When learning the laws of driving, it can be confusing, especially ifyour friends and family are chiming in on what you should do. To help out new drivers, those studying for their license exams, and drivers who want to keep up to date with new or changing laws, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has published the California Driver Handbook.
If you are learning to drive, or want to brush up on the rules of the road, you can download a PDF version of the California Drivers Handbook, access an HTML version, or you may even download an audio version of the handbook. If you would like a printed copy of the California Drivers Handbook, there are copies available at your local DMV office.
The California Drivers Handbook is available in a variety of languages. If you are not a native English speaker, you may download copies of the California Driver Handbook in:
- Spanish
- Armenian
- Chinese
- Farsi
- Korean
- Punjabi
- Russian
- Tagalog
- Vietnamese
Who Should Use the California Driver Handbook?
If you are a first-time driver, teen driver looking to get a drivers permit, or are new to the state of California, it is important to know that all of the answers for the California State drivers license written exam are in the California Driver Handbook.
If you have not taken your California state written exam in a while, you may want to look through the most current version of the California Driver Handbook. Since laws are updated and changed nearly every year, the California Driver Handbook has a section just for updated and new driving laws in the state.
Information Covered in the California Driver Handbook
The California Driver Handbook is full of the laws and rules for driving in the State of California, but it also includes other useful information for California drivers.
Included in the California Driver Handbook is:
- New laws
- Information about the California driver license
- Obtaining a driver license
- Driver license classes
- The examination process
- Special information for minors
- Miscellaneous licensing information
- Laws and rules of the road
- Safe driving practices
- Special driving situations, such as bad weather
- Driver readiness
- Information regarding alcohol and drugs
The California Driver Handbook also has information on:
- How to replace a lost/stolen or damaged driver license
- Name changes
- Organ and tissue donation
- Veteran benefit information
- Driving schools
- Mature driver program
- Pedestrian responsibilities
It’s a great idea to keep a recent copy of the California Drivers Handbook in your car, just in case you need to refer to it in times of need. You never know when that tome of information will be useful!
FAQs
Download a PDF of the CDL handbook on the DMV website [here](https://www.dmv.ca.gov/web/eng_pdf/dl600.pdf). To get a hard copy of the driver's manual by snail mail, contact your local CA DMV office or call (800) 777-0133 (office hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.).
Can I get a California driver's handbook at AAA? ›
You can make a DMV appointment by calling 1-800-777-0133 during business hours or by using the DMV's online appointment system. Do AAA branches carry copies of the DMV's California Driver Handbook? Yes! AAA members may visit a branch to get a copy of DMV's California Handbook.
How many questions are on the California DMV written test for seniors? ›
In-person Knowledge Test (Written Test)
If you are renewing, the test will be 25 questions offered in English and many other languages. If you take the written test in a foreign language, you must also take a traffic signs test.
What is the new rule for senior drivers in California? ›
- California drivers aged 70 and older face special conditions when renewing or applying for a driver's license. Senior drivers are required to renew their license in person unless directed otherwise by the DMV. They must undergo a vision test and pass a multiple-choice knowledge exam.
How long does it take to study the California drivers handbook? ›
It's a large document so don't expect to finish it in a day! The best approach is to read through the entire thing, cover to cover, in about a week or so. Next, try going through the guide one section at a time.
At what age do seniors have to take a driving test in California? ›
California state rules are explained in more detail below, but a number of them focus on identifying and handling older drivers who may have become unsafe. Specifically, California: requires drivers age 70 and older to renew their licenses in person and to take both a vision test and written test when doing so.
At what age do most seniors stop driving? ›
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 20 older adults are killed and approximately 700 are injured in motor vehicle crashes each day. According to AARP, the average age that people give up driving is 75.
How often do seniors have to renew their driver's license in California? ›
Drivers 70+ must renew their DL in person at the DMV every five years.
Do you have to take a vision test to renew your license in California? ›
Renew your DL in person
Pass a vision exam. Have your photo taken. Pay the nonrefundable application fee (application and fee valid for 12 months). Pass the knowledge test(s) (if required).
Can you take the DMV written test online at home in California? ›
Take the online test. The at-home online knowledge test is available online weekdays Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on State holidays. The test is supervised remotely, so it requires you to use a webcam and cannot be done on a smartphone or tablet.
There is no law in our state that places an age limit on being able to drive, but the fact is, drivers of a certain age are more prone to making mistakes when driving.
Can I take the California written test online? ›
Take the online test. The at-home online knowledge test is available online weekdays Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on State holidays. The test is supervised remotely, so it requires you to use a webcam and cannot be done on a smartphone or tablet.
How many wrong answers are on a driving test in California? ›
Those under 18 will receive a test with 46 questions and must answer 38 of them correctly to pass. If you are over 18, your test will only have 36 questions, and you must answer 30 of them correctly.
How many questions are on the permit test in California? ›
There are 46 questions on the permit test, all of which are either multiple-choice or true/false. You will be presented with a question, example, or scenario, and then asked to respond with the correct answer. You need at least 38 correct answers to pass, equating to a passing mark of 83%.
