• California drivers must adhere to traffic laws and rules while driving.major traffic jam 2 image by Aaron Kohr from Fotolia.com
  
  The California Department of Motor Vehicles issues driver's licenses and ID cards, vehicle registrations and titles, tags and plates, and it determines the driving rules for the state. The DMV regulates the motor vehicle industry and serves the public by promoting traffic safety through enforcing laws designed to protect everyone on California roads.
  
  

Hands Free

• California drivers are prohibited from holding cell phones while driving. California driving rules allow drivers to use their cell phones only by utilizing a hands-free device, allowing them to keep both hands on the steering wheel. Hands-free devices include Bluetooth wireless devices, using the speakerphone feature on cell phones, wired headsets and having a car kit installed. Exemptions to this driving rule are for drivers making calls to law enforcement in emergency situations. Commercial truck drivers, emergency personnel, tow truck drivers and drivers of farming vehicles are also exempt. Drivers violating this driving law will be fined $20 for the first offense and $50 for each additional offense.
  
  

Driving Permit

• California teens younger than 18 and least 15 1/2 are eligible to apply for a provisional license. Teens between 15 1/2 and 17 1/2 must have completed driver's education, have completed or are currently enrolled in a driver's training course, and be enrolled in integrated driver education and training program. Applicants must also pass a sign and traffic laws test as well as a vision test. California driving rules dictate that permit holders are allowed to drive only with adults who hold a valid California driver's license and are at least 25. Teens 17 1/2 can obtain a provisional permit without having to complete driver's education and training first. California teens can take the driver's test after having their permit for at least six months and completing six hours of professional driver training as well as 50 hours of supervised driving practice with an adult.
  
  

Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License

• California drivers who drive while their driving privileges are revoked or suspended are breaking a driving law and the only exemption is when driving a company vehicle during the course of employment. Violators of this California driving law will be punished by serving jail time between five days and six months and will be fined for an amount between $300 and $1,000. Drivers who previously committed this same offense within five years will have to serve between 10 days and one year in county jail as well as pay a fine between $500 and $2,000. If the driver is granted probation upon conviction, he will have to serve only jail time of at least 10 days.