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Vehicle traffic lights

traffic light signal	description
	solid red light signal means “STOP.” You can make a right turn against a red traffic signal light after you stop. Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles close enough to be a hazard. Make the right turn only when it is safe. Do not turn if a “NO TURN ON RED” sign is posted
	red arrow - means “STOP.” Remain stopped until the green signal or green arrow appears. Do not turn against a red arrow
	flashing red traffic light signal - means “STOP.” After stopping, you may proceed when it is safe. Observe the right-of-way rules
	solid yellow traffic light signal - means “CAUTION.” The red traffic signal light is about to appear. When you see the yellow traffic signal light, stop if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop safely, cross the intersection cautiously
	yellow arrow - means the “protected” turning time period is ending. Be prepared to obey the next traffic signal light, which could be the green or red traffic signal light or the red arrow
	flashing yellow light signal - warns you to “PROCEED WITH CAUTION.” Slow down and be alert before entering the intersection. Yield to any pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles in the intersection. You do not need to stop for a flashing yellow traffic signal light.
	flashing yellow arrow - means turns are permitted (unprotected), but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and then proceed with caution.
	solid green light signal - means “GO.” If you are turning left, make the turn only if you have enough space to complete the turn before creating a hazard for any oncoming vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian. Do not enter the intersection if you cannot get completely across before the traffic signal light turns red. If you block the intersection, you can be cited.
	green arrow - means “GO.” You must turn in the direction the arrow is pointing after you yield to any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian still in the intersection. The green arrow allows you to make a “protected” turn. Oncoming vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians are stopped by a red traffic signal light as long as the green arrow is lighted

traffic light signal	description
	"walk" light text or "walking person" - means the pedestrians are legal to cross the street
	"don't walk" light text or "red flashing light signal "raised hand" - means do not start crossing the street because the traffic signal light is about to change. If a pedestrian begins crossing the street after the traffic signal light starts flashing, wait until the pedestrian(s) has crossed the street before proceeding

According to the California “Basic Speed Law” you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. For example, if you are driving 45 mph in a 55 mph speed zone during a dense fog, you may be cited for driving “too fast for conditions”.

Important: Regardless of the imposed speed limit on the relevant road section, your speed should depend on:
• the number and speed of other vehicles on the road
• whether the road surface is smooth, rough, graveled, wet, dry, wide, or narrow
• bicyclists or pedestrians on or crossing the roadway
• whether it is raining, foggy, snowing, windy, or dusty

Highway maximum speed limit
The maximum speed limit on the most California highways is 65 mph. You may drive 70 mph where posted.
Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph on a two-lane undivided highway and for vehicles towing trailers.

Other speed limit signs are posted for the type of roads and traffic in each area.
In case of construction zones on the road, usually there are reduced speed zones.

Heavy Traffic or Bad Weather
In this case you must drive slower when there is heavy traffic or bad weather. However, if you block the normal traffic speed and reasonable movement of traffic by driving too slowly, you may be fined. If you choose to drive slower than other traffic, do not drive in the “Number One Lane” (fast lane).
In case the another driver is close behind you and wishes to drive faster, you should move to the right and give him/her a way.

Towing Vehicles, Buses, or Large Trucks
When you tow a vehicle or trailer, or drive a bus or 3 or more axle truck, you must drive in the right most lane or in a lane specially marked for slower vehicles. If there are no lanes are marked and there are four road lanes (or more) in your direction, you may only drive in either of the two lanes closest to the right edge of the road.

Blind Intersections
The speed limit for a blind intersection is 15 mph. A “blind” intersection is if there are no stop signs at any corner and you cannot see for 100 feet in either direction during the last 100 feet before crossing. Trees, bushes, buildings, or parked cars at intersections can block your view to the side. If your view is blocked, move slowly forward until you can see.

Alleys
The speed limit in any alley is 15 mph.

Near Railroad Tracks
The speed limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a railroad crossing where you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. You may drive faster than 15 mph if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flag man.

Always drive slowly and carefully near schools, playgrounds, parks, and residential areas.

When driving near to a school while children are outside or crossing the street, the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise is posted.
If the school grounds have no fence and children are outside, never drive faster than 25 mph.
There are some school zones with speed limits as low as 15 mph.

When you are driving near school you must take attentions to:
• bicyclists and pedestrians.
• school safety patrols or crossing guards.
• stopped school buses and children crossing the street.
Some school buses flash yellow lights when preparing to stop. The yellow flashing lights warn you to slow down and prepare to stop.
When the bus flashes red lights (located at the top front and back of the bus), you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across the street and the lights stop flashing.
You are obliged to remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing. If you fail to stop, you may be fined up to $1,000 and your driving license could be suspended for 1 year.

