Introduction
The Driver’s Handbook contains essential information that every driver needs for safe operation of their vehicle and use of the road. This includes your rights, your responsibilities and a list of all rules that apply to drivers and vehicles in your State. The rules differ slightly from State to State, however they are all based on those set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Some rules are legal requirements and failure to adhere to them may lead to a citation. Other rules are for guidance, although may be used as reference in court proceedings.
It is important that all road users are aware of their State’s Handbook and are considerate towards each other. This applies to pedestrians as much as to drivers and riders.
The rules are intended to greatly reduce accidents and casulties and for all road users to reach their destinations safely.
Don’t be put off by the importance of The Handbook. The rules are mostly easy to understand, easy to remember and easy to apply.
This website also provides practice tests for your DMV theory test. Feel free to practice as many times as you need – there are plenty of questions to try. Click here to start a practice test.
Online Version
The Driver Handbook for California has been reproduced here for ease of reference.
The handbook is split into the following categories to make the rules easier to follow (select a category to continue):
Occupant Protection
Traffic Controls
Laws and Rules of the Road
Visual Search
Lane Control
Turns
Parking
Safe Driving Practices
Vehicle Positioning
Sharing the Road
Special Driving Situations
Handling Emergencies
Driver Readiness
Alcohol and Drugs
Additional Driving Laws / Rules
Administrative
Knowing and Applying the Rules
Knowing and applying the rules contained in The Driver’s Handbook could significantly reduce road casualties. Cutting the number of deaths and injuries that occur on our roads every day is a responsibility we all share. The Handbook can help us discharge that responsibility.