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A 2-second gap you must have between your vehicle and the vehicle in front when driving in good conditions.
4To have a 4-second gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front when driving in bad conditions or when towing a trailer or being tailgated.
ASomething that gives you information.
A bag that automatically fills with air if the vehicle is involved in a crash in order to protect the driver or a passenger from injury.
Changing the way you see, hear, feel or react to things around you.
Parking spaces that are angled towards the kerb, making it easier to drive into and reverse out of.
Getting close to, coming up to something.
A mixture of bitumen and gravel compacted to make a smooth black road surface.
Using or threatening to use physical force against another person.
A place that can give your vehicle its warrant of fitness, such as a vehicle testing station or a garage.
A vehicle with an automatic transmission (gearbox).
When something happens on it’s own, without you having to do anything.
The bar that the front and rear wheels are attached to.
BAny areas around the vehicle that can’t be seen by the driver when looking forward or in their mirrors.
Sudden bursting of a tyre.
A hinged cover that allows access to a car’s engine.
A seat that raises a child up off the car seat so that the seat belt fits properly.
The storage area at the rear of the car.
The foot pedal used to slow or stop the car.
‘Breaching’ your licence conditions means you’re breaking the law by going against the conditions of your licence.
CNot driving with the care and attention expected of a reasonable and sensible driver.
The deck on the back of a ute for carrying goods on.
The line in the middle of the road (usually painted on) that separates traffic going in different directions.
A special seat or harness used to keep children safe in the car.
A road over which a no-stopping or parking restriction applies. (Signage will indicate the periods during which the clearway restriction applies.)
A crash between two moving things.
Something that you have to do.
Things that are hard to see or hidden.
The state something is in.
Driving: The situation on the road that affects how you should drive, including the road surface, weather, amount of traffic or light.
Licence: Rules that apply to your driver licence. For example, on a restricted licence, you can’t drive alone after 10pm.
Thinking about what other people need.
This is at the side of the steering wheel in the car and usually operates the indicators, lights, windscreen wipers.
Something being easy to use.
Where a court of law has been found someone guilty of a criminal offence.
A road that is outside of a city or town.
A device that connects a trailer to a towing vehicle.
Good manners, being polite.
Part of the road with yellow cross-hatched lines that you must not stop on. (You must not enter this area if your passage is blocked by traffic ahead).
The place where two roads meet and form the shape of a cross.
The place where two roads meet and form the shape of a cross.
Part of a motor vehicle (usually the front and the back) that is designed to collapse easily in a crash to absorb the impact.
DDriving in a way that could be dangerous to another person.
A street with only one way in or out (also known as a cul-de-sac).
Points against your driver licence when you commit a traffic offence. 100 or more points within two years means you lose your licence for three months.
A type of fuel.
If you’re disqualified from driving, you can’t drive or get a licence to drive.
A metal bar attaching the trailer to the towbar.
The situation on the road that affects how you should drive, including the road surface, weather, amount of traffic, and whether it’s dark or light.
Driving that puts the public and other road users at risk of injury or could damage their property.
EPipes to take away the waste gases (exhaust) from the car’s engine.
FTiredness, weariness or exhaustion.
A connection point where firefighters can access a water supply.
A very bright colour that reflects the light.
A strip marked in the middle of the road with white diagonal lines to provide a safe place for vehicles to wait before turning right or when they have turned right onto the road from a side road or driveway.
The space where you put your feet when sitting in the front passenger seat.
Not allowed.
GRoad rules that allow all road users to know who needs to give way and when they can go safely.
A space built into the dashboard for storing small items.
An important rule that should always be followed.
Small, loose stones that are sometimes used as a road surface – particularly on narrow country roads.
When vehicles are bumper to bumper and not moving. This is also known as a traffic jam.
A person who is in charge of a child.
HAnything a driver could have a collision with when driving.
Indicator lights that flash at the same time to warn other road users that the vehicle is a temporary hazard. For example, if it has broken down.
Misty or not clear.
People who get free rides in passing vehicles.
IThe switch that activates a vehicles main electrical systems, allowing the engine to be turned on and off.
If something is illegal, it’s against the law. This is the opposite of legal.
Driving that’s made worse by something, such as drugs, medications or alcohol.
When your body or emotions have been affected in a way that makes you unsafe to drive.
Taking your vehicle away from you so you can’t drive it.
Impounding your vehicle means taking it away from you so you can’t drive it.
Flashing lights on a vehicle that warn other road users that you’re about to change direction. For example, leave or return to the kerb, turn, or change lanes.
Flashing lights on a vehicle that warn other road users that you’re about to change direction. For example, leave or return to the kerb, turn, or change lanes.
Fill with air.
Pay money to a company so that they will replace or fix the insured item if it gets lost, stolen or damaged.
Where two or more roads join or cross, including where a public entrance or exit joins a road. For example, entrances to and exits from a supermarket.
KA crossing near a school that is marked by orange signs, and has school patrol stop signs that swing out on to the road. Also called ‘school crossings’.
The edge between the footpath and the road.
LThe part of the road your vehicle travels in, separated from other lanes by painted lines.
A road divided into lanes.
Something the law says is OK to do.
Any stimulant or mood-altering substance not banned by the law.
Rules that apply to your driver licence. For example, if you have a restricted licence, you can’t drive alone after 10pm.
Something that is carried.
A type of parking space where you can only stop briefly to drop off and pick up people and goods. It’s marked by yellow painted lines and text on the road, and a sign.
MTo keep in good condition.
A vehicle with a manual transmission (gearbox).
A strip of land or part of the road that separates vehicles travelling in opposite directions.
