Safe Driving Practices

Protecting Your Life Behind the Wheel

• Always wear a seat belt. In 2023, 54% of vehicle occupants killed in a crash were not wearing a seat belt.
• Wearing a seat belt greatly increases survival chances in a car crash.
• Plan for a sober ride home when drinking. Drunk driving crashes are entirely preventable.
• In 2023, 293 individuals died in alcohol-related crashes in Virginia. Options include rideshare apps, taxis, or designating a non-drinking friend. Virginia has a zero-tolerance law for underage drinking.
• Avoid distractions while driving by keeping eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
• Reading or sending a text takes eyes off the road for five seconds.
• At 55 mph, that is traveling the length of a football field blindfolded.
• Follow the posted speed limit was 449 fatalities in Virginia in 2023 which involves speeding.
• Keep a safe following distance, as using the two-, three-, and four-second rule determines space behind the vehicle.
• Increase following distance if road conditions change.

Testing

• Vision screening, a two-part knowledge exam, and a road skills test are required for driving tests. Types of tests needed are determined by a DMV representative.
• The two-part knowledge exam is required for those lacking a valid driver's license from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany, France, or the Republic of Korea.
• The exam is computerized, testing knowledge of traffic signs, motor vehicle laws, and safe driving practices that pulls its questions from the Virginia Driver's Manual.
• Passing requires correctly answering all traffic sign questions in part one and at least 80 percent of the general knowledge multiple-choice questions in part two.
• Those under 18 who fail must wait 15 days to retake it.
• Audio versions and multiple languages are available, making translators unnecessary.
• Failing the knowledge exam three times requires completing the classroom section of driver education before a fourth attempt, which can be done through at an 8-hour DMV-approved course.
• During testing, getting or giving help, trying to get test questions/answers beforehand, or using a cell phone is disallowed.
• Special accommodations are available for customers with disabilities.
• A road skills test is needed if you do not have a valid driver's license from another U.S. state, Canada, Germany, France, the Republic of Korea, or Taiwan.
• The vehicle must be provided and must have safety inspection sticker, license plates, registration, and working safety features such as brakes seatbelts and lights.
• To take the road skills test, an acceptable driver's education certificate of completion, or a completed behind-the-wheel checklist (DMV form CSMA 19) is required.
• Applicants under 18 take the test through a driver education course. Home-schooled applicants should refer to the Home-Schooled In-Car Driver Education Information Sheet (HS 3).
• Those 18 or older must hold a learner's permit for 60 days or complete a driver's education course. The test can only be taken once per business day.
• Failing three times requires completing the in-vehicle portion of driver education before retaking the test.
• Vision screening involves reading letters/numbers using a machine. It only shows whether your vision meets state driving standards and is not a medical exam.
• If glasses/contact lenses are needed to pass, a restriction "C" will be added to your license.. Laser surgery may remove this restriction.
• Unrestricted licenses require 20/40 or better vision in one or both eyes, and 110 degrees or better horizontal vision.
• Driving with daylight restrictions only requires 20/70 or better vision in one or both eyes, and 70 degrees or better horizontal vision.
• Bioptic telescopic lenses need the Driver's Licensing Information for Bioptic Telescopic Lense Wearers (MED 44) publication.

