QandAs: Autos

What are the California State Driving Laws?

Answer:
California uses a point system to track drivers.

Some violations carry a point value that is added to the offender’s record, such as:

· Reckless driving – 2 points
· Hit and run – 2 points
· DUI – 2 points
· Traffic ticket – 1 point

An accumulation of four points in one year results in a suspension of your driving privilege.

In the state of California, all motorcyclists must wear helmets while on the road. There is no cell phone ban in the state of California. Also, all people in a vehicle must wear seatbelts. Children under 40 pounds or five years of age must be in child-restraint seats or holders. Violations of the seatbelt laws bring a $20 fine, but with the additions of other costs and surcharges the actual cost of the ticket is closer to $80.

You must follow all posted speed limits when driving in California. While limits vary, the default speed is 25 mph on suburban and city roads and 55 mph on freeways or highways, unless otherwise posted. Some larger city streets will have a higher speed limit, such as 35 or 45 mph. Most freeways have a posted speed limit of 65 or 70 mph. The fines for speeding cannot exceed $500, unless there are other aspects to the violation, such as an accident or excessive speeding. If you are being approached from in front or behind by an emergency vehicle with its lights flashing or with a siren sounding, you must yield the right of way.

Because the roads in California are so congested, almost all interstates in major cities have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes. These are marked by a diamond shape on the road. You may only drive in these lanes during rush hour if you have more than one person in your vehicle. Also, many busy freeway onramps have metering lights, which are traffic lights that regulate the flow of traffic off of the ramp and onto the freeway. These lights allow one vehicle through at a time, and you muse wait until you get a green light to go through these lights.

California DMV Locations


	more Q&A sessions like this
	Where can I find California Vehicle Inspection Centers? What are the California Drivers License Requirements? Where can I find resources for Buying and Selling a car in California? Where can I find California Driver Resources? What are the California Vehicle Registration and Title Requirements? How do I transfer a car title in-state and out-of-state in California? How long does an Accident, DUI or Ticket stay on my driving record in California? What are the California Lemon Laws? Where can I get a California Driving Record? Where can I get a California driver’s license practice test? How can I contact the California Department of Insurance and Insurance Commissioner?