California DMV Practice Test – Sample Questions – 2

If someone tailgates you, be careful! Slow down gradually or merge into another lane. Tap your brakes lightly a few times to warn the tailgater you are slowing down. Remember to allow extra room ahead and brake slowly before stopping. Do not brake suddenly. Lose the tailgater as soon as you can. If this does not work, pull off the road when it is safe and let the tailgater pass.

A safety zone is a space on a roadway set aside for pedestrians and marked by raised buttons or markers. Do not drive through a safety zone.

When a stop sign, traffic light, flashing light, or other traffic-control device requires a vehicle to stop at an intersection, the driver must stop at the appropriately marked stop line. If there is no stop line or marked crosswalk, drivers must stop before entering the intersection where they have a view of the intersecting street.

When you have a heavy load or pull a trailer, you need more space in front of your vehicle. The extra weight increases your stopping distance.

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

There is no way to sober up quickly. Coffee, fresh air, exercise, vitamins, sleep, or cold showers will not help. Time is the only thing that will sober you up.

On cold, wet days, shade from trees or buildings can hide ice spots. These areas freeze first and dry out last. Many road pavements are the most slippery when it first starts to rain or snow because oil and dust have not yet washed away.

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 smoke at any time when a minor is in the vehicle. You can get a fine of up to $100, regardless of whether the vehicle is in motion. Health and Safety Code Section 118948.

Never assume other drivers will give you the right of way. Yield your right-of-way when it helps to prevent collisions.

You must dim your lights to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.

If you see a collision or hazard ahead, warn drivers behind you using these methods:

• Turn on your emergency flashers.
• Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times.
• Use a hand signal when slowing and stopping.

Motorcycles are allowed the full width of a lane to maneuver. Never crowd into the same lane as a motorcycle.

You must dim your lights to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Chances of hydroplaning increase as speeds increase.

Lane use control signs to tell you where you can go and where you can turn and often use an arrow symbol. These signs can be located on the side of the road or hanging over the travel lane. Sometimes arrows may be painted on the road to supplement the signs.

Tailgating a truck or any vehicle is dangerous because you lose your cushion of safety if the vehicle in front of you stops quickly.

When you move, you must give the DMV your new address within ten days. There is no fee to change your address.

When you make a right turn on a road with a bicycle lane and are within 200 feet of the corner or other driveway entrance, you must enter the bicycle lane only after ensuring there is no bicycle traffic and then make the turn. Do not drive in the bike lane at any other time.

Remain stopped until the gates are raised and the lights stop flashing. Never attempt to drive around the lowered gate. Malfunctioning warning devices should be reported. Look for emergency notification signs or contact local police.

You must yield the right of way to any police car, fire engine, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle using a siren and red lights. Drive as close to the right edge of the road as possible and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. However, never stop inside an intersection. If you are in an intersection when you see an emergency vehicle, continue through it and then drive to the right as soon as it is safe and stop.

If you are in a collision, you must report it to the DMV within 10 days if the crash caused more than $1,000 in property damage or if anyone was injured or killed. Each driver must file a Report of a Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1) with the DMV.

It is illegal for anyone 21 years or older to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher. If a person is under 21 years old, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01 percent or higher.

You must not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or fire station driveway.

Many passenger vehicle drivers incorrectly assume that a trucker can see the road better because they are higher off the road. While truckers have a better forward view and bigger mirrors, they still have large blind spots, and your vehicle can get lost in those blind spots.

Your safety and that of the public depends significantly on what you do before driving, including adjusting your seat and mirrors, using safety belts, checking your vehicle, maintaining a clear view outside the vehicle, and securing the vehicle. Always check your seat and mirrors before driving away. Do not adjust the seat while the vehicle is in motion.

When a traffic signal light is not working and/or no lights are showing on the signal, you must stop as if the intersection is controlled by stop signs in all directions.

You may not turn right or left against a red arrow in California. A full stop is required when a steady red arrow is displayed. Note: This turn may be allowed in other states.

The sign tells you that the road or street ahead is for one-way traffic traveling in the opposite direction. You must not drive into it from your direction.

Light-rail vehicles have the same rights and responsibilities on public roadways as other vehicles. Although everyone must follow the same traffic laws, light-rail vehicles require exceptional handling ability because of their size. Look for approaching light-rail vehicles before you turn across the tracks. Never turn in front of an approaching light-rail vehicle.

Use low-beam lights when driving in fog or heavy rain. High beams cause the light to be reflected into your eyes.

Leaving a child six years or younger unattended in a motor vehicle is illegal. The only exception is if a person 12 years or older supervises the child. The court may fine a violator and require them to attend a community education program. Also, DMV and court penalties for leaving an unattended child in a vehicle are more severe if the child is injured, requires emergency medical services, or dies.

If you see animals or livestock, slow down and follow directions from the person in charge of the animals.

In California, leaving a child six years or younger unattended in a motor vehicle is illegal. The only exception is if a person 12 years or older attends the child. The court may fine a violator and require them to participate in a community education program. Also, DMV and court penalties for leaving an unattended child in a vehicle are more severe if the child is injured, requires emergency medical services, or dies.

Make sure you can stop within the distance lighted by your headlights. Drive more slowly at night because you cannot see as far ahead, and you will have less time to stop for a hazard.

You must turn on your low-beam headlights if you need to use your windshield wipers due to fog, rain, or snow.

When you make a right turn on the road with a bicycle lane and are within 200 feet of the corner or other driveway entrance, you must enter the bicycle lane only after ensuring there is no bicycle traffic and then make the turn. Do not drive in the bike lane at any other time.

A center left turn lane is in the middle of a two-way street and is marked on both sides by two painted lines. If a street has a center left turn lane, you must use it to prepare for or make a left turn or a permitted U-turn. Look for vehicles approaching you in the same lane, preparing to start their left turn.

Divided Highway Ends. The divided highway on which you are traveling ends ahead. You will then be on an undivided roadway with two-way traffic. Keep to the right.

Backing up is always dangerous because it is hard to see behind your vehicle.