Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Appendix A: Glossary of Terms 

Texas Driver Handbook

revocation – the termination of a driver license or privilege for an indefinite period of time. May be restored when all requirements for the 

revocation have been satisfied

right of way – privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of a road

right turn on red – turning right when the red signal is on, after stopping behind the intersection guides, unless specifically prohibited 

to turn

roadway marking – markings and lane delineators (reflectors) providing you with warning or direction

rocking a vehicle – repeating the sequence of driving forward a little then back a little to move your vehicle out of deep snow, mud, or sand

rumble strips – sections of rough pavement intended to alert drivers of approaching roadway construction, tollbooth plaza, or other traffic 

conditions

- S -

safety belt – a lap belt and any shoulder straps included as original equipment on or added to a vehicle

safety chains – backup link used in case a trailer hitch fails

school zone – portion of a street or highway near a school subject to special speed limits

shared left-turn lane – the lane on a busy street helping drivers make safe mid-block left turns into business areas from a center lane

skid – occurs when tire patches lose part or all of their traction on the roadway surface due to abrupt suspension balance or roadway 

surfaces conditions

skid mark – a mark on the road surface from a tire sliding due to a loss of traction from braking or abrupt steering

slow-moving vehicle – the vehicle is unable to travel at highway speed

speed smear – occurs when objects in your peripheral vision become blurred and distorted as your speed increases

staggered stop – stopping when the white line visually disappears under the hood line. This allows extra space for left-turning vehicles

standard reference point – point which allows for vehicle placement on a road typical for most drivers

stimulant – drug that speeds up the central nervous system

stopping position – stopping behind a vehicle in a position allowing the driver enough space to steer around the vehicle to avoid a stalled, 

turning, or backing vehicle

suspension – the temporary withdrawal of a driver license or privilege for a definite period of time

- T -

tailgate – to follow another vehicle too closely

total stopping distance – the distance your vehicle travels while you make a stop 

traction – friction or gripping power between the tire patches and the road surface 

traffic circle – the intersections that form when several roads meet at a circle

traffic control devices – any signal, sign, or pavement marking used to control the movement of traffic

traffic signal – any signal used to control the movement of traffic

tunnel vision – the ability to see in a narrow field of vision of 140 degrees or less with little effective peripheral vision

turn – vehicle maneuver to change direction to the left or right

turnabout – the maneuvers for turning into or out of a road/driveway using reference points for positioning

- U -

uncontrolled intersection – an intersection that has no signs or signals to regulate traffic including railroad crossings that do not have 

flashing red lights or crossing gates

under-insured motorist insurance – covers costs exceeding the amount the other person’s insurance company will pay as a result of a 

collision caused by another’s fault

uninsured motorist insurance – covers costs up to a certain amount if you are struck by another vehicle whose driver has no insurance

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Appendix A: Glossary of Terms 

Texas Driver Handbook

unprotected left turn – left turn made at a signal-controlled intersection without a special left turn light

urban district – the territory adjacent to and including a highway, if the territory is improved with structures used for business, industry, 

or dwelling houses and are located at intervals of less than 100 feet for a distance of at least one-quarter mile on either side of the highway

- V -

vehicle – a device, in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices used 

exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks

vehicle malfunctions – failures of the vehicle to perform as designed, such as tire, steering, suspension, acceleration, fuel, etc.

vehicle maintenance – the scheduled or unscheduled upkeep or repair of a vehicle

vehicle maneuvers – moving forward, moving backward, turning, lateral maneuvers, and turnabouts

visibility – the ability to see

- W -

warning sign – a sign alerting you to possible hazards and road conditions

warning light – an instrument panel light warning of a system malfunction and usually stays on while the system is malfunctioning

- X -

- Y -

yield – to allow another vehicle or roadway user to proceed first

- Z -

zero tolerance law – it is illegal for individuals who are under 21 years of age to drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their blood

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