Mature Driver Program

The Mature Driver Program is an eight-hour course for drivers 55 and older. This course covers a variety of topics of special interest to the mature driver and is available from DMV approved course providers.

Your insurance company may offer discounts for those who complete the class and receive a completion certificate. The certificate is valid
for three years and can be renewed by completing a four-hour course.

Pedestrian Responsibilities

Pedestrians (including joggers) should be aware of traffic conditions. Watch out for aggressive drivers before assuming that you have the right-of-way when crossing a street.

Be aware that hybrid and electric vehicles are virtually silent when running on electric power and you may not hear them approaching an intersection.

Yield the right-of-way to vehicles, when you cross a street between intersections and in areas with no pedestrian crosswalks or signals. remember: Making eye contact with a driver does not mean that the driver will yield the right-of-way. Do not suddenly leave a curb or other safe place and walk or run into the path of a vehicle close enough to be a danger to you. This is true even though you are in a crosswalk. The law states that drivers must always yield the right-of-way to a pedes-trian-but if the driver cannot stop in time to avoid hitting you the law will not prevent you from being hit.

Always obey traffic signals. Whether the intersection has pedestrian signals or traffic lights, you must obey the pedestrian rules (see pages 23-26). At an intersection where traffic is not controlled by signals, drivers are required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within any crosswalk, marked or unmarked.
When a signal first changes to green or "WALK", look left, right, and then left again, and yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection before the signal changes. If the signal begins blinking or changes to "DON'T WALK," or to an upraised hand after you have gone part way across a divided street, you may continue across the street.

Do not stop or delay traffic unnecessarily while crossing a street. Pedestrians are not permitted on any toll bridge or highway crossing, unless there is a sidewalk and signs stating pedestrian traffic is permitted.

If there are no sidewalks, walk facing oncoming traffic (see graphic). Do not walk or jog on any freeway where signs tell you that pedestrians are not allowed. Do not walk or jog in a bike lane unless there is no sidewalk.
At night, make yourself more visible by:

•    Wearing white, light , or reflective material clothing.

•    Carrying a flashlight.

Driving Schools

When learning to drive, you should seek qualified instruction, either with an accredited public or private high school or a state licensed professional driving school.

DMV licenses professional schools and instructors in California that meet rigid qualifying standards. Schools must carry liability insurance, hold a bond, and maintain complete records for DMV inspection. Vehicles are subject to annual inspection. Instructors must pass a written examination every three years or show proof of continuing education in the traffic safety field. If you use the services of a professional driving school, ask to see the instructor's identification card. Go online at www.dmv.ca.gov or refer to the fast fact brochure Selecting a Driving School (FFDL 33) for additional information.

Free ID Cards for Physical and Mental (P&M) Conditions

Drivers with physical or mental (P&M) conditions may need to be reexamined from time to time by a physician, or be retested more often than every five years by a DMV examiner to obtain a limited-term driver license.

Drivers who are no longer able to drive safely because of a P&M condition may exchange their
valid driver license for a no-fee ID card, if certain guidelines are met. Go online at www.dmv.ca.gov or call 1-800-777-0133 for additional information.

Identification (ID) Card

DMV issues ID cards to persons of any age. To obtain an original ID card, you must present a birth date/ legal presence verification document (see page 3) and provide your social security number (see page 13). The ID card is valid until the sixth birthday after the issue date. The fee for an ID card may be reduced, if you meet certain income requirements for specific public assistance programs.

NOTE: Governmental or non-profit organizations determine whether an individual meets the requirements for a reduced-fee ID card.

If you are age 62 or older, you may obtain a free Senior Citizen ID card that is good for 10 years.