Key numbers — memorize all of these
Speed Limits
Most California highways65 mph
Two-lane undivided highway / vehicles towing55 mph
Business or residential district25 mph
School zone (children present, within 500 ft)25 mph
Blind intersection (no stop signs at corners)15 mph
Alley (road 25 ft wide or less)15 mph
Within 100 ft of railroad crossing (limited view)15 mph
Passing stopped bus at safety zone10 mph
Ice roads5 mph
Key Distances & Times
Signal before turn on regular street100 ft
Signal before freeway lane change5 sec / ~400 ft
Enter bike lane before right turnwithin 200 ft
Max distance to drive in center turn lane200 ft
Minimum following distance from emergency vehicle300 ft
Minimum gap when passing a bicyclist3 ft
Parking from fire hydrant15 ft
Parking from crosswalk20 ft
Parking from fire station driveway15 ft
Following distance rule3 seconds
Airbag: center of wheel to breastbone minimum10 inches
Cannot pass within ___ ft of intersection100 ft
U-turn: must see ___ ft each direction200 ft
Traffic Lights
Solid redStop. Right turn OK after full stop (no sign)
Red arrowStop. No turn at all. Wait for green.
Flashing redTreat as stop sign
Solid yellowStop if safe — light turning red
Flashing yellowProceed with caution
Flashing yellow arrowTurn OK — yield to oncoming first
Solid greenGo — yield to pedestrians
Green arrowProtected turn — oncoming stopped
Light not workingTreat as 4-way stop
Colored Curbs
WhitePick up / drop off only
GreenLimited time parking
YellowLoad / unload — stay with vehicle
RedNo stopping, standing, or parking
BlueDisabled placard / plate only
DUI Limits
General drivers BAC limit0.08%
Commercial drivers BAC limit0.04%
Under 21 BAC limit0.01%
Refusing BAC test (implied consent)Automatic 1-yr suspension