Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road

Traffic control

When at or approaching traffic signals or signs, yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and other nearby vehicles that may have the right-of-way.

Solid Red Light

Means *STOP*. You can turn right after a complete stop if no "NO TURN ON RED" sign is posted, yielding to pedestrians, and only when safe.

Red Arrow

Means *STOP*. Do not turn at a red arrow; remain stopped until a green traffic signal light or green arrow appears.

Flashing Red Light

Means *STOP*. After stopping, you may go when it is safe.

Solid Yellow Light

Means *CAUTION*, the light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, cautiously cross the intersection.

Yellow Arrow

Means the *protected turning time is ending*. The signal will change soon. If you cannot stop safely or are already in the intersection, cautiously complete your turn.

Flashing Yellow Light

Is a warning to *PROCEED WITH CAUTION*. Slow down and be alert; you do not need to stop.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

You can turn, but your turn is *not protected from other traffic*. Proceed to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic and with caution.

Solid Green Light

Means *GO*. You should still stop for any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian in the intersection. Do not enter the intersection if you cannot get completely across before the light turns red.

Green Arrow

Means *GO in the direction the arrow is pointing. It allows for a protected turn*, as oncoming vehicles are stopped by a red traffic signal light.

Traffic Light Not Working

Stop as if the intersection is controlled by *STOP signs in all directions*. Then proceed cautiously when it is safe.

WALK or Walking Person signal

You may *cross the street*.

DON'T WALK or Raised Hand signal

You may *not cross the street*.

Flashing DON'T WALK or Flashing Raised Hand signal

Do not start crossing the street; the traffic signal light is about to change. Drivers must yield to pedestrians even if the light is flashing.

Pedestrian Signals with Numbers

Count down the seconds left for pedestrians to cross the street.

Diagonal Crossing crosswalks

Allow pedestrians to cross the intersection in any direction at the same time. Cross only when the WALK signal allows it.

Pedestrian Push Button

Used to activate the WALK or Walking Person signal.

No Pedestrian Signals

If there are no pedestrian signals, pedestrians should obey the vehicle traffic signals.

STOP Sign

Make a *full stop* before entering the crosswalk or at the limit line. If no line/crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Check traffic in all directions before proceeding.

Red YIELD Sign

*Slow down* and be ready to stop to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before you proceed.

Red and White Regulatory Signs

Follow the sign's instruction, e.g., DO NOT ENTER means do not enter the road or ramp.

WRONG WAY Sign

If you see this sign, you have entered a roadway against traffic. When safe, *back out or turn around*. At night, road reflectors will shine red in your headlights.

Red Circle with a Red Line Through It

The picture inside the circle shows what you cannot do and may be shown with words.

Yellow and Black Circular Sign or X-shaped Sign

You are approaching a *railroad crossing*. Look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop. Let any trains pass before you proceed.

5-sided Sign

You are near a *school*.

Drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk.

Diamond-shaped Sign

Warns you of specific road conditions and dangers ahead.

White Rectangular Sign

Communicates many important rules you must obey.

Warning Signs (general)

Warn of conditions related to pedestrians, bicyclists, schools, playgrounds, school buses, and school passenger loading zones.

Right-of-Way Rules

Help determine who goes first when vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists meet on the road. The vehicle that arrives first to an intersection typically has it. Never assume others will give it to you.

Uncontrolled Intersections

If no STOP or YIELD signs, the vehicle that arrives first has the right-of-way. If arriving simultaneously, give the right-of-way to the vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist on your right.

T intersections without STOP or YIELD signs

Vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road (continuing straight) have the right-of-way.

Turning left at an intersection

Check for pedestrians. Give the right-of-way to any pedestrian or approaching vehicle that is close enough to be dangerous.

Turning right at an intersection

Always check for pedestrians crossing the street, and motorcycles and bicycles riding next to you.

Entering traffic

When entering traffic from a full stop, proceed with caution and yield to the traffic already occupying the lanes.

Roundabout usage

Slow down, yield to traffic already in the roundabout, enter heading right when safe, travel counterclockwise, do not stop or pass, and signal when changing lanes or exiting.

Pedestrian (definition)

A person walking, or a person traveling on something other than a vehicle or bicycle (e.g., roller skates, skateboard), or a person with a disability using a tricycle, quadricycle, or wheelchair for transportation.

