California Driver’s Handbook

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and key concepts from the California Driver’s Handbook to aid understanding and retention of important driving laws and safety practices.

REAL ID Driver’s License

A driver’s license compliant with federal identification standards, required for boarding domestic flights, entering military bases, and federal facilities starting May 2025.

Provisional Driver’s License

A special type of driver’s license issued to drivers under 18, with specific restrictions such as not driving with passengers under 20 for the first 12 months.

Alcohol and Drugs

It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications that impair driving ability.

Driver’s License Tests

Includes vision, knowledge, and behind-the-wheel tests required to obtain a driver’s license.

Traffic Lanes

Sections of road designated for a single line of traffic, marked with various lines indicating rules and permitted actions.

Blind Spot

Areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver through mirrors, requiring shoulder checks for safe lane changes.

Right-of-Way Rules

Regulations dictating which vehicle or pedestrian has priority when approaching intersections or crossing paths.

Traffic Signals

Devices such as traffic lights that control vehicle and pedestrian movement at intersections.

Bicycle Lanes

Designated lanes for bicyclists, marked with specific lines and signs, where motor vehicles are typically prohibited from driving.

Point System

A method used by DMV to monitor driver behavior, where tickets or violations lead to points being added to a driver’s record.

Emergency Vehicles

Law enforcement, fire engines, ambulances, and emergency vehicles that require the right-of-way when responding to emergencies.

Distracted Driving

Any activity that diverts attention from driving, including texting, using a phone, eating, or adjusting the radio.

Hydroplaning

An event where a vehicle loses contact with the road due to water on the surface, making it difficult to control.

Financial Responsibility

Proof of insurance required to drive legally in California, covering minimum liability limits.

Child Restraint Systems

Safety systems required for children in vehicles, which vary based on the child's age, weight, and height.

REAL ID Driver’s License

A driver’s license compliant with federal identification standards, required for boarding domestic flights, entering military bases, and federal facilities starting May 2025.

Provisional Driver’s License

A special type of driver’s license issued to drivers under 18, with specific restrictions such as not driving with passengers under 20 for the first 12 months.

Alcohol and Drugs

It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications that impair driving ability.

Driver’s License Tests

Includes vision, knowledge, and behind-the-wheel tests required to obtain a driver’s license.

Traffic Lanes

Sections of road designated for a single line of traffic, marked with various lines indicating rules and permitted actions.

Blind Spot

Areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver through mirrors, requiring shoulder checks for safe lane changes.

Right-of-Way Rules

Regulations dictating which vehicle or pedestrian has priority when approaching intersections or crossing paths.

Traffic Signals

Devices such as traffic lights that control vehicle and pedestrian movement at intersections.

Bicycle Lanes

Designated lanes for bicyclists, marked with specific lines and signs, where motor vehicles are typically prohibited from driving.

Point System

A method used by DMV to monitor driver behavior, where tickets or violations lead to points being added to a driver’s record.

Emergency Vehicles

Law enforcement, fire engines, ambulances, and emergency vehicles that require the right-of-way when responding to emergencies.

Distracted Driving

Any activity that diverts attention from driving, including texting, using a phone, eating, or adjusting the radio.

Hydroplaning

An event where a vehicle loses contact with the road due to water on the surface, making it difficult to control.

Financial Responsibility

Proof of insurance required to drive legally in California, covering minimum liability limits.

Child Restraint Systems

Safety systems required for children in vehicles, which vary based on the child\'s age, weight, and height.

Basic Speed Law

A law stating you may never drive faster than is safe for current road conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.

Parking on Hills

When parking headed downhill, turn wheels toward the curb. When parking headed uphill, turn wheels away from the curb.

Curb Colors

White: stop only to pick up or drop off. Green: park for a limited time. Yellow: stop for loading/unloading. Red: no stopping. Blue: disability parking only.

Three-Second Rule

A method to maintain a safe following distance by ensuring there is at least 3 seconds of space between you and the vehicle ahead.

Signaling for Turns

Always signal at least 100 feet before making a turn or lane change to notify other drivers.

Reporting a Collision (SR 1)

You must report a collision to the DMV within 10 days if there is more than 1000 dollars in property damage or if anyone was injured or killed.

School Bus Safety

You must stop if a school bus is flashing red lights and has its stop arm extended, unless the bus is on the other side of a divided highway.

U-Turns

Illegal in business districts, across double yellow lines unless safe, or where a 'No U-Turn' sign is posted.

Large Trucks (No Zones)

Large areas around trucks where the driver cannot see your vehicle; if you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you.

Headlight Use

Must be turned on if you cannot see 1000 feet ahead, in darkness, or when windshield wipers are used in rain or snow.

Roundabouts

Intersections where traffic travels in a counter-clockwise direction around a central island; yield to traffic already in the circle.

REAL ID Driver’s License

A driver’s license compliant with federal identification standards, required for boarding domestic flights, entering military bases, and federal facilities starting May 2025.

Provisional Driver’s License

A special type of driver’s license issued to drivers under 18, with specific restrictions such as not driving with passengers under 20 for the first 12 months.

Alcohol and Drugs

It is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medications that impair driving ability.

Driver’s License Tests

Includes vision, knowledge, and behind-the-wheel tests required to obtain a driver’s license.

Traffic Lanes

Sections of road designated for a single line of traffic, marked with various lines indicating rules and permitted actions.

Blind Spot

Areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver through mirrors, requiring shoulder checks for safe lane changes.

