California DMV Pretest

Winding road ahead. The road ahead is winding, with a series of turns or curves. Slow down and drive carefully.

Blind spots are areas near your vehicle's left and right rear corners that you cannot see in your mirrors. These blind spots can hide a motorcyclist or a bicyclist. Remember to turn your head before changing lanes. Do not drive in another driver's blind spot. Study the illustration in your driver handbook.

Slow down as you approach the roundabout. Enter the roundabout when there is a big enough gap in traffic.

If you are under 21 years old, it is illegal to drive if your BAC is 0.01% or higher.

Added lane sign. Two roadways come together, but you are not required to merge.

A yellow arrow means the protected turning time is ending. You should prepare to obey the next signal, the green or red light or the red arrow.

A center left turn lane is in the middle of a two-way street and is marked on both sides by two yellow lines. The inner yellow line is broken, and the outer line is solid.

If you are convicted of DUI of either alcohol or drugs or both, and you have an excessive BAC level, you may be sentenced to serve up to six months in jail and pay a fine. You must complete a DUI program, and your vehicle may be impounded and subject to storage fees.

Overpasses and other types of bridges can have icy spots. The pavement on bridges can be icy even when the rest of the road is not. Bridges tend to freeze before the rest of the road does. This is because bridges do not have earth underneath them to help insulate them against the cold, and thus, they can be colder and icier than other roadways.

Flashing red signal light, red arrow, and steady red circular signal all mean stop.

If a speed limit is not posted before a curve, you must judge how sharp the curve is and change your speed. Slow down before you enter the curve. Braking and turning at the same time may cause your car to skid.

When the bus flashes red lights (located at the top front and back of the bus), you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing. The law requires you to remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing.If the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway (two or more lanes in each direction), you do not need to stop.

The basic speed law means that you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

Do not use your cell phone during hazardous conditions. Pull off the road safely and stop if you are going to use a cell phone or send/receive a text message. Use of such devices while driving results in distracted driving behavior and is dangerous. While operating a motor vehicle, both hands should be on the steering wheel, allowing the driver full control.

Do not transport animals in the back of a pickup or other truck unless the animal is properly secured. Securing an animal prevents it from falling, jumping, or being thrown from the vehicle.

Almost everyone feels negative effects of alcohol, even at levels lower than the legal limit. Even one drink can affect your ability to drive safely.

Traffic controls include traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings. Law enforcement, highway personnel, or school crossing guards can also provide traffic control. You must obey directions from these persons.

You must be able to stop within the distance you can see ahead with 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.

Slow-moving vehicles have an orange/red triangle on the back. A vehicle with the sign cannot travel faster than 25 mph. Do not become impatient if you are behind one of these slow vehicles. It has the legal right to be there.

Only pass when approaching a hill or curve if you can see what is ahead.

Minimize distractions. Focus on safe driving practices. If your cell phone rings, do not answer it. Let the call go to voicemail if you have this feature. If you must answer or make a call, pull safely off the road and stop. Do not use your cell phone during hazardous conditions or engage in distracting conversations.

As a general rule, drive more slowly:

• In parking lots and downtown areas.
• On roads with heavy traffic.
• When you see the brake lights of several vehicles ahead of you.
• Over narrow bridges and through tunnels.
• Through toll plazas.
• Near schools, playgrounds, and in residential areas.

Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle and motorcycle drivers. They are entitled to share the road with motor vehicles and must ride in the same direction as other traffic, not against it.

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.

Red pavement markings or reflectors indicate a roadway you must not enter. If you are going the wrong way at night, the road reflectors will shine red in your headlights.