What does a yellow traffic light indicate?

A yellow traffic light warns motorists that the light will soon be green. Motorists who can do so safely must stop. If it is not possible to slow down safely, motorists should drive cautiously through the intersection rather than speeding up.

What color and shape is a yield sign?

Yield signs indicating motorists must slow down or stop to give the right-of-way to traffic or pedestrians are red and white and in the shape of an upside-down triangle.

What color and shape is a railroad crossing warning sign?

Circular yellow signs with “RR” and “X” written in black lettering warn motorists they are approaching a railroad crossing.

If a traffic signal is malfunctioning, what should motorists do?

If a traffic light’s bulbs are out or are otherwise malfunctioning, motorists should treat it as a four-way stop sign.

What does a red, steady light in the shape of an “X” over a lane mean?

These types of lights mean motorists are prohibited from driving in that lane.

How far away must vehicles stop from a railroad crossing?

If the gates next to the railway are down or there are flashing lights, vehicles must stop no closer than 15 feet away from the railway.

What does a diamond sign painted on a road indicate?

Diamond signs mean the lane in question is reserved for bicycles, carpool vehicles and other non-standard vehicles. 

How much visibility must drivers have to make a u-turn?

Drivers may not make a u-turn if their vehicle is not visible from 500 feet away in every direction.

How close must oncoming traffic be to forbid drivers from passing another vehicle?

If you cannot return to the right lane when a vehicle coming from the other direction is 200 feet away or closer, passing is prohibit.

When is it acceptable to pass a vehicle on the right rather than on the left?

It is only acceptable to pass a vehicle on the right side if the other driver is about to make a left turn or if both drivers are on a one-way road two or more lanes wider and no signs prohibit passing on the right.

How close can a vehicle get to a stopped school bus?

If a school bus is stopped and has its flashing red lights on, this means children may be entering or exiting. Drivers must stop at least 20 feet away from the school bus regardless of their direction.

How close can a parked vehicle be to a fire hydrant?

 vehicle cannot be legally parallel parked 15 feet or closer to a fire hydrant.

How close can a parked vehicle be to a crosswalk?

A vehicle cannot be legally parked 20 feet or closer to a crosswalk.

Is it legal to park in front of a driveway?

No.

If drivers are involved in an accident, must the police be informed?

If there has been any injury, the police must be called.

Who is required to wear a safety belt?

All passengers under the age of 18 are required to wear a safety belt at all times. In addition, all drivers and front-seat passengers must wear a safety belt.

How fast can a truck proceed if there are passengers in the bed?

Trucks with passengers riding in the open bed are not allowed to travel faster than 35 miles per hour.

Are children allowed to ride in the bed of a truck?

In most cases, children under the age of 18 are not allowed to ride in a truck bed. This rule does not apply to children working on farms who are being transported to or from the labor site.

How often must vehicles receive a safety inspection?

Pennsylvania vehicles registration must undergo a safety inspection every 12 months.

Is headlight use mandatory if it is raining?

Yes. All vehicles that have their windshield wipers in motion must activate their headlights and taillights.

What does a red light indicate?

A red traffic signal requires all motorists to stop at an intersection. If the light is steady, motorists must wait for a green signal before they can proceed. If the light is flashing, motorists must stop and make sure it is safe to proceed before driving through the intersection.

How far in advance must motorists signal their intent to turn?

Vehicles traveling under 35 miles per hour must signal an upcoming turn at least 100 feet in advance. Vehicles traveling 35 miles per hour or faster must signal an upcoming turn at least 300 feet in advance.

Is it legal to pass another vehicle on a hill or curve?

No. Whether drivers are approaching or on a hill or curve, they cannot pass another vehicle.

How close to the curb must a parallel parked vehicle be?

Both the front and rear tires of a vehicle must be within 12 inches of the curb when parallel parked.

How close to a fire hydrant may a vehicle be parked?

Drivers may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

How close to a crosswalk may a vehicle be parked?

Drivers may not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk.

How close may a vehicle come to a school bus when children are entering or exiting?

If a school bus is stopped and has its flashing red lights on, children may be entering or exiting. Motorists coming from any direction must stop no closer than 10 feet away from the school bus until the red lights are turned off.

How much distance must drivers keep between them and emergency vehicles responding a car?

If an emergency vehicle has its siren or flashing lights on, drivers must stay at least 500 feet back.

Can funeral processions proceed through a red light or stop sign?

