CA DMV driver's handbook 2024

beginning from introduction to driving

Vision

The ability to notice hazards, judge distances, adjust to traffic speed, and read road signs while driving.

Hearing

The capacity to hear horns, sirens, motorcycles, or screeching tires to be alerted of potential hazards while driving.

Fatigue and Drowsiness

Conditions that can impact vision and reaction time while driving, leading to increased risks.

Hand-to-Hand Steering (Push/Pull)

A steering method where hands are kept at 9 and 3 o’clock or 8 and 4 o’clock positions without crossing over the middle of the wheel.

Hand-Over-Hand Steering

A steering method used at low speeds or to recover from a skid, involving reaching across the wheel to grasp the opposite side.

Signaling

The act of using signals to communicate intentions while driving, including turning, changing lanes, slowing down, or stopping.

Emergency Flashers

Lights used to warn drivers behind of a collision or hazard ahead, along with tapping the brake pedal or using hand signals.

Traffic Lanes

Sections of the road designated for a single line of traffic, with lane markings indicating rules for usage.

Single Solid Yellow Line

Marks the center of a road with two-way traffic, indicating no passing if there is only one lane of traffic in the direction.

Double Solid Yellow Lines

Indicate no passing, with exceptions for specific situations like HOV lanes or instructed by signs.

Single Solid White Line

Marks traffic lanes going in the same direction, including one-way streets.

Double Solid White Lines

Indicate a lane barrier between regular and preferential use lanes, prohibiting lane changes over them.

Broken White Lines

Separate traffic lanes in the same direction, allowing lane changes when safe, typically seen on roads with multiple lanes.

Traffic Lanes

Lanes on the road designated by numbers, with the left lane known as the Number 1 Lane and subsequent lanes numbered accordingly.

Changing Lanes

The process of moving from one traffic lane to another, involving signaling, checking mirrors and blind spots, and ensuring there is enough space for the maneuver.

Passing Lanes

Lanes on multilane roads used for passing other vehicles, typically located on the far left side.

Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes

Special lanes reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles meeting specific criteria.

Center Left Turn Lanes

Lanes in the middle of a two-way street marked by two painted lines, used for preparing for and making left turns or U-turns.

Turnout Areas or Lanes

Designated areas on two-lane roads where slower vehicles can move aside to allow faster vehicles to pass.

Bicycle Lanes

Lanes designated for bicyclists alongside vehicle traffic, marked by white lines and signs, with specific rules for motor vehicles regarding their use.

Right Turns

Making a turn to the right, involving positioning close to the right edge of the road, signaling, checking blind spots, and yielding to pedestrians.

Left Turns

Making a turn to the left, involving positioning close to the center divider, signaling, checking blind spots, and yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.

Left Turn Against a Red Light

Making a left turn when facing a red light is allowed only when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, with no prohibition sign present. Yield to others with the right of way and proceed when safe.

U-turn

Involves turning the vehicle around to go back in the opposite direction. It can be made across a double yellow line, in a residential district with no approaching vehicles within 200 feet, at an intersection with a green light, or on a divided highway with a center divider opening.

Parallel Parking

Parking in line with the road and other vehicles, typically involving several steps to properly position the vehicle.

Straight Line Backing

The act of reversing a vehicle in a straight line while maintaining control and awareness of surroundings.

Parking on a Hill

Specific instructions for parking on hills to prevent the vehicle from rolling, including turning the wheels in a certain direction.

Colored Curbs

Curbs painted with different colors indicating specific parking rules, such as white for short stops and red for no parking.

Illegal Parking

Actions that constitute illegal parking, including parking in front of driveways, on crosswalks, or in designated disabled parking areas.

Law Enforcement Stops

Procedures to follow during a law enforcement stop, including signaling, moving to the right shoulder, and interacting with the officer.

Electric Vehicles

Information about parking spaces reserved for electric vehicle charging and tips for driving green to maximize fuel efficiency.

Rights During Enforcement Stop

Explanation of rights during a law enforcement stop, including the right to decline certain requests and the obligation to provide necessary documents.

First Amendment

Protects the right to record interactions with law enforcement in public spaces and prohibits government retaliation for recording in public.

Right of Way

The legal right of a pedestrian, bicyclist, or vehicle to proceed before others in a particular situation on the road.

Traffic Signals

Control devices that direct the flow of traffic, including solid red, red arrow, flashing red, solid yellow, yellow arrow, flashing yellow, flashing yellow arrow, solid green, and green arrow lights.

