California DMV Written Test Practice

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering California driving rules, speed limits, parking regulations, and defensive driving practices.

Unpaved Roadway Passing

Driving off of the paved roadway to pass another vehicle is permitted under no circumstances.

Blind Railroad Crossing Speed Limit

The speed limit is $15\,\text{mph}$ when approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and an inability to see $400\,\text{ft}$ down the tracks in one direction.

Parallel Parking Curb Distance

The distance within which a vehicle's wheels must be positioned relative to the curb when parking parallel on a level street ($18\,\text{in}$).

Freeway Merging Speed

The driving speed recommended when merging onto the freeway, which should be at or near the same speed as the traffic on the freeway.

Driving in Fog

A driving condition in which motorists must use low beam headlights rather than high beams or fog lights only.

White Painted Curb

A curb marking indicating a loading zone for passengers or mail only.

School Bus Flashing Red Lights

A signal displayed when a bus is stopped, requiring drivers in the lane to stop as long as the red lights are flashing.

California's Basic Speed Law

A law stating that you should never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

Notice of Vehicle Transfer and Release of Liability

A requirement to notify the DMV within $5\,\text{days}$ after selling or transferring your vehicle.

Visual Scanning Time Horizon

Looking down the road to where your vehicle will be in about $10\text{ to }15\,\text{seconds}$ to avoid last-minute moves.

Turn Signal Distance

The requirement to signal continuously for at least $100\,\text{ft}$ before making a turn.

Large Truck Blind Spots

Blind areas around a large truck that are bigger than those of most passenger vehicles.

Unattended Vehicle Collision Procedure

The duty to leave a note on the vehicle and report the accident without delay to the city police or, in unincorporated areas, to the CHP.

Residential Speed Limit

A speed limit of $25\,\text{mph}$, which applies in any residential area unless otherwise posted.

Blocking an Intersection

An action that is legally prohibited under no circumstances, even with a green light or during rush hour.

Uphill Parking (No Curb)

A parking configuration on a two-way street where front wheels should be turned to the right, away from the street.

Class C Driver's License

A license that allows a person to drive a 3-axle vehicle if the gross vehicle weight is less than $6{,}000\,\text{lb}$.

Multi-Lane Left Turn (One-Way to One-Way)

A turn maneuver that must start from the lane closest to the left curb.

Report SR1

A written report that must be completed and submitted to the DMV if there is property damage in excess of $\,\$1{,}000$ or if there are any injuries.

First Rain After a Dry Spell

The specific driving condition when roadways are at their most slippery.

Red Painted Curb

A curb marking where you may not park your vehicle.

Solid Double Yellow Lines (Two or More Feet Apart)

Pavement markings that designate a barrier and may not be crossed for any reason.

Maximum Posted Speed Limit Compliance

The legal requirement to drive no faster than the posted limit (such as $65\,\text{mph}$), even if surrounding traffic travels faster (such as $70\,\text{mph}$).

Unmarked Crosswalk

An intersection pedestrian crossing area without painted lines where it is illegal to park your vehicle.

Hands-Free Device

The safest cellular phone precaution that enables drivers to keep both hands on the steering wheel while operating a vehicle.

Blocked Intersection with Green Light

A traffic situation where a driver must stay out of the intersection until traffic clears before proceeding.

School Crossing Guards

Traffic officials whose instructions drivers must obey at all times.

Freeway Dust Storm

A severe weather event reducing visibility, requiring drivers to drive slower and turn on their headlights.

Passing Protocol

The defensive driving rule stating you should never assume the other driver will make space for you to return to your lane.

Emergency Vehicle Siren at an Intersection

A scenario where a driver in the middle of an intersection must continue through the intersection, then move to the right and stop.

Hazardous Materials Tank Trucks

Tank trucks marked with hazardous materials placards that are required to always stop before crossing railroad tracks.

Left Turn onto Another One-Way Street

A turn permitted from a one-way street only if traffic on the receiving street moves to the left.

Truck Wide Right Turns

A turning maneuver where a large truck turning right onto a multi-lane street may have to swing wide to complete the turn.

Broken Line on Driver's Side

A pavement marking configuration that legally permits a driver to cross a double yellow line to pass another vehicle.

Defensive Driving

The practice of keeping your eyes moving to look for possible hazards.

Following Distance Behind Large Trucks

A safety space margin requiring drivers to travel farther behind a truck on the freeway than behind a passenger vehicle.

Dual-Ear Headphone Law

A statute making it illegal to drive while listening to music through headphones that cover both ears.

Railroad Track Clearance

A safety rule requiring drivers to stop before crossing railroad tracks if there is not enough room on the other side to completely cross.

Tailgating

The practice of driving too close to another vehicle's rear bumper, which can frustrate other drivers and make them angry.

Road Construction Signal Person

A site worker whose instructions must be obeyed at all times.

Bike Lane Right Turn Entry

Driving in a bicycle lane is permitted when you are within $200\,\text{ft}$ of a cross street where you plan to make a right turn.

Flashing Yellow Traffic Signal

A traffic signal indicating that drivers should slow down and cross the intersection carefully.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way (No Crosswalk)

A situation where a driver must stop and allow a pedestrian to finish crossing the street, even in the absence of a crosswalk.