OK to drive with expired tags? Driving on the shoulder? Know these 18 California road laws
Understanding California’s road laws regarding driving with expired tags, making U-turns without signage, and wearing headphones while operating a vehicle is crucial for adhering to state regulations and avoiding penalties.
California drivers must stay updated on these regulations to avoid infractions, ranging from fines to license points.
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
NO. 1: CAN I GET A TICKET FOR SWITCHING LANES IN AN INTERSECTION? HERE’S WHAT CALIFORNIA LAW SAYS
Here’s what you should know about weaving in and out of traffic. | Published July 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 2: CALIFORNIA IS MAKING IT EASIER FOR SENIORS TO RENEW DRIVER’S LICENSES. HERE’S HOW
See the DMV’s newest requirements for drivers 70 and older. | Published October 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 3: CAN I WEAR MY SEAT BELT TUCKED UNDER MY ARM IN CALIFORNIA? HERE ARE THE RULES
A reader asked The Sacramento Bee if it’s legal to adjust your seat belt “to keep it chafing your neck.” | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Hanh Truong
NO. 4: IS IT OK TO MAKE A U-TURN IF THERE’S NO SIGN AGAINST IT? HERE’S WHAT CALIFORNIA LAW SAYS
And what about making a U-turn at a stop sign? | Published March 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 5: WHAT HAPPENS IF MY CAR INSURANCE LAPSES IN CALIFORNIA? YOU CAN FACE THESE PENALTIES, DMV SAYS
A reader asked How To California: “How long do you have before the insurance company reports it to the DMV?” | Published June 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 6: IS IT EVER OK TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD? HERE’S WHAT CALIFORNIA LAW SAYS
Taking an exit? Stopping to change a diaper or answer a call? Here’s what is legal and illegal to do on the shoulder of the road. | Published January 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 7: HOW CLOSE TO A STOP SIGN CAN YOU PARK? YOUR CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC LAW QUESTION, ANSWERED
What distance should drivers keep when parking close to a stop sign? | Published January 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 8: WHEN ARE FREEWAY ON-RAMP METERS ACTIVE IN CALIFORNIA? CAN I BE CITED FOR NOT STOPPING?
Have you ever wondered why the lights on highway on-ramps are sometimes powered off? | Published February 2, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 9: CAN YOU BE TOO OLD TO DRIVE IN CALIFORNIA? SEE STATE GUIDELINES FOR SENIORS
California has some special requirements for older drivers. | Published September 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 10: SACRAMENTO MAN SEES A DOG FLY OUT OF TRUCK ON HIGHWAY 50. CAN PETS LEGALLY RIDE IN THE BED?
“It didn’t even look like a dog by the time I got to it ... it was that fast.” | Published January 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brianna Taylor
NO. 11: SPEEDING IN A CALIFORNIA SCHOOL ZONE? HERE’S WHAT ‘WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT’ REALLY MEANS
Do I have to stick to the school zone speed limit while kids are on the sidewalk? In class? | Published January 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 12: IS IT OK TO RUN A STOP SIGN IN A PARKING LOT IN CALIFORNIA? ‘IT DEPENDS,’ CHP OFFICIAL SAYS
Here’s what the California Vehicle Code says about observing stop signs. | Published February 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 13: CAN YOU GET A TICKET FOR PLAYING LOUD MUSIC IN THE CAR? HERE’S WHAT CALIFORNIA LAW SAYS
How loud is too loud? | Published July 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 14: IS IT OK TO DRIVE WITH EXPIRED CAR REGISTRATION TAGS? HERE’S WHAT CALIFORNIA LAW SAYS
A Sacramento Bee reader asked about driving with outdated registration: “Has the Highway Patrol loosened their enforcement?” | Published May 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 15: DO DRIVERS HAVE TO YIELD TO CYCLISTS IN CALIFORNIA? WHAT ABOUT JAYWALKERS? WHAT LAW SAYS
Here’s who has the right of way on California roads — and when. | Published January 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 16: HOW LONG CAN I PARK ON A PUBLIC STREET? HOW CLOSE TO A STOP SIGN? KNOW THESE CALIFORNIA LAWS
From colored curbs to “no parking” signs, there are some parking laws that might not be so obvious. | Published February 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 17: CAN YOU GET A TICKET FOR FAILING TO SIGNAL A TURN? HERE’S WHAT CALIFORNIA LAW SAYS
Here’s what could happen if you forget to use your turn signal in California. | Published September 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Angela Rodriguez
NO. 18: IS IT LEGAL TO WEAR HEADPHONES WHILE DRIVING OR BIKING IN CALIFORNIA? WHAT TO KNOW
A reader asked The Sacramento Bee said they have been noticing people using headphones while driving. | Published May 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Hanh Truong
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.
This story was originally published October 14, 2024 at 3:54 PM with the headline "OK to drive with expired tags? Driving on the shoulder? Know these 18 California road laws."