California Traffic Laws

• It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.
• The eight-hundredths of one percent rule applies to drivers 21 or older.
• California's "Basic Speed Law" says one must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.
• Driving at 45 mph in a 55 mph zone during dense fog may result in a citation for driving "too fast for conditions".
• Driving under the influence of any medication that impairs driving ability is not permitted.

Driving in a Bike Lane

• A motor vehicle can be driven in a bike lane no more than 200 feet before making a right turn.
• Drivers should not enter a bicycle lane at any other time.

Cell Phone Use

• If a cell phone rings while driving without a hands-free device, the call should be allowed to go to voicemail.
• Drivers should not use a cell phone without a hands-free device.
• Minors cannot use a cell phone while driving, except in an emergency.

Solid and Broken Yellow Lines

• A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means that vehicles next to the broken line may pass.
• Yellow lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.

Parking Uphill with No Curb

• When parking uphill on a two-way road with no curb, front wheels should be turned to the right, toward the side of the road.
• When parking either uphill or downhill on a road that has no curb, wheels should be turned so that the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Minor Collisions

• For a minor collision at an intersection with no injuries and very little vehicle damage, move your vehicle out of the traffic lane if possible.
• If no one has been injured or killed, and it is safe to do so, move the vehicle out of the traffic lane.

Smoking

• In California, smoking inside a vehicle with a person younger than 18 years old is illegal at all times.

Pedestrians

• If there is no crosswalk and a pedestrian is crossing, stop and let them finish crossing.
• Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the roadway, even if there is not a marked crosswalk.
• You must yield to a pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog at all times.
• Pedestrians using guide dogs or white canes (with or without a red tip) must be given the right-of-way at all times.

Blind Spots

• To see vehicles in blind spots, check over your shoulders.
• Blind spots cannot be seen using mirrors.

Freeway Merging

• On the freeway when traffic is merging into your lane, make room for the merging traffic if possible.
• When traffic permits, make room for vehicles to merge into your lane.

Non-Functioning Traffic Signals

• If a traffic signal light is not working, stop, then proceed when safe.
• If a traffic signal is not working and no lights are showing, proceed cautiously as if the intersection is controlled by stop signs in all directions.

Large Trucks

• Extra space in front of a large truck is needed for the truck driver to stop the vehicle.
• Trucks take longer to stop than cars traveling at the same speed.
• Other drivers should not pull in front of a truck and then slow down or stop.
• When driving on the freeway behind a large truck, drive farther behind the truck than you would if following a passenger vehicle, because trucks have larger blind spots.
• Trucks may have to swing wide to complete a right turn.
• When a vehicle makes a turn, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels and the longer the vehicle, the bigger the difference between the paths of the front and rear wheels.

Passing

• When passing another vehicle, it is safe to return to your lane only when you see the vehicle's headlights in your rearview mirror.
• It's essential not to assume that the driver being passed will make space to return to your lane.

Chemical Tests

• Consent to take a chemical test for the alcohol content of your blood, breath, or urine is implied whenever you drive in California.
• California drivers consent to have their breath, blood, or urine tested if arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Night Driving

• When driving at night on a dimly lit street, drive slowly enough that you can stop within the area illuminated by headlights.
• It is not possible to see as far ahead at night, so drive more slowly and ensure you can stop within the area illuminated by your headlights.

Illegal Actions

• Driving off of the paved roadway to pass another vehicle is never allowed.

Railroads

• When approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and an inability to see 400 feet down the tracks in one direction, the speed limit is 15 mph.
• Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing where drivers cannot see 400 feet down the tracks in both directions, the speed limit is 15 mph, unless the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagger.
• Always stop before crossing railroad tracks when there isn't room on the other side for you to completely cross the tracks.

Parallel Parking

• When parking your vehicle parallel to the curb on a level street, your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb.
• The front and back wheels of one's vehicle must be parallel with and within 18 inches of the curb.
• Expect a train on any track, at any time, traveling in either direction.
• If you need to stop after crossing the tracks, wait until you can completely cross the tracks before proceeding.

Freeway Merging

• When merging onto the freeway, you should be driving at or near the speed of traffic on the freeway.

Last-Minute Moves

• To avoid last-minute moves, look down the road to where your vehicle will be in about 10 to 15 seconds.
• Scan the road 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle to see hazards before meeting them.

Making a Left Turn

• When about to make a left turn, you must signal continuously during the last 100 feet before the turn.

