Virginia Driver's Manual Flashcards

Vision Standards

• Unrestricted driver's license requires a vision standard of 20/40 or better in one or both eyes.
• Horizontal vision should be at least 100 degrees.

Traffic Rules and Signals

• Obey all signs and signals unless directed by a police officer.
• A red light requires a complete stop before the intersection, and vehicles must remain stopped unless turning on red is allowed.
• Right turn on red requires a full stop, looking both ways, and yielding to pedestrians and traffic.
• Left turns on red are permitted only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, requiring a stop and yielding.

Signal Meanings

• A red arrow prohibits all right and left turns.
• A flashing red light means you must stop and yield to oncoming traffic; proceed only when safe.
• At railroad crossings, a flashing red light signals a mandatory stop regardless of train visibility.
• A yellow light warns that the signal will change; if already in the intersection, continue moving.

Lane Use and Control

• Lane use signals indicate which lanes are available for driving at specific times.
• A red X means never drive in that lane; a yellow X advises moving out of the lane safely.

Sign Shapes and Their Meanings

• Octagon: Always means STOP.
• Triangle: YIELD; slow down and be prepared to stop.
• Rectangle: Provides regulatory instructions or guidance; vertical for laws, horizontal for directions.
• Diamond: WARNING; indicates special conditions or hazards ahead.

Specific Traffic Restrictions

• A red circle with a slash indicates prohibition of the action depicted inside the circle.
• Speed limit signs denote the maximum safe speed under good weather conditions.

Maneuvering Regulations

• "Do Not Enter" signs indicate a prohibited direction.
• "No Left Turn" and "No Right Turn" signs prohibit respective turns.
• "No U-turns" and "No Turns on Red" signs restrict applicable maneuvers.

Road Conditions and Cautions

• Advisory speed signs indicate safe speed for exits; slippery when wet warns to reduce speed on wet pavement; check brakes before descending steep grades.

Wildlife and Pedestrian Awareness

• Deer crossing signs indicate areas where deer may be present; slow down and remain alert.
• Pedestrian crossing signs warn drivers to watch for pedestrians entering crosswalks.

Road Configuration Signals

• Roundabouts require entering traffic to yield to vehicles already in the circle.
• Lane reduction signs indicate that the right lane must merge left.
• School zone signs require reduced speed, typically to 25 MPH.

Additional Road Signs

• Merge signs indicate two lanes will become one; low clearance signs warn about limited height under an overpass.
• Crossroad signs indicate a four-way intersection; side road signs alert drivers of potential joining roads.

Intersections

• T-intersection signs signal the end of a road; signal intentions before turning left or right.
• Y intersection signs indicate a choice between right and left ahead.