California DMV Permit Test Safe Driving and Sharing the Road Summary

Use the three-second rule:

1. Pick a fixed object, like a sign, that the car ahead passes.
2. Count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three."
3. If you reach the object before you finish counting, you are too close.

Increase the gap in bad weather or heavy traffic.

Wrong answers

• At least 1 second behind: One second is not enough time to react and stop.
• One car length, no matter your speed: A fixed car length does not account for higher speeds, which need more distance.

California requires at least 3 feet of space when passing a bicyclist. If you cannot give 3 feet, slow down and wait until you can. On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, change lanes to pass when it is safe.

Wrong answers

• At least 1 foot: One foot is far too close; a small wobble could cause a crash.
• No set distance as long as you do not touch them: The law sets a minimum distance; just avoiding contact is not enough.

When a school bus has flashing red lights, you must stop and remain stopped as long as the lights are flashing. Children may cross the road in front of or behind the bus.

Wrong answers

• Slow down and pass carefully: Passing a school bus with flashing red lights is illegal and very dangerous.
• Stop, then go after children have boarded even if the lights are still flashing: You must wait until the red lights stop flashing, not just until you think children are aboard.

Never stop on railroad tracks. Before crossing, make sure there is enough room for your whole vehicle on the other side. Look and listen for trains in both directions.

Wrong answers

• Stop on the tracks if traffic ahead is backed up: Stopping on the tracks could leave you trapped if a train comes.
• Shift gears in the middle of the tracks: Shifting gears on the tracks risks stalling there.

California requires headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Turning them on earlier in the evening or in gloomy weather also helps others see you.

Wrong answers

• From sunset to sunrise only: The rule extends 30 minutes past sunset and starts 30 minutes before sunrise, not exactly at sunset and sunrise.
• Only when the streetlights are off: Streetlights do not change the rule; headlights are required during the set hours.

In fog, use low-beam headlights. High beams reflect off the fog and make it harder to see. Slow down, increase following distance, and if the fog is too thick, pull off the road safely.

Wrong answers

• High-beam headlights: High beams bounce back off the fog and create glare.
• Parking lights only: Parking lights alone are not enough for other drivers to see you.

During the first rain after a dry period, oil and dirt on the road mix with water and make the surface very slippery. Slow down and leave extra space.

Wrong answers

• After it has rained steadily for several hours: After hours of steady rain, much of the oil has been washed away.
• Right after the rain stops and the sun comes out: Roads are usually less slippery once rain has washed them and the sun is drying them.

Mirrors do not show everything. Before changing lanes, signal and look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move to check your blind spot.

Wrong answers

• Honk to warn other drivers: Honking does not check whether the lane is clear.
• Turn on your hazard lights: Hazard lights are for warning of a stopped or disabled vehicle, not for lane changes.

Hydroplaning happens when the tires ride on a thin layer of water instead of the road. Slowly take your foot off the gas and keep the wheel steady. Hard braking or sharp steering can cause a skid.

Wrong answers

• Brake hard right away: Hard braking while hydroplaning can make you skid.
• Speed up to get through the water faster: Speeding up makes the tires lose even more contact with the road.

If you skid, take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you want the car to go. Avoid slamming on the brakes, which can make the skid worse.

Wrong answers

• Slam on the brakes: Slamming on the brakes can lock the wheels and worsen the skid.
• Turn the steering wheel sharply the other way: Jerking the wheel sharply can spin the car.