required to
immediately file a report with the police.
Assisting at the Scene of an Accident
If you are one of the first persons to come upon the
scene of an accident:
• Pull your vehicle off the ro a d
• Turn off the ignition of vehicles invo l ved in the acci-d
e n t
• Do not smoke
• Gi ve as much assistance as possible to those who may
h a ve been injured. Howe ve r, do not move injured per-sons,
unless there is danger of fire .
Motor Vehicle Division
• Notify emergency officials — call 911
• Do not stand or walk in traffic lanes
• Ask others who have stopped, to warn the
a p p roaching traffic
Recommended Emergency Equipment
• Bl a n k e t s
• Gl ove s
• Ma p s
• First Aid Kit
• Su n g l a s s e s
• Fo o d
• Can Op e n e r
• Ti re Chains
• Gasoline Can
• Ro p e
• Water Containers
• Electrical Ta p e
• Fl a re s
• Jumper Cables
• Fl a s h l i g h t
• Rags
• Mi r ro r
• Motor Oi l
• Fi re Ex t i n g u i s h e r
• Notepad and Pe n c i l
• Jack, Lug Wrench and Sp a re Ti re
Hand tools (screwd r i ve r, pliers, wre n c h e s )
Weather Conditions
Driving becomes more difficult when your ability to
see is reduced by bad weather or when the road sur-face
is cove red with rain, snow or ice. Reduced visibili-ty
and traction problems often occur at the same time.
Remember that changes in road and weather con-ditions
will reduce your time to react and that
those conditions will affect the way your car han-
4 6
dles. You must be ready to respond. The first rule is
to slow down to make up for reduced visibility and
reaction time in any kind of weather.
Sun Glare
Bright sunlight in the early morning or late afternoon
c reates a glare when driving into the sun. Gl a re can be
reduced by wearing sunglasses, keeping windows clean
and using sun visors. If the sun is behind you, oncom-ing
drivers may have the glare problem. They may not
be able to see your signals or your car.
Wi n d
Strong winds, especially crosswinds, can make it
more difficult for you to control your vehicle. Wind
is very dangerous if you are driving a camper or large
recreational vehicle, or if you are towing a trailer.
Lightweight vehicles are also more difficult to control
in strong winds.
To gain more control over your vehicle in a strong
wind, slow down. If you are approaching an open
space after driving in a protected area, be alert for
crosswinds that will push you to the side or middle
of the road. If you are pulling a trailer, the wind may
cause your vehicle to sway. Be ready to make neces-sary
steering corrections.
When you meet large trucks or buses, you may also
h a ve to make steering corrections because of the gusts
of wind these vehicles create. If you are pulling a trailer,
wind currents can cause your vehicle to jackknife.
When a truck or bus is passing you on the left, move as
far as possible to the right of your lane and slow dow n .
As the vehicle passes, accelerate slowly to keep the trail-er
pulling in a straight path.
If you are driving into a strong head wind, you may
need to accelerate more, and steering will be more diffi-cult.
A tailwind will increase your speed, so you will
h a ve to decelerate and begin braking earlier to stop.
Driver License Manual 4 7
your engine, hide potholes and can carry your ve h i c l e
d ow n s t ream. Estimate the depth of the water by
looking at parked cars or other objects along the
road; watch what other vehicles are doing. Two ve h i-cles
should not meet in deep water; one should go
e n t i rely through before another starts from the other
d i rection. This reduces the possibility of stalling
caused by waves of water. You may be charged for
emergency response expenses, if you or your ve h i c l e
needs to be re m oved from a flooded ro a d .
Driving through water must be done at a slow and
steady speed. Applying the brakes gently with yo u r
left foot may help keep them dry. Check your brakes
after leaving the water to see if they will stop the car.
If the brakes are wet, they may suddenly grab or pull
to one side. Dry them by accelerating slowly while
gently holding down the brake pedal.
F o g
Fog reflects light and can reflect your own headlights
into your eyes. When driving in fog, use low beams
only and look for road edge markings to guide yo u .
Even light fog reduces visibility and your ability to
judge distance, so it is ve ry important to slow dow n .