If the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway (two or more lanes in each direction), you do not need to stop.

When passing pedestrians or bicyclists you must slow down and pass safely, and pass only at a safe distance (typically 3 feet or more for bicyclists).

Railway tracks crossing rules
When approaching a railway crossing you must look in both directions and listen for trains. Many crossings have multiple tracks and you must stop before crossing, if necessary. Cross railroad tracks only at designated crossings and only when it is safe to do so.

Flashing red traffic light signal means "STOP!". You must Stop at least 15 feet before the first track, but no more than 50 feet, from the nearest track when the crossing devices are active or a person warns you a train is coming.

In California the traffic lanes are often referred to by number. The left or “fast” lane is the “Number 1 Lane.”
The lane to the right of the “Number 1 Lane” is the “Number 2 Lane,” then the “Number 3 Lane,” etc.
You must drive in the lane with the smoothest flow of traffic.
If there are three road lanes in one direction, pick the middle lane for the smoothest driving.
For faster driving, bypassing, or turning left, the left road lane must be used.
For slow driving, entering or turning off the road, use the right lane.
If there are only two road lanes in your direction, pick the right lane for the smoothest driving.

Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) Lanes
An HOV lane is a special lane used only for carpools, buses, motorcycles, or low-emission vehicles.
Signs at the on-ramp or along the freeway tell you the minimum number of people per vehicle required for the carpool/HOV lane(s).
These signs also list the days of the week and the hours when the carpool/HOV requirement applies. The pavement in this lane is marked with a diamond symbol and the words “Carpool Lane.” These lanes are also known as HOV lanes. Do not cross over double parallel solid lines to enter or exit any carpool/HOV lane except at designated entry or exit places.

The general road markings in California are in yellow and white:
- Solid yellow line - means "No passing if solid yellow line is on your side".
- Double solid lines means "DO NOT pass".
- Broken yellow line means "May pass if movement can be made safely."
- Double solid white lines indicate a lane barrier between a regular use and a preferential use road lane, such as a carpool/HOV. Never change road lanes designed by this marking. Wait until a single broken white line appears.
Never drive to the left of the Two solid yellow lines unless you are: - in a carpool lane/high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane that has a designated entrance on the left.
- there is road signs indicating you must drive on the other side of the road.

The major public roads in California are free, but tolls are charged on some roads and bridges.

It's good to carry USD currency to pay toll for the toll bridges that do not accept credit cards but do accept cash.

Since 2016, the following toll roads are fully automated and do not accept cash payments:
San Francisco Bay Area: Golden Gate Bridge (south-bound)
Southern California: SR 73, 133, 241 & 261 (Orange County), SR 125 (San Diego County - exact change or credit card OK)
The visitors paid the toll in cash can use the most California highways without worrying about fees or fines except for the specific automated toll roads. Visitors who do not have a FasTrak account should avoid using the "FasTrak Only" road lanes and use the "Cash", "Fastrak/Cash combo lanes" or unmarked lanes instead.

FasTrak is the transponder that is used to pay automated tolls in California. There are:
- Standard version, basically just a white square shaped device. - FasTrak "Flex" (Bay Area) or /Metro Express Lanes (Southern California) version, which looks the same as the standard except for a switch to indicate the number of people in the car. (1, 2 or 3+)

Golden Gate Bridge - toll rate
The fee is $2.50 per axle.
More information at

Bay Area bridges - toll rates
Antioch bridge
Benicia-Martinez bridge
Carquinez bridge
Dumbarton bridge
Richmond-San Rafael bridge
San Francisco-Oakland Bay bridge
San Mateo-Hayward bridge

More information at http://www.batolls.info/

Orange County toll roads
Find the toll calculator, maps and rates here.

San Diego "South bay Expressway"
It is a private 10-mile toll road from SR-54 in Spring Valley to Otay Mesa Road/SR-905 in Otay Mesa near the Mexican Border.

Toll rates depends on the distance traveling and the number of axles on the vehicle.

Trucks also are allowed to use this road.
More information at http://www.southbayexpressway.com/

Radar detectors are legal in California, as long as you are not operating a commercial vehicle. It is not allowed to use a radar detector if you drive a commercial car, truck, or other vehicle, except your personal car.

It is prohibited to hanging anything form on your windshield.

