California Driver’s Handbook Review - Section 6

SECTION 6: Navigating the Roads

Traffic Lanes and Road Markings

• Definition of a Traffic Lane: A section of road intended for a single line of traffic.

• Purpose of Lane Markings: These markings on road surfaces assist drivers in identifying which part of the road to use and understanding specific traffic rules.

Yellow Lane Markings

• Single Solid Yellow Line: Marks the center of a road with two-way traffic.

  • Restriction: Do not pass a vehicle in front of you if there is only one lane of traffic in your direction and a solid yellow line is on your side of the road.

• Double Solid Yellow Lines: Do not pass over these lines. You must stay to the right of these lines except in the following circumstances:

  • When in a High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left.

  • When instructed by construction signs or other markers to drive on the opposite side because your side is closed or blocked.

  • When turning left across a single set of double yellow lines to enter or exit a driveway or private road, or to make a U-turn.

• Yellow Lane Barriers: Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced $2\,feet$ or more apart are considered a barrier.

  • Restrictions: Do not drive on or over this barrier, and do not make a left turn or U-turn across it except at designated openings.

• Broken Yellow Line: Indicates that you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane. Passing should only occur when it is safe.

White Lane Markings

• Single Solid White Line: Marks traffic lanes going in the same direction, including one-way streets.

• Double Solid White Lines: Indicate a lane barrier between a regular use lane and a preferential use lane (e.g., an HOV lane).

  • Locations: Often seen near freeway on and off ramps.

  • Restriction: Never change lanes over double solid white lines. Drivers must wait until they see a single broken white line.

• Broken White Lines: Separate traffic lanes on roads with two or more lanes moving in the same direction.

• End of Lane Markings: Freeway and street lanes that are ending are typically marked with large broken lines.

  • Driver Action: Prepare to exit the freeway or for the lane to end; look for signs instructing to exit or merge.

• Yield Line: A line of solid white triangles pointing toward approaching vehicles. It indicates where vehicles must yield or stop.

Choosing and Changing Lanes

• Lane Numbering: Lanes are referred to by number.

  • Number 1 Lane: The left (or "fast") lane.

  • Number 2 Lane: The lane to the right of the Number 1 lane.

  • Number 3 Lane, etc.: Subsequent lanes to the right.

• Choosing a Lane:

  • Use the left lane to pass other vehicles or turn left.

  • Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic or when entering the road from a curb or shoulder.

• Changing Lanes Protocol:

  • Signal your intention.

  • Check your mirrors.

  • Check traffic behind and beside you.

  • Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move to ensure the lane is clear.

  • Check blind spots for vehicles, motorcyclists, and bicyclists.

  • Ensure there is enough space in the next lane; do not slow down unnecessarily before the change.

  • Avoid weaving in and out of traffic; stay in one lane as much as possible.

• Consistency in Maneuvers: Avoid last-minute changes as they increase collision risks. Once moving through an intersection or starting a turn, follow through. If a turn is missed, continue driving until a safe and legal turnaround is possible.

Special Types of Lanes

• Passing Lanes: On multilane roads, the passing lane is the far-left lane closest to the center divider.

• Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes: Reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles with decals.

  • Eligibility: Determined by a minimum number of people (listed on road signs), driving a low/zero-emission vehicle with a DMV-issued decal, or riding a motorcycle (unless posted otherwise).

  • Markings: Identified by a diamond symbol and the words "Carpool Lane."

  • Entry/Exit: Do not cross double solid lines; use designated entrances and exits.

• Center Left Turn Lanes: Located in the middle of two-way streets. Marked by two painted lines: inner line is broken, outer line is solid.

  • Usage: For preparing and making left turns or U-turns. It is NOT a regular traffic or passing lane.

  • Limit: You may only drive for $200\,feet$ in this lane.

  • Left Turn Procedure: Look for oncoming traffic in the lane, signal, check blind spots, merge completely into the lane, and turn when safe.

• Turnout Areas or Lanes: Used on two-lane roads to allow cars behind to pass.

  • Mandatory Rule: You must use a turnout if you are driving slowly on a two-lane road where passing is unsafe and $5$ or more vehicles are following you.

Bicycle Lanes

• Definition: Reserved for bicyclists, typically marked by a single solid white line and signs, sometimes painted bright green.

• Illegal Driving in Bike Lanes: It is illegal to drive in a bike lane except when:

  • Parking (where permitted).

  • Entering or leaving the road.

  • Turning (within $200\,feet$ of an intersection).

• Types of Bike Lanes:

  • Bike Lane: Adjacent to vehicle traffic, marks change from solid to dashed near intersections.

  • Buffered Bike Lane: Uses chevrons or diagonal markings for greater separation.

  • Bike Route: Uses signs and shared road markings (sharrows).

  • Bicycle Boulevard: Prioritizes bicycle travel on shared streets.

  • Separated Bikeway (Cycle Track): Physically separated by flexible posts, grade separation, or barriers.

  • Shared Roadway Bicycle Markings: Alert drivers that cyclists may occupy the lane.

