California Driver's Handbook Flashcards

Flashcards for California Driver's Handbook focusing on key rules and regulations.

What does a California driver's license allow you to do?

To drive on public roads.

What is required to board a plane or enter a federal building in California?

Beginning May 2025, your driver's license or ID card must be REAL ID compliant to board an airplane for domestic flights, enter military bases, and enter most federal facilities.

What is the purpose of providing proof of identity when applying for an instruction permit or driver's license?

To prove who you are.

What is required to get your driver’s license after you have your instruction permit

Pass a behind-the-wheel drive test.

What are the restrictions as a provisional driver under 18 years old?

Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months you have your license and with passengers under 20 years old, unless your parent or guardian or other California-licensed driver (at least 25 years old) rides with you.

What is the waiting period before retaking failed knowledge or behind-the-wheel drive tests for minors?

Minors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not including the day of the failure and Minors must wait 14 days to retake a failed behind-the-wheel drive test, not including the day of the failure.

If you move, how long do you have to notify the DMV of your new address?

Within ten days.

What do vehicle headlights help you with?

Helps you see what is in front of you and Makes it easier for other drivers to see your vehicle.

When should you signal?

At least 100 feet before you turn, before every lane change, at least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway, before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb, even when you do not see other vehicles around you, and when you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn shortly after crossing the intersection.

When should you use your horn?

To avoid collisions and to alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead.

What does a single solid yellow line indicate?

Marks the center of a road with two-way traffic, and you shouldn't pass if there is only one lane of traffic going your direction and a solid yellow line on your side of the road.

What do double solid white lines indicate?

A lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use lane, such as a carpool (HOV) lane. You may also see double solid white lines in or near freeway on and off ramps, never change lanes over these lines.

When must you use a turnout area or lane?

Use a turnout area or lane to let other vehicles pass when you are driving slowly on a two-lane road, where passing is unsafe, and there are five or more vehicles following you.

How far in advance should you signal before making a turn?

About 100 feet before the turn.

When may you make a U-turn?

Across a double yellow line, in a residential district if no vehicles are approaching you within 200 feet, at an intersection on a green traffic light or green arrow, unless a No U-turn sign is posted and on a divided highway if a center divider opening is provided.

How to Pass While on an Open Highway

Speed up to pass the vehicle, and signal and return to your original lane.

When parallel parking, how much space should you check for?

Find a space that is at least three feet longer than your vehicle.

What should you do when parking on a sloping driveway?

Turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the street, leave the vehicle in park and set the parking brake.

What does a white painted curb indicate?

Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.

What should you do during a law enforcement stop?

Turn on your right signal to acknowledge that you see the officer, move completely onto the right shoulder, even if in the carpool/HOV lane, turn off your radio, remain inside your vehicle unless directed to get out by the officer, roll down your window after stopping your vehicle and before the officer makes contact with you, and the driver and all passengers should place their hands in clear view before the officer makes contact with them.

What does a solid red traffic signal light mean?

STOP.

You can turn, but your turn is not protected from other traffic

Flashing Yellow Arrow

Right-of-Way Rules in Intersections

The vehicle that arrives to the intersection first has the right-of-way. However, if a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, gets to the intersection at the same time as you, give the right-of-way to the vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist on your right.

Right-of-way on mountain roads?

If two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road and neither vehicle can pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way.

Stopping Distance of a Large Vehicle

Large vehicles and commercial trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles traveling at the same speed.

When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing emergency signal lights (hazard lights), move over and slow down

Stopped road work vehicles displaying emergency flashing or amber warning lights are part of these requirements.

What is the speed limit near a school?

Is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street.

What is Points on your driver record?

Is a traffic violation.

What is Required of Defensive Driving

Keep your eyes moving and scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle.

Slippery surface on the street

Ice and packed snow on the road can cause your vehicle to skid. This is even more likely if you are driving too fast or going downhill.

What to do when driving in slippery conditions

Rain, snow, or mud can make the roads slippery. Drive more slowly than you would on a dry road.

Tire Blowout

Hold the steering wheel with both hands, maintain your vehicle speed if possible and safe, gradually release the accelerator, correct the steering as necessary to stabilize your vehicle and regain control, look and steer in the direction you want your vehicle to go, and once your vehicle has stabilized, continue to slow down and pull off the road where and when it’s safe.

what is driver Incompetence

Is a condition that causes a person to be unable to operate a motor vehicle without presenting a clear or potential danger, or risk of injury to himself/ herself or others.

It is against the law for a minor to use a cell phone or electronic wireless device to answer calls and send or respond to text messages while driving

Any law against minors and cell phones.

DUI and all laws of California

California’s driving under the influence (DUI) laws apply to both alcohol and drugs.

What is right-of-way Helps

Helps determine who is allowed to go first in situations where vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists meet on the road.

Increase.

If you are convicted of DUI, your insurance rates will ____

School bus

Always stop for a ____ with a raised crossing guard arm.

current address

If you're involved in a collision, you must exchange your driver's license information, vehicle insurance information, and ____ with the other driver.

0.08%

It is illegal to operate a vehicle with a BAC of ____ or higher if you are 21 years or older.

0.01%

If you are under 21 years of age, you can lose your license if you have a BAC of ____ or higher.

Lane

When entering a freeway, increase your speed to match the flow of traffic and merge into the correct ____ when it is safe to do so.

Crosswalk

If you approach an intersection with a stop sign and there is no stop line, stop before entering the ____.

30 , 30

Headlights must be used from ____ minutes after sunset until ____ minutes before sunrise.

dark streets

Use your high beams on open country roads or in ____ when other cars are not nearby.

300

Dim your high beams to low beams when you are within ____ feet of a vehicle you are following.

500

Dim your high beams to low beams when there is an oncoming vehicle within ____ feet.