California Driver License: Signals, Headlights and Lanes

22 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Signals, Headlights and Lanes. Free, no account needed.

1. A driver puts on a headset covering both ears before starting to drive, planning to listen to music. Is this legal?

Yes, hearing is not required for safe driving
No, driving with a headset or earplugs in both ears is illegal
No, but only for drivers under 18
Yes, as long as the volume stays low

Answer: B — No, driving with a headset or earplugs in both ears is illegal

Drivers must be able to hear things like horns, sirens and screeching tires, so covering both ears with a headset or earplugs while driving is illegal.

2. A doctor is treating a 16-year-old patient with a seizure disorder that could cause a sudden lapse of consciousness. What is the doctor required to do?

Report the patient only if the condition already caused a crash
Say nothing, since physician reporting only applies to adults over 21
Report the patient to DMV
Report the patient only once they turn 18

Answer: C — Report the patient to DMV

Physicians must report patients aged 14 or older to DMV for conditions, such as a lapse of consciousness, that may affect safe driving.

3. Using the push/pull (hand-to-hand) steering method on a straight road, where should your hands be positioned on the wheel?

9 and 3 o'clock, or 8 and 4 o'clock
3 and 6 o'clock
12 and 6 o'clock
10 and 2 o'clock

Answer: A — 9 and 3 o'clock, or 8 and 4 o'clock

The hand-to-hand method places the hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock, kept even and never crossed over the middle of the wheel.

4. A driver's rear wheels begin to skid on an icy road. Which steering technique is meant for recovering from a skid like this?

Push/pull steering with hands even at 9 and 3
Keeping both hands still at 8 and 4 without moving them
One-hand steering with the hand at 12 o'clock
Hand-over-hand steering

Answer: D — Hand-over-hand steering

Hand-over-hand steering is used for low-speed turns, parking, and recovering from a skid.

5. While backing out of a driveway and turning your head to look behind you, how should you hold the steering wheel?

Both hands at 9 and 3 o'clock
Hand-over-hand starting at 8 and 4
One hand at 12 o'clock
One hand at 6 o'clock

Answer: C — One hand at 12 o'clock

One-hand steering, with the hand at 12 o'clock, is used when backing up while turning to look behind you.

6. Your turn signals have stopped working and bright sun makes them hard to see anyway. You need to turn right. What hand-and-arm signal should you give?

Right arm held straight out the window
Left arm held straight out the window
Left arm bent upward at the elbow
Left arm bent downward at the elbow

Answer: C — Left arm bent upward at the elbow

A right turn is signaled by extending the left arm out the window and bending it upward.

7. Approaching a corner where you plan to turn, how far ahead of the turn should you signal?

At least 50 feet before the turn
At least 100 feet before the turn
At least 300 feet before the turn
At least 500 feet before the turn

Answer: B — At least 100 feet before the turn

Signal at least 100 feet before making a turn.

8. You're on the freeway and decide to move into the next lane. How far in advance should you turn on your signal?

Signal is optional if traffic is light
At least five seconds before the lane change
At least three seconds before the lane change
At least ten seconds before the lane change

Answer: B — At least five seconds before the lane change

A freeway lane change requires signaling at least five seconds in advance, longer than the general lane-change rule.

9. You're driving a narrow mountain road with a blind curve ahead where you cannot see 200 feet in front of you. What should you do to alert any oncoming traffic?

Flash your high beams
Come to a complete stop and wait
Turn on your emergency flashers
Sound your horn

Answer: D — Sound your horn

The horn should be used on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see 200 feet ahead, to let oncoming traffic know you are there.

10. At night, you're driving with your high beams on and closing in behind another car traveling the same direction. At what distance must you switch to low beams?

Within 300 feet of the vehicle
Within 200 feet of the vehicle
Within 500 feet of the vehicle
Within 1,000 feet of the vehicle

Answer: A — Within 300 feet of the vehicle

High beams must be dimmed within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following; the 500-foot distance applies to oncoming vehicles instead.

11. Rain is falling hard enough that you turn on your windshield wipers. What must you do with your headlights?

Turn on the high beams
Headlights are not required if it's still daytime
Use parking lights only
Turn on the low beams

Answer: D — Turn on the low beams

Whenever the wipers are needed for fog, rain or snow, the low beams must be on, regardless of the time of day.

12. You spot a crash blocking the road ahead and want to warn the drivers behind you before you slow down. What should you do?

Sound your horn until the drivers behind you slow down
Flash your high beams at the traffic behind you
Turn on your flashers, tap the brake pedal three or four times, and give the slowing hand signal
Brake hard so the drivers behind you react quickly

Answer: C — Turn on your flashers, tap the brake pedal three or four times, and give the slowing hand signal

To warn drivers behind you of a hazard ahead, turn on the flashers, tap the brake pedal three or four times, and use the slowing hand signal.

