Overview
This lecture is a comprehensive guide to the rules, safety tips, and essential knowledge required for driving in Virginia, including licensing, traffic signs, safe driving practices, and legal penalties.
Essential Driver Safety Practices
- Always wear your seat belt for every trip; 54% of fatalities involved unbelted passengers.
- Plan for a sober ride home; drunk driving is 100% preventable.
- Avoid distractions; taking your eyes off the road for five seconds at highway speed is extremely dangerous.
- Obey posted speed limits; speed-related crashes are a leading cause of death.
- Maintain a safe following distance using the two-, three-, or four-second rule.
Tests and Licensing
- The two-part knowledge exam covers traffic signs, laws, and safe driving; part one must be passed before part two.
- If you fail the exam three times, you must complete a DMV-approved course before retesting.
- Road skills test requires a safe vehicle and completion of specific requirements depending on age and prior education.
- Vision screening is required; specific standards must be met for unrestricted or restricted licenses.
Traffic Controls and Signs
- Know the meaning of traffic signals, arrows, and flashing lights.
- Sign colors and shapes convey information: e.g., red = stop/prohibition, yellow = warning.
- Regulatory, warning, and guide signs must always be obeyed.
- Pavement markings (lines, arrows, curb colors) guide lane use, passing, and parking.
Safe Driving Techniques
- Place hands at 8 and 4 o'clock on the steering wheel.
- Always stop at stop signs, red lights, and for school buses with flashing red lights.
- Yield right-of-way when appropriate, including at intersections and to emergency vehicles.
- Use proper turn signals and hand signals before turning or changing lanes.
- Increase following distance in poor conditions or when behind large vehicles.
Sharing the Road
- Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and vulnerable road users.
- Follow special rules when passing or sharing the road with large vehicles, school buses, and work zones.
Special Conditions and Emergencies
- Use headlights in low visibility; low beams in fog, heavy rain, or snow.
- Adjust driving for hazardous conditions (night, bad weather, work zones).
- Know procedures for crashes: stop, help, report, exchange info, notify insurance.
Dangerous Driving Behaviors and Penalties
- Aggressive, distracted, drowsy, and impaired driving are leading crash causes.
- DUI laws are strict; BAC limits are .08% for adults, .02% for under 21.
- Convictions can lead to license suspension, revocation, fines, and jail.
Seat Belts, Air Bags, and Child Safety
- Seat belts are required for all front seat occupants and all under 18.
- Child safety seats or boosters required for children under 8.
- Air bags should always be used with seat belts; children under 12 should ride in the back.
License Types and Other Legal Requirements
- Learner’s permit requires supervised driving; permit must be held for 60 days if age 19+.
- Vehicles must be titled, registered, insured, and inspected.
- Address changes must be reported to DMV within 30 days.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Two-part knowledge exam — DMV test on signs, laws, and safe driving.
- Following distance — The time gap between vehicles to allow safe stopping.
- Blind spot — Area around a vehicle not visible in mirrors.
- Demerit points — Points assigned for traffic violations, affecting license status.
- Zero-tolerance law — No underage drinking/driving allowed.
- Uninsured motor vehicle fee — Fee paid if you do not carry insurance.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Study the Virginia Driver’s Manual thoroughly before taking the knowledge exam.
- Practice safe driving habits and ensure vehicle readiness for any required DMV tests.
- Review sample knowledge exam questions provided in the manual.
- Ensure your vehicle meets all legal requirements for registration, insurance, and inspection.