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English for drivers

I.

Traffic terms:

path

the victims of the

crash

sidewalk

breakage

alley

to call

lane

to cover

drive

rules of the road

street

roadhog

avenue

to infringe

boulevard

to park

expressway

heavy traffic

intersection

to direct the traffic

traffic light(s)

traffic prohibited

stoplight

arterial

stop

arterial traffic

crosswalk

traffic controller

zebra

road safety

overpass

to draw out

underpass

to pull in

trail

to cross

road

to follow

arterial road

to lose ones way

highway/freeway

driving license

toll road

to submit

ramp

to overtake

bridge

no overtaking

tunnel

to re-form

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parking lot/place

accident

traffic sign

to meet with an
accident

traffic circle

accident insurance

traffic jam

insurance policy

corner

to fine

crossing

exit

speed-limit

to drive/draw in

fine

traffic police

no stopping

traffic cop

check-up

to pass its checkup

to exceed the
speed limit

vehicle registration
certificate

II.

Useful words for persons who are going to get a driving license:

Persons
bicyclist
driver
officer
passengers
pedestrians
policeman

Types of Vehicles and Car Parts

bicycle
brake
chains
equipment
headlights
lights
mirror
motorcycle
pickup truck
license plate
seat
signals
steering
tires
tow truck
truck
vehicle
windshield

Dangerous Situations
accident
alcohol
collision
conviction
crash
danger
drugs
emergency
evidence
fog
hazard
injury
insurance
intoxicants
laws
offense
reaction
risk
warning

III.

Driving
arrow
distance
DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
document
DUII (Driving while Under the Influence of an
Intoxicant)
guide
ID (Identification)
identification
instruction
license
speed limit
movement
permit
privilege
registration
restrictions
requirements
signs
speeding

Car parts:

Accelerator: The foot pedal that makes the car go faster.

Battery: Usually near the motor, this provides a supply of energy to the car, especially when
the motor isn't running. Sometimes if you leave your lights on when the motor is off, the
battery keeps them on and then becomes flat (stops working) which makes it difficult to start
your car again.
Boot: The enclosed space usually at the back of a car where you can put your bags etc. It is
called the Trunk in the United States.
Bonnet: The metal lid at the front of the car that covers the motor. It is called the Hood in
United States.
Brake: The foot pedal you use when you want to make the car go slower or stop it from
moving.
Brake light: The red light at the back of the car that indicates the brake is being used and
that the car is slowing down.
Bumper: The bar at the front and back of the car the helps protects the car when it is hit. It is
sometimes called the Fender in United States.

Clutch: The foot pedal that you use when you want to change gears.
Dashboard: The part in front of the driver that has the controls like the Temperature gauge,
Fuel gauge and the Speedometer.
Door: The way you enter and leave the car. Some cars have two doors but most have four
doors.
Exhaust (Pipe): The pipe that takes the waste gases from the motor and lets them go into the
air.
Fan belt: The belt that keeps a fan moving that helps keep the motor cool.
Fender: The bar at the front and back of the car the helps protects the car when it is hit. It is
called the Bumper in Britain.
Fuel gauge: A part of the dashboard that lets you know how much gasoline / petrol there is
in the petrol tank. It usually has the letters F for Full and E for Empty.
Handbrake: You usually put the handbrake on when you park your car so that it doesn't
move by itself later (especially down hills). It is usually situated between the driver's seat and
the passenger's seat.
Headlight: The lights you turn on so that you can see the road ahead in the dark when you
are driving.
Headrest: The top part of the seat where you can rest your head.
Hood: The metal lid at the front of the car that covers the motor. It is called the Bonnet
Britain.
Horn: Usually found on the steering wheel, when you press the horn, it makes a sound that
other people (in other cars) can hear.
Hubcap: The metal covering of the middle part of a wheel.
Indicators: The lights that let others know in which direction a car is turning.
Ignition: You put the key here to start the car.
Number plate: The unique identification numbers and letters for each car. There is usually a
number plate at the front and back of the car.
Radiator: Cools the water of the motor.
Rearview Mirror: The small mirror attached to the middle of your windscreen so that you
can see what is behind your car while you are driving.
Roof-rack: The metal frame on top of a car that is used to support the weight of things you
put on top of the roof of the car.
Seatbelt: The belt that is connected to the seat and you place across your body to help
protect you in an accident.
Speedometer: A part of the dashboard that lets the driver know how fast the car is moving.
Steering wheel: The round instrument that the driver uses to make the car go in a certain
direction.
Temperature gauge: A part of the dashboard that lets you know the temperature of the
engine. If the engine is too hot, it can be damaged.
Trunk: The enclosed space usually at the back of a car where you can put your bags etc. It is

called the Boot in Britain.

