Driver’s license knowledge test (Class C) · California DMV
Lanes and markings
Questions and answers
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There is one lane in your direction and a solid yellow line on your side of the road. May you pass the vehicle ahead?
No
A solid yellow line on your side means do not pass.
Section 6 · Single Solid Yellow Line ↗ -
When may you cross a single set of double solid yellow lines?
To turn left into or out of a driveway or private road, or to make a U-turn
Double yellow lines may not be crossed to pass, but a left turn into a driveway or a U-turn across one set is allowed.
Section 6 · Double Solid Yellow Lines ↗ -
Two sets of solid double yellow lines are spaced two or more feet apart. What are they?
A barrier you may not drive on or cross, except at designated openings
Two sets of double yellow lines two or more feet apart count as a barrier. No crossing, left turns, or U-turns except at openings.
Section 6 · Double Solid Yellow Lines ↗ -
A broken yellow line is next to your lane. What does it mean?
You may pass when it is safe
A broken yellow line on your side allows passing, but only when it is safe.
Section 6 · Broken Yellow Line ↗ -
What do double solid white lines mean?
A lane barrier, never change lanes across them
Double solid white lines separate regular lanes from preferential lanes or mark ramps. Wait for a single broken white line.
Section 6 · Double Solid White Lines ↗ -
Which lane is called the Number 1 Lane?
The left (fast) lane
Lanes are numbered from the left: the left or fast lane is Number 1.
Section 6 · Choosing a Lane ↗ -
How far may you drive in a center left turn lane?
200 feet
A center left turn lane is for preparing a left turn or U-turn, not for travel. The limit is 200 feet.
Section 6 · Center Left Turn Lanes ↗ -
You are driving slowly on a two-lane road where passing is unsafe. When must you use a turnout?
When five or more vehicles are following you
With five or more vehicles behind you, you must pull into a turnout area or lane and let them pass.
Section 6 · Turnout Areas or Lanes ↗ -
When may you drive in a bicycle lane to make a turn?
Within 200 feet of the intersection
Driving in a bike lane is allowed for parking where permitted, entering or leaving the road, and turning within 200 feet of an intersection.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
How is the road surface of a carpool (HOV) lane marked?
With a diamond symbol
HOV lanes carry a diamond symbol and the words Carpool Lane.
Section 6 · Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes ↗ -
May a motorcycle use a carpool (HOV) lane?
Yes, unless otherwise posted
Motorcycles may use HOV lanes unless a sign says otherwise.
Section 6 · Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes ↗ -
What does a line of solid white triangles across your lane show?
Where to yield or stop
This is a yield line. The triangles point toward approaching vehicles.
Section 6 · Yield Line ↗ -
Your lane is marked with large broken lines. What should you expect?
The lane is ending or leaving the freeway
Large broken lines usually mark an ending lane. Look for a sign telling you to exit or merge.
Section 6 · End of Lane Markings ↗ -
You realize you just missed your turn. What should you do?
Keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around
Last-minute changes cause collisions. Continue and turn around where it is safe and legal.
Section 6 · Changing Lanes ↗ -
How do you enter or leave a carpool (HOV) lane separated by double solid lines?
Only at designated entrances and exits
Do not cross double solid lines. Use the marked entrances and exits.
Section 6 · Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes ↗ -
Which lane should you use to enter or exit traffic?
The right lane
Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic and the left lane to pass or turn left.
Section 6 · Choosing a Lane ↗ -
What does a single solid yellow line mark?
The center of a road with two-way traffic
A single solid yellow line runs down the center of a two-way road.
Section 6 · Single Solid Yellow Line ↗ -
Your side of the road is closed for construction and signs direct you across the double solid yellow lines. May you cross them?
Yes, when construction or other signs instruct you to
You may drive on the other side of double yellow lines when signs instruct you to because your side is closed or blocked.
Section 6 · Double Solid Yellow Lines ↗ -
Which of these is NOT a legal reason to cross double solid yellow lines?
Passing a slower vehicle
Double solid yellow lines may never be crossed to pass. The other two are listed exceptions.
Section 6 · Double Solid Yellow Lines ↗ -
How far apart must two sets of solid double yellow lines be to count as a barrier?
Two or more feet
Two sets of double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart are treated as a barrier.
Section 6 · Double Solid Yellow Lines ↗ -
A driveway is on the far side of two sets of double yellow lines that form a barrier. May you turn left across it?
No, only at a designated opening
A left turn into a driveway is allowed across a single set of double yellow lines, but not across a barrier.
Section 6 · Double Solid Yellow Lines ↗ -
What does a single solid white line mark?
Traffic lanes going in the same direction
A single solid white line marks lanes moving the same way, including on one-way streets.
Section 6 · Single Solid White Line ↗ -
What do broken white lines separate?
Lanes on a road with two or more lanes in the same direction
Broken white lines divide lanes that travel in the same direction.
Section 6 · Broken White Lines ↗ -
Where are you likely to see double solid white lines?
