California DMV Sample Test – Practice Questions – 4

Pay close attention when road work is being performed. Signs and message boards warn you of workers, slow-moving equipment, and closed lanes ahead. Cones, drums, or other barriers will guide you through the work zone. Reduce your speed and be prepared to slow down or stop for highway equipment.

Always obey directions given by school safety patrols or crossing guards. For the crossing guard's safety, allow them to safely get to the side of the road before driving ahead.

If many vehicles pass you in the right lane of a multilane roadway, you are probably going slower than the rest of the traffic. Use the right lane when you choose to drive slowly or enter or turn off the road. Remember, driving slower than other vehicles or stopping suddenly can be just as dangerous as speeding, if not more dangerous, because you may cause a rear-end collision or cause other drivers to swerve to avoid hitting your vehicle.

Your driving privilege will be suspended for up to four years if you do not have proper insurance coverage. During the last three years of the suspension, DMV can return your driver's license if you provide a California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR 22) and maintain it during the three years.

Every time you pass, you increase your chances of having a collision.

The biggest risk is being too close to the airbag. An airbag needs about 10 inches of space to inflate. If you can do this while maintaining full control of the vehicle, ride at least 10 inches (measured from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone) from the airbag cover.

An eight-sided red stop sign indicates that you must make a full stop whenever you see this sign. Stop at the white limit line (a wide white line painted on the street) or before entering the crosswalk. Stop before entering the intersection if a limit line or crosswalk is not painted on the street.

Respect pedestrians' right-of-way. Always stop for any pedestrian crossing at corners or other crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is in the middle of the block, at corners with or without traffic lights, and whether or not the crosswalks are marked by painted lines.

Rain, snow, or mud can make the roads slippery. Drive more slowly than you would on a dry road, and adjust for different conditions. On an icy road, you should reduce your speed to no more than five mph.

Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. While everyone must follow the same traffic laws, motorcyclists face additional dangers because motorcycles require exceptional handling ability and are harder to see.

Enter the freeway at or near the speed of traffic. Do not exceed the speed limit. (Remember that the maximum speed allowed is 65 mph on most freeways.)

When you sell or transfer a vehicle, report it to the DMV within 5 days. You can complete the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (REG 138) form online. Note: if you are a buyer and purchase a vehicle from a private party, you must transfer the ownership within 10 days.

Slippery when wet.

Some road surfaces are more slippery than others when wet and usually have warning signs posted. A slippery road will not give your tires the grip they need. Drive more slowly than you would on a dry road.  To prevent skidding on slippery surfaces:

• Drive slowly and stay farther behind the vehicle ahead of you.
• Slow down as you approach curves and intersections.
• Avoid fast turns.
• Avoid quick stops.

Collisions are more likely to happen when one driver goes faster or slower than the other cars. If you drive faster than other traffic, you increase your chances of being involved in a collision. Driving slower than other vehicles or stopping suddenly can be just as dangerous as speeding, if not more dangerous, because you may cause a rear-end collision or cause other drivers to swerve to avoid hitting your vehicle.

When you plan to exit the freeway, give yourself plenty of time. You should know the exit you want to use and the one that comes before it. To exit safely:

• Change lanes one at a time until you are in the proper lane to exit.
• Signal your intention of exiting, approximately five seconds.
• Do not drive too fast (so you risk losing control) and not too slow (so the flow of traffic can still move freely).

Entering traffic must yield the right-of-way to circulating traffic. Each road approaching the roundabout is marked with a yield sign and may have yield line markings on the pavement.

Stop sign ahead. When you come to this sign, you should slow down and be ready to stop at the stop sign ahead.

When safe and legal, you may make a legal U-turn across a double yellow line.

When safe to pass, the passing speed limit is no more than 10 mph. This speed limit applies at a safety zone or an intersection where a streetcar, trolley, or bus has stopped, and a police officer or traffic signal controls traffic.

You may not operate your vehicle on public roads and private property, such as public parking lots, unless you and all your passengers eight years of age or older or children 4 feet 9 inches tall or taller are wearing seat belts. The law also applies to a limousine or taxicab—CA Vehicle code 27315.

When the bus flashes red lights, you must stop from either direction until the lights stop flashing. You do not need to stop if the school bus is on the other side of a divided highway or a highway with two or more lanes in each direction.

Generally, you may not make a U-turn in business districts. Turn only at an intersection unless a sign prohibits it or where openings are provided for turns. Areas with churches, apartments, multiple dwelling houses, clubs, and public buildings (except schools) are also considered business districts.

An intersection is considered blind if it has no stop signs at any corner. If your view is blocked, move slowly forward until you can see. The speed limit for a blind intersection is 15 mph.

Use your high-beam headlights whenever possible in open country or dark city streets, as long as it is not illegal. Make sure you do not blind other drivers with your high-beam headlights. Dim your lights when necessary.

The law requires children under 8 years old who are 4 feet 9 inches tall or taller to be properly secured with an appropriate safety belt or buckled into a federally approved child passenger restraint system if they are under 8 years old and less than 4 feet 9 inches tall.

A yellow and black circular sign indicates you are approaching a railroad crossing.

If you know someone who no longer drives safely, you may submit a Request for Driver Reexamination to the DMV to review their driving qualifications. 

When you park on a sloping driveway, you must turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the street if the brakes fail. When heading either uphill or downhill when there is no curb, turn the wheels away from the center and toward the side of the road so the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

A flashing yellow signal light warns you to proceed with caution. You do not need to stop for a flashing yellow light, but you must slow down and be especially alert before entering the intersection.

Do not smoke at any time when a minor is in the vehicle. You can be fined up to $100, regardless of whether the vehicle is in motion. Health and Safety Code Section 118948.

A safety zone is set aside for pedestrians. You will most often see safety zones where street cars, trolleys, and vehicles share the roadway. Do not drive through a safety zone.

When changing lanes, it is essential to check your blind spot. Your blind spot is the area of the road you cannot see without moving your head and looking over your shoulder. Do not rely on your mirrors alone to see other vehicles. Look over your shoulder to see if the way is clear before changing lanes.

When another driver makes a mistake, you need time to react. Give yourself this time by keeping a space cushion on all sides of your vehicle. This space cushion will give you room to brake or maneuver if you need the space.

Do not cut in front of trucks. Trucks take twice as long to stop. If you move into that space and have to brake suddenly, you cut the truck's available stopping distance in half, putting you and your passengers in danger.

You must always yield to vision-impaired pedestrians using a white cane or a guide dog.

If you refuse to submit to a chemical test, the DMV will automatically suspend your license. Once arrested, you have ten days to request a California DMV hearing to contest that suspension. If you are unsuccessful, your punishment will include a one-year driver's license suspension for your first DUI offense.

Almost everyone feels the adverse effects of alcohol, even at levels lower than the legal limit. Even one drink can affect your ability to drive safely. The only safe driving limit is 0.00% 

Never drive off the road's paved or main traveled portion or on the shoulder to pass.

Double white lines mean no entry. Broken white lines mean you may enter. Do not cross over double parallel solid lines to enter or exit any carpool lane.

You may use a cell phone to contact law enforcement, a health care provider, the fire department, or another emergency entity in an emergency. Remember, call for help in emergencies only.