SECTION 6: Navigating the Roads

Signal before turning

At least 100 feet before turning.

Signal before changing lanes on freeway

Signal for 5 seconds before changing lanes.

Use horn in narrow mountain roads

Alert oncoming traffic when you can’t see at least 200 feet ahead.

Low beams of headlights

Must be used within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Conditions for using headlights

Use low beams during the first 30 minutes of sunrise, last 30 minutes of sunset, adverse weather, and when visibility is low.

Single solid yellow line

Indicates the center of a two-way traffic road.

Double solid yellow lines

You cannot pass unless turning left to enter or exit a driveway, instructed by construction or signs, or in a carpool lane.

Broken yellow lines

You may pass if next to the driving lane.

Single solid white line

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

Double solid white line

Lane barrier between a regular use and preferential use lane; do not switch lanes until it's a broken white line.

Broken white line

Separates traffic lanes with two or more lanes going in the same direction.

Yield line

A solid white line with triangles showing approaching vehicles where to stop.

Lane selection

Lanes are numbered from left to right; left lane is for passing and right lane is for entering/exiting traffic.

Changing lanes procedure

Signal, check mirrors, check traffic behind and beside, check blind spots, and ensure enough space is available.

Passing lane

The leftmost lane next to the divider intended for passing.

Carpool lane

Marked by a diamond, reserved for carpool, buses, motorcycles, and low emission vehicles.

Center left turn lane

The middle lane marked by inner broken lines and outer solid line for left turns or U-turns.

Illegal actions in bicycle lanes

It is illegal to be in a bicycle lane unless parking, entering/exiting traffic, or turning within 200 feet of an intersection.

Right turns at intersections

You can drive into the bike lane within 200 feet of the turn unless there is a no turn on red sign.

Left turn against red light

Allowed only when turning from a one-way street to another one-way street with no prohibitory signs.

U-turn locations

Allowed across double yellow lines, in residential areas if no vehicles are approaching, and at intersections with a green light.

Merging onto a highway

Be at or near the speed of traffic, merge when safe, and do not stop unless necessary.

Exiting a highway

Signal 5 seconds or approximately 400 feet before exiting; do not cross over any solid lines.

Space needed to enter/exit traffic

Half a block (150 ft) on city streets and a full block (300 ft) on highways.

Passing guidelines

Ensure no oncoming vehicle or bicyclist is in your space and check for safety ahead.

When not to pass

Do not pass on hills, within 100 feet of an intersection, or when there isn't enough space to return to your lane.

Parking on a hill

Downhill: turn wheels toward curb; Uphill: turn wheels away from curb; No curb: turn wheels toward shoulder.

white parking spot

only long enough for pickups and drop offs

green parking spot

limited time

yellow parking spot

for loading and unloading

red parking spot

no parking

blue parking spot

for disabled persons

Illegal parking violations

Do not park where signs prohibit, on sidewalks, in front of driveways, within specified distances of fire hydrants, and in designated areas.