When Leaving The Curb, Do You Use Your
When Leaving The Curb, Do You Use Your
When Leaving The Curb, Do You Use Your
Obey all the laws, even if you don’t agree with them.
Obey the Golden Rule: treat others in the same way you want to be treated.
Remember, driving is a privilege! The court can suspend your driving
privileges for a year if you are habitually truant or are convicted of
vandalism.
When you’re at the DMV, you’ll be expected to do a few things like vision,
written, and driving tests. During the driving test they’ll make sure you know
how to: start, control, and drive the car in traffic; how you obey
signals/signs, how you steer, stop, back up, change your speed, judge
distance, respect the rights of others, and pay attention.
Instructional permits are issued for teenagers age 15 ½ -17. Remember to
look over the checklist so you don’t forget anything when you’re going to
the DMV to get your license
The traffic light colors are:
RED: A red signal light means “STOP.” You can make a right turn
against a red light after you stop and yield to pedestrians, bicyclists,
and vehicles that are close enough to be a hazard.
Do not make the right turn until you can turn safely. DO NOT turn if
there is a sign posted for “NO TURN ON RED.”
RED ARROW: A red arrow means “STOP” until the green signal or
green arrow appears. A turn may not be made against a red arrow .
GREEN: A green light means “GO,” but first let any vehicles,
bicyclists, or pedestrians remaining in the intersection get through
before you move ahead.
If you are turning left, make the turn only if you have enough space to
complete the turn before any oncoming vehicle, bicyclist, or
pedestrian becomes a hazard.
At a four-way stop, the first vehicle that arrives has the right-of-way. If two vehicles
arrive at the same time, you must yield to the vehicle on the right.
2. Uncontrolled Intersection
Drivers should treat uncontrolled intersections as if they were four-way stops. Each
vehicle should stop, and you should yield the right-of-way to the first vehicle that arrives
at the intersection.
3. One-Way Intersection
At an intersection of two one-way streets, you may turn left at a red light after coming to
a complete stop and yielding to any approaching vehicles and pedestrians.
When entering or crossing a road, street, or highway from a private road, alley, building,
or driveway after stopping prior to the sidewalk, you must yield the right-of-way to all
approaching vehicles and pedestrians.
5. T-Intersection
On a roadway divided into three or more lanes providing for one-way movement, a
vehicle entering a lane of traffic from a lane to the right should yield the right-of-
way to a vehicle entering the same lane of traffic from a lane to the left.
How do you define a pedestrian?
A pedestrian is a person on foot or who uses a conveyance such as roller skates,
skateboards, etc. (other than a bicycle).
Special “turnout” areas are sometimes marked on two-lane roads. The purpose of a
turnout lane is to allow other drivers to pass you. You should pull to the side in these
areas and allow vehicles behind you to pass. Other two-lane roads sometimes have
“passing lanes.” If you are driving slowly on a two-lane highway or road where passing
is unsafe, and five or more vehicles are following you, pull to the side of the road
wherever you can safely do so to let the other vehicles pass.
Yellow lines mark the center of a road used for two-way traffic. You may pass on a
two-way road if the yellow center line is broken. When a solid and a broken yellow line
are together, you must not pass if you are driving next to the solid line. If the broken line
is nearest your side of the road, you may pass if it is safe.
White lines painted on the pavement indicate traffic going in your direction (such as one-way
streets).
Broken white lines separate traffic lanes on roads with two or more lanes going in your
direction. Drive in the lane with the smoothest flow of traffic.
If you can choose among three lanes on your side of the road, pick the middle lane for
the smoothest driving. If you want to go faster, pass, or turn left, use the left lane. When
you drive slowly, enter, or turn off the road, use the right lane.
If only two lanes go in your direction, pick the right lane for the smoothest driving.
Don’t weave - stay in one traffic lane as often as possible. Before changing lanes, check
your mirrors and turn your head to check beside your vehicle for vehicles and
motorcycles in your blind spot. Also, be sure there is enough room for your vehicle in
the next lane.
Once you start through an intersection, keep going. If you start to make a turn, follow
through. Last second changes may cause accidents. If you miss a turn, continue to the
next intersection and work your way back to where you want to go.
How to make a left turn on a two-way street:
When you want to pass a vehicle or bicycle going in your direction, pass on the left
Some freeways have special lanes and on-ramps for buses only, or buses and
carpools, or carpools only. You may use a CARPOOL lane if your vehicle carries
a minimum of 2 or 3 people, including the driver, or if you drive a low-emission
vehicle that displays a special decal issued by the DMV (the passenger
restriction does not apply). Unless otherwise posted, motorcyclists may use
designated carpool lanes.
Signs at the on-ramp or along the freeway tell you the size of the carpool
(number of people) needed to use that lane and the days and hours that the
requirement applies. The pavement of these lanes is marked with a diamond
symbol and the words “CARPOOL LANE.” Do not cross over the double parallel
solid lines to enter or exit any carpool lane except at designated entry or exit
places.
Special Lanes
In high density traffic areas, you may sometimes see an entire street, or a
few lanes on a street, marked with cones. The cones indicate that a lane
or street is being used differently. For example, to help relieve congestion
at a sports or cultural event, entire streets or a few lanes will be used for
traffic going in the opposite direction from what is "normal” until the traffic
congestion is cleared.
A* You may cross a solid double yellow line to turn left, but you cannot cross a
solid double yellow line to pass another vehicle.
