Professional Documents
Culture Documents
DISCLAIMER .................................II
Evaluate........................................16
INTRODUCTION ............................2
Intersections ...............................17
Motorcycles ...................................2
Increasing Visibility ....................19
Application Requirements—
Horn ..............................................22
Minors.............................................5
Adults..............................................5
Cornering......................................25
Minors.............................................5
Adults..............................................5
Clothing ..........................................7
Wobble..........................................29
Shifting gears................................11
Group Riding...............................32
Braking .........................................11
Keep the group small ....................32
Turning ..........................................12
Keep the group together ...............32
Merging cars.................................15
MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE
Cars alongside..............................16
FACTS ..........................................35
Search ..........................................16
EVADING A PEACE OFFICER ....36
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©Copyright, Department of Motor Vehicles 2007
All rights reserved.
This work is protected by U.S. Copyright Law. DMV owns the copyright
of this work. Copyright law prohibits the following: (1) reproduction of
the copyrighted work; (2) distribution of copies of the copyrighted work;
(3) preparation of derivative works based upon the copyrighted work; (4)
displaying the copyrighted work publicly; or (5) performing the copyrighted
work publicly. All requests for permission to make copies of all or any part
of this publication should be addressed to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Legal Office
Sacramento, CA 94232-3820
DISCLAIMER
This handbook is only a summary of the laws and regulations. DMV, law
enforcement, and courts follow the full and exact language of the law contained
in the California Vehicle Code. You may buy a copy of the Vehicle Code at
any DMV office or visit our website at www.dmv.ca.gov.
WHERE TO WRITE
If you have any suggestions or comments regarding this handbook, please
write to:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Customer Communications Unit M/S: C165
P.O. Box 932345
Sacramento, CA 94232-3450
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DMV INFORMATION
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offices are open the third Saturday of every month. A few offices offer
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1
INTRODUCTION TWO-WHEEL VEHICLE
LICENSE
To obtain your license, you must
REQUIREMENTS
pass a knowledge test and an
on-cycle skill test. Knowledge
California issues the following
test questions are based on
license classes for two-wheel
information, practices, and ideas
vehicle operation:
from this manual. They require
• Class M1—You may operate that you know and understand
any two-wheel motorcycle, road rules and safe riding
m o t o r- d r ive n cy c l e , o r practices. An on-cycle skill test
motorized scooter and all will either be conducted in an
vehicles listed under Class actual traffic environment or in a
M2. controlled off-street area.
NOTE:The permit and license APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
requirements in this handbook —ALL DRIVERS
pertain to two-wheel vehicles These are the requirements if you
and are referenced in Section already have a basic class driver
12804.9 of the Vehicle Code. license. Refer to the California
• Class M2—You may operate Driver Handbook for basic class
any motorized bicycle, any driver license requirements.
bicycle with an attached motor, To obtain an instruction permit
or a motorized scooter. to operate an M1/M2 vehicle on
You may obtain a Class M1 or M2 public roads, you must:
license at any DMV office which • Submit a completed DMV
provides driver license services. application form (DL 44).
Motorcycle law tests and skill tests • Pay the required application fee.
are required. • Pass an eye exam.
NOTE: Class C licensees may • Have your picture taken.
operate a motorcycle with a side • Give a thumb print.
car attached or a three-wheel
• Pass a test(s) on traffic laws and
motorcycle.
signs for the class of license
EARNING YOUR LICENSE you now have unless you have
Safe riding requires knowledge taken the test(s) within the prior
and skill. Testing two-wheel vehicle twelve months.
operators is the best measurement • Pass an additional law test on
of the skills necessary to operate motorcycle driving rules.
safely in traffic because people NOTE: The Class M1/M2 permit
often overestimate their own does not allow you to carry
abilities. DMV’s licensing passengers and you must ride
exams are designed to be scored during daylight hours only and
objectively. not on a freeway.
* The term parents means both custodial parents unless only one parent has custody, or all
legal guardians unless only one legal guardian has custody.
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heat, cold, debris, and the hot and KNOW YOUR MOTORCYCLE
moving parts of the motorcycle. There are many things on the
• Jacket and pants should cover highway that can cause you
arms and legs completely. trouble. Your motorcycle should
They should fit snugly enough not be one of them. To make sure
to keep from flapping in the that your motorcycle won’t let
wind, but still allow you to you down:
move freely. Leather or a sturdy • Read the owner’s manual first.
synthetic material offers the • Start with the right motorcycle
most protection. Wear a jacket for you.
even in warm weather to prevent • Be familiar with the motorcycle
dehydration. Many are designed controls.
to protect without getting you • Check the motorcycle before
overheated, even on summer every ride.
days.