Tyre: (US - Tire) The round rubber part of the wheel.
Wheel: The round parts that connect the car to the road and help the car move.
Windscreen: The big window at the front of the car that the driver looks through as he/she
drives.
Windscreen wiper: Clears the rain from the windscreen so that you can see through it.

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IV.

Some useful expressions:

Stopping at a Sidewalk

At a point prior to entering the roadway, when emerging from an alley, driveway or private road
on a business or residential district. Drivers must yield the right of way to any pedestrian on a
sidewalk.
Before Entering an Intersection

If there is not sufficient space on the other side to accommodate the vehicle. The law applies
whether or not a traffic signal gives a driver the right to proceed.
Stopping Distance

Allow one car length for each 10 mph of speed. Or use the '3 second rule'.
'Three Second Rule'

Watch the vehicle ahead pass a stationary object, such as a lamppost, counting "one thousand
one, one thousand two, one thousand three". If you can pass the stationary object before saying
'three', then you are two close.
A driver must yield when...

1. When directed by a yield sign

2. When crossing or entering a through highway form a smaller, less traveled road.
3. To a vehicle approaching from the right at an intersection of two similar roads without a traffic
control device.
4.When a pedestrian is crossing a marked, or unmarked, crosswalk at an intersection.
5. On the approach of a public safety vehicle.
Passing to the Left-Legal

Passing shall be completed without interfering with the safe operation of traffic approaching
from the opposite direction or any vehicle being overtaken.
Passing to the Left-Illegal

1. When approaching the crest of a grade or a curve in the roadway where the driver's view is
obstructed and the driver cannot see if the pass will interfere with oncoming traffic.
2.Within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct or tunnel when the driver's view is obstructed.
3. Within 100 feet of approaching an intersection.
4. Within 100 feet of a railroad grade crossing.
*These limits do not apply to traffic traveling on a one way street or on a roadway with two or
more lanes for travel in the same direction.
Things to do when passing to the left...

1. Sound the horn to warn the driver of the vehicle being overtaken that he/she is about to be
passed.
2. Signal the intent to pass

3. Pass to the left of the vehicle being overtaken at a safe distance and return to the right side of
the roadway only after the overtaking vehicle is safely clear of the vehicle being overtaken.
4. Return to the right lane as soon as the pass has been safely completed and before coming
within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
When a driver is passed by another vehicle...

the law requires the driver of the slower vehicle to maintain a constant speed and stay to the right
until the other driver has safely passed.
Passing to the Right

Under certain conditions is the vehicle allowed to do this.

1. When the vehicle is being overtaken is about to make a left turn.
2. When the pavement is wide enough for 2 or more lines of traffic moving in the same direction
as the overtaking vehicle.
Minimum Speed Limits

No person shall operate a vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and
reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operations or to
comply with the law. Minimum speed limits are posed on controlled-access highways.
Flashing red light signals at a railroad crossing.

Drivers must stop no closer than 15 feet but no farther than 50 feet when the lights are flashing.
If there is more than one track, make sure all tracks are clear before crossing.
Gates

Stop when these begin to flash and before gates begin to lower across your traffic lane, at no
closer than 15 feet but no farther than 50 feet from the crossing. Do not attempt to cross until the
gates are raised and the lights have stopped flashing.
Vehicles that must stop before crossing a railroad grade outside of
municipalities.

1. Motor vehicles carrying passengers for higher.

2. All school buses.
3. Vehicles carrying material or material required to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Parts 100-185.
*This rule doesn't apply to highway-rail grade crossings within a municipal corporation or to
abandon tracks, spur tracks and industrial tracks when the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
has authorized and approved the crossings of such tracks without making the stop required.
Railroad Grade Crossing

The tracks of the railroad itself, where it goes over the road.
Parking

A vehicle must be parked facing the direction of traffic on that side of the street, parallel to and
not more than 12 inches from the right curb. On one-way streets, vehicles may be parked parallel

to and not more than 12 inches from the right or left of the curb. Local ordinances may permit
angle parking in some places.
Stopping, Parking or Standing Prohibited

No person shall stop, park or stand a vehicle in any of the following places, except when
necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic, or in compliance with the directions of a law
enforcement officer or traffic control device.
Limitations to Parking, Stopping and Standing 1-9

1. On a sidewalk (except a bicycle)

2. In front of a public or private driveway
3. Within an intersection
4. Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant
5. On a crosswalk
6. Within 20 feet of a crosswalk or intersection
7. When 30 feet of a flashing beacon, stop sign or traffic control signal .
8. Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb or within 30 feet of points on the curb
immediately opposite ends of a safety zone, unless the traffic authority indicates a different
length by signs or markings.
Safety Belts

-Mandatory seat belts for the driver and front-seat passengers.

