You have signaled to change lanes and your mirrors show an open gap. What should you do before moving over?
Correct answer: Look over your shoulder toward the lane you plan to enter
Mirrors can miss traffic beside and slightly behind you. A quick shoulder check toward the new lane can reveal a vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle in that blind spot. Keep the car steady while checking; signaling alone does not establish that the lane is clear.
Source: Section 6 — Changing Lanes ↗
A pedestrian is crossing in an unmarked crosswalk. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield and allow the pedestrian to cross
A crosswalk does not need painted lines for pedestrians to have the right-of-way. Yield so the person can finish crossing safely; the absence of markings is not permission to drive through their path.
Source: Section 7 — Pedestrians; Crosswalks ↗
Do pedestrians have right-of-way in an unmarked crosswalk?
Correct answer: Yes
Painted lines are not what creates the duty to yield. Pedestrians crossing in an unmarked crosswalk still have right-of-way, so check for them even where no stripes are visible.
Source: Section 7 — Pedestrians; Crosswalks ↗
Why must you not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk?
Correct answer: A pedestrian may be hidden from your view
The stopped vehicle may be yielding to a pedestrian you cannot see.
Source: Section 7 — Pedestrians; Crosswalks ↗
A pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog:
Correct answer: Has right-of-way at all times
A white cane or guide dog can indicate that the pedestrian cannot see your approach. Yield and allow enough time to cross; do not assume the person sees your vehicle or will step aside.
Source: Section 7 — Pedestrians who are Blind ↗
What is the maximum passing speed when a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped at a safety zone or traffic light?
Correct answer: 10 mph
Pass at no more than 10 mph and watch carefully for people.
Source: Section 7 — Near Railroad Tracks; Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys; Large Vehicles; Bicycles ↗
According to the California handbook, if you cannot change lanes to pass a bicyclist, what minimum clearance should you leave?
Correct answer: Three feet
Leave at least three feet. If that clearance is unavailable, wait to pass until you can provide it.
Source: Section 7 — Near Railroad Tracks; Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys; Large Vehicles; Bicycles ↗
If you cannot see a truck driver in the truck's side mirror, what should you assume?
Correct answer: The truck driver probably cannot see your vehicle
Large vehicles have extensive blind spots. If you cannot see the driver in the mirror, the driver likely cannot see you.
Source: Section 7 — Blind Spots; Braking ↗
You have passed a large truck and need to slow for a turn. What should you do?
Correct answer: Leave ample space before moving in front of the truck and slowing
The truck needs extra stopping distance. Cutting into its front gap and then slowing takes away braking space, which can leave the driver too little room to avoid hitting you.
Source: Section 7 — Sharing the Road: Braking; Maneuvering ↗
What rights and responsibilities do bicyclists have on California roads?
Correct answer: The same basic rights and responsibilities as other drivers
Treat bicyclists as traffic: they have a right to use the road and must obey traffic controls and right-of-way rules. Riding more slowly than a car does not remove those rights.
Source: Section 7 — Bicycles: Rights and Responsibilities ↗
A snowplow is clearing the lane ahead. Which position should you avoid?
Correct answer: Traveling alongside the plow
Plows may overlap lanes, turn widely, or stop. Give them space instead of staying beside them.
Source: Driving in Winter Weather — The Basics: Snow Plows ↗
You want to pass a motorcycle with your car. Should you squeeze past within the rider’s lane?
Correct answer: No; give the rider a full lane
Leave the rider room. California’s motorcycle lane-splitting rules do not invite cars to squeeze past riders.
Source: Section 7 — Sharing the Road: Motorcycles ↗
A truck ahead signals right, then moves left as it approaches the corner. How should you respond?
Correct answer: Stay back; it may need the space to complete a wide right turn
A truck's rear wheels take a shorter path than its front wheels, so it may swing left before turning right. The opening beside it can disappear during the turn.
Source: Section 7 — Large Vehicles and Truck Drivers: Turning ↗
A lane is too narrow for a car and bicycle side by side. May the cyclist ride away from the right edge?
Correct answer: Yes, when the lane is too narrow to share safely
California’s keep-right rule has exceptions, including a lane too narrow for safe side-by-side travel.
Source: Section 7 — Bicycling in Travel Lanes ↗
Raised markers outline a pedestrian safety zone beside a streetcar stop. May you drive through it to get around traffic?
Correct answer: No, keep your vehicle outside the safety zone
The zone is reserved for people, not a passing lane.
Source: Buses, Streetcars, Trolleys — Safety Zones ↗
Before a permitted turn across light-rail tracks, what must you check?
Correct answer: Approaching rail vehicles as well as the controlling signal
A turn across tracks can conflict with a train even when the car lane looks clear.