Speed Limit

• Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a business and residential districts is 25 mph.
• Involved drivers must file a report with the DMV within 10 days if a collision results in property damage in excess of $1,000 or if there are any injuries.
• A driver's insurance agent, broker, or legal representative may file the report to represent the driver.

Parking

• Parking is not permitted next to a red painted curb, however buses may stop in a red curb zone marked for buses.
• Two sets of solid double yellow lines that are two or more feet apart may not be crossed for any reason.
• You may not drive on or over this barrier or make a left turn or U-turn across it, except at designated openings.

Highway Speed Limits

• When driving on a freeway with a posted speed limit of 65 mph, and traffic is traveling at 70 mph, you may legally drive no faster than 65 mph.
• The maximum speed limit is 65 mph on most California highways.
• Driving at 70 mph is permissible only if the speed limit is posted as such.

Passing

• If you plan to pass another vehicle, do not assume the other driver will make space for you to return to your lane.

Horns

• Use your horn when it may help prevent a collision.
• Do not use your horn if a driver or bicyclist is moving slowly and you want him or her to drive faster or get out of your way.

Speed of traffic

• If you drive more slowly than the flow of traffic, you will likely interfere with traffic and receive a ticket.
• You must drive more slowly than usual when there is heavy traffic or bad weather but you may be cited if you block the normal traffic flow by driving too slowly
• Match the speed of traffic, unless the speed of traffic exceeds the legal speed limit.

Changing Lanes

• When changing lanes on a freeway, signal for at least five seconds.
• Signal when turning left or right, changing lanes, slowing down, or stopping to let other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians know your intentions.
• Allow extra space in front of your vehicle when following a motorcycle because motorcycles can stop more quickly than other vehicles.
• Motorcycles are difficult to see at night because they only have one taillight.

Insurance

• You must show proof of insurance to law enforcement if you are involved in a collision or stopped for a citation.
• Drivers must have evidence of financial responsibility and must always show proof of insurance and your license to an officer upon request after a traffic stop or collision.

Basic Speed Law

• A speeding ticket can be given while driving 55 mph in a 55 mph zone if road or weather conditions require a slower speed.
• Drivers should account for the speed of surrounding vehicles, the condition of the road surface, the presence of bicyclists and pedestrians, and weather conditions when deciding how quickly to drive
• It is only legal to drive with an alcoholic beverage container that has been opened only if the container is in the trunk.
• Any opened alcoholic beverage container must be stowed in the vehicle trunk, or in another place where passengers do not sit.
• Keeping an opened alcoholic drink in the glove compartment is specifically prohibited, except in a bus, taxi, camper, or motor home, where these restrictions do not apply to non-driving passengers.

Yielding

• When turning left at an upcoming corner, yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles.
• Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles moving on their green light.
• There is a vehicle stopped on the right shoulder of the road with its hazard lights on, you should slow down and pass very carefully.
• See a vehicle's hazard lights ahead, slow down-- there may be a collision or other road emergency ahead and stop and give assistance if asked, or pass carefully.
• Before changing lanes, check your mirrors and glance over your shoulder.

Parking

• When parking downhill on a two-way road and there is no curb, turn front wheels right, toward the side of the road.
• When parking facing downhill on a road with or without a curb or when facing uphill on a road without a curb, turn your front wheels toward the edge of the road so your vehicle will roll away from traffic if the brakes fail.
• When parking uphill on a road with a curb, turn your wheels toward the center of the road so the vehicle will roll into the curb if the brakes fail.
• When passing a bicyclist in a narrow traffic lane when an oncoming vehicle is approaching, slow down and let the vehicle pass you before you pass the bicyclist and take on one danger at a time.
• Rather than trying to squeeze between the bicyclist and the other vehicle, slow down to let the other vehicle pass and then pass the bicyclist when it is safe to do so.

Motorcycles

• Carefully look for motorcycles before changing lanes because their small size can make them hard to see.
• Check carefully for motorcycles when changing lanes for this reason.

Seatbelts

• Drivers must use their seat belt, and failure to do so will result in a traffic ticket.
• Drivers must always wear seat belts and cited for failure to do so.
• You should not start across an intersection if you know you will block the intersection when the light turns red under any circumstances.
• You must not enter an intersection unless you can get completely across before the light turns red, even if the signal is green.

