CHP California Traffic Laws 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under California law, what is the minimum following distance required when driving behind a large truck at highway speeds?
- One car length per 10 mph
- 300 feet
- At least 3 seconds of following distance (Correct answer)
- 100 feet regardless of speed
Correct answer: At least 3 seconds of following distance
California law requires drivers to maintain a following distance of at least 3 seconds, though more distance is recommended when following large vehicles.
Question 2: In California, when must a driver yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk?
- Only when the pedestrian has a walk signal
- Only at marked crosswalks with signal lights
- Whenever a pedestrian is in or entering a crosswalk (Correct answer)
- Only when the pedestrian is more than halfway across
Correct answer: Whenever a pedestrian is in or entering a crosswalk
California Vehicle Code requires drivers to yield to pedestrians whenever they are in or entering any crosswalk, marked or unmarked.
Question 3: What does a solid white line between lanes on a California highway indicate?
- Passing is permitted with caution
- Lane changes are discouraged but legal
- Lane changes are prohibited (Correct answer)
- The lane ends ahead
Correct answer: Lane changes are prohibited
A solid white line separating lanes indicates that lane changes are prohibited in that area.
Question 4: Under California's Basic Speed Law, a driver must never drive faster than:
- The posted speed limit
- 65 mph on any road
- What is safe for current conditions (Correct answer)
- What other traffic is doing
Correct answer: What is safe for current conditions
California's Basic Speed Law states that no person shall drive at a speed greater than what is reasonable or prudent for existing conditions.
Question 5: When approaching a school bus with flashing red lights stopped on an undivided road, what must a driver do?
- Slow to 15 mph and proceed carefully
- Stop at least 10 feet away and wait (Correct answer)
- Yield only if children are visible
- Stop only if approaching from behind
Correct answer: Stop at least 10 feet away and wait
On undivided roads, drivers in both directions must stop at least 10 feet from a school bus displaying flashing red lights.
Question 6: In California, what is the maximum speed limit in an alley?
- 10 mph
- 15 mph (Correct answer)
- 20 mph
- 25 mph
Correct answer: 15 mph
California law sets a maximum speed limit of 15 mph in any alley.
Question 7: A driver in California may legally make a U-turn at an intersection controlled by a traffic signal unless:
- The signal is red
- A 'No U-Turn' sign is posted (Correct answer)
- Other vehicles are within 200 feet
- It is after sunset
Correct answer: A 'No U-Turn' sign is posted
U-turns are prohibited where a 'No U-Turn' sign is posted, even at signalized intersections.
CHP California Traffic Laws 2
Under California law, what is the minimum following distance required when driving behind a large truck at highway speeds?