Once they are in motion, funeral processions are allowed to go through a red light. If a stop sign is approached, the lead vehicle must come to a complete stop before proceeding. All drivers must yield to a funeral procession in motion.

A brief guide to Alabama parking law

Driving is a serious responsibility, and your legal obligations do not end once your vehicle is no longer in motion. Alabama parking laws have many regulations which you must be aware of. Failure to obey these rules can result in a financial penalty.

Some of the most important Alabama parking laws concern areas where you can legally leave your vehicle. It is important to distinguish between practices which are technically in violation in law and those which are merely unsafe practices. For example, there is no Alabama parking law stating that you should not park on an uphill slope. However, if your vehicle has weak parking brakes, this is not a good idea. Be sure to use common sense in cases where there is no obvious Alabama parking law governing your situation.

However, there are many different areas where you are not legally allowed to leave your vehicle. Alabama parking laws prohibit anyone from parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. Failure to obey this rule may result in a ticket that requires you to pay a fine. This Alabama parking law is an example of a rule which is different in every state. Another specific law is the one which prohibits you from parking in front of a driveway or in front of a bridge. This Alabama parking law is common nationwide, since it concerns vehicles blocking traffic in an unsafe manner.

It is important to be aware of the specific parking distance from certain parts of the road. While every state generally has a rule concerning how close you can park to a crosswalk, you should be aware that Alabama parking laws say you cannot park any closer than 20 feet to a crosswalk an intersection which is not regulated by traffic lights.  

The distance may different in other states. In addition to familiarizing yourself with Alabama parking laws, if you are planning on traveling to another state, study all their regulations. 

Some rules do not require you to memorize any number. You should simply remember that Alabama parking law prohibits you in front of any sidewalk which has been painted yellow. Before leaving your vehicle anywhere, look around to make sure there are no signs which prohibit you from doing so. A lack of due precaution is no excuse for violating Alabama parking laws.

Breaking any of these rules may result in a ticket being issued. These kinds of violations of Alabama parking law do not carry serious legal consequences other than a small financial penalty. They will not harm your legal record. However, if you are issued a ticket for a violation of Alabama parking laws, be courteous to any officer who issues it. If you are non-cooperative or hostile, you will be violating the law regarding interaction with officers. In such cases, an officer will be able to arrest you for charges that are much more serious than breaking Alabama parking laws.

Are adults legally required to wear a safety belt?

No. While all passengers younger than 18 years old are required to wear safety belts, no one over that age is legally required to do so.

How loud must the driver’s horn be?

To be in compliance with the law, driver’s horns must be audible from at least 200 feet away.

What does an x-shaped sign indicate?

X-shaped signs mark railroad crossings.

How close to a railroad crossing must a car stop if the gates are down?

Drivers must stop no further than 50 feet away from a railroad crossing and no closer than 15 feet if the gates are down or a train is crossing.

How far away from a school bus must a vehicle stop?

If a school bus has stopped and its flashing red lights are on, this means children are entering or exiting. Drivers must stop no closer than 25 feet away until the flashing red lights are turned off.

How many people may legally sit in the front seat of a vehicle?

No more than three people are allowed to be in the front seat of a vehicle in motion.

When is it legal to make a right turn on a red light?

Drivers may turn right on a red light if there is no oncoming traffic or any pedestrians. However, if there is a sign giving pedestrians the right to walk through the crosswalk, it is illegal to turn even if there are no people actually crossing.

What does a flashing yellow light mean?

Flashing yellow lights warns motorists to slow down and make sure it is safe to proceed through an intersection before driving forward. It does not require motorists to come to a complete stop.

Do funeral processions have the right of way?

Drivers must always yield the right of way to funeral processions, as long as the funeral procession is properly marked by having all the vehicles in it drive with their headlights on.

How many feet in advance should drivers signal their intent to make a turn on a highway?

Drivers should signal any turns they are going to make at least 500 feet in advance on a highway.

How close can a vehicle be parked to a fire truck responding to an emergency?

Drivers may not park on any block where a fire truck is responding to an emergency.

How close to a bridge can another vehicle is passed?

Drivers cannot pass another vehicle within 100 feet of a bridge.

What is the maximum speed limit for vehicles towing a house trailer?

Vehicles towing a house trailer may drive no faster than 45 miles per hour.

How close can a vehicle be parked to a fire station?

Drivers may park no closer than within 20 feet of the entrance of a fire station on the same side of the street and no closer than 75 feet away on the opposite side of the street.

