California Driver's Handbook Key Points

California Driver's Handbook Key Points

• This handbook is available at dmv.ca.gov
• Gavin Newsom is the current Governor of California
• Toks Omishakin is the Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency
• Steve Gordon is the Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles

Cover Page Online Services

• Renew a driver's license and vehicle registration
• Replace a sticker or registration
• Change an address
• Request a driver's record or vehicle record, and more at dmv.ca.gov/online

California Roadway Safety

• Since 2010, over 30,000 people have died, and 100,000 have been seriously injured on California roads
• There has been a nearly 50% increase in annual deaths and serious injuries for pedestrians
• There has also been greater than 60% increase in bicyclists killed per year since 2010
• The CA Driver's Handbook's information can help on the road to reach destinations safely

Copyright Information

• Copyright, Department of Motor Vehicles 2024
• This work is protected by U.S. Copyright Law

Section 1: The California Driver's License

• A California driver's license allows driving on public roads
• To get a driver's license requires passing knowledge and behind-the-wheel drive tests based on information in this handbook
• Most people need a noncommercial Class C driver's license
• Beginning May 2025, a driver's license or identification (ID) card must be REAL ID compliant when boarding an airplane for domestic flights, entering military bases, and entering most federal facilities
• California offers driver's licenses for all residents regardless of immigration status
• ID cards are issued for identification purposes and do not allow driving

Section 2: Instruction Permit & Driver's License Requirements

• Applying for an instruction permit or driver's license requires: proof of identity, two proofs of residency, a legal full name document, and a social security number
• To apply for a Class C instruction permit, steps are: completing an application, providing all necessary documents, paying a non-refundable application fee, passing all knowledge test(s), and passing a vision test
• Those under 18 years old must be at least 15½ years old, complete a driver education program, have a parent or guardian sign to approve the application and accept financial responsibility, and wait to use the instruction permit until starting behind-the-wheel driver training with a validated permit
• To get a driver's license after having an instruction permit requires practicing driving with a California-licensed driver who is at least 18 years old (25 for minors) and also passing a behind-the-wheel drive test
• Those under 18 years old need to be at least 16 years old, hold an instruction permit for at least 6 months (or turn 18 years old) before scheduling a behind-the-wheel drive test, prove completed driver education and driver training, and practice driving for at least 50 hours (10 at night) with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25 years old
• When under 18 years old, a driver's license will have the word provisional, preventing driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 12 months, driving passengers under 20 years old (unless supervised), or driving for pay

Section 3: The Testing Process

• DMV tests all applicants to ensure they can see well enough to drive safely
• Taking a vision test with corrective or contact lenses will result in a corrective lenses restriction on the driver's license
• Applying for an original driver's license requires passing a knowledge test with multiple choice questions, with three attempts allowed before needing to reapply
• Minors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not including the day of the failure
• You are not allowed to use any testing aids during knowledge tests
• When applying for an original driver's license, you will be tested on your ability to safely drive a vehicle
• Minors must wait 14 days to retake a failed behind-the-wheel drive test, not including the day of the failure
• Bringing a vehicle that does not meet requirements will result in rescheduling your driver's test

Behind-the-Wheel Test Essentials

• On the day of your behind-the-wheel test, bring your instruction permit or driver's license, a licensed driver who is at least 18 (or 25 for minors), a safe vehicle for the test, valid proof of insurance and vehicle registration; if renting the vehicle for the test, your name must be listed on the rental contract that does not exclude behind-the-wheel drive tests
• Before the test, the examiner will ask you to locate and demonstrate: driver window, windshield, rearview mirrors, brake lights, tires, foot brake, horn, emergency (parking) brake, turn/arm signals, windshield wipers, and seat belts
• During the pre-drive inspection of the vehicle, interpreters may be used for identifying and using certain controls, but may not accompany the drive test itself
• Exceptions to only the examiner being allowed during the drive test include: training, service animals, and certain law enforcement situations
• The use of a recording device is prohibited during the test
• Advanced driver assistance systems technologies, such as automated parallel parking, lane departure, and adaptive cruise control, are not permitted during the drive test

Section 4: Driver’s License Changes, Replacements, and Renewals

• Legally changing your name or gender identity, or any updates to your driver's license, require visiting dmv.ca.gov/dlservices.
• Moving requires notifying DMV of your new address within ten days online at dmv.ca.gov/addresschange
• Driving with an expired driver's license is against the law
• Renewing or replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged driver's license will require visiting dmv.ca.gov/dlservices, or a DMV office
• Being out-of-state makes you eligible to request a one-year extension of your driver's license through [email protected].