• Keep it in safe riding condition
• Boots or shoes should be high between rides.
and sturdy enough to cover your
• Avoid add-ons and modifica
ankles and support them. Soles
tions that make your motorcycle
should be made of hard, durable,
harder to handle.
slip-resistant material. The
heels should be short so they
do not catch on rough surfaces. The Right Motorcycle
Tuck in laces so they won’t catch First, make sure your motorcycle
on your motorcycle. “fits” you. Your feet should reach
the ground while you are seated
• Gloves allow a better grip and
on the motorcycle.
help protect your hands. Your
gloves should be made of leather At minimum, your street-legal
or similar durable material. motorcycle must have:
• Headlight, taillight, brake light,
In cold or wet weather, your clothes and turn signals.
should keep you warm and dry, as • Front and rear brakes.
well as protect you from injury.
You cannot control a motorcycle • A horn and two mirrors.
well if you are numb. Riding for
long periods in cold weather can Borrowing and Lending
cause severe chill and fatigue. A Crashes are fairly common among
winter jacket should resist wind new riders. Riding an unfamiliar
and fit snugly at the neck, wrists, motorcycle adds to the problem.
and waist. Good-quality rain suits If you borrow a motorcycle, get
designed for motorcycle riding familiar with it in a controlled
resist tearing apart or ballooning area. If you lend your motorcycle,
up at high speeds. make sure the person is licensed
and knows how to ride before you want to find out about it before you
allow him/her to ride in traffic. get in traffic. Make the following
No matter how experienced you checks before every ride:
may be, ride extra carefully on • Tires—Check the air pressure,
any motorcycle that’s new or general wear, and tread.
unfamiliar to you. More than half • Fluids—Oil and fluid levels.
of all crashes occur on motorcycles At a minimum, check hydraulic
ridden by the operator for less than fluids and coolants weekly.
six months. Look under the motorcycle for
signs of an oil or gas leak.
Get Familiar With The
Motorcycle Controls • Headlights and Taillight—
Be completely familiar with the Check them both. Test your
motorcycle before you take it out switch to make sure both high
on the street. and low beams work.
If you use an unfamiliar motor • Turn Signals—Turn on both
cycle: right and left turn signals. Make
sure all lights work properly.
• Make all the checks you would
• Brake Light—Try both brake
on your own motorcycle.
controls and make sure each one
• Find out where everything is, turns on the brake light.
particularly the turn signals,
horn, headlight switch, fuel- Once you are on the motorcycle,
supply valve, and engine cut-off complete the following checks
switch. You should be able to before starting out:
find them without having to • Clutch and Throttle—Make
look for them. sure they work smoothly. The
• Know the gear pattern. Work throttle should snap back when
the throttle, clutch and brakes you let go. The clutch should
a few times before you start feel tight and smooth.
riding. All controls react a little • Mirrors—Clean and adjust
differently. both mirrors before starting.
• Ride very cautiously and be Adjust each mirror so you can
aware of your surroundings. see the lane behind and as much
Accelerate gently, take turns as possible of the lane next to
more slowly, and leave extra you. When properly adjusted,
room for stopping. a mirror may show the edge of
your arm or shoulder—but it’s
Check Your Motorcycle the road behind and to the side
A motorcycle needs more frequent that is most important.
attention than a car. If something’s
wrong with the motorcycle, you’ll
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you apply too much brake. Also, Higher speeds and/or tighter
using the front brake incorrectly turns require the motorcycle to
on a slippery surface may be lean more.
hazardous. Use caution and 4 Roll—Roll on the throttle
squeeze the brake lever, never through the turn to stabilize
“grab” it. suspension. Maintain steady
• Some motorcycles have speed or accelerate gradually
integrated braking systems that through the turn. This will help
link the front and rear brakes keep the motorcycle stable.
together when you apply the In normal turns, the rider and the
rear brake pedal. (Consult your motorcycle should lean together
owner’s manual.) at the same angle.
In slow tight turns, the rider should
Turning keep his/her body straight and
Riders often try to take curves or only lean the motorcycle.
turns too fast. When they can’t
hold the turn, they end up crossing KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE
into another lane of traffic or The best protection you can have is
going off the road. Or, they distance—a “cushion of space”—
overreact and brake too hard all around your motorcycle. If
causing a skid and loss of control. someone else makes a mistake,
Approach turns and curves with distance gives you:
caution. • Time to react.