Pedestrians

• If a pedestrian starts to cross the street after the "Don't Walk" signal begins to flash but the pedestrian is still in the middle of the street when your signal light changes to green, wait until the pedestrian crosses the street before proceeding.
• At a green light, give the right-of-way to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian in the intersection.
• If a vehicle merges in front of you too closely, take your foot off of the accelerator and take space between you and the vehicle ahead without requiring you to slam on your brakes or swerve into another lane.
• A safety zone is a specially marked area for passengers to get on or off of buses or trolleys and you may not drive through a safety zone at any time for any reason.

Turning

• A red arrow pointing to the right on a traffic light means, not turn in that direction until the light turns green.
• Orange and red triangular sign on a vehicle always means it is a slow-moving vehicle.
• Slow-moving vehicles display an orange and red triangle on the back, like farm tractors, road maintenance vehicles, and animal-drawn carts.
• You must yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle that is using its siren and flashing lights by driving as closely to the right edge of the road as possible and stopping.
• When a school bus is stopped on the road ahead to load or unload children, come to a complete stop until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn, even after the bus begins to move again, do not proceed until you are sure there are no children crossing the road ahead of you.
• Look for bicyclists in the same lanes used by motor vehicles because they are entitled to share the road with motor vehicles.
• You may make a left turn on a red light only from a one-way street onto a one-way street and only if you signal and stop for a red traffic light at the marked limit line.
• Never assume other drivers will give you the right-of-way and so drivers should yield the right-of-way whenever it helps prevent collisions.

Actions to Avoid

• Never legally drive around or under a railroad crossing gate and once the gate is raised, do not proceed across the tracks until you can see clearly in both directions and are sure there are no trains coming.
• If you are convicted of driving with an excessive blood alcohol concentration (BAC), you may be sentenced to serve up to six months in jail and may be required to pay a fine between $390 and $1,000, may have a vehicle impounded and is subject to storage fees.
• Traffic lanes are moving in your direction but you are driving in the left lane and many vehicles are passing you on the right, move into the right lane when it is safe.
• To drive quickly, pass, or turn left, use the left lane but use the right lane when driving more slowly than surrounding traffic, entering the road, or turning right.
• While driving at night, a vehicle coming toward you has its high beams on making it hard for you to see the road ahead, you should look ahead toward the right edge of your lane.
• An oncoming driver fails to dim their high beams avoid looking directly at the headlights and instead, look toward the right edge of your lane and watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of your eye.
• You should increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead when you are being tailgated by another driver.
• A driver is being tailgated, create extra space in front of your vehicle and do not brake suddenly.
• Slow down gradually or merge into another lane to prevent a collision with the tailgater.
• Check your rearview mirrors often to see how traffic is moving behind you and do not develop a fixed stare but frequently check your rearview mirrors so you know the positions of vehicles near you.

Speed Limits at Intersections

• At an uncontrolled intersection where you cannot see cross traffic until you are just about to enter the intersection, the speed limit is 15 mph.
• The speed limit for a blind intersection is 15 mph (an intersection considered blind, there are no stop signs on any corner and you cannot see for 100 feet in either direction during the last 100 feet before crossing).
• Vehicle starts to lose traction because of water on the road, you should slow down gradually and do not apply the brakes.
• When driving in heavy rain at speeds as low as 30 mph, tires may lose all contact with the road and instead ride up on a layer of water above the surface of the road and if this happens, slow down gradually and do not apply the brakes.

Emergency Vehicles

• You are crossing an intersection and an emergency vehicle is approaching while using its siren and flashing lights, continue through the intersection, pull to the right, and stop.
• In the event one is inside an intersection when an emergency vehicle with flashing lights and/or siren, continue through the intersection and then drive to the right and stop, you must yield the right-of-way to any type of emergency vehicle using a siren or flashing lights.
• A peace officer is signaling for you to drive to the edge of the roadway but decide to ignore the officer's warning and flee the scene, you are guilty of a misdemeanor and can be punished by being jailed in the county jail for not more than one year.

Fleeing from a Peace Officer

• The reckless act of fleeing or attempting to evade a peace officer performing their duties is a misdemeanor punishable by one year imprisonment.
• The speed limit on a school zone where children are present is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted and driving within 500 to 1,000 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street, the speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted but some school zones may have speed limits as low as 15 mph.

