In California, you're generally required to drive on the right half of the road. However, there are exceptions: when overtaking another vehicle; making a lawful left turn; if the right half is closed for construction; on one-way roads; when the road isn't wide enough; or if moving slowly and it's safe to drive on the right edge temporarily. Bicycles can operate on shoulders, sidewalks, or bike paths unless local rules say otherwise. Transit buses in specific districts can use highway shoulders under certain programs.

When riding a bicycle on a road or the side of a highway, you must go in the same direction as the cars.

If a highway is divided by physical barriers or marked sections, you can't drive over or across these barriers, and you can't make U-turns or left turns except in designated openings. You must drive on the right side of such dividers. Driving on the wrong side is typically a misdemeanor, but if done intentionally and someone gets hurt or killed, tougher penalties apply, including possible imprisonment.

This law makes it illegal to drive from a service road onto the main highway or from the main highway onto a service road unless you use an opening that is specifically made for crossing the dividing area between the two. Essentially, you can't just cross over wherever you feel like it; you have to use the designated openings.

In California, if you're driving slower than the normal traffic speed on a highway, you should stay in the right-hand lane or as close as you can to the right curb. This rule doesn't apply if you’re passing another vehicle or getting ready to make a left turn. If you're caught not doing this, it’s considered clear evidence you're breaking the rule. The Department of Transportation and local authorities can put up signs to remind drivers to keep slow-moving traffic in the right lane.

This law allows the Department of Transportation or local authorities to designate specific lanes on highways for vehicles that must travel at reduced speeds, like trailer buses and certain heavy vehicles. These lanes are intended to improve traffic flow and safety. Signs must be posted to inform drivers when these lanes are designated.

If these designated lanes are marked, trailer buses and other specific vehicles must use them. If no specific lanes are marked, these vehicles should stay in the right-hand lane or as close to the curb as possible. On highways with four or more lanes in one direction, these vehicles can also use the lane immediately next to the right-hand lane unless other rules prohibit it.

Exceptions to these rules include situations where the driver prepares for turns or must switch lanes to continue on their route. Outpacing another vehicle is allowed using either the designated lane, the immediate left lane, or the rightmost lane, according to what's permitted.

If you're driving on a highway in California, you can't use lanes marked for buses or public transit unless a police officer or a traffic sign says otherwise. However, it's okay to briefly use these lanes if you need to turn or enter/exit a highway, as long as there aren't any signs or barriers stopping you. Local authorities and transit agencies are responsible for putting up signs that clearly show which lanes are transit-only and when those rules apply. These rules are all about making sure public transit has the space it needs to operate smoothly.

This law allows the Department of Transportation and local authorities to designate lanes on highways for high-occupancy vehicles (HOV) to reduce traffic and encourage carpooling. Before setting up these lanes, they need to assess how the lanes will affect safety and traffic flow. Signs and signals need to inform drivers about who can use these lanes and when. Generally, only vehicles with multiple passengers, motorcycles, mass transit vehicles, marked blood transport vehicles, and paratransit vehicles can use these lanes unless a sign says otherwise.

In emergencies, mass transit vehicles can use these lanes, even if not carrying enough people. The law states that these rules should only apply if they don't lead to a loss of federal highway funds. Blood transport vehicles can use these lanes if confirmed by transportation authorities that this use won't impact federal funds, and this must be posted online. The goal of these rules is to ease traffic congestion and promote fuel conservation and lower pollution.

This law outlines the process for establishing highway lanes reserved for high-occupancy vehicles (HOV). If the California Department of Transportation wants to create or expand HOV lanes on highways within a transportation planning agency's area, it must first get approval from that agency or commission.

Specifically, for Route 101 in Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission must approve by at least a two-thirds majority.

For HOV lanes in unincorporated areas of Alameda County, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission must evaluate whether the lanes are effectively reducing congestion and report on this within two years.

This law allows local authorities to designate parts of a highway specifically for use by public mass transit systems. Essentially, they can set aside lanes or sections of a road exclusively for buses or other forms of public transportation.

This law states that when driving in carpool or high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes marked by double solid lines, you cannot cross over those lines except in designated areas with broken lines. If an emergency vehicle with lights or siren comes up, you must leave the HOV lane safely. Additionally, raised pavement markers can be used in place of painted lines to guide drivers.

This law allows certain low-emission vehicles with special decals to use carpool lanes, even if they only have one occupant. However, during peak traffic, local authorities can suspend this privilege if the lane becomes too congested. Drivers must correctly display decals and have the vehicle's registration in the car. It's illegal to use a decal on a vehicle not authorized for it, which is a misdemeanor. If the program for issuing these decals becomes inactive, these vehicles will have to meet the usual carpool rules. The law is set to expire on January 1, 2027, or earlier if federal authorization ends. A report on carpool lane conditions was required by late 2017 and this reporting requirement expired in 2021.

This law allows for certain lanes, like high-occupancy vehicle lanes, to be reserved for vehicles during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. These vehicles must have a special decal approved by the Department of Transportation and the California Highway Patrol, which shows they belong to the games route network. Emergency and safety vehicles can also use these lanes. Special lanes for the games are identified and managed by the Department of Transportation alongside local authorities and the games organizers. The law is only in effect until January 1, 2029.

If you're driving on a two-lane road where it isn't safe to pass, and you're going slower than the normal traffic speed, and at least five vehicles are stuck behind you, you need to pull off the road when you safely can. Stop at a turnout area marked by signs or anywhere else there's space to let those cars pass.

This law allows authorities to set specific roads or lanes to be one-way, directing traffic in just one direction. Drivers must follow the direction as shown by official traffic signs during the times indicated.

This law says that on roads with multiple lanes going in one direction, drivers need to stay in their lane as much as possible and should only change lanes when it is safe to do so. Additionally, if there are signs instructing slower traffic to use certain lanes or directing traffic to specific lanes, drivers must follow those instructions.

This law defines 'lane splitting' as a scenario where a motorcycle moves between vehicles either stopped or moving in the same lane. It applies to both two-lane and multi-lane roads. The California Highway Patrol is allowed to create safety guidelines specifically for lane splitting, aiming to protect both motorcyclists and others on the road. In forming these guidelines, they must work with various safety and transportation agencies, including the DMV, the Department of Transportation, and others focused on traffic and motorcycle safety.

On a road with three lanes, you cannot drive in the far-left lane. You can use the center lane only to pass another vehicle if you have a clear view ahead and there's no traffic, when preparing for a left turn, or if the center lane is designated for your direction of travel and marked with signs. This rule doesn’t apply to one-way streets.

When two vehicles are driving towards each other from opposite directions, they should pass each other on the right side. If the road is not divided into lanes, each driver should try to give the other at least half of the main road's space, as much as possible.

If you're driving downhill on a narrow road where two cars can't pass each other, you must let the car going uphill pass first. If needed, back up to a spot where the road is wide enough for both cars to pass safely.

If you're driving through narrow or winding areas like canyons or mountain roads in California, always keep your vehicle under control. When there's no marked centerline, you should drive as close as you can to the right side of the road. If the road is too narrow to stay completely right of center, make sure to honk your horn when you approach a curve with limited visibility, especially if you can't see 200 feet ahead.

This law states that you can't drive a motor vehicle on a sidewalk unless it's specifically allowed under certain sections or if you need to cross the sidewalk to get to or from nearby property.

This law makes it illegal for drivers to enter or leave a freeway at any place other than specific on ramps for entering and off ramps for exiting. This rule applies to freeways that have full control of access, meaning there are no intersections or traffic lights.