DMV PERMIT TEST CALIFORNIA Exam Review
Hand to hand steering *** Start with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock
Do not cross your hands in the middle of the steering wheel
Keep your hands in these positions, even when making turns
Hand-Over-Hand Steering *** Use this ste...
DMV PERMIT TEST CALIFORNIA Exam Review
Hand to hand steering *** Start with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock
Do not cross your hands in the middle of the steering wheel
Keep your hands in these positions, even when making turns
Hand-Over-Hand Steering *** Use this steering wheel method when you turn at low
speeds, park, or need to recover from a skid. To use this method:
1. Start with vour hands at 8 and 4 o'clock.
2. Reach across the steering wheel to grasp the opposite side.
3. Let go of the steering wheel with your other hand.
4. Reach across the arm still holding the wheel, grip the wheel, and pull up
One-Hand Steering *** There are only two situations that may require steering with
one hand:
• When you are turning while backing up to see where you are going behind you. Place
your hand at the 12 oclock position on the steering wheel.
•When you are operating vehicle controls that require you to remove a hand from the
steering wheel.
Signaling left hand out *** Signaling left turn
Signaling right hand towards the sky *** Signaling right turn
Signaling left hand towards the floor *** Signaling slow or stop
You should signal *** At least 100 feet before you turn.
• Before every lane change.
• At least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway.
• Before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb.
• Even when you do not see other vehicles around you.
• When you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn shortly after crossing
the intersection.
Remember to turn off your signal when you no longer need it.
Using a horn *** Avoid collisions.
• Alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least 200
feet ahead.
Using your headlights *** Dim your high-beam headlights to low beams within 500 feet
of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following. It is
illegal to drive using only parking lights.
Use your headlights when: *** When it is too dark to see from 1,000 feet away.
,• Beginning 30 minutes after sunset.
• Until 30 minutes before sunrise.
• In adverse weather. If you need to use your windshield wipers due to fog, rain, or
snow, you must turn on your low-beam headlights.
• When conditions (such as clouds, dust, smoke, or fog) prevent you from seeing other
vehicles.
• On mountain roads and tunnels (even on sunny days).
• When a road sign states that headlights must be on.
• To help other drivers see your vehicle, especially when the sun is low on the horizon.
Emergency lights *** Turn on vour emergency flashers.
• Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times.
• Use a hand signal when slowing and stopping.
Emergency lights for your car problems *** Turn on your emergency flashers. If your
vehicle does not have emergency flashers, use your turn signals.
• If possible, pull off the road away from all traffic.
• If you cannot get completely off the road, stop where people can see you and your
vehicle from behind.
• Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve. Other drivers may not see your
vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
• Call for emergency roadside assistance and stay in your vehicle until help arrives
Traffic lanes *** A traffic lane is a section of road for a single line of traffic.
Single solid yellow line *** marks the center of a road with two-way traffic. Do not
cross over this line into oncoming traffic. Do not pass a vehicle in front of you if there is
only one lane of traffic going your direction and a solid yellow line on your side of the
road
Double Soild Yellow Lines *** Do not pass over double solid yellow lines. Stay to the
right of these lines unless you are:
TEND
DIVIDED
ROAD
• In a high-occupancy vehicle
U-TURN
(HOV) carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left.
• Instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of the road because
your side is closed or blocked.
• Turning left across a single set of double yellow lines to enter or exit a driveway or
private road or make a U-turn.
Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart are considered a
barrier. Do not drive on or over this barrier, make a left turn, or make a U-turn across it,
except at designated openings.
, broken yellow line *** on the roadway means 2-way traffic, passing okay.
SINGLE SOILD WHITE LINE *** Marks traffic lanes going in the same direction;
includes one way streets
Double solid white lines *** separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Most
often they are used to designate special use lane from conventional lanes, as when
used to separate a High Occupancy Vehicle lanes from the other lanes of an
expressway. You may not cross these lines. You may enter the designated special use
lane only where signs and markings allow.
End of lane markings *** Ending freeway and street lanes are usually marked with
large broken lines. If you are driving in a lane marked with broken lines, be prepared to
exit the freeway or for the lane to end. Look for a sign that tells you to exit or merge.
Yield line *** A yield line is a solid white line of triangles that shows approaching
vehicles where to yield or stop. The triangles point towards approaching vehicles.
Choosing a lane *** Drive in the lane with smoothest flow of traffic. Don't weave in and
out of traffic!
Traffic lanes are often referred to by number. The
left (or fast) lane is called the Number 1 Lane. The lane to
Example of numbered traffic lanes.
the right of the Number 1
Lane is called the Number 2 Lane. Then the Number 3 Lane, etc.
Here are some tips for choosing a lane:
• Use the left lane to pass or turn left.
• Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic.
Before you change lanes: *** • Use your turn signal to let other drives know you plan
to change lanes.
• Check your side and rearview mirrors for traffic approaching you from behind.
• Glance over your left shoulder if you are moving left. Glance over your right shoulder if
you are moving right so you can see if there are any vehicles in your blind spot.
Passing lanes *** On a multilane road, the passing lane is the lane closest to the
center divider and is used to pass other vehicles. It is also known as the fast lane
because it is used by faster moving traffic.
Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes *** An HOV lane is a special lane
reserved for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles with decals
Center Left Turn Lane *** A center left turn lane is located in the middle of a two-way
street. It is marked on both sides by two painted lines. The inner line is broken and the
outer line is solid. Use the center left turn lane to prepare for and make a left turn or U-
turn. It is not a regular traffic lane or passing lane.
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