Children

• It is illegal to leave a child that is age six or younger alone in a vehicle and it is never a good idea to leave a child unattended in a car and a child may be left in a car if they are under the supervision of a person age 12 or older.
• When approaching a roundabout always decrease your speed and a roundabout is designed to be driven at a low speed.

Roundabouts

• When using a roundabout, drivers should yield to traffic already in the roundabout and a roundabout is a circular intersection that usually does not include a traffic signal and flows in a counterclockwise direction around a central island.
• Motorists must enter from the right, yielding to traffic already in the roundabout, and follow the circle to the right until the desired roadway is reached.

School Buses

• If you pass a school bus stopped with its red lights flashing, you will be fined up to $1,000.
• Motorists must come to a complete stop upon approaching a school bus stopped with its red lights flashing.

Placard Abuse

• Placard abuse will result in placard revocation, a fine, and/or jail time.
• Abuse of a disabled placard or plate is a misdemeanor and it can result in the loss of special parking privileges, a fine of up to $1,000, and up to six months of jail time.
• Fines for moving traffic violations are doubled in highway construction or maintenance zones where workers are present.
• California's Move Over law requires all vehicles to vacate the lane closest to an emergency vehicle that is stopped with its lights flashing.
• If an emergency vehicle is present, drivers are required to vacate the lane directly next to the vehicle, and, if this isnt possible, slow down and proceed with caution.
• If you hit an animal with your vehicle on a California highway, call the humane society.

Abandoning Animals

• Abandoning an animal on the highway may can result in jail time, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
• To prevent tailgating follow the three-second rule by counting "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, and one-thousand-three” when the vehicle ahead passes a point, and if you pass this before you finish counting, you are following too closely.
• Come across livestock or other animals on the roadway, slow down and stop and try to slow down and stop if it's safe to do so but swerving to avoid an animal can be dangerous because the vehicle may lose control and cause an accident.

Headlights

• Turn on your headlights one half hour after sunset and headlights must be used one half hour after sunset until one half hour before sunrise, when visibility is less than 1,000 feet, when windshield wipers are being used, when a car is being driven on a small country or mountain road, even in sunny weather.
• A locked wheel skid is most commonly caused by braking too hard at a fast speed and so one should use their brakes smoothly and gradually.
• If a green arrow turns into a solid green light, you may still turn, but you must yield to oncoming traffic.

Right Turns

• When making a right turn on a green light, yield to pedestrians and you must yield to other vehicles and pedestrians within the intersection, but unless a posted sign prohibits it, you may turn right or left at a steady green light.
• Entering an area where children are playing, expect them to run out in front of you without looking and reduce your speed and use extra caution because they may fail to understand the danger and may run out in front of you without looking.

Railroad Crossings

• At a railroad crossing with more than one track, wait to proceed until you have a clear view of all tracks, check again for another train that may be approaching, and do not start moving as soon as a train passes.

Backing Up

• While backing, turn your head and look through the rear window so you can see through the rear window and always check behind your vehicle before getting in because children and small objects can be difficult to see from the driver's seat, without depending only on your mirrors or sensors.
• To help prevent crashes, communicate with other road users and you should communicate with other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians by signaling when slowing down, stopping, or changing direction.
• If you begin to feel tired while driving, stop driving because being fatigued while driving is similar in danger to driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Vehicle breaks down on a highway, use your four-way flashers to warn other drivers.

Tire Blowouts

• Experience a tire blowout, slow down gradually and use your brakes lightly by taking your foot off of the accelerator.

Rain

• rainy weather, you should be most careful when turning or stopping during the first half hour of rain so a you should be extra careful when turning and stopping because the oil from cars has not yet washed off the pavement and could be forming a slippery mixture with the rain.
• Driving in fog, rain, or snow, use low beams and not high beams that will reflect back to the driver and create glare
• When stopped at an intersection, look left first, then right, then left again and after stopping at an intersection with a stop sign, first look to the left, as vehicles coming from the left are closer than vehicles coming from the right.
• Allow a larger space cushion than usual when stopping on an incline and if the vehicle in front of you rolls backward toward your vehicle when traffic begins to move again, it is less likely that there will be a collision.
• When making a turn, reduce your speed to maintain control of your vehicle, stay in your lane, and react to unexpected situations.

