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California driver handbook guide

California driver handbook guide.

Use this guide to navigate the 16 chapters in the handbook edition behind Roadwise’s California course. Read the source, look up a rule in the study app, or work through 66 companion lessons.

Read the handbook in Roadwise Open source PDF
Handbook chapters
16
Source PDF pages
92
Companion lessons
66
Licensing agency
DMV

A way through the handbook

Start with the application and licensing material that applies to your age and license type. Then work through the driving rules, signs, and safe-driving chapters. A rule is easier to remember when you can explain what it asks you to do in a real road situation.

For a quick refresher, use the chapter list below. For a deeper study session, follow a companion lesson and its checkpoint questions. The page numbers refer to this course’s source edition and may differ from the newest agency edition.

Chapter list

  1. Introduction Source p. 1
  2. DMV Services Source p. 6
  3. Section 1: The California Driver's License Source p. 7
  4. Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License Source p. 8
  5. Section 3: The Testing Process Source p. 11
  6. Section 4: Changing, Replacing, and Renewing Your Driver's License Source p. 14
  7. Section 5: An Introduction to Driving Source p. 15
  8. Section 6: Navigating the Roads Source p. 19
  9. Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road Source p. 39
  10. Section 8: Safe Driving Source p. 63
  11. Section 9: Alcohol and Drugs Source p. 78
  12. Section 10: Financial Responsibility, Insurance Requirements, and Collisions Source p. 82
  13. Section 11: Vehicle Registration Requirements Source p. 85
  14. Section 12: Driver Safety Source p. 86
  15. Section 13: Seniors and Driving Source p. 88
  16. Section 14: Glossary Source p. 90

What you will find in each chapter

Chapter 1 · source p. 1

Introduction

This chapter’s sections include:

  • This handbook is available at dmv.ca.gov
  • Toks Omishakin
  • Copyright
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 2 · source p. 6

DMV Services

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Online Services
  • Kiosk Services
  • Phone Services
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 3 · source p. 7

Section 1: The California Driver's License

This chapter’s sections include:

  • SECTION 1. The California Driver’s License
  • REAL ID Driver’s License
  • Driver’s Licenses for Undocumented Residents
  • Organ and Tissue Donor
  • Veterans
  • ID Cards
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 4 · source p. 8

Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Driver’s License
  • What You Need
  • Register To Vote
  • Applying For An Instruction Permit
  • Driving Schools
  • Applying For A Driver’s License
  • Minor’s Restrictions and Exceptions
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 5 · source p. 11

Section 3: The Testing Process

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Driver’s License Tests
  • 1. Vision Test
  • 2. Knowledge Test
  • 3. Behind-the-Wheel Drive Test
  • Other Things to Know for Your Behind-the-Wheel Test
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 6 · source p. 14

Section 4: Changing, Replacing, and Renewing Your Driver's License

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Changes to Your License
  • Change Your Address
  • Replace or Renew Your Driver’s License
  • Extend Your Driver’s License
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 7 · source p. 15

Section 5: An Introduction to Driving

This chapter’s sections include:

  • SECTION 5. An Introduction to Driving
  • Controlling the Vehicle
  • Signals, Horns, And Headlights
  • Signaling
  • Using Your Horn
  • Using Your Headlights
  • Using Your Emergency Flashers
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 8 · source p. 19

Section 6: Navigating the Roads

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Traffic Lanes
  • Lane Markings
  • Choosing a Lane
  • Changing Lanes
  • Types of Lanes
  • Right Turns
  • Left Turns
  • U-Turn
  • Examples of Turns
  • Braking
  • Merging
  • Exiting
  • Crossing or Entering Traffic
  • Passing
  • How to Pass
  • Being Passed
  • Parallel Parking
  • Straight Line Backing
  • Parking on a Hill
  • Parking at Colored Curbs
  • Illegal Parking
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Driving Green
  • During a Law Enforcement Stop
  • Your Rights During the Enforcement Stop
  • DMV Offices dmv.ca.gov/kiosks
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 9 · source p. 39

Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Traffic Control
  • Traffic Signals
  • Pedestrian Signals or Signs
  • Signs
  • Red and White Regulatory Signs
  • Slow Moving Vehicle
  • Warning Signs
  • Right-of-Way Rules: Who Goes First?
  • Intersections
  • Roundabouts
  • Pedestrians
  • Mountain Roads
  • Sharing the Road
  • Blind Spots (the No Zone)
  • Braking
  • Turning
  • Maneuvering
  • Buses, Streetcars, Trolleys
  • Light Rail Vehicles
  • Motorcycles
  • Emergency Vehicles
  • Slow-moving Vehicles
  • Vehicles (LSVs)
  • Animal-drawn Vehicles
  • Near Animals
  • Bicycles
  • Road Workers and Work Zones
  • Vehicles with Hazardous Loads
  • Heavy Traffic or Bad Weather
  • Towing
  • Around Children
  • Blind Intersections
  • Alleys
  • Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks
  • Business or Residential Districts
  • Other Important Roadway Information
  • Evading Law Enforcement
  • Speed Contests and Reckless Driving
  • Points on Your Driver’s Record
  • Traffic Violator School
  • Suspension or Revocation
  • Maintaining Your Minor’s (Provisional) Driver’s License
  • Administrative Hearing
  • Your Hearing Rights
  • Unsafe Driver
  • Record Confidentiality
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 10 · source p. 63

Section 8: Safe Driving

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Be Aware of Your Surroundings
  • Scan Your Surroundings
  • Tailgating (Following Too Closely)
  • Know What Is at Your Side
  • Blind Spots
  • Know What is Behind You
  • Darkness
  • Sun Glare
  • Skids
  • Slippery Roads
  • Hydroplaning
  • Stuck in Snow or Mud
  • Flooded Roads
  • High Winds
  • Fog or Heavy Smoke
  • Law Enforcement Traffic Breaks
  • Seat Belts
  • Child Restraint System and Safety Seats
  • Air Bags
  • Unattended Children and Pets
  • Manage Your Speed
  • Choose Between Hazards
  • Know How to Handle Emergencies
  • Tire Blowouts
  • Driving Off the Pavement
  • Overheating Conditions
  • If Your Vehicle Becomes Disabled on the Freeway
  • Disabled Vehicles on Railroad Tracks
  • Do Not Drive Distracted
  • Cell Phones and Texting
  • Minors and Cell Phones
  • Be Familiar with New Technology
  • Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 11 · source p. 78

Section 9: Alcohol and Drugs

This chapter’s sections include:

  • SECTION 9. Alcohol and Drugs
  • Products in a Vehicle
  • Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits
  • DUI Arrests
  • DUI Convictions
  • Drivers Under 21
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 12 · source p. 82

Section 10: Financial Responsibility, Insurance Requirements, and Collisions

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Requirements, and Collisions
  • Insurance Requirements
  • Driving Without Insurance
  • Low-cost Insurance
  • Collisions
  • Collisions on Your Driver’s Record
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 13 · source p. 85

Section 11: Vehicle Registration Requirements

This chapter’s sections include:

  • SECTION 11. Vehicle Registration Requirements
  • Buying or Selling a Vehicle
  • Out-of-State Vehicles
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 14 · source p. 86

Section 12: Driver Safety

This chapter’s sections include:

  • SECTION 12. Driver Safety
  • Reexamination
  • Priority Reexamination
  • Driver’s License Restrictions
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 15 · source p. 88

Section 13: Seniors and Driving

This chapter’s sections include:

  • SECTION 13. Seniors and Driving
  • Driver’s License Renewal
  • DMV’s Community Liaison and Outreach
  • Cognitive Impairment
  • Mature Driver Program
  • Senior ID Cards
Open this handbook chapter

Chapter 16 · source p. 90

Section 14: Glossary

This chapter’s sections include:

  • Definition renewal application dmv.ca.gov/paperless
Open this handbook chapter

Turn the reading into a study routine

The California course groups the source material into 12 units. Each lesson includes handbook page references, examples, and a checkpoint in the study app.

