Topic 3 · Rules of the Road: Traffic Laws in California
When merging onto a highway you should leave:
- Three seconds of space between you and the vehicle in front — correct answer
- One car length for every 10 mph
- Half a block, as on city streets
Why
Three seconds is the space that lets you stop safely after merging. (Section 6, Merging.)
Practise this in the real format
Reading one answer is not the same as sitting the test. The simulator runs the first-time adult form: 36 questions, 6 mistakes allowed, 83% to pass.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), the document the DMV writes the real test from. Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.
More from Rules of the Road: Traffic Laws in California
- You are stopped at a red arrow and want to turn right. You may:
- In a business district, a U-turn is allowed:
- The pedestrian signal shows a flashing DON'T WALK or flashing raised hand. As a driver you should know that:
- You may legally turn left on red only when:
- When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, the law requires you to:
- When you finish parallel parking, your vehicle should be within: