CA DMV Handbook

what word will be on your DL when you’re under 18 years old?

provisional

During the first 12 months of holding a provisional license, when can a minor transport passengers under 20 years old?

Only when accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or other California driver who is 25 years of age or older

As a provisional driver how old does the other CA licensed driver need to be if you have passengers under 20 years old riding with you

at least 25

You can drive for pay as a provisional driver, true or false

False

as a provisional driver can you operate vehicles that require a commercial Class A, B or C license?

no

how can a parent cancel their teen’s license?

by completing a request for cancellation or surrender of a DL or ID card form

when renewing DL, drivers with vision or medical conditions are not required to take a behind the wheel test

False they may be required to

True or False: A law enforcement officer's instructions during a traffic emergency take precedence over regular traffic signs and signals

True (you must obey instructions from a police officer or traffic controller even if they conflict with signs or lights)

What must you do if you are approaching an intersection and a law enforcement officer or emergency vehicle is blocking the lanes?

Slow down, prepare to stop, and follow any directions given by the response team or traffic controllers.

When driving a vehicle on California public roads, what three documents must you always be able to show to a law enforcement officer upon request?

Your driver's license, your vehicle's registration card, and valid proof of financial responsibility (insurance)

how long must minors wait to re take a failed BTW test

14 days not including the day of failure

before the BTW test starts, the DMV examiner will ask you to locate what?

driver window, windshield, rearview mirrors, brake lights, tires, foot brake, horn, emergency parking brake, turn/ arm signals, windshield wipers and seatbelts

driver window

the window on the driver side must be able to open

windshield

must allow full, clear, unblocked view for you and the DMV examiner, cracks may postpone your test

rearview mirrors

need at least two and one must be on the left side of the vehicle

brake lights

the right and left brake lights must be operational

tires

must have at least 1/32 inch uniformed tread depth, using a donut is not allowed

foot brake

must be at least one inch clearance between the bottom of the brake pedal and the floorboard when depressed

horn

must be designed for vehicle must be in proper working condition and sound enough to be heard from a distance of 200 feet

emergency parking brake

you will be tested during the BTW test on how to set a release the parking brake

what are the turn/arm signals?

left turn, right turn, slowing down

what’s the arm signal for left turn?

arm straight out the window

what’s the arm signal for right turn?

arm bent upward forming an L fingertips facing the sky

what the arm signal for slowing down/ stopping?

arm bent in L downward palm facing cars behind you

windshield wipers

required to show function control arm or switch

seatbelts

all must work properly and be used by the people in the vehicle

Your test will be reschedule if BTW test requirements aren't met, true or false

true

Only examiner is allowed to accompany you during the drive test, true or false

true

If you change your address, you must notify the DMV within how many days?

10 days via website or by mail

When you change your address, what do you do?

Notify the DMV within 10 days. (Note: A new card is not required; you can choose to request a replacement for a fee, but your legal obligation is simply to notify them).

To renew or replace lost or stolen or damaged DL what do you do?

go to DL services online

If you can’t renew your license online what do you do?

visit DMV office

If you are being issued a new license and your DL and identity document expires on the same date what do you do?

provide a valid identity document

If you are out of state and cannot extend to renew your DL what can you do?

request a one year extension of your DL before it expires submitting a request with your name, DL number, birth date, CA residence address and out of state address online

describe the vision element of driving

you must be able to notice hazards in different types of lighting, judge distances, adjust to traffic speed and read road signs

while driving it is illegal to wear a…

headset or earplugs in both ears while driving

fatigue or drowsiness while driving can…

affect your vision and increase reaction time to hazards

what is the physician responsibility for patients who are at least 14 years old?

they are required to report patients who are at least 14 years old to DMV for medical conditions that may affect your ability to drive safely such as lapse of consciousness

what is critical to do to controlling a vehicle?

keep both hands on the wheel whenever possible

what is the first step of hand to hand steering?

start with your hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4

what is the second step of hand to hand steering?

do not cross your hands over the middle of the steering wheel never let your hands pass the 12 or 6 positions even when making turns

You’re using the hand to hand method to turn at a low speed park or recover from a skid what do you do?

start with your hands at 8 and 4, reach across the steering wheel to grasp the opposite side, let go of the steering wheel with your other hand and reach across the arm still holding the wheel, grip the wheel and pull up

what are the two situations that may require one hand steering?

turning while backing up to see where you are going behind you in which case you would place your hand at 12 o'clock clock position

&

when operating vehicle controls that require you to remove a hand from the steering wheel

when do you signal?

when you turn change lanes slow down or stop

what type of driver may signal using their arm using their arm held straight out pointing in the direction they plan to turn?

bicyclists

what distance should you signal at?

at least 100 feet before you turn

you should signal before changing what?

lanes

what is the minimum number of seconds you must signal before changing lanes on a freeway?

at least 5 seconds

as far as curbs are concerned, when should you signal?

before pulling next to the curb or before pulling away from the curb

there are no vehicles around you, should you signal?

yes

when is a slower-moving bicyclist legally permitted to move away from the right edge or curb of the road?

when they are preparing to make a left turn, avoiding hazards, or approaching a location where right turns are allowed

for confusion regarding the need to signal and intersections, YES you are supposed to signal when you are almost through an intersection if you plan to turn shortly after crossing the intersection, this rule applies to a specific scenario where your target turn is:

a driveway, parking lot, or side street located just after the intersection

If I no longer need my signal, should I keep it on?

