DMV Vehicle Code Definitions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'stopping' mean as legally distinct from 'parking' in the Vehicle Code?
- Any time a vehicle comes to rest
- Halting momentarily, often briefly, for purposes such as picking up or discharging passengers (Correct answer)
- A vehicle at rest with the engine off
- Stopping only at traffic control devices
Correct answer: Halting momentarily, often briefly, for purposes such as picking up or discharging passengers
Stopping typically refers to a brief halt, such as for picking up or discharging passengers, which is distinct from standing or parking.
Question 2: What is a 'bicycle lane' as defined under the Vehicle Code?
- Any lane where bicycles are permitted to travel
- A portion of a roadway designated by striping, pavement markings, and signs for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles (Correct answer)
- A sidewalk shared between pedestrians and cyclists
- Any marked path adjacent to a roadway
Correct answer: A portion of a roadway designated by striping, pavement markings, and signs for the preferential or exclusive use of bicycles
A bicycle lane is specifically a portion of the roadway designated by markings and signs for preferential or exclusive bicycle use.
Question 3: How does the Vehicle Code define 'driver' or 'operator'?
- Only the licensed person listed on the vehicle registration
- A person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle (Correct answer)
- Any occupant in the front seat of a vehicle
- The owner of the vehicle when it is in operation
Correct answer: A person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle
A driver is any person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle, regardless of whether the vehicle is moving.
Question 4: What is 'owner' defined as under the Vehicle Code?
- The person whose name is on the title
- A person having all the incidents of ownership, including the legal title, or one who has the immediate right of possession and use under a security agreement (Correct answer)
- The person primarily responsible for insuring the vehicle
- Anyone who makes payments on a vehicle loan
Correct answer: A person having all the incidents of ownership, including the legal title, or one who has the immediate right of possession and use under a security agreement
Owner includes both the titleholder and someone with immediate right of possession under a security agreement, such as a lessee.
Question 5: What is an 'alley' under the Vehicle Code?
- Any road less than 25 feet wide
- A highway having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width that is used primarily for access to the rear or side of lots or buildings (Correct answer)
- A private road between buildings
- A one-way road in a residential area
Correct answer: A highway having a roadway not exceeding 25 feet in width that is used primarily for access to the rear or side of lots or buildings
An alley is a highway with a roadway 25 feet or less in width that provides rear or side access to lots or buildings.
Question 6: Under Vehicle Code definitions, what is a 'through highway'?
- Any interstate highway
- A highway or portion thereof at the entrance to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required to yield right-of-way or stop (Correct answer)
- A road without traffic signals
- A highway with no at-grade railroad crossings
Correct answer: A highway or portion thereof at the entrance to which vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required to yield right-of-way or stop
A through highway requires cross traffic to yield or stop before entering, giving through traffic a continuous right-of-way.
Question 7: What does 'conviction' mean in the context of the Vehicle Code?
- Only a jury verdict of guilty
- A final judgment of guilty or a plea of guilty, no contest, or forfeiture of bail, in any court (Correct answer)
- A criminal record resulting in jail time
- A citation that has been paid
Correct answer: A final judgment of guilty or a plea of guilty, no contest, or forfeiture of bail, in any court
A conviction under the Vehicle Code includes guilty verdicts, guilty or no-contest pleas, and even forfeiture of bail — all of which can add points to a driving record.
DMV Vehicle Code Definitions 5
What does 'stopping' mean as legally distinct from 'parking' in the Vehicle Code?