Question 1

Absolute Speed Limit

Accepted Answer

The maximum speed at which a vehicle may legally travel in a particular area under specific conditions.

Question 2

Advisory Speed Limit

Accepted Answer

A recommended speed for a particular stretch of road, typically due to conditions such as sharp curves.

Question 3

Aggressive Driving

Accepted Answer

The operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger persons or property.

Question 4

Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)

Accepted Answer

A safety system that prevents a vehicle's wheels from locking up (or skidding) when the driver applies the brakes hard.

Question 5

Basic Speed Law

Accepted Answer

A law that requires motorists to drive at a safe speed according to current conditions.

Question 6

Blind Spot

Accepted Answer

The area of the road that cannot be seen while looking forward or through either the rear-view or side mirrors.

Question 7

Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC)

Accepted Answer

The amount of alcohol in a person's blood, expressed as a percentage.

Question 8

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

Accepted Answer

A license required to operate large, heavy, or hazardous material vehicles for commercial purposes.

Question 9

Controlled Intersection

Accepted Answer

An intersection where traffic is regulated by traffic signals or signs.

Question 10

Defensive Driving

Accepted Answer

A set of driving skills that allows you to defend yourself against possible collisions caused by bad drivers, drunk drivers, and poor weather.

Question 11

Distracted Driving

Accepted Answer

Any activity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving.

Question 12

DUI (Driving Under the Influence)

Accepted Answer

Operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol or other drugs, including those prescribed by physicians.

Question 13

DWI (Driving While Intoxicated)

Accepted Answer

The act of operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or other drugs to a degree that mental and motor skills are impaired.

Question 14

Field Sobriety Test

Accepted Answer

Any number of tests used by law enforcement officers, usually on the roadside, to determine whether a driver is impaired.

Question 15

Following Distance

Accepted Answer

The space a driver should maintain between their vehicle and the vehicle directly in front of them.

Question 16

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

Accepted Answer

A system designed to phase in young beginners to full driving privileges as they mature and develop their driving skills.

Question 17

Hydroplaning

Accepted Answer

A dangerous condition that occurs when water on the roadway causes a vehicle's tires to lose contact with the road surface.

Question 18

Implied Consent Law

Accepted Answer

A law stating that any person who operates a motor vehicle automatically consents to a chemical test to determine the alcohol content of their blood.

Question 19

Intersection

Accepted Answer

Any place where two or more public streets or highways meet or cross.

Question 20

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

Accepted Answer

A mechanism designed to warn the driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane.

Question 21

Manual Transmission

Accepted Answer

A type of transmission used in motor vehicles that requires the driver to manually change gears using a clutch and shift lever.

Question 22

No-Zone

Accepted Answer

Areas around trucks or buses where the vehicles' mirrors can't see, also known as blind spots.

Question 23

Overdriving Your Headlights

Accepted Answer

Driving at a speed that makes your stopping distance longer than the distance lighted by your headlights.

Question 24

Right of Way

Accepted Answer

The legal right of a pedestrian, vehicle, or ship to proceed with precedence over others in a particular situation or place.

Question 25

Rumble Strips

Accepted Answer

A road safety feature to alert inattentive drivers of potential danger, by causing a tactile vibration and audible rumbling transmitted through the wheels into the vehicle interior.

Question 26

School Bus Laws

Accepted Answer

Laws regarding stopping for school buses with flashing lights and the distances required when following or passing a school bus.

Question 27

Single Solid White Line

Accepted Answer

A road marking that indicates that lane changes are discouraged.

Question 28

Single Solid Yellow Line

Accepted Answer

A road marking that marks the center of a two-lane road where passing is discouraged.

Question 29

Staggered Stops

Accepted Answer

A traffic arrangement usually at intersections where roads meet at sharp angles, designed to provide a clear view of cross traffic.

Question 30

Tailgating

Accepted Answer

Driving too closely to the vehicle in front, not leaving enough distance to stop in an emergency.

Question 31

Three-Second Rule

Accepted Answer

A recommended minimum distance to keep your vehicle behind the vehicle in front of you to ensure adequate reaction time and stopping distance.

Question 32

Traffic Circle (Roundabout)

Accepted Answer

An intersection in which traffic moves in one direction around a central island to reach one of the roads converging upon it.

Question 33

Uncontrolled Intersection

Accepted Answer

An intersection where there are no traffic signals or signs to indicate the right of way.

Question 34

Understeer

Accepted Answer

A handling characteristic of a vehicle that causes it to turn less than the driver intends because the front wheels are sliding to the outside of the turn.

Question 35

Oversteer

Accepted Answer

A handling characteristic of a vehicle that causes it to turn more than the driver intends because the rear wheels are sliding to the outside of the turn.

Question 36

Vehicle Emissions Inspection

Accepted Answer

A test to verify that a vehicle meets the minimum clean-air standards.

Question 37

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Accepted Answer

A unique code used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles.

Question 38

Yield

Accepted Answer

To allow another vehicle or roadway user to proceed first.

Question 39

Zebra Crossing

Accepted Answer

A type of pedestrian crosswalk characterized by alternating dark and light stripes on the pavement.

Question 40

Zero Tolerance Law

Accepted Answer

A law that makes it illegal for persons under the age of 21 to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood.

Question 41

Two-Second Rule

Accepted Answer

A guideline for safe following distance; maintain at least two seconds of space between your car and the vehicle in front of you.

Question 42

Traffic Calming

Accepted Answer

The use of physical design and other measures to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

Question 43

Posted Speed Limit

Accepted Answer

The maximum speed at which a vehicle may legally travel on a particular stretch of road, as indicated by road signs.

Question 44

Sudden Stop

Accepted Answer

An abrupt decrease in speed or stop, often unexpected, which may create a risk of a collision from following vehicles.

Question 45

Controlled Access Highway

Accepted Answer

A type of highway which has been designed for high-speed vehicular traffic, with all traffic flow and ingress/egress regulated.

Question 46

Center Lane

Accepted Answer

The middle lane of a three-lane or multi-lane road, often used for turning.

Question 47

Double Parking

Accepted Answer

Parking parallel to a car already parked at the curb, generally illegal and a cause of congestion.

Question 48

Gap

Accepted Answer

The space or distance between vehicles traveling in the same direction.

Minnesota Driver's Permit Test: Advanced Terminology