Knowledge test

Hand position of steering wheel

3 and 9 o’clock

Hand to hand steering

Push and pull. Don’t cross hands

Hand over hand steering

Use when at low speeds, parking, or recovering from skid

Hand signals

You should signal:

• At least 100 feet before turning

• At least 5 seconds before you change lanes on the freeway

Using your horn

Used to warn other drivers of a hazard:

• avoid collision

• Alert oncoming traffic on a narrow mountain when you cannot see 200 ft ahead

Headlights

Help to see what’s in front of you. Use your headlights for:

• On mountain roads or tunnels, even when it is sunny

• When a signs states it

• To help other drivers see you

Emergency flashers

When you see a collision or hazard to warn other drivers. use these methods:

• Emergency flashers

• Tap brakes 3-4 times

• Use hand signals

Yellow

Line colors for separating opposing traffic

Single solid yellow line

Marks the center of a road with two-way traffic

Double solid yellow line

Do not pass over. Stay to the right (don’t drive to the left) unless:

• you’re instructed to

• Turning left to enter a driveway or make a U-turn

• HOV lane

Two sets of solid double yellow lines

Spaced two feet apart. Should be treated as a barrier. No exceptions don’t cross over them

Single solid white line

Marks traffic going in the same direction, including one way street. Do not cross over.

Double solid white lines

Barrier between regular and preferential (ex. HOV) lanes. Also freeway on and off ramps. Never cross over, treated as a barrier

Broken white lines

Separates traffic lanes in the same direction. Can cross to change lanes.

End of lane markings

Large broken lines. Ending of freeway or street lane. Mostly for exiting the freeway or lane ending (exit)

Yield line

Solid white line of triangles. Triangles point to approaching vehicles.

White lines

Separates traffic going in the same direction

Yellow lines

Separates traffic traveling in opposite directions

Broken yellow lines

If safe, cross to pass a vehicle in front. Make sure the road ahead is clear before passing

Solid white edge line

Indicates the right edge of the pavement

Solid yellow edge line

Indicates the left edge of the pavement on divided highways and one-way streets

carpool (HOV) lane

To use this lane you must:

• have the minimum number of people

• Riding a motorcycle

Marked by a diamond

Diamond with words “carpool lane”

Road surface marked for a carpool lane/HOV

Bicycle lanes

For bicyclist only and run alongside traffic . Marked by a single solid white line and signs, sometimes painted green

Buffered bike lane

Uses chevrons or diagonal markings to separate traffic and bicyclists and parking

Separated bikeway

Physically separates bikes from vehicles

Parking downhill

Turn front wheels toward the curb

Parking uphill

Turn front wheels away from the curb

Uphill or downhill with no curb

Turn the wheels to the right (toward the shoulder of the road)

Green curb

Parking on curb for a limited time

yellow curb

Load and unload passengers and freight

Illegal parking

Never park or leave your vehicle:

• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant

• In front of a driveway

Flashing red light

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

Flashing yellow light

PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Slow down and be alert. You do not need to stop.

Flashing yellow arrow

You can turn but the turn is not protected from other traffic. Yield to oncoming traffic.

Traffic light not working

When _______ , act like there is stop signs in all directions

Warning signs

Signs that are usually yellow with black markings. Alert you to conditions that are immediately ahead.

Diamond shaped signs

Warns of specific road conditions and dangers ahead

White rectangular signs

Signs with important rules you must obey

Safety zones

Marked off area on the road where pedestrians wait for buses, streetcars or trolleys and drivers are prohibited from driving through it

Following a motorcycle

Three second following distance to avoid hitting a motorcyclists if they fall or brake

Lane splitting

Motorcyclists may split the lane to pass between slower moving lanes of traffic

Slow moving vehicle

Vehicle that travels significantly slower than the flow of traffic. Display a orange and red triangle to indicate it

Vehicles with hazardous loads

A diamond shaped sign on a truck. These vehicles must stop before crossing railroad tracks

Speed limit around schools

25 mph within 500 feet of a school with children outside

Blind intersection

Intersection with no stop signs on any corners. Speed limit is 15 mph

Alley speed limit

15 mph

25 mph (unless otherwise posted)

business or residential area speed limit

Tailgating

Driving too closely behind another vehicle

Safe following distance

Three second rule to follow safely

Skid

When one or more of the tires lose traction with the road and the vehicle starts to slip

Slippery surface skid

A skid caused by ice and packed snow on the road. Most likely when you are driving too fast or going downhill

Slippery surface skid steps

1. Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator

2. Do not use the brakes

3. Turning the steering wheel in the direction of the skid

4. Try to get a wheel on dry pavement

Locked wheel skids

Skid usually caused by braking too hard when you are going too fast

Speed for slippery road conditions

Wet road: reduce speed by 5 or 10 mph

Snow: reduce speed by half

Ice: drive no more than 5 mph

Situations where road is more slippery

• Shade from trees or buildings can hide icy spots on cold, wet days. These areas freeze first and dry out last

• Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road. They can have icy spots

Hydroplaning

When a vehicle rides on water because the tires loses all contact with the road

Avoiding hydroplaning

• Steer around standing water

• Slow down if you hear sloshing around the tires

• Slow down when changing lanes

If your vehicle hydroplanes

• Slow down gradually

• Do not use the brakes. Sudden braking may cause you to lose control of the vehicle

If you experience a tire blowout

Slow down gradually and use your brakes lightly. Don’t apply the brakes until the vehicle has slowed down considerably

California basic speed law

Prohibits driving faster than is safe for the given conditions

65 mph

Ideal maximum speed limit on California highways

Choose between hazards

If one danger is greater than the other, give more space to the most dangerous situation

511

Number for freeway assistance if car breaks down on freeway

0.08% or higher

Illegal BAC if you are over 21 years old

0.01% or higher

Illegal BAC if you are under 21 and operating a vehicle

0.04% or higher

Illegal BAC if you are driving a car for hire or a vehicle requiring a commercial license

DUI conviction

Last 10 years on tour drivers record

500 feet

How many feet away should you switch from high beam to low beam headlights when approaching a vehicle coming towards you?

Between 5 am and 11 pm

You are under 18 years old and have had your license for eight months. You may drive:

For the first several minutes

At what point during a rainfall are roads slippery on a hot day?

SR-1 (report of traffic accident occurring in California)

Must be filed with the DMV by a driver within 10 days of an accident that involves a fatality, an injury, or more than $1,000 in property damage

Five days

You must notify the DMV within ___ days when you sell a vehicle

Double fine zones

Due to increased collision-related injuries and fatalities, fines are doubled in highway construction zones or maintenance zones whern workers are present