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California · Rules

Other California road laws

A few rules that don’t belong to a bigger topic: flagging a long load, what may hang from your mirror, riding in a pickup bed. Few rules, quick to learn.

Checked Oct 11, 2026 · official sources linked

8 rules · 8 written-test points

Key points, in our words

All the rules, in our words

Tags show the kind of rule and whether it’s a written-test point or matters on the drive test (our tagging). Each rule links to its official source.

  1. Smoking in a vehicle while a minor is inside is illegal and can get you fined.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

  2. Cargo extending over 4 feet past the rear bumper must carry a 12-inch square flag in red or fluorescent orange, plus two red lights at night.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

  3. Passengers may not ride in a pickup’s bed or other truck bed unless it has secured seats and seat belts; animals there must be secured too.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

  4. Nothing may hang from your mirror or block your view; small items are allowed only in set spots, like a 7-inch square in the lower passenger-side windshield corner.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

  5. Never load a vehicle so heavily that you lose control or can’t see ahead and to the sides, and never drive with an unsecured load that endangers others. On a passenger vehicle, nothing may stick out past the left fenders, or more than 6 inches past the right fenders.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

  6. A video screen the driver can see may show only vehicle information, navigation, a media player, or the radio.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

  7. Never throw a lit cigarette, cigar, or anything else burning or glowing from your vehicle. Dumping or abandoning an animal on a highway is a crime punishable by up to $1,000 in fines, six months in jail, or both.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

  8. Your license plate must stay readable, and altering a plate in any way is illegal.

    Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

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Sample questions

3 of our 16 practice questions for this chapter, with explanations. The rest are in the app.

Sample question 1/3

You’re driving with your 12-year-old in the back seat. Is it legal to smoke a cigarette if the windows are down?

  1. Yes, as long as the windows are open
  2. No; smoking in a vehicle with a minor inside is illegal and can bring a fine
  3. Yes, if the child doesn’t mind
Show answer

Answer: B. No; smoking in a vehicle with a minor inside is illegal and can bring a fine

It’s illegal to smoke in a vehicle when a minor is inside, whether or not the windows are open, and you can be fined. A child can’t get away from the smoke in a car.

California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

Sample question 2/3

You’re hauling lumber that sticks out 5 feet past your rear bumper. During the day, what must be on the end of the load?

  1. Nothing, as long as it’s tied down
  2. A white cloth of any size
  3. A reflective sticker
  4. A 12-inch square red or fluorescent orange flag
Show answer

Answer: D. A 12-inch square red or fluorescent orange flag

A load sticking out more than 4 feet beyond the rear bumper needs a red or fluorescent orange flag, 12 inches square. At night it needs two red lights. Drivers behind you need to see where your load really ends.

California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

Sample question 3/3

Your friends want to ride in the open bed of your pickup for a short trip across town. The bed has no seats or seat belts. Is that allowed?

  1. No; people may ride in a truck bed only if it has secure seats and seat belts
  2. Yes, for short trips on city streets
  3. Yes, if they sit down and hold on
Show answer

Answer: A. No; people may ride in a truck bed only if it has secure seats and seat belts

People can ride in a pickup’s bed (or any truck bed) only if it has secured seats and seat belts. Animals carried in a truck bed must be properly secured too, so they can’t fall, jump, or be thrown out.

California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont. 2)

13 more practice questions for this chapterKeep practicing in Roadfeel

Sources

Restated in our own words from the California Driver Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025) and dmv.ca.gov. The handbook is licensed CC BY-NC 4.0, which bars commercial reuse, so we don’t reproduce it; we quote short phrases and link to it.

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