California · Handbook chapter 2 · 4 min read

Chapter 2: An introduction to driving

Fitness to drive, steering methods, signaling distances, when to use the horn, headlight rules and what to do when your vehicle breaks down. Study notes for the California DMV knowledge test.

Why this chapter matters

This is where the handbook's first numbers appear: how far ahead to signal, when headlights go on and when to dim them. These distances are easy test questions, so learn them exactly.

Your health and driving

• Vision: you must spot hazards in all kinds of light, judge distances, keep up with traffic speed and read signs.
• Hearing: you need to hear horns, sirens and screeching tires. It is illegal to wear a headset or earplugs in both ears while driving.
• Fatigue: tiredness affects your vision and slows your reactions.
• Medications: prescription and over-the-counter medicines can make you unsafe, and some cause drowsiness. Knowing their effects is your responsibility.
• Medical reporting: physicians must report patients aged 14 or older to the DMV for conditions, such as lapses of consciousness, that may affect safe driving.

Steering

Keep both hands on the wheel whenever you can.

• Hand-to-hand (push/pull): hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock. Do not cross your hands over the center of the wheel, even in turns.
• Hand-over-hand: for low-speed turns, parking and recovering from a skid. Start at 8 and 4 o'clock and reach across the wheel with one hand.
• One hand: only when turning while backing up (one hand at 12 o'clock while you look behind you) or when you must use a control that needs a free hand.

Signaling

Signal every time you turn, change lanes, slow down or stop. Use the signal lights, or hand-and-arm signals if the lights fail or are hard to see in bright sun. A bicyclist may signal a turn by pointing a straight arm in the direction of the turn.

Signal:

• At least 100 feet before a turn.
• Before every lane change, and at least five seconds before changing lanes on a freeway.
• Before pulling up to or away from the curb.
• Even when no one else seems to be around.
• When you are nearly through an intersection, if you plan to turn just after it.

Cancel the signal once you no longer need it.

The horn

Use it to let others know you are there, to warn of a hazard, to avoid a collision, and on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see at least 200 feet ahead.

Headlights

Switch from high beams to low beams within:

• 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
• 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.

Driving with only parking lights is illegal. Headlights must be on:

• When it is too dark to see from 1,000 feet.
• From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Whenever bad weather makes you use your windshield wipers (low beams are required then).
• When clouds, dust, smoke or fog stop you seeing other vehicles.
• On mountain roads and in tunnels, even in sunshine.
• Where a sign says so.

They also help others see you when the sun is low.

Emergency flashers and breakdowns

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

If your own vehicle has trouble:

• Turn on the flashers (or turn signals if there are no flashers).
• Pull off the road, away from traffic, if you can. If not, stop where drivers behind can see you.
• Never stop just over a hill or just around a curve.
• Call for roadside help and stay in the vehicle until it arrives.