Updated · Checked against the California Driver’s Handbook, the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the DMV drive-test criteria (DL 955).

California traffic rules

The 38 California driving rules Voorrah! teaches, one at a time

Every rule Voorrah! teaches for the California driver’s license and the DMV behind-the-wheel drive test, in plain English, with its source in the California Driver’s Handbook, the Vehicle Code or the DMV’s drive-test criteria. Each rule is also a lesson you can drive in the game.

Most of these rules are similar in other US states, but check your own state’s handbook.

  1. 1First drive in Mission ValleyKeep right · 25 mph · signal 100 feetKeep to the right half of the road, drive no faster than 25 mph on a residential street unless a sign says otherwise, and signal during the last 100 feet before every turn.
  2. 2Freeway: mergingMatch the speed, find a gapTraffic on the freeway has the right-of-way. On the on-ramp, get to or near the speed of the traffic, use your mirrors and your signal, look over your shoulder, and merge into a space big enough for your car. Do not stop unless it is absolutely necessary.
  3. 3Freeway: exitingSignal early, slow down in the exit laneTo leave the freeway: know your exit and get into the proper lane early, one lane at a time. Signal about five seconds (approximately 400 feet) before you exit, do not cross any solid lines, and make sure you are at a safe speed to exit.
  4. 4STOP signsFull stop at the limit lineAt a STOP sign, stop completely behind the white limit line (or before the crosswalk); on the drive test, within about 6 feet of it (DMV DL 955). Then yield to cross traffic that has no STOP sign and is close enough to be a hazard, and go when it is clear.
  5. 5All-way stopsFirst to stop goes firstAt an all-way stop everyone stops at the limit line. Whoever stopped first goes first. If two drivers stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
  6. 6Uncontrolled intersectionsYield to the right · T-intersectionsAt an intersection with no STOP or YIELD signs and no signals, the driver who gets there first goes first. If two drivers arrive at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. At a T-intersection, the road that ends yields to traffic on the through road.
  7. 7Traffic lightsRed, yellow and greenRed: stop at the limit line and stay stopped until the light turns green. Steady yellow: the red is coming; stop if you can do so safely, otherwise cross carefully. Green: go, once the intersection is clear.
  8. 8Right turn on redFull stop, then yieldYou may turn right at a red light after a full stop at the limit line, when it is safe: yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk and to traffic coming with the green light. Not where a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.
  9. 9Left turn on greenYield to oncoming trafficTurning left on a green light, yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard: wait until it is clear. While you wait, keep your wheels pointed straight ahead. A green arrow means your turn is protected: the oncoming traffic has a red light.
  10. 10CrosswalksMarked and unmarkedYield to pedestrians crossing in a marked crosswalk or in an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection: every corner has one, painted or not. Never pass a vehicle that has stopped at a crosswalk.
  11. 11The bike laneMerge within 200 feet of a right turnYou may drive in a bike lane only to park, to enter or leave the road, or to turn within 200 feet of the corner. Before a right turn, check your mirror, look over your right shoulder, merge into the bike lane behind any cyclist, and turn from there. Pass a cyclist with at least 3 feet.
  12. 12The center turn laneOnly in the last 200 feetA center lane with a solid outer and a broken inner yellow line on each side is a two-way left-turn lane. Use it only to prepare for and make a left turn or U-turn, or to merge into traffic after turning onto the road, for no more than 200 feet; where there is one, turn left from it.
  13. 13School zones and school buses25 mph · flashing red lightsNear a school, the speed limit is 25 mph while children are outside or crossing, unless another limit is posted: within 500 feet of the school (Handbook), and past a SCHOOL sign while children are going to or leaving school (CVC 22352(b)(2)). Stop for children in a crosswalk. A school bus flashing red lights: stop, from either direction, until the lights stop flashing; not if it is across a divided road or one with two or more lanes each way.
  14. 14Changing lanesSignal, mirror, shoulder checkBefore changing lanes: signal, check your mirrors, look over your shoulder in the direction you move, and move only into a gap that is big enough. Stay in one lane otherwise.
  15. 15Emergency vehiclesPull to the right and stopWhen a police car, fire engine or ambulance comes with a siren and red lights, drive to the right edge of the road, clear of any intersection, and stop. Stay stopped until it has passed. If you are in an intersection, drive through it first.
  16. 16Backing upStraight along the curbOn the DMV drive test you back up about 3 car lengths in a straight line, within 3 feet of the curb, with no more than one correction. Look over your right shoulder through the rear window while you back, and go slowly.
  17. 17Pulling away from the curbSignal, mirror, shoulder, then goBefore you pull away from the curb: signal, check your mirror and look over your left shoulder for the blind spot. Start only when you can do it safely: let the traffic that is already on the road pass first.
  18. 18Flashing yellow arrowTurn left after yieldingA flashing yellow left-turn arrow: you may turn left, but your turn is not protected. Yield to oncoming traffic first, then turn with caution. A green arrow gives you a protected turn. A red arrow means stop: do not turn.
