california driver's handbook

TRUE or FALSE: fatigue and drowsiness can affect your vision and decrease reaction time to hazards

TRUE

hand-to-hand steering is also known as...

"push/pull" steering

when should you use hand-over-hand steering?

when you turn at low speeds, park, or need to recover from a skid

what are the only 2 situations that may require steering with one hand?

1. when you are turning while backing up

2. when you are operating vehicle controls that require you to remove a hand from the steering vehicle

what is the hand signal to turn left? to turn right? to slow down or stop?

- turn left = arm straight out

- turn right = hand facing upwards and arm bent up at 90 degrees

- slow down/ stop = hand facing downwards and arm bent down at 90 degrees

you should signal at least _____ feet before you turn

100

what should you do before every lane change?

check your mirrors, look over your shoulder, and check your blind spot make sure to signal

you should signal at least _____ seconds before you change lanes on a freeway

5

TRUE or FALSE: it is safer to honk your horn instead of slowing down or stopping

FALSE

you should use your horn to alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least _____ feet ahead of your vehicle

200

use your headlights if you cannot clearly recognize a person or vehicle from _____ feet away

1000

when should you use your headlights?

the first 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise

TRUE or FALSE: if you need to use your windshield wipers due to rain or snow, you must turn on your low-beam headlights

TRUE

if you can see a collision or hazard ahead, warn drivers behind you using one (or all) of what 3 methods?

1. turn on your emergency flashers

2. lightly tap your brake pedal 3 or 4 times

3. use a hand signal when slowing or stopping

what does a single solid yellow line mark?

the center of a road with two-way traffic; do not cross over this line into oncoming traffic

what are 2 sets of solid double yellow lines spaced 2 or more feet apart considered?

a barrier

never drive to the left of 2 double solid yellow lines unless...

- you are in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane that has a designated entrance to the left

- you are instructed by construction or other sings to drive on the other side of the road because your side of the road is closed or blocked

- you are turning left across a single set of double yellow lines to enter or exit a driveway or private road or make a U-turn

what does a broken yellow line indicate?

you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane (only pass when it is safe)

what does a single solid white line mark?

traffic lanes going in the same direction (including one-way streets)

what do double solid white lines indicate?

a lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use lane (ex. carpool lane); also seen in or near freeway on and off ramps never change lanes over these lines

what do broken white lines do?

separate traffic lanes on roads with 2 or more lanes in the same direction

what is a yield line?

a solid white line of triangles that shows approaching vehicles where to yield or stop; the triangles point towards approaching vehicles (a.k.a. "shark's teeth")

TRUE or FALSE: the left (or fast) lane is called the "Number 3 Lane"

FALSE (it's called the "Number 1 Lane")

you may only drive for _____ feet in the center left turn lane

200

you must 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 _____ or more vehicles following you

5

it is illegal to drive in a bicycle lane unless you are...

- parking (where permitted)

- entering or leaving a road

- turning (within 200 feet of the intersection)

TRUE or FALSE: you can turn left against a red light whenever there is room to do so

FALSE (you may only turn left against a red light when you are turning from a one way street onto a [left-moving] one-way street check to make sure there is no sign prohibiting the turn

TRUE or FALSE: never make a U-turn at or on a railroad crossing

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE: you can make a legal U-turn across a double yellow line

TRUE

what speed should you enter the highway in?

at or near the speed of traffic

leave _____ seconds of space between you and the vehicle ahead of you

3 (3-second rule)

when crossing or entering traffic from a full stop on city streets, how much space should you leave in order to get up to the speed of other vehicles? what about on the highway?

- city streets = 1/2 of a block

- highway = 1 block

TRUE or FALSE: even if there are vehicles blocking your way, you should still cross an intersection if the light is green

FALSE

do not pass within _____ feet of or in an intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing, or other hazardous areas

100

TRUE or FALSE: you can drive off of the paved or main-traveled part of the road to pass

FALSE

when finding a space for parallel parking, the space should be at least _____ feet longer than your vehicle

3

how should your wheels be positioned when you park facing downhill? uphill? uphill/downhill with no curb?

- downhill = turn the wheels toward the curb

- uphill = turn the wheels away from the curb

- no curb = turn the wheels towards the shoulder of the road

what do each colored curb mean (white, green, yellow, red, and blue)?

- white = pick up/ drop off passengers

- green = park for limited time

- yellow = load/unload passengers and freight

- red = no stopping, standing, or parking

- blue = parking for a disabled person or someone driving a disabled person

what is the punishment for misusing a disabled person parking placard or license plate?

a fine up to $1000, imprisonment in county jail for up to 6 months, or both

TRUE or FALSE: you can park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or fire station driveway

FALSE

TRUE or FALSE: you can turn on a red arrow if there's no cars driving through the intersection

FALSE (you should always remain stopped until a green traffic signal light or green arrow appears)

TRUE or FALSE: when you see a yellow traffic signal light, stop (if you can do so safely)

TRUE

what does a flashing yellow traffic signal light mean?

it means "proceed with caution"; slow down and yield for oncoming traffic and pedestrians

what do 5-sided signs indicate?

you are near a school; drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk

TRUE or FALSE: vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians that get to the intersection first have the right-of-way. if a vehicle/bicycle gets to the intersection at the same time as you, give the right-of-way to the vehicle/bicycle to your right

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE: in a roundabout, travel in a clockwise direction

FALSE (travel in a counter-clockwise direction)

what color cane should a blind person carry?

white (with or without a red tip)

TRUE or FALSE: if 2 vehicles meet on a steep, narrow road and neither vehicle can pass, the vehicle facing downhill has the right-of-way

FALSE (the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way)

