20 questions from the California Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. If your wheels drift off the pavement, what is the correct sequence of actions to take?
Answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly, remove your foot from the accelerator, brake gently, check traffic, and steer back carefully. The handbook lists a specific five-step process involving firm grip, easing off the gas, gentle braking, checking traffic, and careful steering.
California Driver's Handbook, page 57: “If your wheels drift off the pavement: 1. Grip the steering wheel firmly. 2. Remove your foot from the accelerator. 3. Brake gently. 4. Check for traffic behind you. 5. Carefully steer back onto the pavement.”
2. What is the maximum time a vehicle may remain stopped on a freeway before it may be removed?
Answer: Four hours. The rule states that vehicles left on a freeway for more than four hours are subject to removal.
California Driver's Handbook, page 25: “A vehicle that is stopped, parked, or left standing on a freeway for more than four hours may be removed.”
3. When merging into highway traffic, how much space should you leave between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to ensure you can stop safely?
Answer: Three seconds. The handbook states that a three-second gap is required for safe stopping when merging.
California Driver's Handbook, page 20: “Make sure you can stop safely by leaving three seconds of space between you and the vehicle in front of you.”
4. How should you handle a locked wheel skid if your vehicle has a front-wheel ABS?
Answer: Remove your foot from the brake pedal to unlock the wheels. For vehicles with front-wheel ABS, the specific instruction is to remove your foot from the brake pedal to unlock the wheels.
California Driver's Handbook, page 51: “Front-wheel ABS, remove your foot from the brake pedal to unlock the wheels.”
5. What is the specific exception to the rule that minors must not use cell phones while driving?
Answer: Minors may use phones to make a call for emergency assistance. The handbook specifies that while minors generally cannot use devices, they are permitted to do so specifically for emergency assistance calls.
California Driver's Handbook, page 58: “EXCEPTION: Minors may use a cell phone to make a call for emergency assistance.”
6. In a T intersection without STOP or YIELD signs, which traffic has the right-of-way?
Answer: Traffic on the through road continuing straight. The handbook specifies that traffic continuing straight on the through road has priority over those entering from the side at a T intersection.
California Driver's Handbook, page 34: “Vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road (continuing to go straight) have the right-of-way.”
7. If your vehicle stalls on a train track with warning lights flashing, in which direction should you run after exiting?
Answer: Away from the tracks diagonally in the direction the train is coming from. The handbook directs drivers to run diagonally away from the tracks in the direction from which the train is approaching.
California Driver's Handbook, page 57: “Immediately exit your vehicle. Run away from the tracks diagonally in the direction the train is coming from.”
8. Which of the following is a valid reason to pass a light rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side?
Answer: The tracks are so close to the right side that the passenger vehicle cannot pass on the right. The handbook lists specific exceptions for passing on the left, including when physical constraints prevent passing on the right.
California Driver's Handbook, page 38: “Do not overtake and pass a light rail vehicle or streetcar on the left side, whether it is moving or standing, unless: • The tracks are so close to the right side that the passenger vehicle cannot pass on the right.”
9. According to the handbook, what does a flashing yellow traffic signal light instruct a driver to do?
Answer: Proceed with caution without needing to stop. The handbook states that a flashing yellow light is a warning to proceed with caution and that stopping is not required.
California Driver's Handbook, page 28: “A flashing yellow traffic signal light is a warning to PROCEED WITH CAUTION. Slow down and be alert. You do not need to stop.”
10. Under what specific time restriction are drivers under 18 years old prohibited from driving during the first 12 months of holding their license?
Answer: Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The handbook states that provisional drivers under 18 cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during their first year.
California Driver's Handbook, page 6: “Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months you have your license.”
11. How far must cargo extend from the back-rear bumper of a vehicle to require a 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag?
Answer: More than 4 feet. The rule specifies that cargo extending more than 4 feet from the rear bumper requires a specific visibility flag.
California Driver's Handbook, page 44: “Cargo that extends more than 4 feet from the back-rear bumper of the vehicle must display a 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag.”
12. What should you do when a school bus flashes yellow lights?
Answer: Slow down and prepare to stop. Yellow flashing lights on a school bus serve as a warning to reduce speed and get ready to stop, unlike red lights which require an immediate stop.
California Driver's Handbook, page 42: “Some school buses flash yellow lights when preparing to stop to let children off the bus. The yellow flashing lights warn you to slow down and prepare to stop.”
13. What should the driver and passengers do regarding their hands during a traffic stop?
Answer: Place hands in clear view before the officer makes contact. The handbook states that both drivers and passengers must keep their hands visible to the officer prior to interaction.
California Driver's Handbook, page 25: “The driver and all passengers should place their hands in clear view before the officer makes contact with them.”
14. When should a driver use hand-and-arm signals instead of vehicle signal lights?
Answer: When signal lights are not functioning or bright sunlight makes them hard to see. Hand signals are required when electronic lights fail or are obscured by bright sunlight.
California Driver's Handbook, page 7: “If your signal lights are not functioning, or bright sunlight makes your signal lights hard to see, use the hand-and-arm signals shown in the image below.”
15. Which documents must a driver produce when stopped by law enforcement?
Answer: Driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration. The handbook lists these three specific documents as mandatory for drivers to present during a stop.
California Driver's Handbook, page 26: “The driver of a stopped vehicle must produce a driver’s license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration when stopped by law enforcement.”
16. When approaching a railroad crossing where you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions, what is the maximum speed allowed within 100 feet of the crossing?
Answer: 15 mph. The rule specifies a 15 mph limit within 100 feet of a crossing if visibility is limited to 400 feet.
California Driver's Handbook, page 43: “The speed limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a railroad crossing and you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions.”
17. When merging, entering, or exiting traffic on the highway, what is the approximate length of the space you need to get up to the speed of traffic?
Answer: About 300 feet. The handbook specifies that a full block, approximately 300 feet, is the required space for merging or exiting on the highway.
California Driver's Handbook, page 20: “A full block on the highway, which is about 300 feet.”
18. If you are already inside an intersection and see an emergency vehicle approaching with lights and sirens, what should you do?
Answer: Continue through the intersection, then drive to the right and stop. The rule dictates that drivers already in an intersection should finish crossing before pulling over to the right.
California Driver's Handbook, page 39: “When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing emergency signal lights (hazard lights), move over and slow down. If you are in an intersection when you see an emergency vehicle, continue through the intersection. Drive to the right as soon as it is safe and stop.”
19. When approaching a hill or curve to pass another vehicle, how far ahead should you be able to see to ensure it is safe to pass?
Answer: At least one-third of a mile ahead. The handbook states that visibility must extend at least one-third of a mile ahead when passing near hills or curves.
California Driver's Handbook, page 21: “To safely pass, the hill or curve should be at least one-third of a mile ahead.”
20. When driving near large vehicles and trucks, on which side should you always pass them?
Answer: The left side. The handbook provides a direct instruction to pass large vehicles on the left side to ensure safety.
California Driver's Handbook, page 37: “Always pass a large vehicle on the left side.”