NOT TO BE SOLD OklahomaOKLAHOMA DRIVER'S MANUAL September 2017 OurOur studentsstudents don’tdon’t fearfear thethe realreal world.world. They’veThey’ve alreadyalready beenbeen there.there. Real world experience to prepare for life and work— that’s what CareerTech is all about. Whether it is health, marketing, computer technology, agriculture or another career, you can learn skills and gain practical experience to be successful in whatever you choose. You can even earn college credit! Are you ready for the real world? Talk to your counselor about CareerTech, or visit your local technology center today. www.okcareertech.org FOREWORD This handbook is written to help you qualify for an Oklahoma Driver License and become a safe driver. It is not an official legal reference to Oklahoma traffic laws, but explains in everyday language the knowledge and skills you will need to drive safely and legally on Oklahoma’s roads and highways. Good drivers know, understand, and respect the laws and safe-driving practices. They drive defensively and courteously, always seeking to improve their driving skills and habits. If you are an Oklahoma resident, you must have an Oklahoma Driver License to operate a car, truck, or motorcycle. You must pass the required tests for the type of vehicle you want to drive. The tests will be given and evaluated by a professional driver examiner of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, according to state and national standards. Your license to operate a motor vehicle on Oklahoma’s streets and highways is a privilege granted by the state under certain conditions. This privilege is granted only to people who can show that they have the knowledge and the ability to safely operate their vehicles. Abuse of the privilege may result in the loss of your Oklahoma Driver License. The Oklahoma Driver Manual presents instructions and general information relating to the operation of motor vehicles in the state of Oklahoma. It is based on the laws and regulations in effect at the time of publication. Copyright 2017 Department of Public Safety, State of Oklahoma All Rights Reserved - Department of Public Safety, State of Oklahoma Publisher The contents of the Oklahoma Driver’s Manual are copyrighted by the Department of Public Safety. By downloading this file, I certify that this file is for my personal use only and that I will print only one draft for my personal use and no other paper or digital copies will be made and that this file will not be distributed to any person, organization or entity in any form, including paper copies and digital copies, without the express written permission in advance from the State of Oklahoma, Department of Public Safety. This file may not be reproduced by any individual, agency, organization, association, or group without approval in writing from the Department of Public Safety. September 2017 For additional information call our automated answering number: 405-425-7272. TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1 Your Oklahoma Driver License Chapter 1: How to Apply for Your Oklahoma Driver License ....... 1-1 Who Has to Have an Oklahoma Driver License? • What to Bring with You • Types of Oklahoma Driver Licenses • Parent-Taught Driver Education • What to Expect: Vision Screening, Written Test, Driving Test • Where to Get Your License • Organ Donor Option • Sex or Violent Offender Registration • License Responsibilities • Fees Chapter 2: Your Driver License—Restrictions and Renewals ...... 2-1 Your Oklahoma Driving Privilege • If You Lose Your License • License Expiration and Renewal • Changing Your Name and Address • Probationary Period • Unauthorized Driving • Restrictions and Endorsements Placed on Your License Chapter 3: Requirements for Oklahoma Drivers .......................... 3-1 Registration, Tag, and Title • Financial Responsibility and Compulsory Liability Insurance—You Must be Properly Insured • Vehicle Inspection • Mandatory Safety Requirements—Seat Belts and Child Passenger Restraints • Child Passenger Restraint System Chapter 4: Driving Safety and Courtesy ........................................ 4-1 The Right Attitude for the Road • Driving Defensively • Road Rage • What You Can Do to Stay Safe • Suggestions for Avoiding Road Rage • Watch Out for “Accident Makers” • What to Do If You Have a Collision Section 2 Rules of the Road Chapter 5: Signs, Signals and Markings ........................................ 5-1 Regulatory Signs • Warning Signs • Railroad Warning Signs • Construction and Maintenance Signs • Guide Signs • Service Signs • Traffic Signals • Pedestrian Signals • Lane Control Signals • Pavement Markings Chapter 6: Right-of-Way—When to Yield ....................................... 