Mixed Deck — All JOSHUA'S LAW Topics Flashcards

How does black ice typically differ from visible snow or slush on the road?

Answer: It's nearly invisible/transparent and often forms first on bridges and overpasses

Black ice is a thin, transparent layer of ice that blends in with the road surface, making it nearly invisible — unlike snow or slush, which are visually obvious. It commonly forms on bridges, overpasses, and shaded roads first because those surfaces cool faster.

What should a driver do when approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights on a two-lane road?

Answer: Stop, in both directions, until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm retracts

Drivers in both directions must stop for a school bus with extended stop-arm and flashing red lights on a two-lane road (undivided), and may not proceed until the lights stop flashing and the arm is retracted. Only on a divided highway with a median can opposing traffic legally continue.

At what age can a Georgia teen first apply for a Class D (learner's) license?

Answer: 15

Georgia's Graduated Driver's License (GDL) program allows teens to apply for a Class D learner's permit at age 15, provided they pass the written knowledge test and vision screening.

How many hours of supervised driving must a Georgia teen log before getting a Class D license, and how many of those must be at night?

Answer: 40 hours total, including at least 6 hours at night

Georgia requires 40 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 6 hours of nighttime driving, logged with a parent or guardian before advancing from a learner's permit to a Class D license.

What is Georgia's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers under 21?

Answer: 0.02%

Georgia has a zero-tolerance policy for underage drinking and driving: the legal BAC limit for drivers under 21 is 0.02%, far below the 0.08% limit for drivers 21 and older, meaning essentially any detectable alcohol can result in a DUI charge.

Under Georgia law, is texting while driving legal for a teen driver under 18?

Answer: No — drivers under 18 may not use a wireless device at all while driving

Georgia's Hands-Free Georgia Act bans handheld phone use, including texting, for ALL drivers, but it is even more strictly enforced for drivers under 18 — Class D and Class P license holders may not use a wireless device at all while driving, even hands-free, with limited emergency exceptions.

What should a new driver do first if their vehicle begins to hydroplane?

Answer: Ease off the accelerator and avoid sudden braking or sharp turns

If a vehicle hydroplanes, the correct response is to ease off the accelerator and avoid slamming the brakes or turning sharply, both of which can cause loss of control. Gently steering straight while decelerating allows the tires to regain contact with the road.

At what age can a Georgia teen get an unrestricted Class C license?

Answer: 18

Under Georgia's GDL system, a Class D license holder who has driven violation-free can move to a full, unrestricted Class C license at age 18.

What is the nighttime driving curfew for a Georgia Class D license holder?

Answer: 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., unrestricted driving prohibited

Class D licensees (typically ages 16-17) may not drive between 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older, or driving to/from a job, school activity, or emergency.

When must all occupants of a vehicle in Georgia wear a seatbelt?

Answer: Every occupant — front seat always, and everyone under 18 regardless of seating position

Georgia law requires all drivers and passengers in the front seat, plus passengers ages 8-18 anywhere in the vehicle, to wear seatbelts. Children under 8 (and under a certain height) must be in an appropriate car seat or booster.

What is the purpose of a parent-teen driving agreement, often recommended alongside Joshua's Law training?

Answer: To set clear, agreed-upon expectations and gradually expand driving privileges as trust is earned

A parent-teen driving agreement is a written set of rules and expectations (curfews, passenger limits, phone use, destinations) agreed on by parent and teen, designed to extend structured, gradual driving privileges as the teen demonstrates safe habits — reinforcing what the GDL program requires by law.

What is Joshua's Law?

Answer: Georgia's law requiring teens to complete a state-approved driver education course before licensing

Joshua's Law, enacted in 2005 and named after Joshua Brown, requires Georgia teens to complete an approved driver education course (either classroom-based or a certified online course, plus 40 hours of supervised driving, 6 of which must be at night) before they can obtain a Class D learner's license or driving without one gets restricted.

What is the safest following distance to maintain behind another vehicle in normal conditions?

Answer: At least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead

The 3-second rule is the standard defensive-driving guideline: pick a fixed point the car ahead passes, and count at least 3 seconds before your vehicle reaches that same point. This should be increased in poor weather or heavy traffic.

How many non-family passengers under age 21 can a Class D license holder (in the first 6 months) carry in the vehicle?

Answer: No more than one

During the first 6 months with a Class D license, Georgia teens may not carry more than one passenger under age 21 who is not an immediate family member. After 6 months violation-free, that limit rises to three.

What must a Georgia teen do to obtain their Class D license after holding a learner's permit?

Answer: Hold the permit 12 months violation-free, log 40 supervised hours, and pass the road test

To move from a Class D learner's permit to a full Class D license, a teen must be at least 16, have held the permit at least 12 months without a major traffic conviction, complete the required 40 hours of supervised driving (6 at night), and pass the road skills test.

What is a key sign of drowsy driving that a new driver should watch for?

Answer: Drifting out of your lane or not remembering the last few miles driven

Warning signs of drowsy driving include frequent yawning, drifting from your lane, difficulty keeping your eyes open, and not remembering the last few miles driven. Drowsy driving impairs reaction time similarly to alcohol and is a leading cause of teen crashes, especially on long or nighttime drives.

Why was Joshua's Law created?

Answer: To require structured driver education for new teen drivers after a teen's crash death led to advocacy for the law

Joshua's Law is named for Joshua Brown, a Georgia teen killed in a car crash in 2003. His parents advocated for mandatory driver education, and the law passed in 2005 to give new teen drivers structured training rather than relying only on a written test and minimal road experience.

What does 'move over' law require Georgia drivers to do when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the shoulder?

Answer: Move over a lane if possible, or slow down significantly if you can't

Georgia's Move Over Law requires drivers to move into a non-adjacent lane if possible, or if they can't move over safely, to slow down significantly, when passing a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, or utility vehicle with flashing lights.