Driver's responsibility to pedestrians

Use caution, reduce speed, or stop to allow pedestrians to safely cross the street, whether or not there is a crosswalk. Do not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. If a pedestrian makes eye contact, yield to them.

Pedestrians Who Are Blind

Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes always have the right-of-way. Do not stop in the middle of a crosswalk or honk your horn at them.

Crosswalk

The part of the road set aside for pedestrians to safely cross the road. Often marked with white lines; school crossings may have yellow lines. Not all are marked. Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

Right-of-way on steep narrow mountain roads

The vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill has more control when backing up and should back up until the uphill vehicle can pass.

Blind Spots (the No Zone) for large vehicles

Areas around large vehicles that a driver cannot see. If you cannot see the truck's side mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you.

Braking for large vehicles

Large vehicles and commercial trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles. A loaded truck takes longer to stop than an empty truck. Do not move in front of a large vehicle and suddenly slow or stop.

Turning for large vehicles

Rear wheels follow a shorter path than front wheels. Large vehicles often swing wide to complete a turn. Look at turn signals before passing; they may appear to turn one direction but are swinging wide to turn the other.

Maneuvering near large vehicles

Do not change lanes directly in front of them, drive next to them longer than necessary (pass on the left), follow too closely, or underestimate their size and speed.

Safety zones for buses, streetcars, and trolleys

Spaces set aside for pedestrians, marked by raised buttons or markers on the road. Do not drive through a safety zone under any condition. You may pass a stopped bus/streetcar/trolley at no more than 10 mph.

Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs)

Have the same rights and responsibilities as other vehicles on public roads.

Stopped bus/streetcar/trolley

You may pass a stopped bus/streetcar/trolley at no more than 10 mph.

Motorcycles

Have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. Check for them (small size, blind spots). Allow a safe *three-second following distance*. Give them the full lane when possible (lane splitting is legal). Never try to pass a motorcycle in the same lane.

Emergency Vehicles

Give the right-of-way to any law enforcement vehicle, fire engine, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren and red lights. *Drive to the right edge of the road and stop* until they pass. Do not follow within 300 feet of them when their siren/lights are on.

Slow-moving Vehicles

May travel at 25 mph or less and often have an orange and red triangle on their back. Includes scooters, neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs), and golf carts. Adjust your speed to share the road.

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

Reach a maximum speed of 25 mph. *Restricted from roads where the speed limit is greater than 35 mph*.

Animal-drawn Vehicles and Animals on the road

Allowed to share the road. It is illegal to intentionally scare horses or livestock. Slow down or stop if you see animals and proceed when safe, following directions from the person in charge.

Bicyclists' rights and responsibilities

Have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. Must obey all traffic signs/signals, ride in the same direction as traffic, yield to pedestrians, wear a helmet (if under 18), stay visible, ride as near to the right curb as possible (unless exceptions apply), and use hand signals.

Bicycling at Night

Bicyclists should avoid dark clothing and must have a white front lamp (300 ft visible), a rear red reflector/light (500 ft visible), white/yellow pedal reflectors (200 ft visible), and front/rear wheel reflectors or reflectorized tires.

Passing a Bicyclist

To safely pass a bicyclist in a travel lane, you may need to change lanes. If you cannot change lanes, *allow at least three feet of space* between your vehicle and the bicyclist.

Road Workers and Work Zones

Expect warning signs, slow-moving equipment, and closed lanes. Slow down, allow extra space, expect sudden stops, avoid distractions, and obey flaggers. Fines are doubled in these zones, and assaulting a highway worker carries significant penalties.

Move Over and Slow Down law

Drivers must move over and slow down for stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and stopped road work vehicles displaying flashing amber warning lights.

Vehicles with Hazardous Loads

Identified by a diamond-shaped sign on the truck. These vehicles *must stop before crossing railroad tracks*.

Driving in heavy traffic or bad weather

You must drive slower than the posted speed limit. Do not block normal traffic flow by driving too slowly. If another driver wants to go faster, move to the right lane.

Towing a vehicle or driving a truck with three or more axles

You must drive in the *far-right lane or a lane marked for slower vehicles*. If no lanes are marked and there are four or more lanes, drive in the two rightmost lanes.