Unit 1 · 6 lessons

Getting Your License

Permits, provisional rules, and testing

  1. License classes, REAL ID & ID cards
  2. Getting your instruction permit
  3. Your license as a minor: provisional rules
  4. The vision & knowledge tests
  5. Drive test day: what to bring & vehicle check
  6. Renewing, replacing & changing your license

Unit 2 · 5 lessons

Vehicle Control Basics

Fitness to drive, steering, signals, and lights

  1. Are you fit to drive?
  2. Steering methods
  3. Signaling
  4. Horn & headlights
  5. Emergency flashers & breakdowns

Unit 3 · 5 lessons

Lane Markings & Lane Types

Reading lines on the road and using special lanes

  1. Yellow lane lines
  2. White lines, lane-end markings & yield lines
  3. Choosing & changing lanes
  4. Passing, HOV, center turn lanes & turnouts
  5. Bicycle lanes & bike markings

Unit 4 · 8 lessons

Turns, Merging & Parking

Turns, U-turns, highways, passing, and parking

  1. Right turns
  2. Left turns
  3. U-turns
  4. Which lane to turn from & into; braking
  5. Merging onto & exiting highways
  6. Crossing traffic & passing
  7. Parallel parking, backing & hill parking
  8. Colored curbs & where you can't park

Unit 5 · 7 lessons

Signals, Signs & Right-of-Way

Lights, signs, who goes first, and pedestrians

  1. Traffic signals
  2. Pedestrian signals, STOP & YIELD signs
  3. Regulatory & warning sign gallery
  4. Sign shapes, colors & wrong-way signs
  5. Right-of-way at intersections
  6. Roundabouts
  7. Pedestrians, crosswalks & mountain roads

Unit 6 · 6 lessons

Sharing the Road

Trucks, transit, motorcycles, emergency vehicles, and bicycles

  1. Large vehicles, trucks & towing
  2. Buses, streetcars & light rail
  3. Motorcycles & emergency vehicles
  4. Slow-moving vehicles, NEVs & animals
  5. Bicyclists: rights, duties & night equipment
  6. Sharing lanes with & passing bicyclists

Unit 7 · 7 lessons

Special Zones, Laws & Enforcement

Work and school zones, rail crossings, traffic stops, and points

  1. Work zones & move over
  2. School zones & school buses
  3. Blind intersections, alleys & railroad crossings
  4. Other roadway laws, evading & reckless driving
  5. Law enforcement stops & your rights
  6. Points on your driver's record
  7. Suspension, revocation, minors & hearings

Unit 8 · 8 lessons

Safe Driving Fundamentals

Awareness, weather, skids, and emergencies

  1. Scanning & following distance
  2. Blind spots, your sides & behind you
  3. Night driving & sun glare
  4. Skids & braking emergencies
  5. Slippery roads, rain & snow
  6. Hydroplaning, floods, wind, fog & traffic breaks
  7. Blowouts, running off the road & stalled on tracks
  8. Disabled on the freeway & Freeway Service Patrol

Unit 9 · 4 lessons

Vehicle Safety & Distraction

Belts, car seats, speed, phones, and carbon monoxide

  1. Seat belts
  2. Child seats, air bags & unattended children
  3. Managing your speed
  4. Distracted driving, phones & carbon monoxide

Unit 10 · 4 lessons

Alcohol, Drugs & DUI

BAC limits, testing, and DUI penalties

  1. DUI laws, medications & open containers
  2. BAC limits & the BAC chart
  3. DUI arrests & convictions
  4. Drivers under 21 & alcohol

Unit 11 · 4 lessons

Insurance, Collisions & Registration

Coverage minimums, crashes, reports, and registration

  1. Insurance requirements
  2. Collision causes & what to do at the scene
  3. Reporting a collision
  4. Vehicle registration

Unit 12 · 2 lessons

Driver Fitness & Seniors

Reexamination, restrictions, and aging drivers

  1. Reexamination & license restrictions
  2. Seniors: warning signs, renewal & programs