Section 7 - California Driver Handbook - Traffic Laws and Road Rules

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering California traffic control signals, signs, right-of-way rules, share-the-road protocols, and legal DMV regulations based on the provided handbook transcript.

Solid Red Light

A traffic signal that means STOP. You can turn right if there is no NO TURN ON RED sign, after stopping and yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.

Red Arrow

A signal meaning STOP; you may not turn at this signal and must remain stopped until a green light or arrow appears.

Flashing Red Light

A signal meaning STOP. After making a full stop, you may proceed when it is safe to do so.

Solid Yellow Light

A warning that the light is about to turn red. You must stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, cross the intersection cautiously.

Yellow Arrow

Indicates that the protected turning time is ending. You should complete your turn cautiously or stop if you cannot do so safely.

Flashing Yellow Light

A warning to PROCEED WITH CAUTION. It is not necessary to stop, but you must slow down and be alert.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

Indicates you can turn left, but the turn is not protected. You must yield to oncoming traffic before proceeding with caution.

Solid Green Light

A signal meaning GO. You must still yield to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian already in the intersection and not enter if you cannot clear it before the light turns red.

Green Arrow

A signal meaning GO in the direction the arrow is pointing, allowing for a protected turn where oncoming traffic is stopped by a red light.

Traffic Light Not Working

When signals are out, stop as if the intersection is controlled by STOP signs in all directions before proceeding cautiously.

Diagonal Crossing

Crisscross and diagonal crosswalks that allow pedestrians to cross the intersection in any direction at the same time when the WALK signal is active.

STOP Sign

A red sign requiring a full stop before the crosswalk or limit line. If neither is present, stop before entering the intersection.

Red YIELD Sign

A sign instructing drivers to slow down and be ready to stop to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before proceeding.

DO NOT ENTER / WRONG WAY Signs

Signs indicating you are entering a roadway against traffic. At night, road reflectors will shine red in your headlights if you are going the wrong way.

Yellow and Black Circular Sign or X-shaped Sign

A warming that you are approaching a railroad crossing. You must look, listen, and prepare to stop for any trains.

5-sided Sign

A pentagon-shaped sign indicating you are near a school and must drive slowly.

Diamond-shaped Sign

A sign shape that warns drivers of specific road conditions and dangers ahead.

White Rectangular Sign

A sign shape used to communicate important regulatory rules that must be obeyed.

Intersection Right-of-Way (No Signs)

If two vehicles arrive at the same time, give the right-of-way to the vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist on your right.

T-Intersection Right-of-Way

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

Roundabout

An intersection where traffic travels in a counterclockwise direction around a central island; you must yield to traffic already inside before entering.

Blind Pedestrians

Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes; they have the right-of-way at all times.

Mountain Road Right-of-Way

If two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way, and the vehicle facing downhill must back up.

No Zone

Large blind spots around trucks and large vehicles where your vehicle can disappear from the driver's view.

Large Vehicle Braking Distance

A passenger vehicle traveling at $55\,\text{mph}$ can stop within $300\,\text{feet}$, while a large vehicle at the same speed can take up to $400\,\text{feet}$.

Safety Zone

Spaces marked by raised buttons or markers set aside for pedestrians waiting for buses, streetcars, or trolleys; you may pass at no more than $10\,\text{mph}$.

Lane Splitting

The legal practice of motorcyclists sharing lanes with other vehicles.

Emergency Vehicle Right-of-Way

Drivers must pull to the right edge of the road and stop for any emergency vehicle using a siren and red lights.

Slow-moving Vehicle Sign

An orange and red triangle on the back of a vehicle, indicating it usually travels at $25\,\text{mph}$ or less.

NEVs and LSVs

Neighborhood Electric Vehicles and Low-speed Vehicles with a max speed of $25\,\text{mph}$, restricted to roads where the speed limit is $35\,\text{mph}$ or less.

Bicycle Safety - Passing Distance

When you cannot change lanes to pass a bicyclist, you must allow at least $3\,\text{feet}$ of space between your vehicle and the bicyclist.

Bicycle Night Equipment

Requires a front lamp visible from $300\,\text{feet}$ and a rear red reflector/light visible from $500\,\text{feet}$.

Work Zones / Double Fine Zones

Areas where traffic violation fines are doubled due to increased hazard to workers and drivers; fines for violations can be $\$1,000$ or more.

Move Over and Slow Down Law

Drivers must move over and slow down for stationary emergency vehicles or tow trucks displaying flashing amber/emergency lights.

Hazardous Load Placard

A diamond-shaped sign on a truck indicating dangerous cargo; these vehicles must stop before crossing railroad tracks.

School Zone Speed Limit

The speed limit is $25\,\text{mph}$ (or as low as $15\,\text{mph}$) within $500\,\text{feet}$ of a school while children are present or crossing.

Blind Intersection Speed Limit

The speed limit is $15\,\text{mph}$ at an intersection where the driver's view is blocked and there are no stop signs.

Alley Speed Limit

The speed limit is $15\,\text{mph}$ in any road no wider than $25\,\text{feet}$ used for rear/side property access.

Railroad Crossing Speed Limit

The speed limit is $15\,\text{mph}$ within $100\,\text{feet}$ of a crossing where tracks cannot be seen for $400\,\text{feet}$ in both directions.

Extended Cargo Visibility

Cargo extending more than $4\,\text{feet}$ from the rear bumper must display a $12\text{-inch}$ red or fluorescent orange square flag ($2$ red lights at night).

Windshield Sticker Restricted Locations

Stickers may only be placed in a $7\text{-inch}$ passenger side/rear corner square, a $5\text{-inch}$ driver side corner square, or a $5\text{-inch}$ center-top square for toll devices.

Negligent Driver Point Totals (Adult)

A license may be suspended for $4\,\text{points}$ in $12\,\text{months}$, $6\,\text{points}$ in $24\,\text{months}$, or $8\,\text{points}$ in $36\,\text{months}$.

Traffic Violator School

An option available once every $18\,\text{months}$ for drivers with a one-point violation to keep the citation from being reported to insurance.

Minor's License Suspension (At Fault Events)

Suspension for $6\,\text{months}$ and probation for $1\,\text{year}$ occurs after $3$ at-fault collisions or traffic violations within the first $12\,\text{months}$.

Administrative Hearing Request Timeline

Must be requested within $10\,\text{days}$ of being served or $14\,\text{days}$ from the date a notice was mailed by the DMV.

DS 699

The 'Request for Driver Reexamination' form used to report a driver who may no longer be driving safely.