Since conditions may change from moment to
moment as you pass through areas of even thicker
fog, you should adjust your speed and be pre p a re d
for emergency maneuvers. If necessary, pull off the
road and turn your headlights off; then stay there
until the fog lifts.
Snow and Ice
Sn ow limits visibility, so turning on your headlights
is necessary to see and to be seen. Often, snow will
completely cover lane markings. Dr i vers may tend to
m ove away from the edge of the road, thus passing
closer to each other. Sn ow or ice between your tire s
and the road greatly reduces your traction and
i n c reases the distance you need to stop by 5 to 6 sec-onds.
On slippery surfaces, you have the most trac-
D u s t
Summer dust storms are common in Arizona and
can, at times, reduce a drive r’s visibility to ze ro. Yo u
should tune your radio to a local radio station for up-to-
the-minute weather and road condition re p o rt s .
If you encounter a severe dust storm:
1. Reduce your speed immediately
2. Drive carefully off the highway
3. Stop as far to the right as possible
4. Turn off your lights
5. Wait until the dust storm has passed
R a i n
Driving in heavy rain can be hazardous, especially if
you also encounter gusty wind conditions, such as in
a thunderstorm. Vehicles to the rear and in blind
spots are especially difficult to see. Wait a short time
after the rain begins before using your wipers. The
blades may cause smearing if you have a dirty wind-shield.
You should slow down to increase the distance
between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead to at least
4 seconds. Be extra careful during the 30 minutes
after rain begins; grime and oil on the road surface
mix with water and make the road slippery.
Hydroplaning may occur during rainstorms. In a
heavy rain, your tires can ride on a film of water, and
at 50 mph your tires can lose all contact with the
road. Underinflated, worn, or bald tires lose contact
with the road at much lower speeds. A slight change
of direction or gust of wind could throw your vehicle
into a skid. The best way to prevent hydroplaning is
to slow down. If your car does hydroplane:
• Take your foot off the accelerator
• Do not brake
• Avoid steering changes (if possible)
• Hold the wheel firmly until your tires grip the road
again
Heavy rain frequently causes “flash floods” in Arizo n a
washes. Do not cross flooded washes. Water can stall
Motor Vehicle Division
tion and control when the front tires are ro l l i n g ;
t h e re f o re, your vehicle will respond better to steering
than to braking.
If you decide to brake on ice or other slippery sur-faces,
apply the brakes gently, increasing the pres-sure
as you feel the tires grip the road. Do not
brake to the point that the wheels lock. If the
wheels should lock, ease slightly off the brakes, but
do not release them completely. This action may
unlock them without losing brake power entirely.
Then apply the brakes and ease off again, repeat-ing
the process.
Here are some other suggestions for safe winter
driving:
• Be f o re you start driving, clear snow or ice from all
w i n d ows and lights so you can see and be seen.
• Equip your car with snow tires or chains to help
p re vent skidding and reduce stopping distances.
• Dr i ve gently; do not change speed or direction sud-d
e n l y.
• Sl ow down before stopping or turning. Driving on
packed snow is much like driving on ice.
• Watch for ice on bridges and in shady areas. Br i d g e
s u rfaces fre eze before other road surf a c e s .
Defensive Driving
“ De f e n s i ve Dr i v i n g” means being constantly aware
of the driving conditions, planning ahead, anticipat-ing
dangers and taking the right action so as not to
come in contact with any obstacle or other ve h i c l e .
All of us want to avoid collisions that result in
personal injury or even death. But, even when
there is no personal injury, a collision means
inconvenience and auto repair costs. It may also
result in a court appearance and fines, as well as
4 8
increased insurance rates. You have a great financial
stake in your own good driving record. Driving
defensively will help protect your life and your dri-ving
record.
Attitude and Aw a re n e s s
Courtesy and consideration toward others are the
most important driving attitudes you can develop.
They are the key to safe driving.
Concentration and alertness are other important ele-ments.
You must develop the habit of keeping your
mind on driving. The driver seat is no place for day-dreaming,
window shopping, ego building, or worry-ing.
Driving when you are suffering from extreme
fatigue or emotional distress can be just as dangerous
as driving drunk.
F o re s i g h t
In driving terms, foresight means being able to size up
traffic situations as quickly as possible and being pre-p
a red to take corre c t i ve action. Safe driving re q u i re s
e xe rcising good judgment and recognizing the pro p e r
choices to make in any given traffic situation.
