2025 California Driver's Handbook

Toks Omishakin

Secretary of California State Transportation Agency

Applying for a Driver's License

- Proof of Identity
- Two proofs of residency
- Legal Full Name Document
- Social Security Number

Applying Under 18

- at least 15.5 years old
- Complete Driver Ed Program
- Have parent/guardian sign to approve and accept financial liability
- Wait to use permit until starting training

Receiving License

- Practice and pass behind-the-wheel test
If under 18:
- Be at least 16
- Prove completed both drivers ed and training
- Practice 50 hour total with 10 hours at night

Provisional Driver

- Under 18 restrictions
- Can't drive between 11pm and 5am within the first year
- No passengers under 20 unless adult present
- Can't drive commercial vehicles

Before the test

Locate and Demonstrate:
- Driver window(must open)
- Windshield(unblocked view

Hand-to-Hand Steering

- Hands at 9/3 or 8/4
- Do not cross hands over middle of steering wheel
- Hands there even when turning

Hand-over-Hand Steering

- Hands at 8/4
- Reach across wheel to grasp opposite side
- Let go with other hand
- Reach across arm holding wheel

One-Hand Steering

- When turning while backing up

Hand Signals

Left: straight out
Right: 90 degrees pointed up
Slow/Stop: 90 degrees pointed down

When to Signal

- 100 feet before you turn
- Before every lane change
- 5 seconds before lane change on highway
- Before pulling next to or away from the curb
- Even when no cars around
- When almost through intersection if you plan to turn shortly after

Headlights

- Dim high-beam to low-beam within 500 feet of oncoming vehicle or within 300 behind following vehicle

When to use Headlights

- When too dark to see from 1000 feet away
- 30 minutes after sunset
- 30 minutes before sunrise
- In adverse weather
- During questionable conditions
- Mountain roads/tunnels
- If road signs require of it
- When sun low on horizon

When you can see Hazards ahead

- Turn on emergency flashers
- Lightly tap brake pedal 3/4 times
- Use hand signals when stopping/slowing

If stopping due to vehicle trouble

- Turn on emergency flashers or turn signals
- Pull off road from traffic if possible
- Stop somewhere visible if can't pull out
- Do not stop just over a hill/around a curve
- Call for assistance and stay inside the vehicle

Single Solid Yellow Line

- Marks center of a road with two-way traffic
- Do not pass vehicle in front if only 1 lane

Double Solid Yellow Lines

• Stay to the Right unless

  • HOV

  • Instructed to

  • Turning left across a single set of double lines

• Two sets = a barrier

• Can U-turn

Broken Yellow Line

- Can pass when safe

Single Solid White Line

• Marks traffic lanes in same direction

Double Solid White Lines

- Indicate lane barrier

End of Lane Markings

- Large broken lines

Yield Line

- Solid line of triangles

Choosing Lanes

- Left is fast

Changing Lanes

- Check everything
- No need to slow down
- Follow through or don't start

Passing Lane

• Far left lane

High Occupancy Vehicle(HOV) Lane

- Certain number of people in vehicle
- Low emission or zero emission vehicle
- Motorcycle

Center Left Turn Lanes

- Marked on both sides by one broken and one solid line
- Used to prepare for left/U-turn
- Can only drive 200 ft

Turnout Areas/Lanes

- Some two-lane roads
- Use to let other cars pass
- Must use if you are slow

Bicycle Lanes

- Bright green
- Legal if
- Parking(if permitted)
- Entering/leaving road
- Turning(within 200 feet of intersection)

Right Turns

- Drive close to right edge
- Signal

Right turn against Red Light

- After complete stop unless not permitted by sign

Right Turn at Public Bus Lane

- Illegal to be in bus lane

Right Turn onto Dedicated Lane

- Can turn even with red light

Left Turns

- Don't cross any solid line
- Prep 200 feet before
- Signal 100 feet before
- Reduce speed
- Wheels forward until turn

Left Turn against Red Light

- Allowed from one-way onto one-way

U-turns

- Across double-yellow
- In residential if no vehicles in 200 feet
- At intersection on green
- On divided highway if opening provided

No U-turns

- Sign
- Railroad crossing
- Cannot see 200 feet in each direction
- One-way street
- In front of fire station
- Business districts

Braking

- Remove foot from gas pedal

Merging

- Match highway speed
- Don't stop
- No solid lines

Exiting

- Prepare
- signal 5 secs/400 feet before
- No solid lines

Crossing/Entering Traffic

- Half a block on city streets(150 feet)
- Full block on highway(300 feet)

