MA Permit Test Flashcards

Study Notes

Fundamental Driving Laws

Fundamental speed law mandates never driving at an unsafe speed.
Speed should be adjusted based on traffic, speed limits, and visibility (TSV).

Speed Limits

Interstate routes allow speeds of 50-65 mph.
Smaller highways have a speed limit of 55 mph or lower.
Minimum speed on the Massachusetts Turnpike and Boston tunnels is 20 mph.
School zones enforce a 20 mph speed limit.
Thickly settled or business districts have a speed limit of 30 mph.
Outside thickly settled areas, the speed limit is 40 mph, and on highways, it is 50 mph.

Traffic Sign Meanings

Flashing red lights indicate a stop.
A steady yellow light requires clearing the intersection; stop if safe.
Flashing yellow means to slow down and proceed with caution.
A green arrow signals a protected turn.
Red signs indicate a stop or prohibition, while green signs provide directions.
Yellow signs are general warnings, and black/white signs represent regulations.
Blue signs indicate motorist services, and brown signs denote historical or scenic sites.
Orange signs warn of construction or maintenance.

Road Markings

Slow down 15 feet before railroad gates.
Broken white lines indicate you may cross if safe after signaling.
Solid white lines mark the road's edge and separate lanes of the same direction.
Double solid white lines separate lanes going in the same direction.
Broken yellow lines allow passing when safe.
One solid and one broken yellow line means crossing is allowed if the broken side is nearer.
Double solid yellow lines should not be crossed unless turning left.

Hand Signals

Left turn: extend left arm straight.
Right turn: extend left arm upward.
Stop or slow down: extend left arm downward.

Signaling and Lane Use

Signal 100 feet before a turn on regular roads and 500 feet on highways.
Right lane is designated for slower traffic and entering/exiting, middle lane is for through traffic, and left lane is for higher speed/passing.
Stretch legs every 2 hours or 100 miles on highways.

Right of Way (ROW) Rules

Uncontrolled intersections: yield to vehicles on the right.
At a four-way stop, yield to vehicles arriving first, or to the vehicle on your right if simultaneous.
Vehicles on unpaved roads must yield to those on paved roads.

Rotary Rules

Enter a three-quarter turn rotary from the left and exit to the right.
Single and quarter turn rotaries allow right entry and exit.
Speed limit on a roundabout is 25 mph.

Regulations on Passing

Never pass using breakdown lanes, shoulders, or sidewalks.
When passing, ensure visibility of at least 400 feet ahead.
Return to the right lane before any vehicle comes within 200 feet.

School and Emergency Rules

First violation of not stopping for a stopped school bus incurs a $250 fine.
Never drive closer than 8 feet when a trolley is stopping.
Illegal to park/drive within 800 feet of a fire.

Parking Regulations

Park within 1 foot of the curb.
When angle parking, leave 2-3 feet between your car and the parked one.
Look out of the rear window when backing up, not the mirrors.

Safety Protocols

In case of skidding: ease off gas, shift to neutral, and turn wheels toward the skid.
If brakes fail: pump the brake pedal rapidly, downshift, apply the parking brake.
For a stuck gas pedal: shift to neutral and apply brakes.
Escape from a submerged vehicle through a window.

Penalties and Suspensions

Defacing personal property results in a one-year suspension and a $100 fine.
Penalties for drag racing: one-year suspension for first offense, three-year for second.
Speeding violations lead to a 30-day suspension after three offenses within a year.
Seven surchargable events within three years result in a 60-day suspension.
Driving without a licensed driver leads to escalating suspensions: 60 days, 180 days, one year.
Habitual traffic offenders face a four-year suspension with a $500 fee for reinstatement.

Description

Prepare for the Massachusetts permit test with these flashcards covering essential driving laws and speed limits. Each card presents key terms and their definitions to help reinforce your knowledge. Perfect for learners who want to ensure they are ready for their driving test.

MA Permit Test Flashcards

Choose a study mode

Podcast

Questions and Answers

What is the fundamental speed law?

What should you base your speed on?

What is the speed limit on interstate routes?

What is the speed limit on smaller highways?

What is the minimum speed on the MA Turnpike?

What is the speed limit in school zones?

What is the speed limit in thickly settled or business districts?

What does the flashing red signal indicate?

What action should be taken with a steady yellow signal?

What does a green arrow mean?

Slow down ___ ft before railroad gates.

What does the term 'thickly settled' refer to?

What does a blue sign indicate?

What is the fine for the first violation of not stopping behind a stopped school bus?

What is the illegal distance to follow behind an emergency vehicle?

It is legal to park within 800 ft of a fire.