B* Two sets of solid double yellow lines which are spaced two or more feet apart
sometimes appear as a road marking. These lines stand for a solid wall. Do not
drive on or over such a road marking. Cross only at plainly marked openings.
C and D* A center left turn lane is in the middle of a two-way street. The lane is
marked on both sides by two painted lines - inner line broken, outer line solid.
You must use this lane to begin left turns or to start a permitted U-turn.
E* Move into the broken-line bike lane no more than 200 feet before turning right.
Watch for bicycles and foot traffic.
Center Left Turn Lane
If a street has a center left turn lane, you must use it when you turn left. You may
only drive for 200 feet in this lane, which is not a regular traffic lane or a passing
lane.
To turn left, signal and drive completely inside the center left turn lane. Don’t stop
part way into the lane, with the back of your vehicle blocking traffic. Make sure
the lane is clear in both directions and then turn only when it is safe. Look for
vehicles coming toward you in the same lane as they start to make their left
turns.
When turning left from a side street or driveway, signal and wait until it is safe.
Then drive into the center left turn lane. Enter traffic only when it is safe. You
may drive across a center left turn lane
Signal and stop for a red traffic light at the limit line, if there is one, or before
entering the intersection. On a one-way street, you may turn left into a one-way
street where traffic moves left if there is no sign which prohibits the left turn. Be
careful that you do not interfere with pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles moving
on their green light.
The numbers on the cars refer to the numbered sentences on these pages. Use your signal in
each situation.
1. Left turn from a two-way street. Start the turn in the left lane closest to the middle of the street.
You may complete the turn in either lane of the cross street (as shown by arrows) if it is safe to do
so. You must use a left turn lane if there is one. A left turn from the next lane may be made if signs
or arrows show it is okay.
2. Right turn. Start the turn in the lane nearest the right-hand curb and end in the lane nearest the
right-hand curb. Do not swing wide into another lane of traffic. You may start a right turn from other
than the far right lane only where pavement or overhead markings show that using that lane for a
right turn is permitted.
3. Left turn from a two-way street into a one-way street. Start the turn from the far left lane on
your side of the road. You may turn into any lane that is safely open (as shown by arrows).
4. Left turn from a one-way street into a two-way street. Start the turn from the far left lane. You
may turn into either of the lanes that are safely open (as shown by arrows).
5. Left turn from a one-way street into a one-way street. Start the turn from the left-hand portion
of the road. Watch for bicycles between your vehicle and the curb because they can legally use the
left turn lane for their left turns.
6. Right turn from a one-way street into a one-way street. Start the turn in the far right lane.
You may use any lane, if t's safe to do so. Sometimes signs or pavement markings will let you turn
right from a lane next to the far right lane (as shown by *).
7. Turn at a “T” intersection from a one-way into a two-way street. Through traffic has the
right-of-way. You may turn either right or left from the center lane. Watch for vehicles and bicycles
inside your turn.
Legal U-Turns
When you make a U-turn, you turn around and go back the way you came. Signal and then make
the U-turn only from the far left lane on your side of the road. If the street has a center left turn
lane, begin your U-turn in that lane.
Across a double yellow line, if the turn can be made safely and legally.
In a residential district:
o If no vehicle approaching you is closer than 200 feet.
o Whenever a traffic sign or signal protects you from vehicles which are close.
At an intersection on a green light or green arrow unless a “No U-turn” sign is posted.
On a divided highway. Don’t drive over or across any dividing section, curb, or strip.
This includes:
o Two sets of double lines marking a center divider unless an opening is
provided for turns.
o The unpaved median in the middle of the freeway.
Illegal U-Turns
Never make a U-turn on a highway by crossing a curb, strip of land, or two sets of double lines.
Where you cannot clearly see 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain,
fog, or other reason.
Where a “No U-turn” sign is posted.
When vehicles may hit you.
On a one-way street.
In front of a fire station. Never use a fire station driveway to turn around.
In a business district, except at intersections or through openings in a concrete
divider.
End-of-Lane Markings
Freeway lanes (as well as some city street lanes) which are ending will usually be marked by large
broken lines painted on the pavement. If you are driving in a lane marked with these broken lines,
be prepared for the lane to end or to exit the freeway. Look for a sign to tell you what to do (i.e.,
merge right; right lane must exit, etc.)
Memorize and know the signs and signals at the beginning of this chapter.
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way, so don’t pass a vehicle that has stopped at
a crosswalk - there might be a pedestrian there that you can’t see!
Remember never to drive faster than the posted limit, or faster than what you feel is
safe for your situation, even though that might be slower than the limit. However,
driving so slowly that you hold up traffic and cause a hazard can get you a ticket - find
the safe middle ground!
Do not drive faster than 25 mph around a school. Drive even slower if there is a posted
limit lower than 25.
Remember that trains always have the right-of-way. Pay special attention to slow
down if you can’t see down the railroad tracks. There may be a train coming, so slow
down significantly.
If the cars behind you are driving faster than you are, pull into a turnout-lane, or a
“passing lane,” so that they can get past you.
Remember your lines - two solid lines means NO PASSING, a broken line on your
side means pass when it is safe. Don’t ever go off the paved portion of the road when
you pass.
When you’re turning, always signal your intention 100 feet ahead. If you’re turning left,
get close to the center divider line or the left turn lane if there is one. If you’re turning
right, get close to the right edge of the road. Making a U-Turn is not okay if there is a
sign that says “No U-Turns”! Duh!