If two vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, who has the right of way?

Drivers on the left should always yield to vehicles on the right.

Are motorcycle drivers and passengers required to wear helmets?

All motorcycle drivers under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet while operating the vehicle. In addition, anyone who has driven a motorcycle for less than a year is required to wear a helmet. Passengers riding with any motorcycle driver who is required to wear a helmet must also wear one.

Can mopeds be driven on freeways?

No. In general, mopeds cannot be operated on any road where vehicles are commonly driven at speeds of 35 miles per hour or higher.

When is a left turn on a red light legal?

A left turn during a red light can only be made from one one-way street onto another, and only from the extreme left lane on one street into another. Drivers must always yield to any oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

How far away must a vehicle stop from a school bus with its flashing red lights on?

If a school bus has flashing red lights on, this means children may be entering or exiting the vehicle. Other vehicles must stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus, regardless of what direction they are going in, until the flashing red lights have been turned off.

What are drivers required to do before passing another vehicle on the left?

Before passing, all drivers must sound their horn to warn the vehicle in front they are about to be passed. A left-turn signal must also be activated. Drivers may not complete any pass if they cannot return to the right lane without coming within 200 feet or closer of oncoming traffic.

What is the maximum speed limit in a school zone?

Drivers may not exceed 20 miles per hour while driving through a school zone.

How close to a fire hydrant may a vehicle be parked?

A vehicle cannot be parked with ten feet of a fire hydrant.

How close to a railroad crossing may a vehicle be parked?

A vehicle may not be parked within 50 feet of a railway, measured from the closest rail.

Is it legal to drive around the gates of a railway?

No. Even if no train is visible, drivers must wait for the gates to be lifted before they may proceed.

Who must wear a safety belt?

All drivers, front seat passengers and passengers under the age of 18 are required to wear a safety belt while a vehicle is in motion.

What shape are signs warning of a school zone?

School zone warning signs have five sides.

What color are signs warning of construction zones?

Signs indicating an upcoming construction zone are orange.

What does a sign with a red circle with a slash within it mean?

These types of signs indicate the action pictured is forbidden.

What does a yellow traffic light mean?

Drivers approaching a yellow traffic light must stop before entering an intersection if they can safely do so. Drivers who are not able to stop safely should proceed cautiously through the intersection without speeding up.

What does a green traffic light mean?

Green traffic lights allow drivers to go through an intersection without stopping. However, drivers must yield to all pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

Is it legal to speed up to pass another vehicle?

No. Drivers who cannot pass another vehicle without breaking the speed limit may not pass.

What color are warning signs?

Warning signs indicating approaching hazardous conditions are yellow with black lettering or characters.

What does a solid line with a broken line mean?

These lines indicate drivers to the right of the solid line are not allowed to pass.

What do two solid yellow lines mean?

Two solid yellow lines divide a two-lane road. This means no passing is allowed for drivers moving in either direction.

How old must motorcycle drivers be?

Drivers must be at least 14 years old to operate a motorcycle.

Are motorcycle drivers required to wear a helmet?

No. Only motorcycle drivers under the age of 18 are required to wear a safety helmet.

Are bicycles required to have a headlight?

Any bicycle being ridden at night must have a headlight that can be seen from at least 500 feet away. 

How far in advance should a driver signal their intent to turn?

All drivers should indicate a turn at least 100 feet in advance, either by using their signal lights or with hand signals.

What is the maximum speed limit when approaching a railway crossing?

If drivers have their view of a railway crossing blocked in any way, they must slow down to no more than 20 miles per hour.

What is the maximum speed limit on rural interstate highways?

Drivers may not exceed 75 miles per hour on rural interstate highways unless signs indicate otherwise.

How close to a tunnel may one vehicle pass another?

Drivers cannot pass another vehicle within 100 feet or closer of a tunnel.

How close to a fire hydrant may a vehicle be parked?

Drivers may park no closer than 10 feet to a fire hydrant.

How close to a stop sign may drivers park?

A vehicle may be parked no closer than within 15 feet of a stop sign.

When must a traffic accident be reported to the police?

Any traffic accident resulting in death, injury or property damage of $1,000 or greater must be reported to the police.

Do back-seat passengers have to wear a safety belt?

Only passengers under the age of 18 are required to wear a safety belt. All front seat passengers must wear a safety belt.

Are snowmobile drivers required to wear a helmet?

No. Only snowmobile drivers under the age of 18 are required to wear a helmet.