-If the person driving is under 18 years of age, the number of people allowed to ride in the car is
limited to the number of original seat belts in the car.
-All passengers must wear a seat belt when a probationary driver is driving.
-There is a $30 fine for drivers and a $20 fine for front-seat passengers who are not wearing their
seat belt, when stopped for another violation.
Seat Belt Exemption

1. Children who are covered by the child safety restraint law.

2. People who are driving the vehicle to deliver mail or newspapers to homes
3. People who cannot wear a safety belt due to medical reasons.
4. People who are in vehicles that were made before 1966.
*People in vehicles equipped with air bags are NOT exempt from the safety belt law. A seat belt
violation will not add points to your license and is not a moving violation.
Child Restraints

-Children who are 4 years old and/or weigh less than 40 pounds must be in a safety seat.
-This law applies to all drivers of cars that are owned, leased or otherwise under the control of
their agency are responsible for this.
-This also applies to medically handicapped or fragile children.
-Any child who is at least 4 years of age but not older than 15 years of age, other than in a taxi or

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a public safety vehicle.

-Children who are at least 4 years of age and under 8 years old, other than in a public safety
vehicle or a taxi, unless or until he or she is 4'9".
Exemptions for the Child Restrain Law

-Public safety buildings

-Taxi cabs
-Vehicles not required by law to have child safety belts at the time of manufacture.
Fines for Child Restraint Laws

-1st violation: $25-$100 for a first time offense (misdemeanor)

-2nd violation: $250 fine for the second time and/or 30 days maximum jail time.
Obstruction of Vision

Ohio law forbids any load that is overloaded with passengers or cargo that obstructs the drivers
vision.
Riding on the Outside of a Vehicle

-No one under the age of 16 is allowed to ride in an unenclosed or unroofed cargo storage area of
a vehicle if it is traveling faster than 25 mph.
Exceptions to Cargo Bed Rule

-Cargo area has safety belts that meet the federal standards
-An emergency exists that threatens the life of the driver or the person being transported in the
cargo bed
-The people who are riding on the outside are workers in which they have to be on the outside of
their vehicle to do their job.
Abandoned Motor Vehicles

Leaving a junked motor vehicle on private property for 72 hours without the owner of the
property's consent is prohibited. Certain local laws and fines may be applied to this.
DUI Rules

If you have a BAC of .08 or higher, it is illegal to operate a vehicle.

What the officer will do if he suspects you of a DUI

-He will give you a series of tests. These include a blood, urine, plasma or breath test.
If you refuse a DUI test...

The officer will confiscate your license.

Grounds on which to take a DUI to court

-The officer did not have reasonable grounds for the DUI
-The officer did not request that you take a blood alcohol test
-The officer did not tell you the consequences of refusing or failing the test

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-You did not refuse or fail the test.

Administrative License Suspension/Refusal

-You have the right to another test to determine the alcohol/drug content of your blood.
-You have the right to choose an administrator to administrate the test, once it has been
conducted under the direction of a police officer.
Penalties

If you submit to a test and were over the legal limit, then you are reported to the Registrar of
Motor Vehicles who will then suspend your license for 90 days and up to 3 years.
-If you refused to take a test, and you are over the legal limit, then you will be reported and have
your license suspended for a year and up to 5 years.
-If you do not have a driver's license, then you may be denied the privilege of applying for one in
addition to other penalties involved for driving unlicensed.
-Administrative license suspension may last from 1-6 years.
Fines for a DUI/OVI

-A minimum of $375 to a maximum of $10,500 fine. Penalties are based upon the number of
previous OVI convictions over a 6 year period.
First DUI

At least 72 hours in jail and court license suspension from 6 months to 3 years.
Second DUI

A least 10 consecutive days in jail and court license suspension from 1 to 5 years. \
-May have their vehicle for fitted or immobilized.
Third DUI

At least 30 consecutive days in jail and court license suspension from 1-10 years.
Fourth DUI

At least 60 days in jail and court license suspension from three years to permanent revocation.
-Felony Offense
Fifth DUI

The person on or after September 30, 2008, will be put in a public registry for all to see, it will be
available via the Web.
-Felony Offense
Vehicular Homicide

Those who are convicted of vehicular homicide or aggravated vehicular homicide will, in
addition to other penalties, will lose their driving privileges.
.02 BAC under 21 years old-Penalties

-Law authorizes those who are under 21 but have a BAC of .02 to .08 percent.

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-This offense is called "Operating A Vehicle After Underage Consumption.

-Must take a remedial driving course to regain license
-License will be suspended from 60 days up to 2 years
-Must take another driving exam
-There will be 4 points added to your license
-Reinstatement fee
-Must show proof of a policy for insurance or bond.
Fines for a false driver's license

-It is illegal to use a false driver's license to purchase alcohol. The penalty is an automatic one
year suspension of driving privileges.
-Anyone who loans a minor their driver's license to buy alcohol can be sentenced up to 6 months
in jail and be fined a thousand dollars.
Points

Points to your driver's license are added within 2 years in you commit certain crimes. The
number of points added to a license will be assessed by the court.

