The California Driver Handbook

What is The DMV Handbook?

The CA Driver Handbook is a 116-page booklet published by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. It’s available for all types of drivers (including commercial and motorcycle) in a wide variety of languages (English, Armenian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Russian, Punjabi, Farsi, American Sign Language).

The DMV CA handbook and other driving manuals are meant to help new-to-California residents, as well as first-time drivers, get acquainted with the rules of the road, and understand traffic laws and safety information.

What Is Covered In the Handbook?

At a high level, the manual provides information regarding different types of licenses, state traffic laws, road signs, safe driving information, health and safety regulations, and what to expect on your examination. All of this will help you drive safely and successfully in the state of California!

DMV Information

General Information

The California Drivers License

Obtaining a Drivers License

The New Driver Examination Process

Special Section - Minors

Miscellaneous Licensing Information

Occupant Protection

Traffic Controls

Laws and Rules of the Road

Visual Search

Lane Control

Turns

Parking

Safe Driving Practices

Vehicle Positioning

Sharing the Road

Special Driving Situations

Handling emergencies

Driver Readiness

Alcohol and Drugs

Additional Driving Laws/Rules

Administrative

Online Drivers License facts and other Publications

Want to know where to find the handbook?

Good news for those of you always on the go: the California DMV now offers the Driver Handbook on mobile for iOS and Android. The app also offers sample quizzes, instructional videos, and interactive tutorials.

Prefer to do it all online? Download a PDF of the CDL handbook on the CA DMV website.

To get a hard copy of the driver's manual by snail mail, contact your local CA DMV office or call (800) 777-0133 (office hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). You can also pick up a California driving manual in person at your local DMV office.

*Updated 09/12/2024