• Suppose you are driving down a steep hill; you apply
your brake, but your vehicle does not decrease in
speed. Should you pump the brake? Shift to a lowe r
gear? Apply the emergency brake? Run into some-t
h i n g ?
• Perhaps you see a driver traveling in the wrong dire c-tion
on a one-way street. Should you honk the horn?
Stop? Flash your lights? Move to another lane?
• Maybe you are driving on a fre eway and suddenly yo u
come upon a five-car pileup. Do you leave the scene
and call for help? Try to give medical attention to
those with injuries? Set up flares at the accident scene?
Any of these choices could be the right thing to do.
Driver License Manual 4 9
road. To avoid the need for last minute decision-making,
look ahead for a distance of about one city
block. Whenever you reach a place in the road
where other cars, people or animals may cross your
path, look to both sides to be sure the way is clear.
These trouble spots include intersections, cross-walks,
shopping centers, construction areas and
playgrounds.
When entering an intersection, be sure to check both
left and right before proceeding. By frequently check-ing
the traffic behind you, you will know when
someone is tailgating or moving up too quickly.
Check your re a rv i ew mirror often for the position of
traffic behind you. When changing lanes, use yo u r
side mirrors and turn your head, to be sure that it is
safe to proceed with the lane change. By knowing the
speed and position of traffic on all four sides of yo u r
vehicle, you will be better able to make decisions
quickly and safely.
Blind Spots
Blind spots are areas on the left and right sides of
your vehicle that are not visible in your mirror. If
your vehicle does not have a right side view mirror,
the right blind spot will be larger than the one on
the left. Other blind spots can occur when vehicles
are parked too close to an intersection or when
bushes, trees and buildings block your view. In sit-uations
like these, inch your vehicle forward until
you have a clear view. Then proceed when the way
is clear.
It all depends on how you evaluate your driving situ-ation
and the existing conditions.
You will be constantly making decisions every mile
you drive. There is a right way to make these deci-sions.
It is known as defensive driving.
Knowledge and Experience
The beginning driver should learn through instruc-tion,
observation and practice. If you are not enrolled
in a driver training program, ask an experienced,
skilled, licensed driver for help. After you obtain
your instruction permit, practice starting, stopping
and vehicle control in a parking lot or other open
area with little traffic. Practice will sharpen your basic
skills, as well as build your confidence.
Experienced drivers, on the other hand, often face
the problems of carelessness, overconfidence and bad
driving habits that develop over time. Changes have
taken place in cars and trucks and in driving rules
and techniques. The amount of traffic is constantly
increasing. Your ability to adjust and adapt to these
changes will determine how safe a driver you really
are. Your knowledge should include recognition of
the hazards of driving and how to protect yourself.
Skill is more than eye/hand/foot coordination. It is a
well rehearsed driving strategy, which involves antici-pation,
reaction and the constant changing of the
space between your vehicle and other vehicles. You
must continually strive for improvement.
Improvement can be measured in your elimination of
risk-taking, your adherence to speed limits and your
ability to take corrective action when necessary.
S c a n n i n g
Most of what you do as a defensive driver is in
response to what you see while driving. Avoid a fixed
stare. Keep your eyes moving and learn to “read” the
Motor Vehicle Division
Avoid driving in someone else’s blind spot. This
can be just as dangerous as not checking your own.
Speed up or drop back, but never stay for an
extended time in a blind spot area. Make sure your
vehicle can be seen by other drivers.
Do not rely on your mirrors alone to see other ve h i-cles.
Turn your head quickly to see if the way is clear.
C o m m u n i c a t i n g
Communicating means clearly showing other drive r s
and pedestrians what you plan to do early enough to
a void a collision. Any time you plan to change dire c-tions,
use your turn signals — whether you are chang-ing
lanes, turning at an intersection, entering a fre ew a y,
pulling away from a curb or pulling off to the side of
the road. De velop the habit of using your turn signals
e ven when you do not see other vehicles on the ro a d .
The vehicle you do not see is the most dangerous one.
He re are some rules to follow :
• Signal at least 4 seconds before you turn so other dri-vers
will have time to re a c t .
