This is it, folks: we’re at the pinnacle of the autumn season. Just about this time, right around Halloween (happy trick-or-treating, by the way!) is when the season starts to get really good. The leaves are in their full bloom of color, putting on a show for all the foliage friends. The air is cooler, pumpkins are harvested, hot apple cider is steaming, and hayrides are rambling across fields. It’s a pretty picture, right?
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So, around these few weeks we know that lots of folks like to take road trips. Particularly in the state of California, where nature generally likes to show off. But specifically now, with all the brightness of the changing season, the Golden State has a lot to display for the hungry-eyed drivers who grace her highways.
In this vein – since as you know, we are uber focused on all things automotive – we thought we’d go over some basic driving etiquette in the state of California. Because whether it’s your first time driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, your hundredth time winding through the roads of Northern Wine Country, or a maybe just a casual foray down the Avenue of the Giants, California has no shortage of blissfully scenic road trips available for your sensory delight.
In fact, there are over 386,000 miles of road waiting for you in California!
Here are some helpful reminders of what to expect as far as rules, regulations, and tips while driving all across the left coast:
- In order to drive in California, you must be provisionally licensed and be a minimum of sixteen years old with a supervising co-pilot, or be eighteen years old with a full driver’s license. If you happen to be visiting from another country, California does accept international driving licenses as form of permission.
- Seat belts are a must in all private vehicles – no exceptions here.
- Speed limits throughout the state will normally range from 25 mph on city streets all the way up to 65 mph on highways. If you haven’t seen a speed sign in a while, it’s best to err on the side of caution and follow these two limit guidelines, as this is strictly enforced.
In California, as in the rest of the country, drivers and traffic operate on the Right side of the road.
- At a traffic light, unless there is a posted sign prohibiting turns while the light is red, turning right on red is permitted. Remember, this is allowed only after you’ve come to a complete stop and have ascertained there is no oncoming traffic, and thus it is safe to proceed.
- No matter the intersection, pedestrians always have the right of way. Even if there are no painted lines indicating a crosswalk, California still considers any crossing a place for walkers to legally make their way from one side to the other. (Unless there is a posted sign indicating that crossing is prohibited.) Drivers are always expected to yield and stop.
- Drinking and driving is a massive no-no. Laws against drunk driving are very strict in California, and anyone caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher will likely be arrested and possibly subject to the loss of their license.
When they say hands-free, they really mean it.
- It is unlawful in the state of California to read, write, or send a text message (or email) while driving. Meaning, you cannot touch your phone while you’re in the driver’s seat. You can engage in a phone conversation, however, provided that you are completely hands free at all times.
- If you’ve got precious cargo with you – children, that is – the law states that any child under the age of eight must be safely tucked into a car seat or booster chair in the back seat of the vehicle. If you’ve got a giant for a kid who’s taller than 4’9” (basketball career, anyone?!) the child can seat without a booster chair, relying solely on a safety belt in the back seat. Also, if you’ve got a kid who is six years old or younger, you are not permitted to leave your little tyke in the car alone.
Kids under six must always be accompanied by a guardian of some sort while waiting in a parked car. And that can be anyone from age 12 or older!
- When looking for parking, here are handy signs to remember:
- A curb that is painted red indicates that parking is Not allowed
- A curb painted green means that you can park, but only for a limited time
- A curb that’s sporting yellow or white paint means you are only allowed to load or unload a vehicle there – No parking allowed
And there you have it – a handy reminder of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to driving in the state of California. Drive refreshed, awake, alert, and with courtesy, and you’ll be great. And maybe send us a few spans of all that mountain foliage, eh. We kid, we kid. But you already know this, don’t you!
What you may not be aware of is that if your road trip is more of a reconnaissance mission and you’re planning to move to California, you’ve just stumbled on an excellent resource. Here at eTags we provide Golden State residents and transplants with a quick and easy way to transfer local and out-of-state titles, replace lost or damaged titles, replace lost license plates or stickers, and renew registration.
Yep, we do all that. And it’s super simple too. Just head over to our easy-to-navigate site, choose California as your state from our drop-down menu, and choose the service that best suits your current needs. Each step comes with prompts to assist you in getting to where you need to go. But if you feel like you need a hand with any of it, you can always, always feel free to reach out to us. Because as you know, here at eTags, we’re here to help!
