All the key numbers from the California Driver's Handbook (2025). Memorize these before your test.
| Situation | Limit / Rule |
|---|---|
| BAC limit — drivers 21+ | 0.08% |
| BAC limit — drivers under 21 | 0.01% Zero Tolerance |
| BAC limit — on DUI probation (any age) | 0.01% |
| BAC limit — commercial driver / passenger for hire | 0.04% |
| PAS trigger (under 21) | 0.05% or higher → may require breath/blood test |
| Implied Consent refusal (any age) | 1-year suspension or revocation |
| DUI record retention on driver's record | 10 years |
| DUI 1st conviction — driving privilege | Suspended or revoked for 1 year |
| Offense | Jail | Program / Filings | Driving Privilege |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st DUI conviction | Up to 6 months | DUI program + SR 22/SR 1P; IID may be ordered | Suspended/revoked 1 year |
| Test refusal (implied consent) | Set by court | SR 22/SR 1P on file; temporary license 30 days | 1-year suspension or revocation |
| Under-21 DUI (0.01%+) | Set by court | Licensed DUI program | 1-year suspension/revocation; may delay first license 1 year |
| Subsequent DUI within 10 years | Set by court | Additional DMV + court penalty | Longer suspension or revocation |
| DUI causing serious injury / death | Additional civil lawsuits may apply. Specific charge class set by court under the Vehicle Code (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov). | ||
| Road Type | Speed Limit |
|---|---|
| Basic Speed Law | Never faster than is safe for conditions |
| Most California highways (ideal conditions) | 65 mph |
| Two-lane undivided highway / towing a trailer | 55 mph |
| School zone (when children present) | 25 mph |
| Near a railroad crossing (can't see 400 ft both ways) | 15 mph |
| Alley (any road ≤ 25 ft wide) | Treat as low-speed — obey posted sign |
| Situation | Distance |
|---|---|
| Signal before turn or lane change | At least 100 feet |
| Signal before lane change at higher speed | Five seconds (~400 ft at 65 mph) |
| Following distance (ideal conditions) | 3-second rule |
| Scan ahead | 10 seconds |
| Following distance (adverse conditions) | Increase beyond 3 seconds in rain, fog, ice, or on slippery surfaces |
| No parking — fire hydrant | 15 feet MEMORIZE |
| No parking — crosswalk at intersection | 20 feet |
| No parking — sidewalk ramp for disabled | 3 feet |
| No parking — fire station driveway | 15 feet |
| No parking — intersection, bridge, tunnel, railroad crossing | 100 feet |
| Parallel park — distance from curb | Within 18 inches (and parallel to road) |
| Do not follow fire truck / law-enforcement / ambulance with lights | 300 feet |
| Dim headlights — oncoming vehicle | 500 feet |
| Dim headlights — following vehicle | 300 feet |
| Headlights on | When too dark to see persons or vehicles ≥ 1,000 feet away |
| Pass a bicyclist | At least 3 feet of clearance |
| Horn audible at | At least 200 feet |
| Airbag clearance | Sit at least 10 inches from steering-wheel airbag cover |
| Minimum tire tread depth (drive test) | 1/32 inch, uniform |
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Instruction permit minimum age | 15½ (with driver education + parent signature if under 18) |
| Permit minimum hold period before behind-the-wheel drive test | 6 months (or turn 18) |
| Supervisor (while practicing) | California-licensed driver 18+ (25+ for minors), seated close enough to take control |
| Required supervised driving hours (minors) | 50 hours total (10 hours at night) with licensed 25+ |
| Provisional driver's license minimum age | 16 (after permit, driver ed, driver training, and 50 supervised hours) |
| Nighttime curfew (first 12 months, under 18) | No driving 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. (exceptions: work, school, medical, family — with signed note) |
| Passenger restriction (first 12 months, under 18) | No passengers under 20 unless parent/guardian or California-licensed 25+ supervises |
| Cell phone rule — drivers under 18 | No wireless device use at all (incl. hands-free); emergency calls only |
| Cell phone rule — adults 18+ | Hands-free only; no texting or email while driving |
| Knowledge test retake — minor fail | 7-day wait (not counting failure day) |
| Drive test retake — minor fail | 14-day wait (not counting failure day) |
| Knowledge test attempts before reapply | 3 attempts |
| Full unrestricted privilege | Age 18 (curfew + passenger restrictions lift automatically) |
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rear-facing child restraint required | Under 2 years AND under 40 lbs AND under 3'4" tall |
| Child passenger restraint (rear seat) | Under 8 years OR less than 4'9" tall |
| May use safety belt alone | Age 8+ OR at least 4'9" tall — properly secured lap/shoulder belt |
| Rear-facing restraint in airbag-equipped front seat | Not allowed |
| Unattended child in vehicle | Illegal if child is 6 years old or younger (unless supervised by 12+) |
| Seat belts — primary enforcement | Driver and all passengers must wear a properly-fitted lap + shoulder belt |
| Ticket for unbuckled passenger under 16 | Issued to the driver |
| Coverage | Minimum Required |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury (per person / single death or injury) | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury (per accident / multiple persons) | $60,000 |
| Property damage (per accident) | $15,000 |
| Proof required | At traffic stops, collisions, and behind-the-wheel drive tests |
| Driving without proper coverage + at-fault collision | Up to 4-year driving-privilege suspension |
| California Low Cost Automobile Insurance | mylowcostauto.com · 1-866-602-8861 |
| SR 22 / SR 1P | California Insurance Proof Certificate required to reinstate after suspension |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Report collision to DMV (SR 1 form) | Within 10 days if >$1,000 damage OR injury/death |
| Report collision to law enforcement (injury/death) | Within 24 hours |
| Address change — notify DMV | Within 10 days (online: dmv.ca.gov/addresschange) |
| Buy a vehicle — transfer ownership | Within 10 days |
| Sell a vehicle — Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability | Within 5 days (dmv.ca.gov/nrl) |
| New California resident — register vehicle | Within 20 days |
| DMV administrative hearing (after DUI arrest) | Must be requested within 10 days |
| Hit-and-run / reckless driving causing injury | Driving privilege revoked |
| REAL ID requirement | Beginning May 2025 for domestic flights and federal facilities |
| Work zone fines | Increased when workers are present — obey the flagger, reduce speed, merge early |
| Organ donor registry | donateLIFEcalifornia.org |
Free, no signup · Questions verified against the official state driver manual