The handbook lists several everyday laws about smoking, cargo, windows, passengers and plates. It also spells out the penalties for fleeing police and street racing.
You must not:
- Smoke when a minor is in the vehicle (you can be fined)
- Drive a vehicle so overloaded you cannot control it or see ahead or to the sides
- Drive with an unsecured load that is a safety hazard
- Let a person ride in the back of a pickup or truck unless it has secure seats and seat belts
- Carry animals in the back of a pickup or truck unless properly secured
- Drive with a video monitor visible to you unless it shows vehicle info, navigation, media or radio
- Throw a cigarette, cigar, or other flaming or glowing substance from your vehicle
- Drive with an illegible license plate, or alter a license plate in any way
Dumping or abandoning an animal on a highway: fine up to $1,000, six months in jail, or both
Handbook p. 58 ↗Cargo sticking out of a passenger vehicle
| Where | Rule |
|---|---|
| Left side | Nothing may extend beyond the fenders |
| Right side | No more than 6 inches beyond the fenders |
| More than 4 ft past rear bumper | 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag |
| Same cargo at night | Marked with two red lights |
Know the rule
Do not put signs or objects on the front windshield or side rear windows that block your view, and do not hang objects on the mirror.
Handbook p. 59 ↗Objects may only be affixed:
- In a 7-inch square on the lower corner of the passenger-side windshield or the rear window
- In a 5-inch square on the lower corner of the driver's side window
- In a 5-inch square in the center uppermost windshield, for an electronic toll device
- On the side windows behind the driver
Know the rule
Do not interfere with a funeral procession. It is led by a traffic officer, has the right-of-way, and its vehicles have windshield markers and headlights on. You can be ticketed.
Handbook p. 59 ↗Evading law enforcement
| Offense | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Fleeing or trying to evade police (misdemeanor) | County jail for one year or less |
| Causing serious bodily injury in a pursuit | State prison up to 7 years, or jail 1 year or less |
| Manslaughter while evading in a pursuit | State prison, minimum of 4 to 10 years |
Know the rule
If an unlicensed person is caught driving your vehicle, it may be impounded for 30 days.
Handbook p. 59 ↗Know the rule
Reckless driving or a speed contest that causes injury to another person is punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Handbook p. 59 ↗Put it into practice
You're hauling lumber that sticks out 5 feet past your rear bumper. Because it extends more than 4 feet, tie a 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag to the end. At night, the cargo must be marked with two red lights.