No

why do you use you horn?

to let other know you are there or warn others of hazards

you use your horn to avoid what?

collisions

you use your horn to alert who about what?

oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead of you to avoid a head on collision

How do your headlights help you and other drivers?

they help you see whats in front of you and help other drivers see your car

when should you dim your high beam headlights to low beams?

within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following

It is illegal to drive using parking lights, true or false

true

When do you use your headlights?

when its too dark to see 1000 feet away, 30 mins after sunset, until 30 mins before sunrise

in what weather conditions do you use your headlights?

in adverse weather, if you need to use your windshield wipers due to fog rain or snow you must turn on your low-beam headlights

Use you headlights on mountain roads and tunnels even when its sunny, true or false

true

A road sign says that headlights should be on, do I turn them on?

yes

The sun is low on the horizon, you need to help other drivers see your vehicle, what do you do?

especially in this scenario you turn on your headlights (low beam)

How do you warn drivers of a collision or hazard ahead?

turn on your emergency flashers, lightly tap your brake pedal 3 or 4 times, use a hand signal when slowing and stopping

If you need to stop because of vehicle troubles what do you turn on?

emergency flashers, if your vehicle doesn’t have those, use your turn signals

If you need to stop because of vehicle trouble what do you do with your car?

pull off the road away from all traffic if possible

What do yo do if you cannot get completely off the road in the event of vehicle trouble?

you stop where people can see you and your vehicle from behind meaning traffic driving behind you needs to see the back of your vehicle

If you need to stop because of vehicle trouble where are you not supposed to stop?

just over a hill or just around a curve because other drivers may not see your car in time to avoid hitting you

you are having vehicle trouble, you stop, what’s last step after you’ve turn on emergency flashers, pulled off road if possible or stopped where people could see your vehicle from behind and made sure where you’re stopped gives vehicles enough time to avoid hitting you?

call for emergency roadside assistance and stay in vehicle until help arrives

what is a traffic lane?

a section of road for a single line of traffic

what do lane markings on road surfaces do?

help drivers know which part of the road to use and understand traffic rules

What does a single solid yellow line do?

marks the center of a road with two-way traffic

Is it legal to pass another vehicle if there is a single solid yellow line on your side of the road?

Yes, you may pass over a single solid yellow line if it is safe to do so. (You cannot pass over double solid lines).

Double solid yellow lines are present, can you pass over them?

No

When can you cross over double solid yellow lines?

if you are in a HOV carpool lane that has a designated left entrance meaning you are going to enter that lane by steering and moving the vehicle to a lane on your left side

when else can you pass over double solid yellow lines?

when turning left across a single set of double yellow lines to enter or exit a driveway or private road or to make a U-turn your left turn has to be like to turn into your driveway on to turn onto a side street, not simply to move around a car that’s going slow

third case when you can cross over double solid yellow lines

when instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of the road because your side is closed or blocked

It is considered a barrier when

two sets of solid double yellow lines are spaced two or more feet apart

What can’t you do at a barrier characterized by two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart?

you can’t drive on or over the barrier, you can’t make a left turn, you can’t make a U-turn across it, except at designated openings

what does a broken yellow lane indicate?

you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane, only passing when its safe

what does a solid white line mark?

traffic lanes going in same direction, including on one-way streets

what are solid white lines indicative of?

a lane barrier between regular use and a preferential use lane, such as HOV lane

where may you also see could solid white lines?

in or near freeway on or off ramps

can you change lanes over double solid white lines?

Never, wait until you see single broken white line

broken white lines do what?

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

Large broken lines usually mark what?

ending freeway and street lanes

You are driving in a lane marked by broken lines, be prepared to do what?

exit the freeway or for the lane to end, there may be a sign that tells you to exit or merge

what is a yield line?

a line of solid white triangles pointed towards your car telling you where to yield or stop

What does a “yield” sign mean you must do at an intersection?

slow down and let other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians go before you proceed

When lanes are numbered on a multi-lane highway, which lane is designated as the “Number 1 Lane”?

the left-most lane (also known as the “fast lane”)

In choosing a lane what is number 2?

the lane to the right of lane 1

in choosing a lane what is number 3?

the lane to the right of lane 2

when do you use the left lane?

to pass other vehicles or to make a left turn

when do you use the right lane?

to enter traffic, exit traffic, or enter the road from a curb or shoulder

center lanes are used for?

normal, steady cruising

what are the core steps, you must complete before changing lanes?

signal

check your mirrors

check your blind spots over your shoulder

and ensure there is a safe gap

when you are preparing to change lanes, what should you do with your vehicle’s speed?

maintain your speed or match the flow of traffic (do not slow down abruptly or drag traffic)

when changing lanes, stay in one lane as much as possible, true or false.

true (don’t weave in and out of traffic, don’t do last minute lane changes)