Pills or liquids that a sick person uses to get better again.
When two or more lines of traffic, going in the same direction, join together to become one.
Where two lanes come together to form one lane or when one lane ends requiring traffic to merge across into the next lane. For example, motorway onramps.
The recommended way of merging, where a vehicle in the left lane goes, then the vehicle in the right lane goes, and so on (coming together just like a zip).
A measure of how much alcohol is on your breath.
Judge wrongly or mistake.
The ability to move around freely and easily without restriction.
A battery-powered vehicle that is used by people who need help moving around freely and easily, and is less than 1500W.
Changes or adjustments made to a vehicle.
Make a change.
A two-wheeled vehicle with a motor. It has a much smaller body and engine than a motorcycle, and its top speed is 50 km/h.
A cover over the wheel of a vehicle.
A road where two or more lanes are available for use by vehicles travelling in the same direction.
NThe edge of the road to the left of the white road edgeline (the line that marks the far left of the road) that isn’t wide enough to drive on.
OTo follow orders, do as you’re told.
Breaking the law.
Approved by a council, government or other authority.
A lane on the other side of the road used by traffic coming towards you.
Traffic that is coming towards you, rather than going in the same direction.
A road usually outside of an urban area, where a higher speed limit applies (100 km/h).
PThings being side by side and always the same distance apart.
This sign indicates that the passing lane is about to end.
OK with having to wait for something, not getting upset if you have to wait.
A person who is walking on the footpath or road.
A place on the road (painted with parallel white stripes) for pedestrians to cross the road safely.
Punishment.
A punishment that you get for breaking a rule.
Something that lasts for a long time and won’t be changed or taken away.
An official document that allows someone to do something.
The main helper who looks after someone.
Land owned by a person (or a group of people) for their own use, which the public doesn’t have access to.
RA place where a railway line crosses a road at the same level, meaning you have to drive over the railway line.
A raised concrete area in the middle of the road where pedestrians can wait, and which you can’t drive on.
Driving dangerously either on purpose or ignoring the possible consequences.
Driving dangerously, even though you know you might be putting other people in danger.
Material that reflects light (usually glass or metal).
Something that is made to reflect light.
A vehicle that is driven on the road must be registered. The vehicle will be issued a certificate of registration and have number plates fitted.
Given back to you.
Moving backwards.
An angle of 90 degrees.
The myth that you always have the right to go when someone else should have given way. Be prepared to stop, as other drivers do make mistakes.
An area marked on the road with painted lines and an arrow, for vehicles to use when turning right or waiting to turn right.
Stiff, firm.
A licence to show that the owner of a light diesel vehicle or heavy motor vehicle (such as a truck) has paid their share towards maintaining the roads.
Any people who use a road, including drivers, motorcyclists, passengers, cyclists or pedestrians.
Things on the roadside that you could crash into if you were to drive off the road. For example, trees, poles, posts, ditches, drains, cliffs or steep banks.
When a vehicle is in safe enough condition to be driven on the road.
An intersection with a central, circular traffic island that all vehicles must travel around in a clockwise direction.
SLooking all around your vehicle and the road ahead so you can spot hazards early.
A crossing near a school that is marked by orange signs, and has school patrol stop signs that swing out on to the road. Also called ‘kea crossings’.
A push vehicle with a steering handle and two wheels, which is moved by standing with one leg on the scooter and pushing one foot against the ground.
The edge of the road to the left of the white road edgeline (the line that marks the far left of the road) – also known as the shoulder.
A road used by both pedestrians and vehicles.
The edge of the road to the left of the white road edgeline (the line that marks the far left of the road).
Signal (verb): indicate, show people what you’re going to do.
Signal (noun): action showing people what you’re going to do.
Reduces the amount of noise made by a cars exhaust system. It is often called a muffler.
Money from the government.
Smaller tyres that should only be used for a short time, to replace a flat or damaged tyre.
Another word for a husband or wife.
Small raised markers attached to the road surface to form a road marking. For example, to mark the centreline.
Areas in a town or city where people live or work.
Someone that sits in the front passenger seat who has held a full driver licence for at least two years.
A suspended licence isn’t legal any more, and you can’t use it to drive.
TWhere one road joins another at right angles, but doesn’t cross it.
To drive dangerously close to the rear of the vehicle in front.
Something that will only last for a short time.
Ripped.
When a trailer, caravan or another vehicle is connected to and pulled along by a vehicle.
The grip that tyres have on the road.
The amount of traffic on a road and the way it’s moving.
An area in the middle of the road (using painted lines or raised concrete) for pedestrians to use when crossing the road, or for guiding traffic.
The movement of people or goods from one place to another.
The pattern of grooves molded into a tyre to help it grip the road.
An area marked on the road with painted lines and an arrow for vehicles to use when turning right or waiting to turn right.
UWithout a person in the car who can drive it.
An intersection with nothing to control the movement of vehicles. For example, no ‘Stop’ or ‘Give Way’ signs, traffic lights or a roundabout.
A road that doesn’t have a marked centreline or lane markings.
Areas in a town or city where people live or work.
A vehicle that is the same size as a car with a tray or deck on the back for carrying goods.
VSomething that is able to be changed.
Anything that moves on wheels or tracks and is used for transporting people or goods. This includes trucks, cars, motorbikes, mopeds, buses, trains and bicycles.
How much you can see and be seen in the driving conditions. For example, weather and level of natural light.
WA sign that tells you that you need to be aware of a hazard or road feature coming up.
Weather that affects how you should drive. For example: rain, snow or ice causing slippery roads; sunlight causing sunstrike; rain, snow or fog reducing visibility.