Source: Light Rail Vehicles ↗
There appears to be space beside a motorcycle in your lane. Should you use it to pass the rider?
Correct answer: No, do not pass a motorcycle within the same lane
Give the rider room for changes in surface conditions and position.
Source: Motorcycles ↗
Before opening your parked car door on the traffic side, what should you check for?
Correct answer: Approaching motorcycles, bicycles, and other traffic
A door can obstruct the path of a smaller road user approaching from behind.
Source: Motorcycles ↗
A rider is guiding a nervous horse near your lane. How should you respond?
Correct answer: Slow down and pass only when safe without frightening it
A frightened horse can move suddenly into your path. Slow down, leave room, and pass only when safe; do not use noise or a close pass to force the animal out of your way.
Source: Animal-drawn Vehicles; Near Animals ↗
On a one-way road with at least two lanes, a bicyclist rides near the left curb. Is that position necessarily illegal?
Correct answer: No, California allows that position on such a road
The bicycle keep-right rule has a one-way-road exception.
Source: Bicycling in Travel Lanes ↗
A cyclist moves left around debris at the right edge. What should you expect?
Correct answer: The cyclist may lawfully leave the edge to avoid the hazard
Allow room for hazard avoidance instead of squeezing past.
Source: Bicycling in Travel Lanes ↗
A neighborhood electric vehicle is traveling ahead of you. What maximum operating speed should you expect for this type of vehicle?
Correct answer: 25 mph
A neighborhood electric vehicle has a maximum speed of 25 mph. Expect it to travel more slowly than ordinary traffic and leave space as you approach.
Source: Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) and Low-speed Vehicles (LSV) ↗
You have been driving beside a large truck at the same speed. Why should you avoid staying there?
Correct answer: You may be hidden from its driver and leave less room for it to avoid hazards
A truck's large mirrors still leave blind spots. Staying beside it also limits the driver's escape space. Complete a safe pass without lingering alongside.
Source: Section 7 — Blind Spots (the No Zone); Maneuvering ↗
A car with hazard lights is stopped beside your highway lane, without a protective barrier. A legal lane change away is safe and practicable. What should you do?
Correct answer: Approach cautiously and move into the available lane away from it
The 2026 rule also covers ordinary stationary vehicles displaying hazard lights or another warning device.
Source: CVC 21809(a)(1), (c); effective January 1, 2026 ↗
A stopped car with hazard lights is beside the highway with no protective barrier. Moving away would be unsafe in current traffic. What is required?
Correct answer: Slow to a prudent speed safe for the conditions and pass cautiously
The law provides a safe-speed alternative when changing lanes is unsafe or impracticable; it does not require swerving.
Source: CVC 21809(a)(2), (c); effective January 1, 2026 ↗
A motorcycle ahead is approaching metal bridge grating. How should you adjust your following space?
Correct answer: Leave extra space for a possible speed or position change
Metal surfaces and gravel can require different control inputs from a rider.
Source: Tailgating — additional space ↗
Traffic enters a work zone with equipment beside narrowed lanes. What should you do with your following gap?
Correct answer: Increase it and expect sudden slowing or stopping
Extra space gives you time to respond to workers, equipment and changing traffic.
Source: Road Workers and Work Zones ↗
Road construction attracts your attention as you drive past. What is the safe priority?
Correct answer: Watch the driving path and follow signs and flagger directions
Avoid distractions and remain within the marked travel path.
Source: Road Workers and Work Zones ↗
A truck carrying hazardous-material placards approaches a railroad crossing ahead of you. What should you anticipate?
Correct answer: The truck may be required to stop even when you see no train
The handbook warns that placarded hazardous-load vehicles must stop at crossings. Leave space; do not assume an empty-looking crossing means the truck will continue. Specific legal exceptions exist.
Source: Vehicles with Hazardous Loads ↗
A 16-year-old rides a bicycle on the road. Does the handbook require a helmet?
Correct answer: Yes, the rider is under 18
The handbook identifies under-18 riders as required to wear a helmet.
Source: Bicyclist Responsibilities ↗
A neighborhood electric vehicle approaches a road posted at 45 mph. What restriction does the handbook identify?
Correct answer: NEVs are restricted from roads with speed limits greater than 35 mph
A vehicle’s low operating speed and the road’s posted limit both matter when planning its route.
Source: Neighborhood Electric Vehicles and Low-speed Vehicles ↗
A tall truck ahead blocks your view of developing traffic. What is the safer following choice?
Correct answer: Increase the gap to improve your view and give yourself more reaction time
Following closely hides more of the road and leaves less time to react if the truck brakes. Extra space helps you see developing hazards. Watching brake lights or shifting sideways is not a substitute for a safe following gap.
Source: Large Vehicles and Truck Drivers — follow too closely ↗