Section 5: Introduction to Driving and Vehicle Control

• The ability to notice hazards, judge distances, adjust to traffic speed, and read road signs is critical
• Hearing horns, sirens, motorcycles, or screeching tires that may alert you of hazards is needed
• It is illegal to wear a headset or earplugs in both ears while driving
• Alertness to quickly decide the correct course of action in any traffic situation is expected
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications can make you an unsafe driver
• Physicians are required to report patients (14 years old +) to DMV if they believe certain medical conditions may affect driving safely
• To use hand-to-hand steering (push/pull), keep hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock positions, avoid crossing hands over the middle of the steering wheel
• To use hand-over-hand steering, start with your hands at 8 and 4 o'clock, reach across the steering wheel to grasp the opposite side, let go with your other hand, then reach across the arm still holding the wheel, grip the wheel and pull-up
• One-hand steering should only be used while turning while backing up or operating vehicle controls
• Always signal when you turn, change lanes, slow down, or stop
• Bicyclists may signal a turn with their arm held straight out, pointing in the direction they plan to turn
• Signaling should occur at least 100 ft before turning, before every lane change, at least five seconds before changing lanes on a freeway, before pulling next to/away from the curb
• Using a vehicle’s horn should be only for avoiding collisions, or to alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead
• Headlights help you see what is in front of you while also making it easier to see for other drivers

Headlight Use

• Dim your high-beam headlights to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following
• Headlight usage includes: when it is too dark to see from 1,000 feet away, beginning 30 minutes after sunset, until 30 minutes before sunrise, in adverse weather, when conditions prevent you from seeing other vehicles, on mountain roads and through tunnels, when a road sign states that headlights must be on, and to help other drivers see you
• Turn on your emergency flashers if you see a collision or hazard ahead and lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times

Section 6: Road Navigation

• Single solid yellow lines mark the center of a road with two-way traffic, and not passing if there is only one lane of traffic going in your direction
• Do not pass over double solid yellow lines, unless: in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV), instructed by construction, or turning left across a single set to enter/exit a driveway/private road or make a U-turn
• Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart are considered a barrier. Do not drive on or over this barrier or make a turn across it
• Broken yellow lines indicate you may pass if the broken line is next to your diving lane. Only pass when it is safe
• Single solid white lines mark traffic lanes going in the same direction
• Double solid white lines indicate a lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use lane, like an HOV lane. Never change lanes over these lines
• Ending freeway and street lanes are marked with large broken lines, and should prepare to exit
• Yield lines are solid white lines of triangles showing approaching vehicles where to yield/stop, with the triangles pointing towards the vehicles
• Passing lanes are usually the lane closest to the center divider on a multilane road
• An HOV lane is reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles with decals; these have on-ramp signs to tell you the minimum number of people in your vehicle
• The road surface in an HOV lane is marked with a diamond symbol and the words Carpool Lane

Center Left Turn & Turnout Lanes

• A center left turn lane is located in the middle of a two-way streets marked with two painted lines. Use it to prepare for/make a left turn or U-turn, while only driving within it for 200 feet
• Some two-lane roads have special turnout areas/lanes allowing merging to let cars behind you pass
• A driver must use a turnout area/lane to let vehicles pass when driving slowly on a two-lane road, where passing is unsafe, and there are five or more vehicles following
• Bicycle lanes are typically marked by a single solid white line and signs.
• Unless parking or making a turn, driving in bicycle lanes is illegal for parking (where permitted), entering or leaving the road, or turning (within 200 ft of an intersection)
• Established bike lanes are along streets adjacent to vehicle traffic, marked by a single solid white line that turns into a dash-line near an intersection
• Buffered bike lanes use chevrons or diagonal markings to provide greater separation from traffic
• Separated bikeways are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic
• Shared roadway bicycle markings alert drivers that bicyclists can occupy the lane

Turn Information

• To make a right turn, drive close to the right edge of the road or designated right turn lane and watch for pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcycles
• Start signaling about 100 feet before the turn, look over your right shoulder, reduce speed, and look both ways before turning when it is safe
• Right turns at a red light are permitted after a complete stop and unless a sign prohibits it
• You may not turn right if you are stopped at a red arrow light
• A dedicated right turn lane allows you to make a right turn without stopping but must still obey traffic and yield to pedestrians
• To turn left, drive close to the center divider or into the left turn and start signaling 100 ft before, look over your left shoulder, and stop behind the limit line/crosswalk and look both ways before turning
• Proceed into the intersection while turning to complete your turn and keep wheels pointed straight ahead until it is safe
• Look both ways and pay attention to other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists approaching the area when you are turning from a one way street
• U-turns are when you turn the vehicle to go back in the direction you came by signaling and using the left turn lane/far-left lane