TRUE or FALSE: larger vehicles and trucks have larger blind spots

TRUE (they are also called "no zones")

TRUE or FALSE: when a vehicle turns, the rear wheels follow a longer path than the front wheels

FALSE (they follow a shorter path)

when a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped at a safety zone or intersection where traffic is controlled by a law enforcement officer or traffic light, you may pass at no more than _____ mph

10

allow a _____-second following distance behind a motorcycle

4

what should you do if you're in an intersection and you see an emergency vehicle?

you should continue through the intersection and drive to the right as soon as it is safe to stop

you can never follow within _____ feet of any fire engine, law enforcement vehicle, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle when their siren or flashing lights are on

300

slow-moving vehicles have an orange/red triangle on their back that indicates that they usually travel at _____ mph or less

25

fines for traffic violations in a work zone can be $_____ or more; anyone convicted of assaulting a highway worker faces fines of up to $_____ and imprisonment for up to 1 year

$1000; $2000

what does California's "Basic Speed Law" say?

you may never drive faster than is safe for the road conditions

unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit is _____ mph on a 2-lane undivided highway and for vehicles towing trailers

55

what is the speed limit when you drive within 500 to 1000 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street?

25 mph (some school zones may have speed limits as low as 15 mph)

TRUE or FALSE: if you fail to stop behind a school bus with flashing red lights, you may be fined up to $1000 and your driving privilege could be suspended for 1 year

TRUE

the speed limit for a blind intersection is _____ mph

15

the speed limit in any alley is _____ mph

15

you can be fined up to $_____ if you smoke when a minor is in the vehicle

$100

TRUE or FALSE: if you dump or abandon animals on a highway, you will be punished by a fine of up to $1000, 6 months in jail, or both

TRUE

you cannot carry anything in or on a passenger vehicle which extends beyond the fenders on the left side or more than _____ inches beyond the fenders on the right side

6

TRUE or FALSE: you cannot put signs or other objects on the front windshield or back side windows that block your view; you cannot hang objects on the mirror

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE: windshield and window stickers are allowed anywhere

FALSE (they are only allowed in these locations:

- a 7-inch square on either the lower corner of the passenger's side windshield or the lower corner of the rear window

- a 5-inch square on the lower corner of the driver's side window

- on the side windows behind the driver

- a 5-inch square located in the center uppermost portion of your windshield for an electronic toll payment device)

you must dim your high-beam headlights to low beams within _____ feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within _____ feet of a vehicle you are following

500; 300

TRUE or FALSE: the punishment for using a motor vehicle to flee or attempt to evade law enforcement performing their duties is 3 years of imprisonment in a county jail

FALSE (the punishment is imprisonment in a county jail for 1 year or less)

you license may be suspended when your driver's record shows one of the follow point totals:

- _____ points in 12 months

- _____ points in 24 months

- _____ points in 36 months

- 4

- 6

- 8

TRUE or FALSE: you should constantly be looking at the vehicle in front of you

FALSE (this is known as a "fixed stare"; you SHOULD NOT do it, it can be dangerous)

at intersections, look to the _____ first

left

TRUE or FALSE: if you are being tailgated, change lanes and allow the tailgater to pass you

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE: you should never use your high-beam headlights when driving through open country or dark city streets

FALSE (you are encouraged to use your high-beam headlights when possible in the dark)

if another vehicle's lights are too bright, look toward the _____ edge of your lane

right

when it is raining at night, use your _____-beam headlights; do not drive using only your parking lights

low

adjust your speed for different driving conditions:

- wet road = go 5 to _____ mph slower

- packed snow = reduce your speed by _____

- ice = slow to a crawl

- 10

- half

TRUE or FALSE: bridges tend to freeze before the rest of the road

TRUE

during a heavy rainstorm/snowstorm, if you cannot see farther than 100 feet, it is not safe to drive faster than _____ mph

30

TRUE or FALSE: if your vehicle starts to hydroplane, slam on your brakes

FALSE (slow down gradually, do not use the brakes)

TRUE or FALSE: use your high-beam headlights if you're driving in heavy fog or smoke

FALSE (use your low-beam headlights)

only pass a vehicle in front of you if the hill or curve is at least _____ of a mile away

1/3

children under _____ years old, or who are less than _____ feet _____ inches tall, can be secured in a federally-approved child passenger restraint system in a rear seat

8; 4; 9

ride at least _____ inches from the airbag cover

10

it is illegal to leave a child who is _____ years old or younger unattended in a vehicle

6

TRUE or FALSE: it is illegal to leave children or animals in a hot vehicle

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE: if you start to skid on a slippery surface, removed your foot from the gas pedal, don't use the brakes, and turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid

TRUE

TRUE or FALSE: if you start to experience a locked wheel skid, removed your foot from the brake and straighten the front wheels as the vehicle begins to straighten out

TRUE

you must make a report to law enforcement within _____ hours of the collision if anyone is injured or killed

24

if you are in a collision that caused more than $1000 in damage to property and anyone was injured or killed, you must report it to the DMV within _____ days

10

TRUE or FALSE: only prescriptions affect your ability to drive

FALSE (over-the-counter medications do too)

it is illegal for you to drive if you have a BAC of _____% or higher if you are over 21 years old

0.08

it is illegal for you to drive if you have a BAC of _____% or higher if you are under 21 years old

0.01

TRUE or FALSE: when you drive in California, you consent to a breath, blood, or urine test if a law enforcement officer suspects you of DUI

TRUE

if you are convicted of DUI, you may be sentenced to up to ____ months in jail; you may also have to pay a fine between $390-$_____

6; $1000

if you are under 21 years old and you are caught with alcohol in your vehicle, law enforcement can impound your vehicle for up to _____ days

30