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California driving lesson · Vehicle Control Basics

Are you fit to drive?

A 2-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Vehicle Control Basics
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
15

Driving safely starts before you turn the key. Your eyes, ears, energy level, alertness and any medicine you take all affect how fast you notice and react to hazards.

How your health affects driving

How your health affects driving
FactorWhat you need / the risk
VisionNotice hazards in any light, judge distance, read signs
HearingHear horns, sirens, motorcycles, screeching tires
Fatigue and drowsinessCan affect vision and slow reaction to hazards
Physical and mentalStay alert to decide quickly, even when surprised
MedicationsRx and over-the-counter drugs can make you unsafe
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

It is illegal to wear a headset or earplugs in both ears while driving.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Vision means being able to notice hazards in different types of lighting, judge distances, adjust to traffic speed, and read road signs.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Some medicines can make you sleepy. It is your responsibility to know the effects of the medications you take.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Physicians are required to report patients at least 14 years old to DMV for medical conditions that may affect safe driving, such as lapse of consciousness.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
14 years

Minimum patient age for required physician reports to DMV

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Lapse of consciousness

An example the handbook gives of a medical condition a physician must report to DMV because it may affect safe driving.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Put it into practice

You took an over-the-counter allergy pill and feel drowsy. Even though it's legal and non-prescription, it can make you an unsafe driver. Wait until it wears off or get another ride.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What must physicians report to DMV in patients at least 14 years old?
  1. Any prescription they write
  2. Routine annual checkups
  3. Conditions such as lapse of consciousness
  4. Seasonal allergies

Answer: Conditions such as lapse of consciousness

Physicians must report patients 14 or older to DMV for conditions like lapse of consciousness that may affect driving safety.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Is it legal to wear a headset or earplugs in both ears while driving?
  1. Yes, if the volume is low
  2. Yes, for phone calls
  3. Yes, on freeways
  4. No, it is illegal

Answer: No, it is illegal

The handbook states it is illegal to wear a headset or earplugs in both ears while driving.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
How can fatigue and drowsiness affect your driving?
  1. They affect vision and increase reaction time
  2. They mainly affect your hearing
  3. They matter mostly on long highway trips
  4. They mostly affect drivers over 70

Answer: They affect vision and increase reaction time

Fatigue and drowsiness can affect your vision and slow your reaction time to hazards.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Whose responsibility is it to know the effects of the medications you take before driving?
  1. Your doctor's
  2. Your pharmacist's
  3. Yours
  4. The drug maker's

Answer: Yours

Prescription and over-the-counter medications can make you unsafe, and it is your responsibility to know their effects.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Which ability does the handbook say you need to notice horns, sirens, and screeching tires?
  1. Peripheral vision
  2. Night vision
  3. Hearing
  4. Depth perception

Answer: Hearing

Hearing lets you detect horns, sirens, and screeching tires that may alert you to hazards.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Only illegal drugs, not prescription medications, can make you an unsafe driver.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Both prescription and over-the-counter medications can impair your ability to drive safely.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
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