Driving in California, and in the rest of the United States, is a privilege. All states have a system in place to test a potential driver's knowledge and skill behind the wheel before issuing a driver's license. Some traffic laws can be tricky, but if drivers are well informed about the driving laws in the state, they can avoid getting ticketed.

Some of the basic laws are easy to understand. Traffic signals, stop and yield signs, school zones, and crosswalks are all easily visible and are not complicated. For example, traffic signals use three colors, red, amber (yellow), and green. Red means to stop and green to go. Amber is used to notify drivers that the green light they are approaching is about to change to red. Whenever a driver sees an amber light in the distance, he or she should begin slowing down in anticipation of the red stop light. Arrows are also used to indicate direction. The same three colors are used with arrows, so there can be no confusion as to what to do when you see a directional signal.

Stop and yield signs are easy to follow, but school zones and crosswalks can be confusing. School zones generally mean to slow down, but this is only during school hours. The rest of the time, there are no additional speeding restrictions in a school zone. Crosswalks are important only when there are people using them, or about to use them. Drivers must slow down when a person is approaching a crosswalk.

The single most important thing to watch while driving is your speed. Going faster than the posted speed limit will almost always get you a ticket if you are seen by the police. So slow down, and pay attention to traffic signs and signals to avoid a ticket and fine.