Passing

- Careful of hill/curve/intersection/road obstruction

Do not Pass

- Can't see past hill/curve
- 100 feet on intersection/bridge/tunnel/railroad crossing
- At crossroads/driveways

How to Pass

- Signal
- Look over shoulder
- Drive into passing lane
- Speed up
- Signal and return

Pass to the Right

- Open highway

Being Passed

- Maintain lane and speed

Parallel Parking

- Find a space

Straight Line Backing

- Traffic Check
- Signal
- Check Blind Spots
- Backup
- Smooth and safe speed for control

Parking on Hill

- Parking break on park
- Wheels away from street if sloping/downhill
- Wheels into street

Colored Curbs

- White: pickup/dropoff
- Green: limited time
- Yellow: Load/unload

No Parking

- Sign
- Crosswalk
- Sidewalk

Driving Green

- Speed up and slow down smoothly
- Regularly inflate tires

Law Enforcement Stops

- Turn on right signal to acknowledge
- Move onto right shoulder
- Turn off radio
- Remain inside
- Roll down inwdow
- Hands in clear view

Your Rights

- Can say no when giving permission(but can't interfere)
- Driver must produce license

Solid Red Light

Stop

Red Arrow

Stop

Flashing Red Light

Stop

Solid Yellow Light

- Caution

Yellow Arrow

- Complete turn unless can stop safely

Flashing Yellow Light

- Proceed with caution

Flashing Yellow Arrow

- Turn not protected

Solid Green

- Go

Green Arrow

- Go in direction of arrow

Traffic Light not Working

- Stop sign

Flashing Red Hand

- Don't enter street

Stop Sign

- Red Octagon

Red Yield

- Red Downward Triangle

Slow Moving Vehicle Sign

- Red triangle

Divided Highway Sign

- Arrows below solid half oval

End Divided Highway Sign

- Arrows above solid half oval

School Zone Sign

- 5 sided pentagon with triangle top

Diamond-Shaped Sign

- Road conditions or hazards

White Rectangular Sign

- Important rules

Right of Way: Intersections

- No stop/yield: vehicle that arrived first
- T-intersection: those going straight
- Left Turn: pedestrians

Roundabouts

- Slow down on approach
- Yield to traffic on roundabout
- Enter to right when possible
- Care for signs/markings
- Travel Counter-clockwise

Mountain Roads

- Vehicle facing uphill has right-of-way
- Downhill has more control when backing up

Braking

- Normal car 55mph(300 feet)
- Large trucks(400+)

Turning

- Rear wheels follow shorter path

Maneuvering

- Don't change lanes in front of large vehicle
- Don't drive next to them longer than necessary

Buses/Streetcars/Trolleys

- Do not drive through Safety Zones
- Pass at no more than 10 mph when they're stopped
- Don't overtake/pass unless tracks too close

Motorcyclists

- 3-second following distance
- Give full lane

Emergency Vehicles

- Give right-of-way and stop on right side
- Don't follow within 300 feet

Slow-moving Vehicles

- Takes longer to get up to speed
- Often 20mph or less

Passing Bicyclist

- Leave 3 feet between(left/right)
- Enter bike lane 200 feet before making a turn

Road Work/Work Zones

- Slow Down
- Allow extra space
- Expect sudden slow/stop

Fines/Double Fines

- $1

Towing

- Far-right lane if towing vehicle/trailer

Children

- 25mph

Blind Intersection

- 15mph

Alleys

- Road no wider than 25 feet
- 15 mph

Near Railroad/Light Rail

- 15mph within 100 feet and you cannot be 400 feet in both directions
- Faster than 15mph if gates/warning signal/flagman
- Flashing Red: stop and wait
- Stop 15 feet before
- Never stop on tracks

Business/Residential Districts

- 25mph unless otherwise stated

Window Objects

- 7 inch square

Evading Law Enforcement

- Up to one year jail if evade or attempt to

Points

- Signed citation as promise to appear in court
- Failure to Appear(FTA) can be reflected on record

Suspension

- 4 points in 12 months
- 6 points in 24 months
- 8 points in 36 months

Traffic Violator School

- For one-point violation

Suspension/Revocation

- Too many points or hit-and-run/reckless driving injury
- Right to a hearing
- Can reapply but must show proof of financial responsibility

Maintaining Minor's License

- Can be restricted if accident within 12 months
- One at fault collision or traffic violation conviction
- Two at fault collisions/traffic violation convictions or one of each = no drive 30 days unless 25+ adult present
- Three convictions: 6 month suspension

Administrative Hearings

- Must request within 10 days of being served or 14 after mailed