Speed limit around children/schools

*25 mph within 500 feet of a school* while children are outside or crossing the street. Some school zones may be as low as 15 mph.

Stopping for school buses

When a bus flashes *red lights (top, front, back), you must stop from either direction* until children are safely across and lights stop flashing. Fine up to $1,000 and possible license suspension for one year. Not required to stop if on a divided or multilane highway on the other side.

Blind Intersections

An intersection with no stop signs at any corner.

Alleys

Any road no wider than 25 feet. The speed limit in an alley is *15 mph*.

Speed limit near railroad or light rail tracks

*15 mph* within 100 feet of a railroad crossing if you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. You can drive faster if controlled by gates, signal, or flagman.

Actions at railroad or train crossings

Stop if flashing red lights, at least 15 feet from the nearest track if a train warning. Never go under or around lowered gates. Never stop on the tracks.

Business or Residential Districts speed limit

*25 mph*, unless otherwise posted.

Smoking with a minor in vehicle

*Illegal* and punishable by fine.

Dumping or abandoning animals on a highway

*Illegal*, punishable by fine up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both.

Overloaded vehicle

*Illegal* to drive if you cannot control it or see ahead/sides.

Unsecured load

*Illegal* to drive with an unsecured load that is a safety hazard.

Cargo extension from vehicle

Cannot extend beyond fenders on left side or more than 6 inches beyond fenders on right side. Cargo more than 4 feet from rear bumper must display a 12-inch red or fluorescent orange flag (day) or two red lights (night).

Riding/transporting animals in truck bed

Person cannot ride unless secure seats/belts. Animal must be properly secured to prevent falling, jumping, or being thrown.

Video monitor visible to driver

*Illegal*, unless it only displays vehicle information, navigation, media player, or radio.

Throwing flaming/glowing substance from vehicle

*Illegal* (e.g., cigarette, cigar).

Objects on front windshield or side rear windows

*Illegal* to block view. Limited specific areas allowed for small objects.

Interfering with a funeral procession

*Illegal*. Funeral processions are led by an officer, have right-of-way, and identified by windshield markers/headlights on.

Illegible or altered license plate

*Illegal* to operate a vehicle with one.

Evading Law Enforcement

A misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment. Causing serious bodily injury or manslaughter during pursuit leads to state prison sentences.

Speed Contests and Reckless Driving

Conviction causing injury leads to imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Points on Your Driver's Record

Each moving traffic violation conviction is reported to DMV. Collisions and convictions stay on record for 36 months or longer.

Adult driver's license suspension point thresholds

*4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, 8 points in 36 months*.

Traffic Violator School

May be offered by a judge for a one-point violation to prevent it from being reported to insurance (but it remains on driver's record). Allowed once every 18 months.

Negligent Driver

If you have too many points, DMV may place you on probation, suspend, or revoke your driving privilege. You have the right to a hearing.

DUI probation BAC limit

*0.01% or higher at any age*.

Driver's license revocation conditions

DMV will revoke your driving privilege if you are convicted of a *hit-and-run or reckless driving that resulted in injury*.

Maintaining Minor's (Provisional) Driver's License - Collisions/Violations

One at-fault collision or traffic violation conviction: DMV may restrict or suspend. Two at-fault collisions, two convictions, or one of each: cannot drive for 30 days unless licensed adult (25+) rides with you. Three at-fault collisions/convictions/combination: license suspended for six months, probation for one year.

Minor's alcohol/controlled substance conviction (15-20 years old)

Court orders DMV to suspend driving privilege for one year or delay eligibility for one year.

Administrative Hearing for driving privilege action

If notified of proposed action, you must *request a hearing within 10 days of being served or 14 days from mailing date* to avoid losing your right to a hearing.

Administrative Hearing rights

Right to present evidence/witnesses, testify or be represented by attorney (at your expense), review evidence, and cross-examine witnesses. DMV bases its case on written documents; you must subpoena anyone you wish to question.

Reporting an Unsafe Driver

You may submit a *Request for Driver Reexamination (DS 699)* to DMV to review their driving qualifications if you know someone no longer drives safely.

Driver's Record Confidentiality

Most information is public, except *physical/mental conditions, address, and social security number*.