Right-of-Way Rules

Regulations dictating which vehicle or pedestrian has priority when approaching intersections or crossing paths.

Traffic Signals

Devices such as traffic lights that control vehicle and pedestrian movement at intersections.

Bicycle Lanes

Designated lanes for bicyclists, marked with specific lines and signs, where motor vehicles are typically prohibited from driving.

Point System

A method used by DMV to monitor driver behavior, where tickets or violations lead to points being added to a driver’s record.

Emergency Vehicles

Law enforcement, fire engines, ambulances, and emergency vehicles that require the right-of-way when responding to emergencies.

Distracted Driving

Any activity that diverts attention from driving, including texting, using a phone, eating, or adjusting the radio.

Hydroplaning

An event where a vehicle loses contact with the road due to water on the surface, making it difficult to control.

Financial Responsibility

Proof of insurance required to drive legally in California, covering minimum liability limits.

Child Restraint Systems

Safety systems required for children in vehicles, which vary based on the child's age, weight, and height.

Basic Speed Law

A law stating you may never drive faster than is safe for current road conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.

Parking on Hills

When parking headed downhill, turn wheels toward the curb. When parking headed uphill, turn wheels away from the curb.

Curb Colors

White: stop only to pick up or drop off. Green: park for a limited time. Yellow: stop for loading/unloading. Red: no stopping. Blue: disability parking only.

Three-Second Rule

A method to maintain a safe following distance by ensuring there is at least 3 seconds of space between you and the vehicle ahead.

Signaling for Turns

Always signal at least 100 feet before making a turn or lane change to notify other drivers.

Reporting a Collision (SR 1)

You must report a collision to the DMV within 10 days if there is more than 1000 dollars in property damage or if anyone was injured or killed.

School Bus Safety

You must stop if a school bus is flashing red lights and has its stop arm extended, unless the bus is on the other side of a divided highway.

U-Turns

Illegal in business districts, across double yellow lines unless safe, or where a 'No U-Turn' sign is posted.

Large Trucks (No Zones)

Large areas around trucks where the driver cannot see your vehicle; if you cannot see the truck driver in their side mirror, they cannot see you.

Headlight Use

Must be turned on if you cannot see 1000 feet ahead, in darkness, or when windshield wipers are used in rain or snow.

Roundabouts

Intersections where traffic travels in a counter-clockwise direction around a central island; yield to traffic already in the circle.

Hand Signal: Left Turn

The driver extends their left arm straight out the window.

Hand Signal: Right Turn

The driver bends their left arm upward at a 90-degree angle.

Hand Signal: Slow or Stop

The driver bends their left arm downward at a 90-degree angle.

Speed Limit: School Zone

The speed limit is 25 mph when children are present unless otherwise posted.

Speed Limit: Alleys

The speed limit in any alley is 15 mph.

Speed Limit: Blind Intersection

The speed limit is 15 mph if you cannot see for 100 feet in either direction during the last 100 feet before crossing.

Speed Limit: Railroad Crossing

The speed limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a crossing where you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions.

Two-Way Left Turn Lane

A center lane used for left turns or U-turns; you may only drive in this lane for up to 200 feet.

HOV Lanes

High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles marked with a diamond symbol.

Turnout Areas

Used on two-lane roads; you must use them if 5 or more vehicles are following you and you are driving slowly.

End-of-Lane Markings

Large broken lines on the pavement indicating the lane is ending or that you must exit the freeway.

Yielding to Pedestrians

Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.

Blind Pedestrians

Always stop for pedestrians using a white cane (with or without a red tip) or a guide dog.

T-Intersections

At intersections without signs, vehicles on the through road have the right-of-way; vehicles on the terminating road must yield.

Driving in the Rain

Roads are most slippery during the first few minutes of a rainstorm as oil and dust mix with water.

Driving in Fog

Use low-beam headlights; never use high beams as they reflect off the fog and cause glare.

Driving in Snow

Drivers should carry tire chains and clear all snow and ice from windows before driving.

Headlight Activation Times

Headlights must be turned on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Dimming High Beams (Oncoming)

You must dim your high beams to low beams when an oncoming vehicle is within 500 feet.

Dimming High Beams (Following)

You must dim your high beams to low beams when following another vehicle within 300 feet.

Scanning the Road

Look 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle to identify potential hazards early.

Merging Speed

Enter the freeway at or near the speed of traffic; do not stop in the merging lane unless merging is impossible.

Bicycle Passing Distance

Drivers must allow at least 3 feet of space between their vehicle and a bicyclist when passing.

Motorcycle Lane Splitting

A legal practice in California where motorcycles travel between rows of vehicles in the same lane.

Move Over Law

Requires drivers to move over a lane or slow down when approaching stationary emergency vehicles with flashing lights.

Slow-Moving Vehicles

Vehicles that travel at 25 mph or less, often marked with an orange reflective triangle.

Work Zones

Areas of road construction where traffic fines are typically doubled for violations.

Traffic Break

A maneuver where law enforcement weaves across lanes to slow or stop traffic during an emergency.

Reporting Sale of Vehicle

The DMV must be notified within 5 days after you sell or transfer ownership of a vehicle.

Change of Address Notification

You must notify the DMV of a new residence address within 10 days of moving.

Minor's BAC Limit

It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.01\% or higher.

Adult's BAC Limit

It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a BAC of 0.08\% or higher.

Commercial BAC Limit

It is illegal to operate a commercial vehicle with a BAC of 0.04\% or higher.