• Safety Note: Maintain a distance of at least $3\,feet$ between the car and the cyclist. Check blind spots before entering these lanes.

Turning Procedures

• Right Turns:

  • Drive close to the right edge.

  • Enter dedicated right turn lanes at the opening.

  • You may enter a bike lane within $200\,feet$ of the turn after checking for cyclists.

  • Signal $100\,feet$ before the turn.

  • Reduce speed and look over the right shoulder.

  • Stop behind the limit line (wide white line). If none, stop before the crosswalk; if no crosswalk, stop before the intersection.

  • Look left-right-left and complete the turn in the right lane without swinging wide.

• Right Turn Against Red: Permitted after a complete stop unless a "NO TURN ON RED" sign is present. This is not allowed against a Red Arrow.

• Public Transit Bus Lanes: It is illegal to drive, stop, or park in lanes designated for buses, but you may cross them to make a right turn.

• Left Turns:

  • Drive close to the center divider or enter the left turn lane at the opening.

  • Signal $100\,feet$ before the turn.

  • Stop behind the limit line/crosswalk.

  • Look left-right-left. Keep wheels pointed straight until starting the turn (to avoid being pushed into oncoming traffic if hit from behind).

  • Proceed into the intersection and complete the turn in the left lane.

  • Left Turn Against Red: Only permitted when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

U-Turns

• Definition: Turning the vehicle around to go back in the opposite direction from the left or far-left lane.

• Legal U-Turns:

  • Across a double yellow line.

  • In a residential district if no vehicles are approaching within $200\,feet$.

  • At intersections on a green light/arrow (unless posted otherwise).

  • On divided highways with a designated opening.

• Illegal U-Turns:

  • Where "NO U-TURN" signs are posted.

  • At or on railroad crossings.

  • On a divided highway by crossing a curb, strip of land, or two sets of double yellow lines.

  • When visibility is less than $200\,feet$ in each direction.

  • On one-way streets.

  • In front of fire stations (or using their driveways).

  • In business districts, except at intersections or designated openings.

Merging, Exiting, and Passing

• Merging onto Highways:

  • Highway traffic has the right-of-way.

  • Enter at or near the speed of traffic.

  • Merge into a large enough space; do not stop unless necessary.

  • Leave a $3\,second$ following distance ($3\,seconds$ of space).

  • Signal and cross multiple lanes one at a time.

• Exiting Highways:

  • Signal for $5\,seconds$ (approximately $400\,feet$) before exiting.

  • Ensure safe speed and do not cross solid lines.

• Crossing or Entering Traffic: Need a space of approximately $150\,feet$ (half a block) on city streets and $300\,feet$ (full block) on highways.

• Passing Rules:

  • Pass on the left on open highways. Signal and check blind spots.

  • Pass on the right only if there are two or more lanes in your direction or if the driver ahead is turning left.

  • Judge space: hills or curves should be at least one-third of a mile ahead ($\frac{1}{3}\,mile$).

  • Restriction: Do not pass within $100\,feet$ of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, or railroad crossing.

Parking Regulations

• Parallel Parking:

  • Find a space $3\,feet$ longer than the vehicle.

  • Pull alongside the front vehicle, leaving $2\,feet$ between.

  • Back in at a $45^{\circ}$ angle.

  • Straighten when the rear wheel is within $18\,inches$ of the curb.

• Parking on Hills:

  • Downhill: Turn wheels toward the curb (right).

  • Uphill: Turn wheels away from the curb (left) and let them touch the curb.

  • No Curb: Turn wheels toward the shoulder (right).

• Colored Curbs:

  • White: Pickup/drop-off only.

  • Green: Limited time parking.

  • Yellow: Loading/unloading (noncommercial drivers usually must stay with the vehicle).

  • Red: No stopping, standing, or parking (except buses in marked zones).

  • Blue: Disabled person parking with placard/plate.

• Illegal Parking Locations: Within $3\,feet$ of a sidewalk ramp, $15\,feet$ of a fire hydrant/fire station driveway, and $20\,feet$ of an unmarked/marked crosswalk.

Law Enforcement and Rights

• Traffic Stop Procedures: Signal and move to the right shoulder; stop in well-lit areas; turn off radio; roll down window; keep hands in clear view.

• Officer Obligations: Must state the reason for the stop before questioning (unless there is an imminent threat to life/property).

• Driver Rights:

  • You may refuse searches, but officers may have legal authority to proceed regardless. Explicitly state if you do not grant permission, but do not physically resist.

  • Drivers must produce license, insurance, and registration.

  • Passengers may decline identification requests unless specific circumstances apply.

  • In California, state/local officers are prohibited from asking about immigration status.

  • Recording: Protected by the First Amendment in public spaces. Inform the officer you are recording. Officers cannot confiscate or destroy devices for recording if not interfering with duties.

  • Complaints: The public has a right to file complaints against agencies, which must be investigated. Retaliation for filing a complaint is illegal.

  • Discrimination: Right to be free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, or citizenship status.