Not all penalties or fines for traffic violations are the same in California.
It depends on the driver age, license type, and any previous convictions, and it could face:
- admin Per Se license suspension -is occurs when the officer takes the driving license after the driver fail or refuse a chemical test. This action is taken by the CA Department of Motor Vehicles, under Admin Per Se laws and is in addition to any criminal charges given when refusing or failing a BAC test. The officer will issue an Order of Suspension and possibly a temporary license.
- criminal license suspension
- fines.
- jail time or community service.
- DUI school.
- installation of an ignition interlock device (IID).
- SR-22 filing.

How to check and pay the traffic violation ticket - check here

More information at http://www.dmv.org
The California DMV keeps a public record of the driver driving history. Each incident is kept for 36 months or more depending on the type of conviction and are recorded as points.
If the driver accumulate 4 points in a period of 12 months, the driving license will be suspended for 6 months and the river will be on probation for 1 year. Both the suspension and the probation will come into effect 34 days after the driver receives Order of Probation/Suspension in the mail.
For more information about the point system in California, see the “Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS)" section below. For more information about point-related incidents, please visit our DMV Point System in California page.

There is a “base fine” for identification of the fine for traffic violation in California. The base fine is just a portion of the overall cost of a traffic citation. The majority of what you pay comes from fees and “penalty assessments” that are finally added to the base fine.

It's illegal to drive a motor vehicle with any of the following blood alcohol concentration (BAC) percentages:
-- 0.08% or higher ― 21 years old or older operating a regular passenger vehicle
-- 0.04% or higher ― operating a commercial vehicle
-- 0.01% or higher ― younger than 21 years old

DUI convictions stay on the driver driving record for 10 years.

All vehicles are required to have tires in proper and safe condition with a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch.

Simply test to check your tire tread depth is by a penny test. Just insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head down. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, your tread depth is less than 2/32 of an inch and it is time to replace your tires.

Studded tires are permitted in the period from 1 November to 30 April.

There are no specific dates for chains use, but signs will be posted when snow chains are required. Chains required on all vehicles except four-wheel drives or all-wheel drives with snow tread tires on all four wheels.

Chains or snow tread tires are required. Snow tires must have a tread depth of 6/32" with a "M & S" imprint on the tire's sidewall.

Children 8 years old or younger, or are less than 4 feet 9 inches tall must be seated in a federally-approved child passenger restraint system.

Children under 2 years old must be secured in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system unless the child is 40 pounds or more, or 3 feet 4 inches or taller.

Children under 8 years old may ride in the front seat of a vehicle in a federally approved child passenger restraint system under in some special conditions.

Children 8 years old or older or reached at least 4 feet 9 inches in height may use a properly secured safety belt meeting the federal standards.

If you have a California drivers license you must know it expires every 5 years on your birthday.
To remain you on it the CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will mail you a renewal notice about 2 months before the expiration date.

Depending on your driver's license status (valid, expired, suspended, or lost/damaged), you can renew it online, by mail, by phone, in person.

If you hold a valid driver license, you'll be able to renew it up to 6 months before your expiration or 60 days after your expiration.

More information at http://www.dmv.org

Non-U.S. Citizens - driving license renewal
If you are a non US citizen and have a temporary CA driver's license, you'll need to provide updated birth date and legal presence documents issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
The CDMV will mail you extension instructions before your temporary license expires.

Tourists or foreign visitors (over the age of 18 years) may drive (rental cars) in California for one year (12 months) as long as they have a valid driver’s license from their home country. However an IDP will have more credibility with U.S. traffic police, especially if your home license doesn’t have a photo or isn’t in English.

See the Department of Motor Vehicles for complete details.

It is recommended to wait 10 days after you enter the United States if you want to apply for US driving license. This period is needed the government databases to be updated with your arrival information.

You can read CDMV FAQ's for more information.

Driving license suspension
There are many reasons the driving license could be suspended, including:
- failing to appear (FTA) in court after receiving a traffic ticket (until the driver appears in the court)
- failing to pay a fine resulting from a FTA (until the fine is paid)
- not having proof of car insurance
- failing to pay required child support payments
- being caught driving when you are physically/mentally unfit to do so

More information at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/

The California has very specific laws regarding vehicle window tint.

It is not allowed to use red or amber window tint films.

It is prohibited to use a tint film that has more reflection than a standard window.

If the rear window is tinted, you must have dual side mirrors on your vehicle.

If your windows are tinted and you are stopped for a police check, it is recommended that you roll down your windows before the officer makes contact with you.

More information on California vehicle code

hand signal	meaning
	STOP - left arm extended straight down
	TURNING LEFT - left arm extended horizontally to the side
	TURNING RIGHT - left arm extended straight up