6-1 You Must Yield to Children Playing in the Streets • You Must Yield to Blind Persons • You Must Always Yield • Right-of-Way at Intersections • Crossing an Intersection • Yield Right-of-Way to a School or Church Bus Chapter 7: Lane Usage and Maneuvers .......................................... 7-1 Changing Lanes • Expressway Driving • Passing • Turning • Turnabouts • Backing Chapter 8: Speed Limits .................................................................. 8-1 The Basic Speed Rule • Speed Limits • Night Driving ii Chapter 9: Stopping and Following ................................................ 9-1 Stopping Distances • Braking • Stopping in Icy and Rainy Conditions • Following • How to Avoid Rear-End Collisions Chapter 10: Parking........................................................................ 10-1 Parking • Parking on a Highway • Angle Parking • Parallel Parking • Parking and Starting on a Hill • Disabled Parking Permit • Unlawful Parking Section 3 Driving Safely Chapter 11: Sharing the Road. ..................................................... 11-1 Pedestrians • Bicycles • Motorcycles • Trucks • Trains • Slow-Moving Vehicles Chapter 12: Driving Tips ............................................................... 12-1 Using High and Low Headlight Beams Properly • Using a Standard Transmission • Good Driving Posture • Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning • Driving Out of State • Car Phone Safety • Emergency Kit for Your Car • Traffic Facts • Flood Safety Rules Section 4 Violations and Penalties Chapter 13: Alcohol, Drugs, and Driving — Oklahoma Is Tough on DUIs ..................................................................................................13-1 Alcohol—Why Drinking and Driving Is So Dangerous • Oklahoma Implied Consent Laws • Criminal Evidence and Penalties • Other Drugs and Driving • Zero Tolerance for Drivers under 21 • Additional Penalties for Persons Under 18 Chapter 14: Violations and Penalties. ...........................................14-1 Unlawful Use of License and/or Identification Card • School Withdrawal • Driver’s Record • Driver Improvement • Probationary License • Mandatory Revocation of Your License • Oklahoma Mandatory Point System • Financial Responsibility—Liability Insurance Requirements • Financial Responsibility iii Next Time SKIP the Line, Book You will be able to scheduleOnline! an appointment for Oklahoma ID cards, Class D, CDL, written test/drive test, originals, renewals, and duplicates by visiting our Inline/Online website: www.inlineonline.ok.gov Look for the kiosk in the lobby of DPS driver license offices throughout the state, to register in the queuing system. WHO HAS TO HAVE AN OKLAHOMA DRIVER LICENSE? All residents who operate a motor vehicle on any Oklahoma street or highway. n Drivers with an out-of-state license must apply for an Oklahoma Driver License at the time they establish residency. Upon establishing residency, your vehicles must be registered in Oklahoma. See your local tag agent. This may not apply to military personnel and their spouses. An Oklahoma License is NOT required for: 1. Nonresidents at least 16 years old who are properly licensed to drive in their home state or country. 2. Nonresidents on active duty with the Armed Forces and their spouses and children with valid licenses from their home states 3. Nonresident students enrolled at an Oklahoma college or university and their spouses and children with valid licenses from their home states 4. Anyone operating a farm tractor or implement solely for farm/ranch activities. WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU You must apply for your license in person at a Driver Testing Facility operated by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (See Appendix for locations.) Use this checklist for items to bring with you: ___ 1. Your full legal name will be used on your license. A name change resulting from marriage, court order or divorce shall appear on the driver license or identification card exactly as stated on the marriage certificate, court order or divorce decree. ___ 2. Bring proper identification. Notarized documents or photocopies are not acceptable. You are required to present primary identification. For your primary ID, you must show an original or certified document such as: • Certified birth certificate. • Oklahoma driver license originally • A valid, unexpired U.S. passport issued after November 1, 2007 (Effective 11/01/16 may serve as both • Citizenship naturalization documents primary & secondary ID.) • Alien registration card • State of Oklahoma identification card, • CBA—Citizen Born Abroad originally issued by Department of Public Safety, after November 1, 2007 For secondary ID, you must show any of the following: • Any primary proof of identification • Photo identification card that is issued • Out of state driver license by an Oklahoma: • Oklahoma driver license issued