You study a state's drivers' handbook to take the driver's license test, but consider using it one other way. That is, as a source of information to periodically remind you of the driving laws and highway safety. I'll concentrate on Florida's laws today.
First, who is required to have a Florida license? If you are a Florida resident or have moved to Florida and have a license from another state, you must get a Florida license within thirty days of becoming a resident. The definition of "resident" can be trickier than it sounds. You're a resident if you enroll your children in public school, register to vote, file for a homestead exemption, accept employment, or live here for more than six consecutive months. Major exceptions are members of the armed forces and their families (although there are exceptions to that) and non-residents who attend school in Florida.
Those laws are pretty mundane, so let's consider some laws and ideas that can help you avoid a wreck, an expensive traffic ticket, or jail. One thing that comes to mind immediately involves passing. Passing on the right on a two-lane road, typically signifying that you're passing on the shoulder, is illegal. Why? Presumably the car you're passing has slowed or stopped to turn left. If that driver decides to cancel that left turn and proceeds straight ahead or turns right, you're going to hit that car or get hit. Instead of passing on the right, have patience. Stop if necessary.
Our Florida driver's manual has important sections dealing with vehicle control. It may be comfortable to steer with one hand or a wrist thrown over the steering wheel, but if you hit a pot hole or have to swerve, control can be lost. Once an emergency arises, it usually takes too long to get the hands in position to regain control. The manual also reminds us that all kids five and younger must wear an approved restraint while riding in a vehicle. The number one killer of young children in the United States is wrecks in which children were completely unrestrained. Be safe. I'll discuss more safety laws soon.
