Test questions often turn on exact words. 'Must' means the law requires it; 'should' means it's recommended. Knowing what legally counts as a roadway, a bicycle or a motorcycle tells you which rules apply.
Must / Should
'Must' means an action or practice required by law. 'Should' means a recommended action or practice that is not required by law.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Convicted
Found guilty in court of a motor vehicle violation, forfeiting a bail bond, or pleading guilty.
Handbook p. 11 ↗Highway vs. roadway
Highway: the entire width between boundary lines of a road open to public traffic (not private roads). Roadway: the part used for vehicle travel, not including the shoulder.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Intersection
The area common to two or more highways that meet, whether or not one highway crosses the other.
Handbook p. 12 ↗Safety zone
An area officially set aside within a highway for the exclusive use of pedestrians, and marked as such.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Bicycle
Human-powered by pedals—including 2- or 3-wheelers with working pedals and an electric motor under 750 watts that can't reach 20 mph on the motor alone.
Handbook p. 11 ↗Motorized cycles
| Type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Moped | 2 wheels (10+ in.); under 55 cc or 751–2,000 watt motor |
| Triped | Like a moped, but with 3 wheels |
| Minibike | Rim <10 in., <40 in. hub-to-hub, <45 cc, or seat <25 in. |
| Motorcycle | Motor vehicle on 3 or fewer wheels (not tractors/minibikes) |
OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle)
A motor-driven vehicle able to travel cross-country without a road or trail—over land, snow, ice, marsh, swampland or other natural terrain.
Handbook p. 12 ↗Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)
For Delaware licensing: over 26,000 lbs (weight, rating or registration), designed for 16+ occupants including the driver, or placarded for hazardous material.
Handbook p. 11 ↗Divided highway
A highway split into two or more roadways by a space, physical barrier or clearly marked dividing section built to impede traffic.
Handbook p. 11 ↗Three-point turn
Turning 180° on a narrow street: turn sharply left almost to the curb, back right almost to the other curb, then pull forward the opposite way. Also called a turnabout.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Registration
Both the registration certificate (card) and the registration plate (tag).
Handbook p. 13 ↗Owner
The person holding legal title to a vehicle, or someone buying it on time who has the immediate right of possession.
Handbook p. 13 ↗Put it into practice
Your cousin's e-bike has working pedals and a 500-watt motor that tops out at 18 mph. Under Delaware's definition it's a bicycle, not a moped—a moped's electric motor is rated 751 to 2,000 watts.