Pedestrian Signals

Signs and signals that guide pedestrians on when to cross the street, including WALK, DON'T WALK, flashing DON'T WALK, countdown numbers, and sounds for visually impaired individuals.

Regulatory Signs

Signs that inform drivers of traffic laws and regulations, including red and white signs, white signs indicating no U-turn, left turn, or right turn, and other regulatory signs like NO PARKING, ONE WAY, and DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION.

Warning Signs

Signs that alert drivers to potential hazards or road conditions ahead, such as slippery when wet, merging traffic, pedestrian crossing, and winding road signs.

Right-of-Way Rules

Rules that determine who has the priority to proceed when vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists meet on the road. The vehicle that arrives at the intersection first typically has the right-of-way.

Intersection

Any point where one road meets another road, with controlled intersections having signs or traffic lights while uncontrolled and blind intersections lack these features.

Roundabouts

Circular intersections where traffic flows in one direction around a central island, with specific rules for entering, navigating, and exiting.

Pedestrians

Individuals on foot or using alternative modes of transportation like roller skates, skateboards, wheelchairs, etc., who have the right-of-way but must also follow road rules.

Crosswalks

Designated areas for pedestrians to safely cross roads, marked with white lines, where pedestrians have the right-of-way.

Blind Spots

Areas around large vehicles like trucks where the driver's visibility is limited, known as "No Zones," emphasizing the need for caution when driving near such vehicles.

Maneuvering

The actions and precautions necessary when driving near large vehicles and trucks, including avoiding blind spots, passing on the left, and maintaining a safe distance.

Light Rail Vehicles

Vehicles that operate on public roads with the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles, requiring caution and awareness from drivers.

Motorcycles

Two-wheeled motor vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers, necessitating special attention due to their size and visibility challenges.

Emergency Vehicles

Law enforcement, fire engines, ambulances, or other emergency vehicles with the right-of-way, requiring immediate yielding and compliance from other drivers.

Slow-moving Vehicles

Vehicles such as large trucks, bicycles, and road maintenance vehicles that may require more time to accelerate, needing consideration and adjusted speed from other drivers.

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) and Low-speed Vehicles (LSVs)

Vehicles with restricted speeds up to 25 mph, requiring awareness and accommodation from other drivers on the road.

Animal-drawn Vehicles

Vehicles like horse-drawn carriages sharing the road with motor vehicles, necessitating caution and respect from other drivers.

Bicycles

Two-wheeled human-powered vehicles with specific rights and responsibilities on the road, requiring attention and space from other drivers for safe coexistence.

Work Zone

Area on a road where construction or maintenance work is being carried out, requiring drivers to proceed with caution and follow specific guidelines.

Double Fine Zones

Designated areas where fines for traffic violations are doubled, often in work zones or areas with increased collision-related injuries and fatalities.

Hazardous Loads

Loads on vehicles that are potentially dangerous, such as gas or explosives, requiring special precautions like stopping before railroad tracks.

School Zones

Areas near schools with reduced speed limits, typically 25 mph within 500 feet of a school, to ensure the safety of children.

Railroad Crossings

Points where roads intersect with railroad tracks, necessitating drivers to follow specific safety protocols like stopping for flashing red lights and not crossing if gates are lowered.

Business or Residential Districts

Areas where the speed limit is typically 25 mph unless otherwise posted, to ensure the safety of pedestrians and residents.

Unsecured Load

Carrying items in a vehicle that are not properly secured, posing a safety hazard and potentially leading to fines or penalties.

Funeral Procession

A procession led by a traffic officer to honor the deceased, where all vehicles have the right-of-way and are identified by windshield markers and headlights.

License Plate Alteration

The act of changing or modifying a license plate in any way, which is prohibited by law.

Evading Law Enforcement

Using a motor vehicle to flee or avoid law enforcement, punishable by imprisonment in a county jail or state prison depending on the severity of the offense.

Reckless Driving

Operating a vehicle in a dangerous or careless manner, which can lead to imprisonment, fines, or both, especially if it causes injury to others.

Traffic Violator School

An option offered to individuals with one-point traffic violations to attend a school to prevent the citation from being reported to their insurance company.

Negligent Driver

A driver with too many points on their record, leading to probation, suspension, or revocation of their driving privilege by the DMV.

Minor's Driver's License

A provisional license for minors that can be restricted or suspended by the DMV for at-fault collisions or traffic violations within a specific period.

Administrative Hearing

A hearing conducted by the DMV to review proposed actions against a driver's privilege, providing the driver with the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses.

