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Use your passengers as helpful eyes and ears. You can ask things like, “Can you check if it’s clear on that side?” — but remember, as the driver, you are ultimately responsible for making the decision.
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Manage distractions. If passengers are being too loud or distracting, don’t hesitate to ask them to quiet down. Especially for teen drivers, early driving laws often limit passengers for this very reason — to reduce distractions.
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Teamwork makes safer driving. Good in-car communication and cooperation reduce stress and risk. Remember: you’re not competing with other drivers — you’re all trying to reach your destinations safely. Clear signals, shared awareness, and mutual respect keep the “traffic dance” smooth and crash-free.
Topic 4 · Section 27
In-Car Communication
Check you have it
179 practice questions cover defensive driving and safe driving practices, each explaining the reasoning behind its answer.
Practise this topicSource: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025). Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.