Signals, Signs and Pavement Markings

• Traffic signals, signs and pavement markings are traffic control with orderly flow. Illegal to avoid them.
• Obey signs and signals unless directed by a police officer.
• Traffic signals apply to drivers, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, moped-riders and pedestrians.
• At a red light, stop at the stop line. Remain stopped as long as the signal is red, unless turns are allowed.
• Right turn on red is permitted, but required is a complete stop while yielding the right-of-way, unless signs prohibit it.
• Left turn on red is permitted from a one-way street onto another one-way street, but required is a complete stop while yielding the right-of-way, unless signs prohibit it.
• A red arrow means must stop if you intend to move in the direction of the arrow, unless signs indicate that you can turn right or left on a red arrow after stopping.
• Flashing red lights and arrows mean a complete stop.
• A yellow light or arrow warns of the light about to change and caution to cautiously go through if cannot stop.
• A flashing yellow indicates caution.
• A Flashing yellow arrow gives way to turn with caution.
• At a green light you may go when the way is clear giving the right of way.
• Out of service signals require a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection as though it were an all-way stop.
• Lane use signals indicate where you can drive during different hours of the day, red X means never drive in that lane.
• Yellow X or Yellow Diagonal Downward Arrow shows you should move out of the lane.
• Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs) alert drivers when pedestrians are at a crosswalk, alternating yellow then two red lights must stop.
• Sign color indicates if the sign in stop (red and white), regulation (black and white), warning (yellow and black) and information (green/blue/brown and white).
• Stop signs are octagonal, yield signs are triangular.
• Regulatory signs inform you of the law like, Speed Limit.
• Diamond signs warn you of hazards ahead and caution.
• Pentagonal marks school zones and crossings
• Vertical rectangular Signs generally give instructions or tell you the law.
• Passing is not allowed from two-way traffic, flowing in Opposite directions at yellow center lines.
• Passing is allowed from double solid yellow lines only if you are making a left turn or passing pedestrians.
• Broken white lines separate traffic going in the same direction.
• Solid white lines show turn lanes along interchanges.
• Yiled lines are line of triangles used with that sign.
• Roundabouts are designed with center yield to enter traffic.
• The maximum fine for exceeding the speed limit in a highway work zones is $500 and $250 when not using hands free
• Always make sure the driver is aware to use the steering wheel, or your lane, when parallel to light/med road

Safe Driving

• Hand placement is important for control and response, sit and 8 and 4 o'clock positions. Avoid gripping with palms.
• Speed limits on highways should never be exceeded. Follow appropriate speed depending on conditions.
• To stop, one must do so and reduce speed and use extra curve roads do panick
• To yield right of way, merge safely and signal directions. Yield to emergency vehicles and stay alert to be able to see them coming. Do not follow emergency vehicles close.
• At a round about, it's important to be extremely cautions to pedestrians, or signals with clear views.
• Traffic lanes are important to use when turning signals and directions with clear views. Check lanes as you get to the lane, and merge, safely with great caution so cars can pass easily
• Safe driving follows traffic conditions like large vehicles, or bad whether or heavy traffic.

Seat Belts, Air Bags and Child Safety Seats.

• Seat Belts can double your chances of surviving a car crash, front seat passengers must wear a safety belts.
• When transporting youner ones, one must ensure they are safe in the correct seats.
• The lap must be low on the thighs, while the shoulder can never be behind the back.
• Air bags, can cushion drivers at a front-end crash, and always have all passengers buckle up. Move the seat back so you can maintain 10 inches
• Children should always be safer buckled up in the back seat.
• All the child seats need to be corrected as much, so never hold a child if a crash, the childs may be crushed.
• The youngest children must rear face their seats.

Penalties

• If certain laws are broken. your privilege is at risks, like getting suspended or revoked. To do so, one must provide legal resources and get approved.
• When convictions are reported to the state, The DMV then assigns demerit points which can rack to moving violation penalties.
• The penalty can range in safety belt/child restraints violation, and driver improvement.
• DMV to suspends or restricts them to submit in the future.

###License Types

• You will need to be safe to register, and be an adult. It's a class 1 misdemeanor
• The Learner's Permit will allow you to operate but with an driver over 21 yrs.
• The Commercial drivers. tractors trailer ect. will be for drivers. You must then register that vehicle and or business in order..
• You can obtain an license in the state (international ) to drive in any country. There is license needed to be approved first.

Other Important Information

• One must make sure the safety regulations are in tack. You will receive your license in the mail for safety too.
• To operate everything, the decals and registration card must be operated always as well . The safety will have an annial inspection, you are required by law to register there first.
• One must apply to vote, and look online if they have it or donate to a important life style.