Driver Education Key Vocabulary for English Learners

Many ESL speakers and learners are required to take driver education courses to obtain their driver license from the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). In the United States, each state DMV provides a different written test (for example the California DMV has a different test than the Florida DMV or the NY DMV). International driver licenses also sometimes require a written test. The key vocabulary provided is based on a standard DMV written test and is broken up into categories such as Nouns (Persons, Types of Vehicles, Dangerous Situations, etc.) Verbs, and Descriptive Phrases. Study these keywords to help you or your classes better understand driving manuals and driver education courses.

Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Nouns

Persons

bicyclist
driver
officer
passengers
pedestrians
policeman

Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: 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

Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Dangerous Situations

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

Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: 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

Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Roads

crosswalk
curve
curb
district
driveway
exit
freeway
highway
intersection
lane
pavement
railroad
ramp
roadway
roundabout
route
sidewalk
stop lights
stop sign
traffic lights

More Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary

Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Verbs

approach a road
avoid an accident
be alert while driving
brake a car (step on the brakes)
change lanes
change lanes, tires
check, look into mirror
crash into something
cross a road
damage something
drive a car, drive defensively
enforce a law
exit a road
follow a car or vehicle
hit a car, an object
injure a person
insure a vehicle or car
merge onto a road
obey a lay
obtain a permit or license
operate a vehicle
overtake a car or vehicle
pass a car or vehicle
protect passengers
react to a situation
reduce speed
refuse to take a test
ride in a car
show identification
signal a turn
skid on the road
speed (drive above the speed limit)
steer a car or vehicle
stop a car or vehicle
turn a car or vehicle
warn another driver
wear safety belts
yield to (oncoming) traffic

Key DMV Driver Education Vocabulary: Descriptive Words (Adjectives) and Phrases

amber lights
approaching car or vehicle
behind something
commercial vehicle
convicted driver
disabled passenger
flashing lights
hazardous situation
interstate freeway
intoxicated driver
legal document
licensing department
manual transmission
oncoming traffic
one-way street
out-of-state license plate, driver
pedestrian crosswalk
posted sign
prohibited by law, movement
recreational vehicle
reduced speed
replacement tire
required by law, equipment
safety feature, seat
slippery road
steering wheel
straight road
suspended license
two-way street
unsafe driving, driver, vehicle
valid driver's license
warning signals, lights