20 questions from the Georgia Driver's Manual. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the correct procedure if a traffic signal is not functioning at all at an intersection?
Answer: Treat the intersection as if a stop sign is posted for all directions. The handbook specifies that when a signal is completely non-functional, drivers must treat the intersection like a four-way stop.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 35: “If a traffic signal is not functioning at all at an intersection, all drivers must treat the intersection as if a stop sign is posted for all directions.”
2. According to the 'Slow Poke' Law, what must slower drivers do when faster-moving traffic is approaching?
Answer: Move out of the passing lane and over to the right. The rule requires slower vehicles to vacate the left passing lane to facilitate the flow of faster traffic.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 21: “Slower drivers must move out of the passing lane (most left-hand lanes) and over to the right to allow faster-moving traffic to proceed.”
3. What is a driver required to do when traveling in the acceleration lane of a controlled-access highway regarding the gore area?
Answer: Continue traveling in the acceleration lane until the solid white line disappears. The handbook mandates that drivers stay in the acceleration lane until the solid white line ends, prohibiting them from crossing it early.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 41: “Drivers entering the controlled access highway are prohibited by law from crossing this solid white line, and are required to continue traveling in the acceleration lane until the solid white line disappears.”
4. Where is stopping, standing, or parking permitted momentarily to pick up or drop off passengers?
Answer: Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. The handbook lists being within 15 feet of a fire hydrant as a condition where momentary stopping for passengers is allowed.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 21: “Stopping, Standing or Parking is permitted only momentarily to pick up or drop off passengers under the following conditions: • In front of a public or private driveway; • Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant;”
5. In which situation are drivers NOT required to stop for a stopped school bus with flashing lights?
Answer: When the highway is separated in the center by median strips and you are traveling in the opposite direction. The handbook specifies that if a median strip separates the highway, opposing traffic does not need to stop.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 45: “The exception to this rule is when highways are separated in the center by median strips. In this situation, only vehicles following or traveling alongside a school bus in the same direction must stop.”
6. When making a left turn at an intersection, into an alley, or into a driveway, whom must you yield to?
Answer: All traffic coming from the opposite direction. The handbook specifies that drivers making left turns must yield to traffic approaching from the opposite direction.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 18: “When making a left turn at an intersection, or into an alley or driveway, yield the rightof-way to all traffic coming from the opposite direction;”
7. What is the recommended following distance when driving behind a motorcycle in dry conditions?
Answer: Three or four seconds. The handbook specifies a following distance of three to four seconds to ensure the motorcycle rider has adequate time to stop or maneuver.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 44: “Allow more following distance -- three or four seconds – when following a motorcycle so the motorcycle rider has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.”
8. According to the handbook, when should you expect the road surface to be most hazardous due to wetness?
Answer: During the first half-hour of rain. The handbook states that the initial period of rainfall presents the highest hazard level for drivers.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 32: “Remember, the frst half-hour of rain is most hazardous.”
9. How does the stopping distance of a fully loaded tractor-trailer traveling at 55 mph compare to that of a car?
Answer: It requires three times the distance a car needs to stop. The handbook states that a fully loaded tractor-trailer needs three times the stopping distance of a car at this speed.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 45: “A fully loaded tractor-trailer, traveling 55 mph, needs 3 times the distance a car needs to stop;”
10. When is it considered appropriate to stop on the expressway shoulder?
Answer: Only in an emergency. The handbook states that stopping is permitted only in emergencies and lists switching drivers, stretching, and retrieving items as non-emergencies.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 42: “Stopping on the roadway shoulder is highly dangerous and permitted only in an emergency. Switching drivers, stretching, or retrieving an item from the back of the vehicle is NOT considered an emergency.”
11. When driving on a divided highway, where must drivers position their vehicle relative to the median?
Answer: To the right of the median. The rule states that drivers must stay to the right of the median unless specific directions indicate otherwise.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 41: “Drivers operating vehicles on divided highways must drive to the right of the median unless directed to do otherwise by a sign, traffic control device, or police officer.”
12. What is the cost for a replacement driver’s license, permit, or ID card?
Answer: $5.00 per occurrence. The handbook specifies that a replacement document costs $5.00 each time it is issued.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 6: “A replacement driver’s license, permit or ID card is a duplicate of the replaced document (no modifications or changes) and may be provided at a cost of $5.00 per occurrence.”
13. Which vehicles are permitted to use Georgia Express Lanes toll-free if they have a registered Peach Pass?
Answer: Public transit buses, registered vanpools, and emergency response vehicles. The handbook lists specific vehicle types (transit buses, vanpools, emergency vehicles) that qualify for toll-free access with a Peach Pass, distinguishing them from general vehicles which must pay.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 34: “Public transit buses, registered vanpools and emergency response vehicles may use the lanes toll-free if they have a Peach Pass.”
14. How long does a new Georgia resident have to apply for a Georgia driver’s license or permit after becoming a resident?
Answer: Within 30 days. The handbook states that new residents must apply for their license within 30 days of establishing residency.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 11: “You must apply for a Georgia driver’s license or permit within 30 days of becoming a Georgia resident if you wish to drive upon the highways of this state.”
15. According to the handbook, what is the recommended method for determining if you are following another vehicle too closely?
Answer: Count 'one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two' after the vehicle ahead passes a reference point. The handbook describes using a time-counting method based on passing reference points to gauge safe following distance.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 41: “One way to determine if there is enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you is to measure the amount of time between when the vehicle in front of you passes a reference point and when your vehicle passes the same reference point.”
16. What does a flashing yellow arrow indicate to a driver making a left turn?
Answer: You may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The handbook states that a flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn provided the driver yields to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 35: “A fashing yellow arrow means you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffc and pedestrians (oncoming traffc still has the green light).”
17. What is the correct procedure when approaching a yield sign?
Answer: Slow down to a safe speed and be prepared to stop, proceeding only when safe. Drivers are instructed to slow down and prepare to stop, proceeding only when it is safe, rather than coming to a mandatory stop in all cases.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 18: “When approaching a yield sign, slow down to a safe speed and be prepared to stop. If necessary, stop and only proceed when it is safe to do so;”
18. What is the minimum legal distance a motorist must leave when passing a bicyclist?
Answer: 3 feet. The handbook states that the minimum legal space required when passing a bicyclist is 3 feet.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 43: “The minimum legal space for a motorist to pass a bicyclist is 3 feet.”
19. What must a driver do when approaching a school bus with activated flashing yellow lights?
Answer: Slow down and be prepared to stop. The handbook instructs drivers to slow down and prepare to stop when flashing yellow lights are active on a school bus.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 19: “When these flashing yellow lights are activated, all drivers approaching the school bus should slow down and be prepared to stop.”
20. How does a plea of nolo contendere affect license suspension calculations for drivers under age 21?
Answer: It is considered a conviction for purposes of imposing suspensions. The handbook clarifies that a nolo contendere plea is treated exactly like a conviction when determining suspensions for drivers under 21.
Georgia Driver's Manual, page 49: “A plea of nolo contendere is considered a conviction for purposes of imposing suspensions that apply to persons under age 21.”