ESL Podcast 218 - Getting a Driver's License

driver's manual - a handbook of rules and laws that tells drivers what they can and cannot do while driving on public roads

All of the answers to questions on written driver's test can be found in a driver's manual.

traffic laws - rules made by the government about what drivers can and cannot do while driving on public roads

Not following traffic laws is a sure way to get a ticket from the police.

with flying colors - easily; without difficulty

Having studied all week, she passed the test with flying colors.

to miss - to be incorrect; to make an error; to be wrong, usually on a test

How many questions did you miss on the final exam?

vision test - a test taken when applying for a driver's license to check how well a person can see

There is little chance that she'll pass the vision test if she doesn't wear her glasses.

road test - a test taken when applying for a driver's license where drivers drive with the examiner in the car to make sure that the person can drive properly and follow the rules

She had no problems getting her driver's license after getting a perfect score on the road test.

driver's ed - short for driver's education; this is a class available in many high schools that teaches students to drive and about the rules for driving

Driver's ed seems to be the only class that teenagers don't mind taking.

behind the wheel - driving a car; being in control of a car

Truck drivers spend most of their day behind the wheel.

to signal - to let someone or something know what you're going to do; to get someone's attention

When our plane crash-landed on an island, we tried to build a fire to signal for help.

to yield - to make way for someone or something; to allow someone else to go before you

When people are rushing home after work, many of them forget to yield to the people trying to cross the street.

pedestrian - any person walking on a sidewalk, street, or road

Since pedestrians are harder to see at night, it's a good idea to wear bright- colored clothes if you plan to walk home.

to screw up - to make a mistake

Every time I try to help my wife in the kitchen, I screw it up and ruin our meal.

parallel parking - parking a car next to the sidewalk in between two cars, with one in front and one in back

Parallel parking is not easy, and even good drivers try to avoid it if they can.

intersection - where two roads from different directions meet and form a cross

Drivers have to worry about other cars and pedestrians at all intersections.

appointment - a specific date and time for a meeting

She called to tell me that she's running late for our lunchtime appointment.

DMV - short for the Department of Motor Vehicles; a place where drivers get permission to drive and also where they let the state know what cars they are driving

Instead of waiting in line at the DMV, I decided to fill out the forms and send them in to their office instead.

walk-in - to go into a business or an office without an appointment where you usually need an appointment to be served

I missed my appointment and tried to see my hair stylist as a walk-in.