Overview
This lecture covered key rules, signs, and safe driving practices needed for the California permit test, including right-of-way, parking, speed limits, and special driving situations.
Legal and Safety Requirements
- All passengers must wear seat belts; failure may result in a ticket.
- It is illegal to drive under the influence; penalties include fines and jail.
- Under-21 drivers must have a BAC below 0.01%.
- Notify the DMV within 5 days if you sell or transfer your vehicle.
- Smoking with persons under 18 in a car is illegal.
- You may never drive off-road to pass another vehicle.
- You must not park next to a red curb, on a crosswalk, or block intersections.
- Dumping or abandoning animals on a highway is punishable by fine and jail.
Driving Rules and Right-of-Way
- Always signal, check mirrors, and look over your shoulder when changing lanes.
- Drive at or near the speed of traffic; driving much slower or faster increases accident risk.
- Stop at flashing red signals and obey police officers over signals or signs.
- At uncontrolled intersections, yield to vehicles on your right.
- Never assume other drivers will yield the right-of-way.
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks, especially blind pedestrians.
Signs, Markings, and Signals
- Regulatory signs are white rectangles with black letters/symbols.
- Railroad crossings are yellow with black letters and "X".
- Warning signs are yellow diamonds with black symbols.
- Arrows on pavement indicate turn lanes.
- Divided highway sign warns of a divided road ahead.
- ONE WAY signs mean traffic flows only in the arrow's direction.
Parking and Stopping Rules
- Park within 18 inches of the curb on level streets.
- When parking uphill without a curb, turn wheels right.
- On a downgrade, turn wheels toward the curb.
- After parallel parking, stay within 1 foot of the curb.
- White painted curbs are for passenger/mail loading only.
Special Situations
- When hydroplaning, slow down gradually without braking.
- Use low beams in fog/dust; high beams when safe at night.
- Never stop or pass on double solid yellow lines.
- School bus with flashing red lights: stop until lights stop.
- At railroad tracks with poor visibility, max speed is 15 mph.
Passing, Lanes, and Turns
- Pass large trucks quickly on the left.
- Never cross solid double yellow lines to pass.
- Signal 100 feet before turns; check mirrors before returning to your lane.
- Use turn lanes for left turns or permitted U-turns.
- Move right if slower vehicles are passing on your right.
Collisions and Emergencies
- Exchange license, insurance, registration, and address if in a collision.
- If you hit a parked car and owner is not found, leave a note and report to police/CHP.
- Submit a written SR1 report to DMV if damage >$750 or injuries occur.
Key Terms & Definitions
- BAC (Blood Alcohol Concentration) — Percent of alcohol in a person's blood.
- Right-of-Way — Who must yield to whom at traffic situations.
- Divided Highway — Road separated by a barrier or median.
- Hydroplaning — Loss of traction on wet roads.
- SR1 Report — DMV form for reporting collisions.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review California DMV handbook for further details.
- Practice identifying road signs and pavement markings.
- Complete DMV practice tests online.