  19. 19Following distanceThe three-second ruleStay at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead. When it passes a fixed point, such as a sign, count three seconds. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely.
  20. 20The YIELD signSlow down · stop only if you mustAt a YIELD sign, slow down and be ready to stop. Let vehicles that are in the intersection or coming close on the other road go first, and keep yielding until you can go safely.
  21. 21Passing a cyclistAt least three feet of roomPass a cyclist with at least 3 feet between any part of your car and the bicycle or its rider. If another lane in your direction is free, change into it before you pass. If you cannot give 3 feet, slow down and wait behind.
  22. 22Signal out or flashing redTreat it as an all-way stopA traffic signal that is dark, or that flashes red, works like a STOP sign: stop at the limit line, then go when it is safe. When the signal is out, treat the intersection as if it had STOP signs in all directions.
  23. 23U-turnsOnly when nobody is within 200 feetTo make a U-turn, signal and use the left-turn lane or the far-left lane. In a residential district, turn only when no vehicle is approaching within 200 feet. Never make a U-turn where a NO U-TURN sign is posted, on a one-way street, or where you cannot see clearly for 200 feet in each direction.
  24. 24Do not block the intersectionRoom on the far side, also on greenDo not enter an intersection or a marked crosswalk, even on a green light, unless there is enough room for your car on the far side. Wait before it until there is.
  25. 25One-way streetsTurn left from the left sideOn a one-way street, turn left from the far-left lane, close to the left edge. From a one-way street onto a one-way street you may also turn left at a red light: after a full stop, where no sign prohibits it, and after yielding to pedestrians and to traffic that has the green light.
  26. 26Double yellow and passingOnly where your line is brokenDouble solid yellow lines: do not cross them to pass. You may pass where the yellow line on your side is broken, and only when the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic far enough ahead to finish the pass.
  27. 27Railroad crossingsStop at least 15 feet from the railWhen the red lights flash, the gate comes down or a train is coming, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail. Wait until the red lights stop flashing, even if the gate rises. Never stop on the tracks: cross only when there is room for your whole car on the far side.
  28. 28RoundaboutsYield to traffic in itAt a roundabout, slow down and yield to all traffic already in it. Enter to the right when there is a big enough gap, drive counter-clockwise, and signal when you exit.
  29. 29Move overA stopped vehicle with flashing lightsComing up to a stopped emergency vehicle with its lights on, a stopped tow truck or highway maintenance vehicle with flashing amber lights, or any other stopped vehicle with hazard lights, cones or flares: change into a lane that is not next to it, if that is safe. If you cannot, slow down to a safe speed.
  30. 30Parking at the curbCurb colors, hydrants, 18 inchesPark parallel to the curb with your right-hand wheels within 18 inches of it. Check the color of the curb, and stay 15 feet from a fire hydrant and 20 feet from the approach side of a crosswalk. On a hill, turn your front wheels so the car cannot roll into the road.
  31. 31Lights and wipersWipers on, headlights onTurn on your headlights in the dark and in bad weather: if you need your windshield wipers because of rain, fog or snow, your low beams must be on. Dim your high beams to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.
  32. 32Alleys and drivewaysComing out, everyone goes firstThe speed limit in an alley is 15 mph. Coming out of an alley or a driveway, yield to everyone: first to people walking on the sidewalk you cross, then to all traffic on the street that is close enough to be a hazard.
  33. 33Carpool lanesIn and out only where the line is brokenA carpool (HOV) lane is for vehicles with at least the number of people shown on the signs. Enter and leave it only at the designated places, or where the line beside it is a single broken line. Never cross double solid lines.
  34. 34The school crossing guardThe STOP sign in the guard's handNear a school, obey the directions of the school crossing guard at all times. When the guard holds up the STOP sign, stop and wait. The sign still counts while the guard walks back to the sidewalk.
  35. 35Parking lotsSlow, look around, park nose firstIn a parking lot, drive at a safe speed with the car under control, and keep looking all around: ahead and behind, left and right. Yield to vehicles, bicyclists and people on foot when that is needed for safety.
  36. 36Parallel parkingBack in, within 18 inches of the curbTo parallel park: find a space at least 3 feet longer than your car and signal. Pull up about 2 feet beside the vehicle in front of the space, check your blind spots, back in at about a 45-degree angle, and straighten out. End parallel to the curb and within 18 inches of it.
  37. 37Left turn on redOnly one-way onto one-wayYou may turn left at a red light only from a one-way street onto a one-way street, and only after a full stop at the limit line. Start the turn from the far-left lane. Yield to pedestrians and to traffic with the green light. Not where a sign forbids the turn.
  38. 38High beamsDim them for others: 500 and 300 feetAt night on a dark road, use your high beams when nobody is coming toward you. Dim them to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you and within 300 feet of a vehicle you follow.