California Driver's Handbook Flashcards

Flashcards from the California Driver's Handbook to help with the knowledge test.

REAL ID Driver’s License

Beginning May 2025, your driver’s license or identification (ID) card must be REAL ID compliant if you use it to board an airplane for domestic flights, enter military bases, and enter most federal facilities.

Instruction Permit Requirements

To apply for a Class C instruction permit, you must complete a Driver’s License & ID Card Application, provide your documents, pay a non-refundable application fee, pass your knowledge test(s), and pass a vision test.

Minor's Provisional Driver Restrictions

As a provisional driver under 18, you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months, with passengers under 20 years old (unless supervised), or for pay/operate commercial vehicles.

Vision Test for Driver's License

DMV tests all applicants to ensure they can see well enough to drive safely. If you take your vision test with corrective or contact lenses, your driver’s license will have a corrective lenses restriction.

Knowledge Test for Driver's License

When you apply for an original driver’s license, you must pass a knowledge test with multiple choice questions. You are allowed three attempts to pass before you must reapply.

Behind-the-Wheel Drive Test Requirements

On the day of your behind-the-wheel test, you must bring: Your instruction permit or driver’s license (if you have one), another California-licensed driver who is at least 18 years old (25 for minors), A vehicle that is safe to drive for your test, Valid proof of insurance and vehicle registration.

Traffic Lane

A section of road for a single line of traffic.

Single Solid Yellow Line

Marks the center of a road with two-way traffic. Do not pass a vehicle in front of you if there is only one lane of traffic going your direction and a solid yellow line on your side of the road.

Double Solid Yellow Lines

Do not pass over these lines. Stay to the right of these lines unless you are in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left, instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of the road, or turning left across a single set to enter/exit a driveway or make a U-turn.

Broken Yellow Line

Indicates you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane. Only pass when it is safe.

Yield LIne

A solid white line of triangles that shows approaching vehicles where to yield or stop. The triangles point towards approaching vehicles.

Passing Lane

On a multilane road, the passing lane (far left lane) is the lane closest to the center divider and is used to pass other vehicles.

HOV Lane

A special lane reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles with decals.

Center Left Turn Lanes

Located in the middle of a two-way street, marked on both sides by two painted lines (inner broken, outer solid). Use it to prepare for and make a left turn or U-turn, but only drive for 200 feet in this lane.

Right-of-Way in Intersections

Without STOP or YIELD signs: 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.

Pedestrian

A person walking, traveling on something other than a vehicle or bicycle (roller skates, skateboard), or a person with a disability using a tricycle, quadricycle, or wheelchair for transportation.

Blind Spots

Areas around the vehicle that a driver cannot see when looking straight ahead or using the mirrors. To check your blind spots, look over your right and left shoulders out of your side windows.

Skid

When one or more of the tires lose traction with the road and the vehicle starts to slip.

Hydroplaning

When a vehicle rides on water because the tires lose all contact with the road.

Financial Responsibility

You must have your proof of financial responsibility (insurance) when you drive and for a drive test. If you get into a collision, you must show proof to the other drivers involved in the collision.

Basic Speed Law

In California, you may never drive faster than is safe for the current road conditions. This is known as the Basic Speed Law.