Implied Consent
By driving on public roads you automatically consent to a chemical test if police suspect DUI. Refusing triggers an automatic administrative license suspension, processed by the DMV separately from any criminal charge.
Driver's License Point System
Each traffic violation conviction adds demerit points to your driving record. Accumulate enough points in a rolling window and the DMV issues a warning, hearing, or license suspension.
The 3-Second Rule
Keep at least 3 full seconds of gap between your vehicle and the car ahead. At 60 mph that's 264 feet. Many state handbooks recommend it, but the number varies — New York uses 2 seconds and Florida 4.
Permit vs License
A learner's permit is a temporary credential that lets a new driver practice behind the wheel under adult supervision; a driver's license is the credential that authorizes solo driving on public roads.
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)
The three-stage licensing system US states use for new drivers: learner's permit, provisional license, then full license. Each stage has restrictions that relax as the driver gains experience.
Provisional License
A provisional license (also called an intermediate license) lets you drive solo but with restrictions — night curfews and passenger limits — until you reach the state's age or violation-free period requirement.
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