V.

Practice:
a. Getting a driving license:

In Canada and America, you need a valid drivers license in order to legally drive a car. In North
America a drivers license is a small, rectangular, plastic card that you must have with you
(people usually keep it in their wallet) when you are driving a car.
Each state in the U.S. or province in Canada has a different procedure for obtaining a drivers
license, but most follow the same pattern. When you turn 16 you can apply for a learners
permit. Your eyesight is tested and you need to take a written test about the rules of the road. A
learners permit is not a full drivers license. Each state or province has different rules, but
usually a learners permit allows you to drive a car as long as there is an experienced driver (with
a valid drivers license) in the car. To get your full drivers license you need to pass a road test
where you must demonstrate that you know how to drive a car safely.
When you drive a car, you want to avoid getting a ticket or getting in a car accident. You can
get a ticket for speeding (driving too fast), running a red light (driving through the intersection
when the traffic light is red), not wearing a seat belt, or a variety of other infractions. Most of
the time, when you get a ticket you will have to pay a fine. A DUI (you may hear this often in
American TV shows and movies) is shorthand for a DUI arrest, which means someone has
been arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is a serious offence (a
crime/illegal act). If you are arrested for DUI, you will most likely lose your license or go to jail.

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There are different types of car accidents: one car crashes into another car; a car crashes into a
tree or other non-moving object; a car hits a pedestrian (someone walking across the road or on
a sidewalk near the road). A head-on collision is when the front of one car hits the front of
another car coming from the opposite direction. A pileup is when multiple cars crash into each
other, usually on a highway.
In most states and provinces you will need to renew your license throughout your lifetime.
In Ontario I have to renew my license every 5 years. I have to go to the Driver and Vehicle
License Issuing Office, pay a fee, and get a new picture taken.

b. Some driving tips:

Here are some words and phrases you'll find helpful when driving in an English-speaking
country.
Regulations

In England, you must drive on the left (unless road signs tell you otherwise or if you are
overtaking passing another car). The driver's seat is on the right hand side of the car, and the
passenger's seat is on the left. The gearstick is to the left of the driver.
Drivers and passengers have to wear a seatbelt, except if they have certain medical conditions,
and seatbelts should also be worn in the back seat. If you "drink drive" (drive after drinking
alcohol), the penalties can be serious. Most people will advise you not to drink alcohol at all
before driving.
Be especially careful to respect the speed limits on the roads. A sign tells you what the
maximum speed limit is, and if you break the speed limit, you may get a fine or points on your
licence. There are many hidden speed cameras in operation, so watch out!
Indicators

You should use your indicators to show if you are turning left or right. You should also use your
mirrors (wing mirrors on the side of the car) and rearview mirror (to see behind you) before
you set off, make a turning, slow down or overtake. Drivers should also turn round to look over
their right shoulder so that they can see what is happening in their blind spot the place behind
you that you cannot see even with mirrors.
Road junctions

At road junctions, check to see that no pedestrians are crossing the road into which you are
turning, as they have priority and you will have to wait. If there is a Stop sign at the junction,
you must stop your car behind the white line and wait until there is a gap in the traffic. If there is

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a Give Way sign (also shown as a triangle), you must give priority to traffic on the main road.
There are also box junctions, where there are yellow lines painted in a box on the road. You can
only go into a box if your exit is clear.
Some junctions are controlled by traffic lights, and here the same rules apply as for traffic lights
on other roads. A red light means "stop", and you can only start moving when the light changes
to green. After green, the light changes to amber (orange) and you can only continue if your car
has already crossed the line and when stopping could cause an accident.
Roundabouts

At roundabouts, you go round in a clockwise direction. You have to give priority to traffic
coming from the right. You should get in lane according to which exit you need. (If you are
leaving at the first exit, get into the left hand lane; if you are leaving at the middle exits, get in
the middle lane(s); and get into the right hand lane if you are leaving at the last exit.) Signal left
to leave the roundabout after you have passed the exit previous to yours.
Pedestrian crossings

There are two main types of pedestrian crossings. There are zebra crossings (which are marked
by white stripes in the road) and there are pelican crossings, where a red flashing light means
you have to stop for pedestrians. You can't park on either type of crossing, and you should give
way to pedestrians.
Motorway driving

There are special rules for driving on motorways. In short, learner drivers (those who haven't
yet passed their driving tests) cannot drive on motorways. The speed limit is higher than on other
roads, and there are at least three lanes of traffic. You have to take extra care when overtaking,
joining or leaving the motorway. If you break down, you should stay in the hard shoulder (a
narrow lane on the left) and wait for assistance.