Traffic Signals
What does a steady red arrow displayed on a traffic light mean?
Drivers cannot turn in the indicated direction.
Explanation: If a traffic signal is displaying a steady red arrow, traffic in the indicated lane may not proceed in the direction shown by the arrow. Drivers must come to a full stop and wait for a green signal to proceed.
What must be worn across your chest at all times while driving?
Seat belt
Explanation: All passengers are legally required to wear a seat belt at all times while the vehicle is in motion. Drivers must always wear seat belts and may be cited for failure to do so.
What is California's basic speed law?
You should never drive faster than is safe for current conditions
Explanation: The "Basic Speed Law" means that you may never drive faster than would be safe in current conditions. For example, if you drive 45 mph in a 55 mph zone during a dense fog, even though you are below the posted limit, you may be cited for driving too fast for conditions.
What is tailgating?
Dangerously driving too close to another vehicle
True or false: You should use your left foot to brake.
False: Use your right foot for both braking and accelerating your vehicle.
Explanation: Use your right foot for both braking and accelerating. You should apply the brakes gently with increasing pressure so that your vehicle stops gradually and smoothly.
What does a flashing yellow traffic signal at an intersection mean?
Slow down and be alert at the upcoming intersection
Explanation: A flashing yellow signal means "proceed with caution." You should slow down and be alert before entering the upcoming intersection and must yield to any pedestrians, bicycles, or vehicles in the intersection; however, you do not have to stop.
True or false: When planning to pass another vehicle, you should assume the driver will maintain a constant speed.
False.
Explanation: When planning to pass, do not count on having enough time to pass several vehicles at once or assume that other drivers will make room for you. When you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rear view mirror, you may have enough room to return to your driving lane.
True or false: It is legal to transport animals in the back of a pick up truck if they are properly secured.
True: Only if they are properly secured.
Explanation: An animal must not be transported in the back of a pickup or other truck unless the animal is properly secured to prevent it from falling, jumping, or being thrown from the vehicle.
What is black ice?
Black ice is a thin layer of ice that can form on road surfaces in cold weather. It gets its name because the depth of the ice makes it practically invisible on pavement. This invisibility is what makes black ice such a dangerous driving surface.
When you are being tailgated by another driver, what should you do?
You should increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.
Explanation: When 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.
If you are already within the intersection when a green light changes to yellow, what should you do?
Continue moving and clear the intersection safely
Explanation: If you are already within an intersection when the traffic light turns yellow, you should clear the intersection as quickly and safely as possible.
On wet days, why are roadways on bridges and overpasses the most dangerous?
They hide spots of ice.
Explanation: Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road does. They can hide spots of ice.
True or False: You can wear a headset that covers both ears to listen to calming music while driving.
False
Explanation: It is always illegal to drive while wearing a headset or earplugs in both ears.
What is an intersection?
An intersection is any place where one line of roadway meets another roadway.
When parking uphill on a two-way street with no curb, your front wheels should be turned which way?
Turned to the right (away from the street)
Explanation: When parking on a hill (either uphill or downhill) where there is no curb, you should turn your wheels so that the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.
What does a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line mean?
Next to the broken line may pass
Explanation: Yellow lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. A broken yellow line next to your driving lane means that you may pass.
True or False: Only illegal drugs impair your driving
False: Even over the counter drugs can impair your driving
Explanation: Legal prescription and over-the-counter drugs can impair your ability to drive, including drugs taken for colds, hay fever, allergies, or to calm nerves or muscles. It is illegal to drive while under the influence of any drug that impairs your ability to drive safely; this law does not differentiate between illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter drugs.
If you are convicted of driving with an excessive blood alcohol concentration (BAC), what is the maximum amount of jail time you can be sentenced to?
Six months in jail.
Explanation: If you are convicted of DUI for the first time and you have an excessive BAC level, 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. Your vehicle may be impounded and is subject to storage fees.
What is a "space cushion" and why is it important?
A space cushion is keeping space around your vehicle from other vehicles and obstacles. It is important because if another driver makes a mistake, you have time to react.
Explanation: Keeping space around your vehicle is important to ensure that you have time to safely react if another driver makes a mistake. For example, extra space around your vehicle may give you time to brake or maneuver out of the way of a vehicle veering into your lane.
A police officer is signaling for you to continue driving through a red light. What should you do?
You must obey any traffic direction, order, or signal given by a traffic officer, peace officer, or firefighter, even if it conflicts with existing signs, signals, or laws.
A school bus is stopped ahead of you in your lane with its red lights flashing. What should you do?
Stop for as long as the red lights are flashing.
Explanation: When a stopped school bus is using its flashing red lights, approaching drivers must stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing. If the school bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway, drivers do not need to stop.
When passing another vehicle, when should you return to your original lane?
You can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.
Explanation: When passing another vehicle, move back into your original lane only when you can see the passed vehicle’s headlights in your rearview mirror. This ensures that you will have enough room to safely pull back in front of the other vehicle.
What is California's Move Over law?
All vehicles must vacate the lane closest to an emergency vehicle that is stopped with its lights flashing.
Explanation:If an emergency vehicle with its lights on is stopped on the side of the road, California drivers are required to vacate the lane directly next to the vehicle, if possible. If a driver cannot move over safely, they must slow down and proceed with caution. This law also applies when approaching a stopped tow truck or Department of Transportation vehicle.
What does DMV stand for?
Department of Motor Vehicles
If it feels like your tires have lost contact with the surface of the road, what should you do?
Ease your foot off the gas pedal.
Explanation: If it feels like your tires have lost contact with the surface of the road, you should ease your foot off the gas pedal and stay off the brakes. Do not try to stop or turn until your tires are gripping the road again.