13. Your car breaks down on the road and you can't get help right away. While you wait for roadside assistance, what should you do?

Stand behind the car to flag down traffic
Direct traffic around your car
Stay inside the vehicle
Walk to find the nearest phone

Answer: C — Stay inside the vehicle

After calling for roadside assistance, you should stay in the vehicle until help arrives.

14. You're on a two-way road with just one lane in each direction, and the center line is solid yellow on your side. Can you legally pass the car ahead of you?

Yes, if you signal first
Yes, but only at night
Yes, as long as no oncoming traffic is visible
No, you may not pass

Answer: D — No, you may not pass

You may not pass when there is one lane in your direction and the solid yellow line is on your side.

15. You want to turn left into a driveway, and a single set of double solid yellow lines runs between you and the driveway. Can you cross it to make the turn?

Yes, crossing a single set of double yellow lines to turn left into a driveway is allowed
No, double yellow lines can never be crossed
Only if the lines are more than two feet apart
Only during a detour marked by construction signs

Answer: A — Yes, crossing a single set of double yellow lines to turn left into a driveway is allowed

Turning left across a single set of double solid yellow lines into or out of a driveway or private road is a permitted exception. Two sets two or more feet apart are a barrier instead, and may not be crossed except at designated openings.

16. A regular lane is separated from an HOV lane by double solid white lines, and you want to merge into the HOV lane. What should you do?

Wait until you reach a single broken white line before crossing
Cross only at a marked intersection
Cross directly since the lines are just a suggestion
Cross only if your turn signal has been on for five seconds

Answer: A — Wait until you reach a single broken white line before crossing

You must never change lanes across double solid white lines; wait for a single broken white line instead.

17. On a multilane freeway, which lane is known as the Number 1 lane?

The far-left lane
Whichever lane has the least traffic
The center lane
The far-right lane

Answer: A — The far-left lane

Lanes are numbered from the left, so the far-left, fastest lane is the Number 1 lane.

18. Before changing lanes, you signal, check your mirrors, and look over your shoulder toward the new lane. Do you also need to slow down first?

Yes, unless changing lanes on a curve
Yes, but only on surface streets
Yes, always reduce speed by several mph first
No, slowing down first is not required

Answer: D — No, slowing down first is not required

A lane change requires signaling, checking mirrors and blind spots, and confirming room, but does not require slowing down first.

19. How would you find out the minimum number of occupants required to use a carpool lane on a given freeway, and the hours the restriction applies?

Signs at the on-ramp or along the road state it
It's printed inside the diamond symbol painted on the pavement
It's the same as the passing-lane rule
It's always two occupants at all hours statewide

Answer: A — Signs at the on-ramp or along the road state it

Signs at the on-ramp or along the road give the minimum number of occupants and the hours the carpool lane restriction applies.

20. A driver enters the center two-way left-turn lane and wants to travel a few blocks down it before merging back into traffic. Is that allowed?

Yes, but only for up to 500 feet
No, it may never be entered except to complete a U-turn immediately
Yes, it functions as a normal travel lane
No, it may only be used briefly, for no more than 200 feet, to prepare for a left turn or U-turn

Answer: D — No, it may only be used briefly, for no more than 200 feet, to prepare for a left turn or U-turn

The center left-turn lane is not a travel or passing lane; it may be used for no more than 200 feet, only to prepare for a left turn or U-turn.

21. You're driving slowly on a winding two-lane road because of the terrain, and five cars have backed up behind you since passing isn't safe. What are you required to do?

Nothing, since slower traffic has the right of way
Speed up to the posted limit regardless of conditions
Pull into a turnout area to let the vehicles pass
Stop in your lane and wave the cars around

Answer: C — Pull into a turnout area to let the vehicles pass

You must use a turnout area or lane when driving slowly where passing is unsafe and five or more vehicles are following you.

22. A driver needs to turn right at an intersection about 100 feet ahead and merges into the bike lane to position for the turn. Is this allowed?

No, driving in a bicycle lane is never allowed for any reason
Yes, entering a bike lane to turn within 200 feet of an intersection is one of the allowed exceptions
Yes, but only if the lane is painted green
No, only bicyclists may ever enter a marked bike lane

Answer: B — Yes, entering a bike lane to turn within 200 feet of an intersection is one of the allowed exceptions

It is illegal to drive in a bicycle lane except to park where allowed, enter or leave the road, or turn within 200 feet of an intersection; check your blind spots first.