Tailgating

Following another vehicle too closely, which can obstruct visibility and increase the risk of accidents, prompting the use of the three-second rule for safe following distance.

Blind Spots

Areas around the vehicle that a driver cannot see when looking straight ahead or using the mirrors, usually at the sides slightly behind the driver.

Rear-end Collisions

Collisions that occur when a vehicle hits the one in front of it, often avoided by checking traffic behind you using mirrors and turning your head.

Skids

When one or more tires lose traction with the road, causing the vehicle to slip, leading to loss of control.

Slippery Surfaces Skids

Skids caused by ice and packed snow on the road, more likely when driving too fast or downhill, prevented by driving slowly and avoiding fast turns.

Locked Wheel Skids

Skids caused by braking too hard when going too fast, leading to loss of control, usually requiring specific actions to regain control.

ABS (Antilock Braking System)

A safety system that prevents the wheels from locking up during braking, aiding in maintaining steering control during emergency braking situations.

Hydroplaning

A situation where a vehicle rides on water due to the tires losing contact with the road, potentially leading to loss of control.

Snow Chains

Devices placed on tires to provide more traction when driving in snowy conditions.

Flooded Roads

Dangers and precautions related to driving on roads with excessive water, such as being swept off the road, floating debris, and testing brakes after crossing.

High Winds

Hazards and safety tips for driving in high winds, especially for larger vehicles, including reducing speed, maintaining a firm hand position on the steering wheel, and avoiding cruise control.

Fog or Heavy Smoke

Recommendations for driving in heavy fog or smoke, such as driving slowly, using low-beam headlights, and pulling off the road if visibility becomes too poor.

Law Enforcement Traffic Breaks

Procedures during a traffic break initiated by law enforcement, including turning on emergency flashers, matching speed with the patrol vehicle, and not passing the patrol vehicle until conditions allow.

Seat Belts

Importance of wearing seat belts for both drivers and passengers, including proper positioning of the shoulder harness and lap belt to minimize injuries in collisions.

Child Restraint System and Safety Seats

Requirements for securing children in federally-approved child passenger restraint systems based on age, height, and weight, including guidelines for rear-facing and front-facing seats.

Air Bags

Safety features in vehicles designed to protect occupants in case of a collision by inflating rapidly in the event of a crash.

Unattended Children and Pets

It is illegal and dangerous to leave children or animals unattended in a vehicle, especially in extreme temperatures, as it can lead to dehydration, heat stroke, and death.

Basic Speed Law

In California, the law that prohibits driving faster than what is safe for the current road conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit.

Choose Between Hazards

When faced with dangers on both sides of the road, prioritize the most dangerous situation and give it more space to ensure safety.

Tire Blowouts

Steps to take when experiencing a tire blowout, including holding the steering wheel firmly, maintaining speed, and gradually correcting steering to stabilize the vehicle.

Overheating Conditions

Guidelines for driving in extreme heat or cold, such as monitoring the temperature gauge and taking precautions like turning off the air conditioner in extreme heat.

Disabled Vehicles on Railroad Tracks

Procedures to follow if your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, including immediately exiting the vehicle and running away from the tracks in the direction of the oncoming train.

Do Not Drive Distracted

Avoid common distractions while driving, such as using cell phones, changing music, or applying makeup, to ensure focus on the road and prevent accidents.

Mounting

Placing or fixing a device in a specific position for stability or convenience, such as mounting a cell phone on the windshield.

Minors

Individuals who have not reached the legal age of adulthood, typically under 18 years old.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

Technology integrated into vehicles to assist the driver in the driving process, such as lane-keeping assistance or automatic emergency braking.

Carbon Monoxide

A colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas produced by the incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels like gasoline in vehicles.

Exhaust Pipe

A pipe through which exhaust gases are emitted from the engine of a vehicle.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A condition caused by inhaling carbon monoxide gas, leading to symptoms like tiredness, dizziness, and nausea.

Responding to Emergency Vehicles

When you hear or see an emergency vehicle approaching, you must yield the right-of-way. Safely pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until the vehicle has passed.

Using Emergency Flashers

If you need to stop due to an emergency, use emergency flashers to alert other drivers (especially at night or in poor weather conditions).

Staying safe in your vehicle

in case of a breakdown or other emergency, stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt on until help arrives

California’s driving under the influence (DUI)

drinking excessive amounts of alcohol in any form (including medication), any drug that affects your ability to drive (prescriptions, over-the-counter medications), or any combination of both