Speed Limits in the State of California (as of 2012)
The "Basic Speed Law" (22350) states, "No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at any speed which endangers the safety of persons or property." That is, "You may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions." California Driver Handbook, 2012.
The maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. (70 mph is permitted where posted.)
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers.
When driving within 500 to 1000 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street, the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. If the school grounds are not fenced and children are outside, never drive faster than 35 mph.
The speed limit for a blind intersection is 15 mph.
Near streetcars, trolleys, or buses, the passing speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.
In business or residential areas, the speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.
The maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. (70 mph is permitted where posted.)
Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit is 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers.
When driving within 500 to 1000 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street, the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. If the school grounds are not fenced and children are outside, never drive faster than 35 mph.
The speed limit for a blind intersection is 15 mph.
Near streetcars, trolleys, or buses, the passing speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.
In business or residential areas, the speed limit is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted.
Road Surface Markings
Solid yellow lines mark the center of the road used for two-way traffic.
Broken yellow lines indicate that you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane.
Two solid yellow lines indicate no passing. You may never drive to the left of these lines, unless you are 1) turning left at an intersection, 2) turning into or out of a private road or driveway, 3) in a carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left, or 4) instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of the road because your side of the road is closed or blocked.
Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced 2 feet or more apart are considered a barrier.
Solid white lines mark traffic lanes going in the same direction, such as one-way traffic streets.
Broken white lines mark traffic lanes on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction.
Double white lines are two solid white lines that indicate a lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use, such as a carpool lane. Never change lanes while in these lanes; wait until a single broken line appears.
Broken yellow lines indicate that you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane.
Two solid yellow lines indicate no passing. You may never drive to the left of these lines, unless you are 1) turning left at an intersection, 2) turning into or out of a private road or driveway, 3) in a carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left, or 4) instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of the road because your side of the road is closed or blocked.
Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced 2 feet or more apart are considered a barrier.
Solid white lines mark traffic lanes going in the same direction, such as one-way traffic streets.
Broken white lines mark traffic lanes on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction.
Double white lines are two solid white lines that indicate a lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use, such as a carpool lane. Never change lanes while in these lanes; wait until a single broken line appears.
Steering
Look at the steering wheel as a clock and place your hands at about the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, or slightly lower at the 8 and 4 o'clock positions.
Pull-push steeling
Pull-push steeling
- Put your hands in the 8 and 4 o'clock positions.
- Pull down with one hand and push up with the other. This results in smooth steering and reduces the potential for over-steering, which can lead to a loss of control
Keep your palms and thumbs on the outside of the wheel while steering.
Parking
When parking, always set your vehicle in gear or in the "park" position.
Never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway.
On a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the street if the brakes fail.
Headed downhill, turn your front wheels into the curb or toward the side of the road. Set the parking brake.
Headed uphill, turn your front wheels away from the curb and let your vehicle roll back a few inches. The wheel should gently touch the curb.
Headed either uphill or downhill, when there is no curb, turn the wheels so the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.
Parallel parking
Colored curbs indicate the specific kind of parking available for a parking space.
You may stop at a white parking curb only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers or mail.
You may park at a green parking curb for a limited time (usually posted on a sign next to the green zone, or painted on the curb).
You may stop at a yellow parking curb no longer than the time posted to load or unload passengers or freight. (Drivers of non-commercial vehicles are usually required to stay with the vehicle.)
You may not stop, stand, or park at a red parking curb. (Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses.)
Blue parking curbs are for disabled persons and drivers of disabled persons only.
Never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway.
On a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the street if the brakes fail.
Headed downhill, turn your front wheels into the curb or toward the side of the road. Set the parking brake.
Headed uphill, turn your front wheels away from the curb and let your vehicle roll back a few inches. The wheel should gently touch the curb.
Headed either uphill or downhill, when there is no curb, turn the wheels so the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.
Parallel parking
- Find a space about 3 feet longer than your vehicle to safely park in the space without striking another vehicle or object. When you find a space, signal your intention to park.
- Pull your vehicle alongside the vehicle in front of your space (if any), about 2 feet away from it, bumpers aligned. Check your rear-view mirror and look over your shoulder for approaching vehicles. You can brake gently so approaching vehicles behind you will see the brake lights and stop to allow you to park.
- Keep your foot on the brake and put your vehicle in reverse. Lift your foot off the brake. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder to make sure the street is clear of traffic before you begin to back up. Make sure the space where you intend to park is clear of any objects, pedestrians, animals, etc. Begin to back up while turning the wheel hard toward the curb; you want to angle to be sharp, but not too sharp.
- Once the back of your seat is aligned with the bumper of the vehicle in front of the empty space, begin turning the steering wheel away from the curb.
- Straighten out. Your vehicle should now be about 6 inches parallel to the curb. You might have to adjust your vehicle forward or backwards before putting it in park and turning off the engine. Check your mirrors and look over your left shoulder for oncoming traffic before you exit.
Colored curbs indicate the specific kind of parking available for a parking space.
You may stop at a white parking curb only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers or mail.
You may park at a green parking curb for a limited time (usually posted on a sign next to the green zone, or painted on the curb).
You may stop at a yellow parking curb no longer than the time posted to load or unload passengers or freight. (Drivers of non-commercial vehicles are usually required to stay with the vehicle.)
You may not stop, stand, or park at a red parking curb. (Buses may stop at a red zone marked for buses.)
Blue parking curbs are for disabled persons and drivers of disabled persons only.