California DMV Driving | Laws and Rules of the Road in Los Angeles CA

California DMV Driving Rules

If you're thinking to take a trip to Los Angeles or LAX with some family or friends, then you will need to rent or hire a 12 & 15 seat passenger van in LAX Van Rentals. International licenses and driver’s licenses issued in your state or country is acceptable in California as long as it's valid where it was issued and you don't need to register with the DMV. However you need to know how to drive a passenger van and what are California's road rules and driving laws.
California's driving rules and road regulation are summarized in The California Driver's Handbook, and also accessible in booklet form from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (the DMV) at any DMV office or the head office in Southern California.

There are a few points that we would like to mention:

Please do not drive over speed limit or 65 miles per hour, whichever is lower.

Carpool or Multiple Occupancy Lanes: Carpool lane is a restricted traffic lane for exclusive use of vehicles with a driver and one or more passengers. So if you rent a passenger van with at least 2 or 3 occupants you can use carpool lanes.

Updated Toll Roads & FasTrak Information (2025)

Most public highways in California are free, but some toll roads and bridges require payment. Cash payments are no longer accepted on most toll roads. You must pay using FasTrak, online payment, or license plate billing. To avoid fines, set up electronic payment options before using toll roads.

Current Toll Roads & Bridges in California (Fully Automated, No Cash)

San Francisco Bay Area:

Golden Gate Bridge (southbound only) – No cash; pay via FasTrak, online, or invoice.
Bay Area Express Lanes – Toll lanes on I-580, I-680, I-880, SR 237, and US 101 require FasTrak.

Southern California:

Orange County Toll Roads: SR 73, SR 133, SR 241, and SR 261 – FasTrak or license plate billing required.
Los Angeles Metro ExpressLanes: I-10 and I-110 require a FasTrak transponder.
San Diego Toll Roads: SR 125 (South Bay Expressway) – Accepts FasTrak & online payment.
Riverside Express Lanes: I-15 Express Lanes require FasTrak.

High-Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes & Express Lanes:

I-680 Contra Costa, I-580, I-880, I-15, I-10, and I-110 Express Lanes.
Some lanes allow free travel for carpools (HOV-2 or HOV-3+), but a FasTrak transponder is required.

Important Toll Payment Options

FasTrak – The best way to pay for tolls across California (prepaid transponder).
License Plate Billing (One-Time Payment) – Pay online within five days of using a toll road.
Metro ExpressLanes Account – Required for some LA express lanes.
Pay By Mail – If you don't prepay, you'll receive an invoice via mail (higher fees apply).

Visitors who do not have FasTrak should avoid "FasTrak Only" lanes and use lanes marked "Toll Pay by Plate" or "Express/Cashless Tolls" where available.

For the latest updates and payment options, visit www.bayareafastrak.org (Bay Area) or www.thetollroads.com (Orange County).

Driving under the influence(DUI) is the act of driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs to the degree that mental and driving skills are impaired. Drunken driving with blood levels of alcohol in excess of a legal limit a criminal offense in most nations as well as USA. In California depending on your age, any previous convictions and license type you could face license suspension (30 days to 12 months), major fines ($1400 to $2600), community service, jail (4 days to 6 months), DUI school and more. If you refuse to submit to a chemical test upon being pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving you may face additional license suspension, penalties and fines.
Seat Belt: The driver and all passengers must wear seat belt. If the passenger is under 16 years of age, the driver may be cited if the passenger is not wearing the seat belt. Childeren under the age of eight years and who is less than 4 feet 9 inches tall, should be secured in approved child passenger restraint system, and ride in the back seat of a vehicle.
School bus: School bus are special yellow buses clearly marked "School Bus". The most basic law is on a two-lane road you must stop in both directions for a school bus with its red lights flashing and/or stop sign out, and remain stopped as long as the red lights are flashing. The fine for passing a public school bus with its lights flashing is $394. When passing through a school zone there are signs that list a decreased speed limit and say when "children are present.
Pedestrian: Approximately 22 percent of all traffic fatalities belongs to pedestrian deaths. Always stop for any pedestrian crossing at corners or other crosswalks. Drive carefully once pedestrians are near because they may unexpectedly cross your path.
Metering light: is a basic traffic light (red and green only, no yellow) that regulates the flow of traffic entering freeways depends on traffic conditions. It is the use of traffic signals at freeway often at the side of the ramp at driver level; when they're in use (usually during commute rush hours) to manage the rate of vehicles entering the freeway.

For more information please visit DMV website and also check California's driving rules and road regulation that are summarized in The California Driver's Handbook. You will find this booklet in your rental car glove box.