Ask the DMV




 

 


Do you have questions about general driving related requirements, such as registration or insurance? Are you unclear about the laws and restrictions related to driving? The California Department of Motor Vehicles offers the following answers in this column and at www.dmv.ca.gov.

Q: What should I do if I come to a traffic signal and it’s not working?

A: If a traffic signal is not working, proceed as if the intersection is controlled by a stop sign in all directions. Be careful and follow the right of way rules explained on the DMW website. It’s safe, secure and convenient.

Q: Will there be a new series of stickers available with the next generation of hybrids and plugins, particularly the Prius?

A: California legislation capped the distribution of these stickers at 85,000 and to date, all stickers have been issued. Issuance of a new series of stickers would take a statutory change in state legislation, and there are currently no plans to do so.

Additionally, all Clean Air Vehicle stickers will expire on January 1, 2011, unless the law authorizing their use is extended beyond that date.

To read more about the Clean Air Vehicle Stickers and the high occupancy vehicle lane usage, go to the DMV website.

Q: Is the driver handbook available in Spanish? Can I get it on the website?

A: Yes. The California Driver Handbook is available in eight foreign languages, including Spanish, Russian and Vietnamese, on the DMV website. The DMV wants motorists to pass their driving test and tries to make information accessible to as many people as possible.

Q: Over the past few years my vision has gotten worse. I went to the eye doctor recently and received a new prescription for my glasses. Is there anything I need to do concerning my driver license?

A: Unless you no longer meet the DMV’s screening standard, routine changes in eyeglass prescriptions do not need to be reported.

The DMV’s screening standard is at least 20/40 when both eyes are tested together and at least 20/70 in the weaker eye. Persons who recently had surgery to correct one eye for distance and the other for close-up vision may not meet the screening standard. The full vision requirements for driving class C vehicles can be found on the DMV website.

Q: When is the right time to turn on headlights? Should I wait until it gets completely dark?

A: Motorists must use your headlights 30 minutes after sunset and leave them on until 30 minutes before sunrise. Plus, motorists have to use headlights if snow, rain, fog or lowvisibility (1,000 feet or less) require the use of windshield wipers.

Take a look at the safe driving practices in the California Driver handbook online for other tips on when to use headlights, horn and emergency signals.

Readers are invited to submit their DMV-related questions to askdmv@dmv.ca.gov.

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