CHP California Traffic Laws 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the basic speed law in California?
- No person shall drive at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent for conditions (Correct answer)
- There is no speed law beyond posted limits
- You can drive any speed on highways
- Speed laws only apply in cities
Correct answer: No person shall drive at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent for conditions
California's basic speed law requires drivers to travel at speeds safe for current conditions, regardless of posted limits.
Question 2: When is it legal to make a U-turn in California?
- At intersections unless prohibited by signs, and in residential districts if no vehicle is within 200 feet (Correct answer)
- U-turns are never legal
- Only at traffic lights
- Only on highways
Correct answer: At intersections unless prohibited by signs, and in residential districts if no vehicle is within 200 feet
California allows U-turns at intersections with adequate visibility unless signs prohibit them, and in residential areas when no approaching vehicle is within 200 feet.
Question 3: What is California's move-over law?
- Drivers must move over a lane or slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights (Correct answer)
- It only applies to police cars
- It is optional
- It only applies on highways
Correct answer: Drivers must move over a lane or slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles with flashing lights
California's move-over law requires drivers to change lanes when safe, or slow down, when passing emergency and service vehicles stopped with flashing lights.
Question 4: What is the maximum speed limit in a school zone in California?
- 25 mph when children are present (Correct answer)
- 15 mph
- 35 mph
- 20 mph
Correct answer: 25 mph when children are present
California sets the speed limit at 25 mph in school zones when children are present or reasonably expected to be present.
Question 5: What are the rules for passing a stopped school bus in California?
- All traffic from both directions must stop when the bus displays flashing red lights (Correct answer)
- Only cars behind the bus must stop
- You may pass slowly on the left
- Stopping is optional if no children are visible
Correct answer: All traffic from both directions must stop when the bus displays flashing red lights
When a school bus displays flashing red lights and its stop arm, all traffic from both directions must stop, except on divided highways where opposing traffic may proceed.
Question 6: What is California's open container law?
- No open alcoholic beverage containers are allowed anywhere in a motor vehicle (Correct answer)
- Open containers are allowed if the driver is not drinking
- Only the driver cannot have open containers
- Open containers are allowed in the trunk only
Correct answer: No open alcoholic beverage containers are allowed anywhere in a motor vehicle
California prohibits any open alcoholic beverage container in the passenger area of a motor vehicle, whether the vehicle is moving or parked.
CHP California Traffic Laws 1
What is the basic speed law in California?