California DMV Permit Test key terms

The legal priority to proceed first through an intersection or shared space. It is yielded, never taken, and drivers must give it up to avoid a collision even when technically entitled to go.

To slow or stop and let other traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians go before you. Required when entering a road, merging, turning across paths, or facing a yield sign.

An intersection where all approaches have stop signs. Vehicles proceed in the order they arrived; if two arrive together, the one on the right goes first.

A solid white line painted across your lane at an intersection. You must stop with your front bumper behind it, not on or past it.

A painted line marking where vehicles must stop for a sign, signal, crosswalk, or railroad crossing. Stopping beyond it can block pedestrians or trigger red-light cameras.

The portion of roadway set aside for pedestrians to cross, marked with lines or implied at intersections. Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked.

The rule that drivers must yield to people walking in a crosswalk or at an intersection, and must not pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian. Violations carry heavy penalties.

An intersection with no signs or signals controlling traffic. Drivers must slow down, look both ways, and yield to vehicles already in the intersection or approaching from the right.

A lane where entering traffic joins a highway, giving drivers space to match speed. Merging vehicles must yield to traffic already on the road.

A short lane beside a highway that lets a driver build speed before merging. Use it to match traffic flow, then signal and merge safely.

The lever-operated lights that announce a lane change, turn, or stop. Signal at least 100 feet before turning in normal traffic and continue signaling until the maneuver is complete.

An arm signal used when turn signals fail or a bicycle has no lights. Left arm straight out means left turn, bent upward means right turn, angled downward means slow or stop.

Moving from one traffic lane to another. Check mirrors, signal, turn your head to check the blind spot, and change only when the lane is clear and it is safe.

The area beside and behind your vehicle that mirrors do not show. Always turn your head to check it before changing lanes or backing up.

A quick turn of the head to look directly into a blind spot before a lane change or merge. Mirrors alone are not enough to confirm the space is clear.

The gap between your vehicle and the one ahead. Use at least a three-second following distance in good conditions and increase it in rain, darkness, or heavy traffic.

A method for judging following distance: watch the car ahead pass a fixed object, then count three seconds before your vehicle reaches it. Add more time when roads are wet or visibility is poor.

Following another vehicle too closely, leaving no room to stop if it brakes suddenly. It is a common cause of rear-end collisions and can be cited as aggressive driving.

A driving style that anticipates mistakes by others and stays ready to react. It includes scanning ahead, keeping space around the car, and avoiding distractions.

Unsafe behavior such as speeding, tailgating, cutting off other vehicles, or making hostile gestures. It raises crash risk and can lead to serious penalties.

An extreme, often violent reaction to a traffic dispute, such as chasing or confronting another driver. Avoid provoking it and do not respond in kind.

Driving while attention is diverted by a phone, food, grooming, passengers, or other tasks. California law bars handheld phone use and texting while driving.

California rules limiting phone use in moving vehicles. Handheld use is prohibited for all drivers, and minors may not use a phone at all, even hands-free, except for emergencies.

Reading, writing, or sending messages while operating a vehicle. It is illegal for all California drivers and takes eyes and attention off the road for dangerous stretches.

The maximum legal speed on a road, shown on signs or set by law. The basic speed law still applies: never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

The rule that you may never drive faster than is safe for weather, traffic, road, and visibility conditions, even if you are under the posted limit.

A maximum speed that applies regardless of conditions, such as 65 mph on most freeways unless posted otherwise. Exceeding it is illegal even in ideal weather.

A default speed set by law for an area, such as 25 mph in residential districts, unless signs show a different limit. It can be lowered by conditions.

An area near a school where the speed limit is generally 25 mph when children are present. Watch for crossing guards and stop for pedestrians.

A place where tracks cross the road, marked by signs, signals, or gates. Stop if a train is coming, never drive around lowered gates, and cross only when clear.

A vehicle that displays flashing red lights and a stop arm when loading or unloading children. Traffic in both directions must stop until the lights stop flashing, unless divided by a median.

A circular intersection where traffic moves counterclockwise. Enter to the right, yield to vehicles already circulating, and never stop inside the circle.

A marked lane reserved for cyclists. Drivers may not drive in it, must check for bikes before turning or opening doors, and must give cyclists at least three feet when passing.

A California rule requiring drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist. Slow down or wait until it is safe to pass.

Setting the wheels so a parked car cannot roll into traffic. Turn wheels toward the curb facing downhill and away from the curb facing uphill, and always set the parking brake.

A separate brake, also called the emergency brake, that holds the vehicle when parked. Engage it whenever you leave the car, especially on slopes.

The raised edge between road and sidewalk. It affects where you may park and which way to turn your wheels on a hill.

A painted curb meaning no stopping, standing, or parking at any time. Other colors carry their own rules, such as white for short passenger stops.

The percentage of alcohol in the bloodstream, used to define legal impairment. California presumes impairment at 0.08 percent for adults and 0.01 percent for drivers under 21.

The rule that drivers under 21 may not drive with any measurable alcohol, generally 0.01 percent or more. A violation can suspend the license.

By driving in California, you agree to submit to a chemical test if lawfully arrested for impaired driving. Refusing can bring license suspension and other penalties.