Use four steps for better control: • Space to maneuver.
1 Slow—Reduce your speed Lane Positions
before the turn by closing In some ways the size of the
the throttle and, if necessary, motorcycle can work to your
applying both brakes. advantage. Each traffic lane gives
2 Look—Look through the turn to a motorcycle three paths of travel,
where you want to go. Turn only as indicated in the illustration.
your head, not your shoulders,
Your lane position should:
and keep your eyes level with
the horizon. • Increase your ability to see and
3 Press—To turn, the motorcycle be seen.
mustlean.Toleanthemotorcycle, • Avoid others’ blind spots.
press on the handlegrip in the • Protect your lane from other
direction of the turn. Press drivers.
left—lean left—go left. Press • Communicate your intentions.
right—lean right—go right.
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• Help you avoid wind blasts from However, avoid riding on large
other vehicles. oil and grease buildups which are
• Provide an escape route. usually found at busy intersections
or toll booths.
Select the appropriate lane position
to maximize your space cushion Following Another Vehicle
and make yourself more visible to “ Fo l l ow i n g t o o c l o s e ly ”
others on the road. (tailgating) could be a factor in
crashes involving motorcyclists.
In general, there is no “best lane
In traffic, motorcycles need as
position” for riders in which to
much distance to stop as cars.
be seen and to maintain a space
Normally, you should maintain a
cushion around the motorcycle.
two-second following distance.
Position yourself in the lane that
allows the most visibility and To gauge your following
space around you. Change your distance:
lane position as traffic situations • Ahead of you, pick out a marker
change. Only ride in paths 2 or such as a pavement marking or
3 if vehicles and other potential lamp post.
problems are on your left side. If • When the rear bumper of the
vehicles are on both sides of you, vehicle ahead of you passes
the center of the lane (path 2) is the marker, count off the
usually the best option. seconds: “one-thousand-one,
The oily strip in the center portion one-thousand-two.”
of the lane is usually no more than • If you reach the marker before
two feet wide. Unless the road you reach “two,” you are
is wet, the average oily center following too closely.
strip permits adequate traction
on which to ride safely. You can A two-second following distance
ride just to the left or right of the gives you a minimum amount of
oily strip and still be within the space to stop or swerve, if the
center portion of the traffic lane. driver ahead stops suddenly. It also
gives you a better view of potholes
and other road hazards.
LANE POSITION You will need a larger space
cushion if your motorcycle takes
longer than normal to stop.
Open up a three-second or more
following distance when the
pavement is slippery, or you cannot
see through the vehicle ahead, or
traffic is heavy, or someone may
squeeze in front of you.
When you are stopped, keep well
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• Vehicles and other traffic may anywhere traffic may cross your
move into your path and increase path. It can be in the middle of an
the likelihood of a crash. urban area or at a driveway on a
residential street. Over one-half
Think about your time and space of motorcycle/passenger vehicle
requirements in order to maintain crashes are caused by drivers
a margin of safety. You must entering a rider’s right-of-way.
leave yourself time to react if an Vehicles that turn left in front
emergency arises. of you, including those illegally
Execute turning left from the wrong lane,
Carry out your decision. To create and cars on side streets that pull
more space and minimize harm into your lane, are the biggest
from any hazard: dangers. Your use of SEE at
intersections is critical.
• Communicate your presence
with lights and/or your horn. There are no guarantees that others
will see you. Never count on “eye
• A d j u s t yo u r s p e e d by contact” as a sign that a driver will
accelerating, stopping, or yield to you. Too often, a driver
slowing. can look right at a motorcyclist
• Adjust your lane position and/ and still fail to “see” him/her.
or direction of travel. The only eyes that you can count
Apply the old saying “one step on are your own. If a vehicle can
at a time” to handle two or more enter your path, assume that it will.
hazards. Adjust your speed so Good riders are always “looking
you can deal with each hazard for trouble”—not to get into it, but
separately. Then deal with them to stay out of it.
one at a time as single hazards. Increase your chances of being
Decision-making becomes more seen at intersections. Ride with
complex with three or more your headlight on in a lane
hazards. Weigh the consequences position that provides you with
of each and give equal distance to the best view of oncoming traffic.
the hazards.
In high-risk areas, such as
intersections, shopping areas, or LARGE INTERSECTIONS
school and construction zones,
cover the clutch and both brakes
to reduce your reaction time.