• If you plan to turn beyond an intersection, do not sig-nal
until you are in the intersection. Dr i vers in the
intersection may pull out in front of yo u .
• After you complete your move, be sure your turn sig-nal
is off.
The Space Cushion
The space between you and other vehicles gives yo u
(and the other drivers) time to react in emergencies and
a void collisions. Create a space cushion around you by
staying in the middle of your lane. Make sure there is
enough room ahead and behind to pass or stop safely.
When sharing a lane with a bicycle, try to allow 2 to 4
feet for clearance between you and the bicyc l e .
Moderate your speed. At high speeds, your vehicle may
cause a gust of wind that could knock the bicyclist to
the ground. Be alert for the bicycle swe rv i n g .
5 0
Leave enough space between you and the car ahead
of you to allow for a sudden stop. At high speeds, the
distance your vehicle travels while you are reacting to
a problem is greater — and your margin for error is
less. If you are following too closely, you may not be
able to stop in time.
At any speed, you can use the 2-second rule to deter-mine
if you have enough cushion between you and
the vehicle you are following.
You can help the driver behind you maintain a safe
following distance by driving at a constant speed and
signaling in advance whenever you are slowing or
stopping. After all, you know what you are going to
do, but the other driver does not.
If another driver follows you too closely, move to anoth-er
lane if there is room, or when the road ahead is clear,
gradually slow down and move to the right. T h e s e
actions should encourage the tailgater to pass yo u .
Remember, what you do can affect the driver behind
you, especially if you must stop suddenly.
C o m p ro m i s e
Another important defensive driving skill is compro m i s e .
When you cannot separate risks, and you must deal
with two or more at the same time, compromise by
giving the most room to either the greatest or most
likely danger. For example, suppose you are driving
on a two-lane street with oncoming cars to your left
and a child riding a bike to your right. The child is
the most likely to move suddenly, so you need a larg-er
space cushion to the right. In this case, moving
closer to the center line is the correct compromise.
Driver License Manual 5 1
Driver Safety
H e a l t h
Your physical, mental and emotional conditions out-weigh
any other potential problems you will face on
the road. Even a simple headache or cold could affect
your ability to drive safely. Be as objective as possible
about your fitness to drive. Postpone your trip or have
someone else drive if you are ill.
Drugs can affect your ability to drive safely. Many con-tain
chemicals that can affect your alertness and coord i-nation,
and they may also cause drowsiness and dizzi-ness.
Read the label before taking any drug or medicine.
Call your physician for possible side effects of the med-ication
and the impact it might have on your driving.
E m o t i o n s
You cannot drive well if you are angry, excited, worried
or depressed. Anger is the emotion that probably occurs
most often while driving, especially in heavy traffic. Do
not allow your emotions to influence the decisions yo u
must make while driving. Giving your emotions a
foothold over your judgment will result in driving erro r s .
F a t i g u e
If you find yourself feeling sleepy while driving, it is
already past the time to get off the road. Fatigue dulls
the mind and reduces your ability to act quickly and
correctly. Rest is the only safe remedy. To avoid
fatigue, follow these guidelines:
• Get plenty of rest before you start a long trip
• Try not to drive late at night
• Take frequent rest stops, get out of the vehicle and
e xe rcise, breathe deeply and move aro u n d
• Do not stare straight ahead, keep your eyes mov i n g ,
and check your mirrors and dash gauges
• Roll down the windows to get fresh air, sing along
with the radio, or chew gum
• If possible, change drivers fre q u e n t l y
D i s t r a c t i o n s
Minor distractions can take your attention away fro m
driving. T h e re is a potential accident in eve ry minor
distraction. It is your responsibility to pay full atten-tion
to your driving. Avoid minor distractions such as:
• Se a rching for an item dropped on the seat
• Reaching across the dash into the glove compart m e n t
• Trying to get out of a sweater or jacket, or fasten a
safety belt while driving
• Controlling childre n
• Reading a road map
• Using a phone
Cell Phones
It is best to pull off the road safely and stop if you are
going to use a cellular telephone. Trying to dial, answe r
or talk on a phone while driving can dive rt your atten-tion
from your driving and can be dangero u s .
