English 2019 California Driver Handbook

English

2020

Gavin Newsom, Governor State of California

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David S. Kim, Secretary California State Transportation Agency

This handbook is available at dmv..

Steven Gordon, Director California Department of Motor Vehicles

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Dear fellow Californian,

We have more licensed drivers and registered vehicles than any other state. That means California's roads pose unique challenges for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. But when we follow the rules of the road and drive with safety in mind at all times, everyone benefits. That is why this California Driver Handbook is so important. Within these pages ? and online at DMV. ? you will find information and advice to safely travel the roads of our great state. Whether you are a young driver going over this material for the first time or refreshing your knowledge after years of on-the-road experience, I hope you find the contents informative, helpful, and practical. Yes, California's traveling environment poses unique challenges ? from the coasts to the mountains and everywhere in between. While we may encounter varying conditions as we move throughout the state, the laws on how to reach our destination safely do not. Please be safe when you're behind the wheel and remember to put away your smartphone while driving.

Si ncerely,

DAVID S. KIM Secretary California State Transportation Agency

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEW 2020 LAWS..................................VI

DMV INFORMATION ............................. VIII Where to Write ......................................ix

GENERAL INFORMATION....................... 1 Disclaimer ............................................. 1 DMV's Function and Vision................... 1 Accurate Identification .......................... 1 Basic Information .................................. 2

THE CALIFORNIA DRIVER LICENSE .... 2 Who Must Have a Driver License? ....... 2 California Residents.......................... 2 California Resident Military Personnel (U.S. Armed Forces) ....... 2 Nonresident Military Personnel Stationed in California....................... 3 New California Residents ................. 3 Adults Visiting California................... 3 Safety for the Aging Driver................ 3

OBTAINING A DRIVER LICENSE ........... 4 REAL ID Act.......................................... 5 How the REAL ID Act Impacts Californians ....................................... 5 Do I Need a REAL ID? ..................... 5 How Do I Prepare to Apply for a REAL ID Card? ................................. 5 Married, Divorced, or Name Change?............................................ 6 Application Requirements for a Basic Class C Driver License ......................... 6 Adults' Permit Requirements ................ 7 Adults' Driver License Requirements ... 8

DRIVER LICENSE CLASSES .................. 9

THE EXAMINATION PROCESS .............10 Where to Take the Tests.....................10 DMV Examinations ............................11 Cheating ............................................12

SPECIAL SECTION ? MINORS............ 12 Minors' Permit Requirements .............12 Minors' Permit Restrictions.................13 Minors' Driver License Requirements ....................................13 Exceptions ? Minors' Driver License Restrictions........................................14 Out-Of-State Minors ..........................15 Out-Of-State Minors' Permit...........15 Out-Of-State Minors' Driver License ..........................................15

Actions Against the Provisional Driver License..............................................15

Keeping Your Provisional Driver License ..........................................16 Minors and Cell Phones .....................16

MISCELLANEOUS LICENSING INFORMATION.....................................17

To Replace a Lost/Stolen or Damaged Driver License....................................17 Name Changes..................................17 Gender Category Changes ................17 Driver License Renewals....................18 Renewal by Mail or Internet................18 Driver License Extension ...................18 Driver License in Your Possession .... 20 Address Changes ............................. 20 Vision ............................................... 20 Medical Information Card .................. 20 Organ and Tissue Donation ...............21 Veteran Designation and Benefit Information ........................................21

How Can I Get Veterans Designation?..................................21 Register To Vote ............................... 22 Unlicensed Drivers............................ 22 Diplomatic Driver Licenses................ 22 Identification (ID) Cards .................... 22 No-Fee ID Cards .............................. 23 Identification (ID) Card Renewal by Mail or Internet.................................. 23 Driving Schools................................. 23 Mature Driver Program.......................24 Pedestrian Responsibilities ................24 New Technology ................................25

OCCUPANT PROTECTION.................. 26 Seat Belts......................................... 26 Child Restraint System and Safety Seats................................................ 26 Riding Safely with Air Bags ................27 Unattended Children in Motor Vehicles.............................................28 Distracted Driving ..............................28 Hot Weather Risks .............................28

TRAFFIC CONTROLS ......................... 29 Traffic Signal Lights .......................... 29 Pedestrian Signal Lights ................... 30 Traffic Signs.......................................31

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LAWS AND RULES OF THE ROAD ..... 34 Right-of-Way Rules........................... 34 General Information ...................... 34 Pedestrians................................... 34 Crosswalks ................................... 35 Intersections ................................. 35 Roundabouts ................................ 36 On Mountain Roads .......................37 Speed Limits......................................37 Reduced Speeds ...........................37

VISUAL SEARCH................................ 42 Scanning ...........................................42 Know What Is Ahead......................42 Know What Is at Your Side............ 43 Know What Is Behind You............. 44 How Well Can You Stop? .................. 45

LANE CONTROL................................. 46 Line Colors ....................................... 46 Choosing a Lane..................................47 Changing Lanes.................................47 Passing Lanes ...................................47 Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) Lanes .................................... 48 Center Left Turn Lanes ..................... 48 Turnout Areas and Lanes.................. 49 End-of-Lane Markings ...................... 49 Yield Lines........................................ 49 Bicycle Lanes ................................... 49

TURNS ................................................ 50 Examples of Right and Left Turns.......52 Legal U-Turns ................................... 53 Illegal U-Turns................................... 56

PARKING ............................................ 56 Parking on a Hill................................ 56 Parallel Parking..................................57 Parking at Colored Curbs.................. 58 Illegal Parking ................................... 59 Special Parking Rules....................... 60

SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES............... 60 Signaling .......................................... 60 Steering.............................................61 Hand Position ................................61 Controlling the Vehicle ...................61 Horn, Headlights, and Emergency Signals ............................................. 62 Use Your Horn .............................. 62 Do Not Use Your Horn .................. 62

Use Your Headlights ..................... 63 Use Your Emergency Signals ........ 63 Text Messaging and Cell Phones ...... 64

VEHICLE POSITIONING ..................... 66 Following Distances.......................... 66 Persons Who Present Dangers to Drivers.......................................... 66 Splitting the Difference...................67 Space to Merge .............................67 Space to Cross or Enter .................67 Space to Exit ................................ 68 Passing ............................................ 68 When Approaching to Pass ........... 68 Returning to a Lane After Passing......................................... 69 Being Passed................................ 69

SHARING THE ROAD ......................... 70 Large Trucks (Big Rigs) and Recreational Vehicles (RVs) ...............70 Braking ..........................................70 Trucker's Blind Spots--the "No Zone" ......................................70 Turning ..........................................70 Maneuverability..............................72 Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys ..........72 Light-Rail Vehicles .............................73 Emergency Vehicles ..........................74 Slow-Moving Vehicles........................74 Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) and Low-Speed Vehicles (LSV)..........75 Animal-Drawn Vehicles......................75 Motorcycles .......................................75 Bicycles .............................................76 Bicycles in Travel Lanes ................ 77 Pedestrians Who Are Blind ............... 80 Road Workers and Work Zones (Cone Zones).................................... 82 Double Fine Zones............................ 82 Move Over and Slow Down ............... 82 Vehicles with Hazardous Loads......... 83 Dealing with Traffic Congestion......... 83 Dealing with Aggressive Drivers and Road Rage ....................................... 83

SPECIAL DRIVING SITUATIONS ........ 84 Keep Your Car Visible ....................... 84 What is the Road Condition............... 84 Curves.............................................. 85 Traffic Speeds .................................. 85

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