dmv 2025

Section 1 – Laws and Rules of the Road

• Driver Responsibility: Always drive safely, follow laws, and prevent accidents.
• Speed Limits:
  • $25$ mph in school zones, business/residential areas (unless posted otherwise).
  • $15$ mph in alleys, near railroad tracks (when controlled), and in safety zones.
  • $55$ mph max for vehicles towing trailers on two-lane undivided highways.
• Right-of-Way:
  • Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles in intersection first.
  • At $4$-way stops: first come, first go. If tied, yield to the right.
• Lane Use: Keep right unless passing; use center left turn lane only for turns.
• Passing: Only pass when safe, never over double solid yellow lines.
• Traffic Lights:
  • Red: Stop.
  • Right turn on red: Allowed unless sign says no (full stop first).
  • Red arrow: No turn in arrow direction until green.
  • Yellow: Prepare to stop.
  • Flashing red: Stop, then go when safe.
• Stop Signs: Stop fully at limit line or crosswalk.

Section 2 – Safe Driving

• Scanning: Look $10-15$ seconds ahead, check mirrors often.
• Blind Spots: Always check over shoulder before changing lanes.
• Following Distance: Use the $3$-second rule (more in bad weather).
• Space Cushion: Keep space around your vehicle.
• Night Driving: Use low-beam headlights in fog; high beams only when safe.
• Driving in Weather: Slow down, increase distance.
• Hills: Turn wheels toward curb when parking downhill; away from curb uphill.

Section 3 – Lane Control

• Line Markings:
  • Solid yellow: No passing.
  • Broken yellow: Passing allowed.
  • Double solid yellow: No passing either way.
  • White lines: Same-direction lanes.
• HOV (Carpool) Lanes: For $2+$ people or motorcycles unless posted otherwise.
• Bicycle Lanes: Only enter to park, turn, or enter driveway — yield to bicyclists.
• Center Left Turn Lane: Use only for left turns and U-turns.

Section 4 – Turns

• Right Turn: Signal $100$ feet before, stay close to curb.
• Left Turn: Start in leftmost lane, turn into leftmost lane going your way.
• U-Turns: Allowed when safe unless posted otherwise. Illegal in front of fire stations or on curves/hills.
• Right on Red: Stop first, yield, then turn if no sign forbids it.
• Red Arrow Turn: No right/left turn until arrow turns green.

Section 5 – Parking

• Uphill with curb: Turn wheels away from curb.
• Downhill with curb: Turn wheels toward curb.
• No curb (any direction): Turn wheels toward roadside.
• Never park:
  • In bike lane (unless permitted).
  • In front of driveways or fire hydrants.
  • On sidewalks.
  • Within $15$ feet of fire hydrant or $3$ feet of sidewalk ramp.
• Parallel Parking: Park within $18$ inches of curb.

Section 6 – Freeway Driving

• Entering: Use on-ramp to match traffic speed.
• Exiting: Signal early, move into exit lane safely.
• Do not stop on freeway unless emergency.
• Lane Changes: Check mirrors, blind spots, and signal.
• Passing: Left lane for faster traffic; keep right unless passing.

Section 7 – Sharing the Road

• Pedestrians: Always yield, especially in crosswalks.
• Bicycles: Give at least $3$ feet when passing.
• Motorcycles: Give full lane; check blind spots.
• Large Vehicles (Trucks/Buses): Stay out of blind spots (“No Zones”).
• School Buses: Stop for flashing red lights both directions unless divided by barrier.

Section 8 – Special Driving Situations

• Railroad Crossings: Stop $15$ feet from tracks if red lights flash or gate is down.
• Construction Zones: Slow down, follow signs, watch for workers.
• Emergencies: Pull over to right for police, fire, ambulance.
• Skids: Steer in direction you want front wheels to go.
• Hydroplaning: Ease off gas, don’t brake hard.

Section 9 – Vehicle Registration and Equipment

• Registration: Vehicle must be registered and insured.
• Equipment Required: Working brakes, lights, horn, mirrors, tires.
• Seat Belts: Driver and all passengers must wear them.
• Child Safety Seats: Under $8$ or under $4'9''$ must be in car seat/booster in back seat.

Section 10 – Alcohol & Drugs

• Illegal BAC Limits:
  • $0.08\%$ or higher for $21+$ .
  • $0.01\%$ for under $21$ .
  • $0.04\%$ for commercial drivers.
• Zero Tolerance for under $21$ .
• **DUI Penalties