Drinking And Driving
Alcohol and driving do not mix. The driver who
drinks, causes accidents, injuries and death.
Driving is a serious business that requires the ulti-mate
in skill and judgment — both of which are
diminished through consumption of alcohol.
Alcohol seriously reduces your reflexes, physical
control over the vehicle and ability to recognize
dangerous situations.
These combined physical effects make the drinking
driver, a dangerous driver. Even when you may not
appear or feel drunk, alcohol produces a false sense
of confidence in your driving ability.
Do Not Drink and Drive!
Motor Vehicle Division
Driver Impro v e m e n t
Along with your Arizona driver license comes the
obligation to drive responsibly. “Driver
Improvement” refers to the process of identifying
those who are not driving responsibly and either
correcting their behavior or removing their privi-lege
to drive in Arizona.
R e v o c a t i o n
Re vocation is the re m oval of your privilege to drive .
It is re q u i red by law, upon conviction of certain dri-ving
offenses. Once your re vocation period has
ended, your driving privileges will remain re vo k e d
until an investigation is completed. The inve s t i g a t i o n
is to determine that all withdrawal actions have
ended, and that all statutory re q u i rements are met.
You will be re q u i red to pay the appropriate applica-tion
fee and a $20 reinstatement fee, and you may
be re q u i red to file a Certificate of Insurance (com-monly
known as an SR-22). A written, vision and
road test may be re q u i re d .
Your driving privilege will be revoked for:
• Driving a vehicle under the influence of any dru g
• Any homicide or aggravated assault involving use of
a ve h i c l e
• Any felony in which a vehicle is used
• Pe r j u ry relating to the ownership or operation of a
ve h i c l e
• Fa i l u re to stop and render aid at the site, if you are
i n vo l ved in a traffic accident
• Dr i ve - by shooting
• Aggravated DUI
Your driving privilege will be revoked for two or
more convictions for:
• Driving while Under the Influence of alcohol or
d rugs (DUI)
5 2
• Reckless driving
• Racing on the highways
In addition, your driving privilege may be re voked for:
• Fa i l u re to take and pass a re q u i red driving re t e s t
• Me d i c a l l y, psychologically or physically incapable of
operating a motor vehicle or continued operation of a
motor vehicle which would endanger the public
health, safety and we l f a re
Suspension and Tr a ff i c
S c h o o l
Suspension is the temporary re m oval of your driving
privilege. It is an action that may be taken after a
re v i ew of your driving re c o rd. The suspension re m a i n s
in effect until application for reinstatement is made.
In addition to the reinstatement fee, you must pay the
a p p ropriate license application fee for your age gro u p.
Each time you are convicted or forfeit bail for a mov i n g
traffic violation, points are assessed against your perma-nent
driving re c o rd. If you accumulate 8 or more points
within any 12-month period, you may be re q u i red to
attend Traffic Su rv i val School (TSS), or your driving priv-ilege
may be suspended up to 12 months (See Page 17).
Points are assessed as follow s :
Vi o l a t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P o i n t s
D U I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ex t reme DUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Reckless driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Racing on highways . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
A g g re s s i ve driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Leaving the scene of accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fa i l u re to stop for a traffic signal, stop sign
or to yield the right-of-way, causing death. . . . . . . . 6
Fa i l u re to stop for a traffic signal, stop sign
or to yield the right-of-way, causing
serious injury . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Driver License Manual 5 3
F a i l u re To Appear Or Pay Fine For
C i t a t i o n
Your driver license will not be issued or re n ewed if
MVD has been notified that you have not appeare d
in court for a traffic violation charge. When you are
cited for a traffic violation, your signature on the
citation is a promise to appear in traffic court. If yo u
fail to appear in court, or fail to pay a fine for a
m oving traffic violation, the court may direct MVD
to suspend your driving privileges. When you have
satisfied the court, you may take the court docu-ments
to any driver license office to apply for re i n-statement
of your driving privilege.
A l t e red Or Fictitious License
It is unlawful to display any license that you know is
canceled, re voked, suspended, fictitious or altered. It
is also illegal to alter a license or obtain a false drive r
license. These actions will result in your driving privi-leges
being suspended; you are also subject to possi-ble
fines and/or a jail sentence.