Beside a carpool lane or near freeway on and off ramps
Double solid white lines separate a regular lane from a preferential lane such as a carpool lane, and also appear near freeway ramps.
Section 6 · Double Solid White Lines ↗ -
Which way do the triangles of a yield line point?
Toward approaching vehicles
The solid white triangles of a yield line point at the vehicles coming up to it.
Section 6 · Yield Line ↗ -
On a freeway, what is the lane just to the right of the fast lane called?
The Number 2 Lane
The left or fast lane is Number 1. The lane to its right is Number 2, then Number 3, and so on.
Section 6 · Choosing a Lane ↗ -
You are pulling out from the curb into the road. Which lane do you use?
The right lane
Use the right lane when you enter the road from a curb or shoulder.
Section 6 · Choosing a Lane ↗ -
Before changing lanes, where should you look besides your mirrors?
Over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move
Signal, check mirrors and traffic behind and beside you, then look over your shoulder to be sure the lane is clear.
Section 6 · Changing Lanes ↗ -
Do you need to slow down before changing lanes?
No, it is not necessary
Make sure there is enough space in the next lane. Slowing down first is not necessary.
Section 6 · Changing Lanes ↗ -
You have started a turn and then realize you wanted to go straight. What should you do?
Follow through with the turn
Once you start a turn, complete it. Last-minute changes of direction raise the risk of a collision.
Section 6 · Changing Lanes ↗ -
On a multilane road, which lane is the passing lane?
The far left lane, closest to the center divider
The passing lane is the far left lane and is used to pass other vehicles.
Section 6 · Passing Lanes ↗ -
You drive a low emission or zero emission vehicle alone. What do you need in order to use a carpool (HOV) lane?
A special decal issued by DMV
Low emission and zero emission vehicles may use the HOV lane only when they display the special DMV decal.
Section 6 · Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes ↗ -
How do you find out how many people a vehicle must carry to use a carpool (HOV) lane?
Signs at the on-ramp or along the road state the minimum
Signs give the minimum number of people and the hours when the carpool rules apply.
Section 6 · Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes ↗ -
How is a center left turn lane marked?
Two lines on each side, the inner one broken and the outer one solid
A center left turn lane sits in the middle of a two-way street, with a broken inner line and a solid outer line on both sides.
Section 6 · Center Left Turn Lanes ↗ -
Which is NOT a proper use of a center left turn lane?
Passing other vehicles
The center left turn lane is for left turns and U-turns. It is not a regular traffic lane or a passing lane.
Section 6 · Center Left Turn Lanes ↗ -
Before you move into a center left turn lane, what should you look for first?
Vehicles coming toward you in that lane
The first step is to look for other vehicles coming toward you in the center left turn lane.
Section 6 · Center Left Turn Lanes ↗ -
How should your vehicle be placed in a center left turn lane while you wait to turn?
Completely inside the lane, so you do not block traffic
Merge all the way into the center left turn lane so that you are not blocking traffic.
Section 6 · Center Left Turn Lanes ↗ -
The center left turn lane is empty for several blocks. May you drive along it to reach your turn sooner?
No, you may drive in it for only 200 feet
Driving in the center left turn lane is limited to 200 feet, however empty it is.
Section 6 · Center Left Turn Lanes ↗ -
You are driving slowly on a two-lane road where passing is unsafe, and six vehicles have lined up behind you. What must you do?
Pull into a turnout area or lane and let them pass
With five or more vehicles following, a slow driver must use a turnout to let them pass.
Section 6 · Turnout Areas or Lanes ↗ -
How is a bicycle lane typically marked?
By a single solid white line and signs
Bike lanes usually have a single solid white line and signs. Some are painted bright green to make them easier to see.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
What happens to the solid white line of a bike lane near an intersection?
It turns into a dashed line
The solid white line of a bike lane typically becomes a dashed line close to an intersection.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
Which of these is NOT a legal reason to drive in a bicycle lane?
Getting past a line of slow traffic
You may drive in a bike lane only to park where permitted, to enter or leave the road, or to turn within 200 feet of an intersection.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
What sets a buffered bike lane apart?
Chevrons or diagonal markings give extra separation from traffic and parking
A buffered bike lane uses chevrons or diagonal markings to give bicyclists more separation.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
What is a separated bikeway, also known as a cycle track?
A bikeway physically separated from motor traffic, for bicyclists only
A separated bikeway is for bicyclists only. Posts, barriers, a change of grade, or parked cars keep motor traffic apart from it.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
What do shared roadway bicycle markings tell drivers?
Bicyclists can occupy the lane
These markings alert drivers that bicyclists may use the lane, and help bicyclists keep a safe position.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
What is a bicycle boulevard?
A street shared with vehicles where bicycle travel has priority
A bicycle boulevard gives priority to bicycle travel on a street that is still shared with vehicle traffic.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗ -
You ride a motorized bicycle where other bicyclists are riding. What is expected of you?
Travel at a reasonable speed and do not endanger them
On a motorized bicycle, use caution around other bicyclists and keep to a reasonable speed.
Section 6 · Bicycle Lanes ↗