Slippery Roads

• Driving on slick roads, take turns more slowly than usual and when driving in turns and curves and be sure to approach them more slowly in slippery conditions than you would under normal circumstances.
• Driving on slippery roads, increase your following distance because it may take more time to stop your vehicle than it would under normal conditions.
• Roads freeze quickly when they are shaded and in cold or wet weather, should take special care on sections of road that are shaded by trees or buildings.

Turns

• Waiting in the intersection to complete a left turn, signal and keep your wheels straight and should always signal before turning or changing lanes.
• Keep wheels straight while waiting to make a left turn to ensure if another vehicle hits you from behind, you will not be pushed into oncoming traffic.
• Alcohol harms both driving skills and judgement and can harm your judgment of speed and distance, lower your inhibitions, and make you more prone to taking chances.

BAC

• The only way to reduce your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is to allow your body time to get rid of the alcohol.
• An intersection with a yield sign, slow down and yield the right-of-way to other traffic and that means that you must slow down and yield the right-of-way to traffic in the intersection or roadway you are entering.
• If a transit vehicle is signaling to re-enter the main roadway following a stop, you must yield by changing lanes, slowing down, or stop to allow the bus safe re-entry into traffic.
• Most experienced drivers can be distracted while driving and for this reason a defensive driver looks out for the actions of other drivers and anticipates potential problems.

If Two Drivers Arrive at an Intersection at the Same Time

• The driver on the right has the right-of-way.

Emotions While Driving

• If worried, nervous, angry, or crying, take the time to focus on driving before starting the engine and take time to calm down and get focused before driving.
• When encountering an aggressive driver, avoid eye contact, slow down, and let them pass and remain calm and try to put as much distance between the two of you as possible.
• Distracted driving is extremely risky behavior that puts not only you and your passengers in danger, but also endangers pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists sharing the road.
• A single broken yellow line down the center of a two-lane road indicates that lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so.
• A single broken white line down the center of a two-lane road indicates that lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so.

Line Types

• Solid white line down the center of a two-lane road indicates that lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are not permitted to pass.
• A double solid yellow line down the center of a two-lane road indicates that lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are not permitted to pass.
• Signs colored orange are for work zones and highway work zones are typically diamond-shaped, orange, have black letters or symbols, and serve as a warning that people are working on or near the highway.

Road Signs

• Guide signs are green signs that provide directional and mileage information to drivers.

• Regulatory signs are white and should always be obeyed and and regulate the movement of traffic.

• Pennant-shaped signs indicate no passing zones and have text.

• Pentagonal signs indicate school zones and you should be extra alert to children and pedestrians when driving near a school.

• An octagonal sign is always a stop sign and complete a stop when approaching a red, eight-sided sign.

• A diamond-shaped sign warns of existing or possible hazards.

• Approaching a steady yellow traffic light, slow to a stop, unless they are already within the intersection, and indicates that a red light is about to appear.

• Approaching a steady red traffic light, come to a complete stop driving and may turn right on a steady red light.

• The maximum or minimum speed that motorists may drive. The maximum limits are for ideal speed limits and you must reduce the speed when conditions are ideal.

• High speeds greatly increase stopping distances and severity of crashes increase the impact or striking power of a vehicle should one be involved in a collision.

Merging Lanes

• Entering interstate traffic from an entrance or acceleration ramp, yield to drivers already on the interstate, and don't make a last-minute turn if you pass your exit, you must go to the next one.

Other vehicles

• The same full lane width as other motor vehicles.

Steering

• To to turn your steering wheel in the direction want to travel if a vehicle begins to skid .

Steady Lights

• Approach a flashing red traffic light, treat the light like a stop sign.

Green Lights

• Approach a steady green traffic light continue driving

Steering

• Treat the line like a stop sign.

More Green Lights

• Yield for pedestrians in the crosswalk or vehicles if the lights change to a point.

Arrow Lights

• A driver yielding to trafi

Traffic Officers and crossing guards

• Traffic will be monitored.

Speed Limits

• What is the maximum o mininum speed limits allowed?

Blind Spots

• Motor forward .

Size of cars

• Large Spots.

Driving On The Road

• Should yield to drivers ready on a highway.

If driving you should also

• If driving you should also use the next exit.

Motor cycles Should be able to .

• The same.

If driving

Turn your steering shall in he derection yoy.

Drivers and flahsing

• Treat the line if like a stops sign.

Approaching A Green Light

• Cominute driving onlesis there a vehicle or pedestrians.

At anterd

• There should to that dirctiom in the way ealdy.