Driving Under The Influence
When you apply for and accept the privilege to
drive a vehicle in Arizona, you give consent to test-ing
for alcohol concentration or drug content if
you are arrested for driving while under the influ-ence;
this is known as the Implied Consent Law.
The term “alcohol concentration” (AC) refers to
the amount of alcohol present in your bloodstream.
It is measured by having you submit to a test or
tests of blood, breath, urine or other bodily sub-stance.
When a law enforcement officer has reason to believe
you have been driving while under the influence of
i n t oxicating liquor or drugs (DUI), the officer will
request that you submit to testing. If you refuse, or if
you do not successfully complete the test, your
driving privileges will be suspended for 12 months or
24 months for a second refusal within 60 months.
Sp e e d i n g. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Driving over or parking in a gore are a . . . . . . . . . . . 3
All other moving violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
MVD may suspend or revoke your driving privilege
or require you to attend and successfully complete an
approved TSS if you:
• Ha ve been convicted of frequent, serious offenses
which show disrespect for traffic laws and a disre g a rd
for the safety of others
• Ha ve been convicted of reckless driving or are a re p e a t
reckless or negligent drive r
• A re medically unsafe to drive a motor ve h i c l e
• Ha ve committed or permitted an unlawful or fraudu-lent
use of your driver license
• Ha ve been convicted of driving a motor vehicle while
under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or toxic va p o r s
• Ha ve been arrested for refusal to take or successfully
complete a chemical test (alcohol/drug content). T h e
penalty for refusal or unsuccessful completion is a 12-
month suspension of your driver license.
• A re under the age of 21 and have been convicted of
receiving, consuming or possessing alcohol
• A re under the age of 21 and have been convicted of
any illegal drug violation
• Ha ve an unre s o l ved judgment from another state
• Ha ve committed an offense for which mandatory
re vocation of the driving privilege is re q u i red upon
c o n v i c t i o n
Following the suspension or revocation period of
your license, you must pay the appropriate applica-tion
fee to regain your license. In addition, you may
be subject to an investigation and you may be
required to file an SR-22 Insurance Certificate.
5 4 Motor Vehicle Division
D U I
• First Offense – You will be jailed for not less than 10
c o n s e c u t i ve days, fined not less than $250 and yo u r
license will be suspended for 90 days. You will also
be re q u i red to undergo alcohol screening /education
/ t reatment and may be ord e red to perform commu-nity
serv i c e .
• Second Offense – You will be jailed for not less than
90 days, fined not less than $500 and your license
will be re voked for one ye a r. You will also be re q u i re d
to undergo alcohol scre e n i n g / e d u c a t i o n / t re a t m e n t
and to equip any vehicle you operate with a cert i f i e d
ignition interlock device, and may be ord e red to per-form
community serv i c e .
E x t reme DUI
This category of DUI applies to a person with an
alcohol concentration of 0.18 or higher.
• First Offense – You will be jailed for not less than 30
c o n s e c u t i ve days with no eligibility for probation or
suspended sentence and fined not less than $250. Yo u
will also be re q u i red to undergo alcohol
s c re e n i n g / e d u c a t i o n / t reatment and may be ord e red to
p e rform community service and to equip any ve h i c l e
you operate with a certified ignition interlock device
• Second Offense – You will be jailed for not less than
120 days, fined not less than $500 and your license
will be re voked for one ye a r. You will also be re q u i re d
to undergo alcohol scre e n i n g / e d u c a t i o n / t re a t m e n t
and to equip any vehicle you operate with a cert i f i e d
ignition interlock device, and may be ord e red to per-form
community serv i c e .
Aggravated DUI
You will be sent to prison for no less than 2 years and,
in addition to any other penalty re q u i red by law, yo u r
license will be re voked for 3 years. You will also be
re q u i red to undergo alcohol screening/education /tre a t-ment
and to equip any vehicle you operate with a cer-
It is unlawful for any person who is under the influ-ence
of intoxicating liquor or any drugs to drive or
be in actual physical control of any vehicle. If a law
e n f o rcement officer administers an alcohol concen-tration
test for driving under the influence of intox i-cating
liquor and finds the AC to be 0.10 percent or
m o re, the person’s driving privileges will be suspend-ed
and withdrawn immediately.