INTERSECTIONS
The greatest potential for conflict
between you and other traffic is at
intersections. An intersection is
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Maintain a space cushion around on the cross street can see him/her
your motorcycle that permits you as soon as possible.
to take evasive action. If you have a stop sign or stop line,
As you approach an intersection, stop there first. Then edge forward
select a lane position that increases and stop again, just short of where
your visibility to the driver. Cover the cross-traffic lane meets your
the clutch and both brakes to lane. From that position, lean your
reduce reaction time. body forward and look around
Reduce your speed as you buildings, parked cars, or bushes
approach an intersection. After to see if anything is coming. Make
entering the intersection, move sure your front wheel stays out of
away from vehicles preparing the cross lane of travel while you
to turn. Do not change speed are looking.
or position radically. The driver Passing Parked Cars
might think that you are preparing When passing parked cars, stay
to turn. toward the left portion of your
Blind Intersections lane. This way, you can avoid
When you approach a blind problems caused by doors opening,
intersection, move to the portion drivers getting out of cars, or
of the lane that brings you into people stepping from between
another driver’s field of vision at cars. If oncoming traffic is present,
the earliest possible moment. In it is usually best to remain in
this picture the rider has moved to the center portion of the lane to
the left portion of the lane—away maximize your space cushion.
from the parked car—so the driver A bigger problem can occur
if a driver pulls away from the
curb without checking for traffic
BLIND INTERSECTION behind. Even if the driver looks,
he/she may fail to see you.
In either event, the driver might
enter your path. Slow down or
change lanes to make room for
someone to enter.
Vehicles making a sudden U-turn
are the most dangerous. They may
cut you off entirely, blocking the
whole roadway and leaving you
with no place to go. Since you
can’t tell what a driver will do,
slow down and get the driver’s
attention. Sound your horn and
continue with caution.
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Clothing
Most crashes occur in broad
daylight. Wear brightly-colored
clothing to increase your chances
of being seen. Remember, your
body is half of the visible surface
area of the rider/motorcycle
unit.
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high beam during the day and at are more likely to see your turn
night increases the chances that signal blinking and make room
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CRASH AVOIDANCE
No matter how careful you are,
there will be times when you
find yourself in a tight spot. Your
chances of getting out safely BRAKE, THEN SWERVE
depend on your ability to react
quickly and properly. Often, a
crash occurs because a rider is
not prepared or skilled in crash-
avoidance maneuvers.
Two skills critical in avoiding a
crash are knowing when and how
to stop or swerve. You can’t always
stop quickly to avoid an obstacle.
You must also be able to swerve
around an obstacle.
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angle of at least 45°. Then, make problem, take into account the
a quick, sharp turn. Edging across road and traffic conditions you
could catch your tires and throw face. Here are some guidelines that
you off balance. can help you handle mechanical
problems safely.
Grooves and Gratings
Riding over rain grooves or Tire Failure
bridge gratings may cause your You will seldom hear a tire go flat.
motorcycle to weave. This uneasy, If the motorcycle starts handling
“wandering” feeling is generally differently, it may be a tire failure.
not hazardous. Relax and maintain You must be able to tell from the
a steady speed and ride straight way the motorcycle reacts if you
across. Crossing at an angle forces have tire failure. If one of your tires
riders to zigzag to stay in the lane. suddenly loses air, react quickly
The zigzag is far more hazardous to keep your balance. Stop riding
than the wandering feeling. and check the tires as soon as
possible.
If the front tire goes flat, the
steering will feel “heavy.”A front-
wheel flat is particularly hazardous
GRATE CROSSING-WRONG because it affects your steering.
You have to steer well to keep
your balance.
If the rear tire goes flat, the back of
the motorcycle may jerk or sway
from side to side.
If either tire goes flat while
GRATE CROSSING-RIGHT riding:
• Hold the handlegrips firmly,
ease off the throttle, and keep
a straight course.
• I f b r a k i n g i s r e q u i r e d,
gradually apply the brake of
the tire that isn’t flat, if you are
sure which one it is.
• When the motorcycle slows,
MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ride to the side of the road,
You can find yourself in an squeeze the clutch, and stop.
emergency the moment something
goes wrong with your motorcycle. Stuck Throttle
In dealing with any mechanical Twist the throttle back and forth
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ONLINE SERVICE
• Renew your driver license and
vehicle registration
• Complete a change of address
• Make appointments
(except commercial driving test)
• Complete a release of liability
• Take a sample driver license test
• Order special plates
• Get forms, brochures, and handbooks
• Find answers to your questions
• Calculate registration fees
TELEPHONE SERVICE
Call 1-800-921-1117 and use the
Automated Voice Recognition System to:
Make appointments (except driving test)
OSP 07 99970
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