It should be understood that a driver may be found
guilty of driving while intoxicated even though the
AC was less than 0.10 percent (0.04 in a commer-cial
vehicle requiring a commercial driver license).
A person under 21 years of age is considered to be
under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs if
t h e re is any alcohol concentration.
T h e re are many conditions that can affect a person’s
ability to drive even after one drink; for example,
body weight, emotional state or physical condition.
The best rule to follow is still: If you drink, do not
d r i ve .
DUI Penalties
If you are stopped for driving under the influence
and a test shows that you have an alcohol concentra-tion
of 0.10 percent or more (0.04 in a commercial
vehicle requiring a commercial driver license), yo u
will lose your driving privilege on the spot.
If you refuse to submit to or do not successfully
complete any tests when you are arrested for driving
under the influence, you will automatically lose yo u r
driving privileges for 12 months or 24 months for a
second refusal within 60 months.
In addition to any criminal penalties imposed by the
c o u rt for a second or third offense DUI violation,
your driving privilege will be automatically re vo k e d .
Driver License Manual 55
tified ignition interlock device, and may be ord e red to
p e rform community serv i c e .
C e rtified Ignition Interlock Device
A certified ignition interlock device is a breath alcohol
testing instrument connected to the ignition and powe r
system of the vehicle. The driver blows into the device
b e f o re attempting to turn the ignition. If the drive r’s
alcohol level is above a certain level, the vehicle will not
s t a rt. While the vehicle is operating, the driver must
b l ow into the device at random interva l s .
A g g ressive Driving
You may be cited for aggre s s i ve driving if you commit
a series of acts during a single, continuous period of
driving that presents an immediate hazard to another
person or vehicle, exceed the posted speed limit and
commit two of the following violations.
• Fa i l u re to obey traffic control signs or signals
• Passing another vehicle on the right side
• Unsafe lane change
• Fo l l owing too close
• Fa i l u re to yield to emergency ve h i c l e s
The penalties for Aggressive Driving are:
• First Offense – You will be re q u i red to attend a Tr a f f i c
Su rv i val School course and your license may be sus-pended
for 30 days.
• Second Offense – If you commit a second offense
within 24 months, you are guilty of a Class 1
Misdemeanor and your license will be re voked for
one ye a r.
56 Motor Vehicle Division
1. When do pedestrians have the right-of-way ove r
motor vehicles? (See Page 37)
2. What is the best way to bring your car out of a skid?
( See Page 44)
3. Refusal to submit to the re q u i red test to determine
the alcohol/drug content of any person operating a
motor vehicle will result in...? (See Page 53)
4. Be f o re leaving your car parked on a downgrade, yo u
should...? (See Page 39)
5. What does a flashing red traffic light mean? (See Page 25)
6. What does a green arrow appearing with a red traffic
light means? (See Page 25)
7. When you are leaving an alley or private drivew a y
and approaching a sidewalk, you should...?
( See Page 36)
8. You have arrived at a red light and intend to make a
right turn. Your car is in the right (outside) lane. Yo u
should...? (See Page 32)
9. When driving in traffic you should stay far enough
behind the vehicle ahead to...? (See Page 50)
10. What does a solid ye l l ow line painted on your side
of a highway center line mean? (See Page 30)
11. What are the rights of a person riding a bicycle in
the street? (See Page 40)
12. When approaching a school bus that is picking up or
d ropping off passengers, you must...? (See Page 37)
13. How many days do you have to re p o rt a change of
a d d ress? (See Page 3)
14. What should you do if you have a tire blowout?
( See Page 44)
15. What is the speed limit in a residential area?
( See Page 37)
16. When is it OK to pass on the right? (See Page 38)
17. When must you use headlights? (See Page 43)
18. What should you do in a dust storm? (See Page 47)
19. When must you use a child safety seat? (See Page 20)
20. How long should you signal before you turn?
( See Page 32)
21. W h e re are your blind spots? (See Page 49)
22. What is aggre s s i ve driving? (See Page 55)
23. When can you make a left turn on red? (See Page 33)
24. What is the 2-second rule? (See Page 50)
25. What is the purpose of a diamond-shaped traffic sign?
( See Page 27)
Test Review Questions