Driving in Los Angeles for Visitors: Rules and Differences in 2026
Updated October 30, 2026 · By Yaniv Segal, RentCarUSA
In short: If you drive at home, you will manage in Los Angeles, but some rules are completely different. In California you may turn right on a red light after a full stop, at a "4-Way Stop" intersection cars go in the order they arrived, and you must not pass a yellow school bus with flashing red lights. Your phone must be in a holder, and speed is measured in miles per hour. Since late October 2026, the city also operates speed cameras.
What is most different? A quick comparison table
| Topic | In many other countries | In Los Angeles (California) |
|---|---|---|
| Right turn on red | Often not allowed | Allowed after a full stop, unless there is a NO TURN ON RED sign |
| Intersection without traffic lights | Right of way according to signs | 4-Way Stop: everyone stops, the first to arrive goes first |
| Speed units | km/h | Miles per hour (65 mph ≈ 105 km/h) |
| School bus | Yellow buses with a stop sign are not common | Flashing red lights mean you must stop |
| Special lane | Bus lane | Carpool lane (♦) for cars with at least 2–3 people |
| Left turn on red | Usually not allowed | Allowed only from a one-way street into a one-way street, after a stop |
How does a right turn on a red light work?
This is the first habit many visitors need to learn, and the drivers behind you will remind you with their horn if you forget. Come to a full stop before the stop line, give way to pedestrians and to cars coming from the left, and only then turn. There are three cases where it is not allowed:
- There is a NO TURN ON RED sign. This is common at main intersections in Downtown and in Hollywood.
- The traffic light shows a red arrow to the right. On a red arrow, wait for green.
- Pedestrians are crossing at the crosswalk you are turning into. In California, pedestrian right of way is strictly enforced.
What do you do at a 4-Way Stop?
In Los Angeles neighbourhoods you will find many intersections without traffic lights, with a STOP sign at each entrance and a small "ALL WAY" or "4-WAY" sign. Everyone makes a full stop, and whoever stopped first goes first. If two cars stopped at exactly the same time, the car on the right goes first. A "rolling stop" (also called a "California stop") is an offence, and police officers like to wait near these intersections.
What is a carpool lane and when can you use it?
On freeways, the left lane is marked with a white diamond and a "CARPOOL" or "HOV" sign. You may drive in it only with the number of people written on the sign, usually 2 or more and sometimes 3 or more. Children count as passengers. Some lanes have set hours of operation, and many in Los Angeles operate 24 hours a day. Enter and exit only where the line is broken. Crossing a solid double line is an offence, and the fine for driving alone in a carpool lane is usually several hundred dollars.
Note: on the I-10 and the I-110, some carpool lanes are paid ExpressLanes, and they require a FasTrak transponder even when there are several people in the car. To understand the different lane types and how this works in a rental car, read toll roads and FasTrak in Southern California.
Yellow buses, speed limits and cameras
School bus: When a yellow bus stops and turns on flashing red lights (sometimes a STOP arm also opens on the side), traffic in both directions must stop and wait until the lights turn off. The only exception is when the bus is on the other side of a divided road, or of a road with two or more lanes in each direction. The fine can be up to $1,000, and you can also lose your right to drive.
Speed: If there is no other sign, the speed limit on Los Angeles freeways is usually 65 mph (about 105 km/h), on residential streets 25 mph (about 40 km/h), and in school zones 25 mph when children are present, and sometimes even 15–20. On the I-5 in the Central Valley, on the way to San Francisco, you will sometimes see 70 mph. It is also important to know that in California you can get a ticket even when you drive below the speed limit, if your speed is not safe for the road conditions.
Speed cameras, new in 2026: The City of Los Angeles started operating speed cameras on October 26, 2026, and by the end of the year 125 cameras are expected to operate on city streets. At each site there is a 60-day period with warnings only, and after that fines of $50 for 11–15 mph over the limit, $100 for 16–25 mph over and $200 for 26 mph or more over. The fine is sent according to the licence plate, which means to the rental company, and the company passes it on to you.
Phones, alcohol, children and police
- Phone: You must not hold a phone in your hand while driving, even when stopped at a red light. The phone must be in a holder, and you may use only one touch or swipe to activate a function. For calls and navigation, use hands-free or CarPlay/Android Auto. With all the added fees, a first fine costs about $150–170 or more.
- Alcohol: The limit is 0.08% blood alcohol, and for drivers under 21 it is 0.01%. An open bottle in the car is not allowed even if you are not drinking, so keep alcohol in the trunk.
- Children: Children under 8 sit in a car seat or booster seat in the back seat, unless they are already 4'9" (about 145 cm) tall.
- Stopped by police: Pull over to the right, stay in the car, turn off the engine and put your hands on the steering wheel. Do not get out of the car and do not look for documents before the officer asks. Have ready your passport, your driving licence and the rental agreement. For details on using your licence in California, see foreign driving licences in California. If your licence is not in the Latin alphabet, an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended.
Practical tips for the first days
- Freeway exits are numbered. Your app will say "Exit 13B", and sometimes you need to move four lanes to the right within one mile. A lane marked "EXIT ONLY" takes you off the freeway even if you did not plan it.
- Rush hours: about 7:00–10:00 and 15:00–19:00. A 20-minute drive can become an hour.
- Emergency vehicles: When a vehicle with a siren comes near, move to the right and stop. When an emergency vehicle or tow truck is standing on the shoulder, change lanes or slow down.
- Parking: Most tickets that visitors get are for parking, not for driving. Read the guide to parking in Los Angeles before your first night.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive in Los Angeles with a licence from my home country?
Yes. A visitor can drive in California with a valid licence from their home country. To rent with us you also need a passport and a physical credit card in the driver's name.
What happens if I get a traffic ticket or a speed camera photo in a rental car?
The ticket goes to the owner of the car, which is the rental company, and the company passes the charge to your credit card, usually with an admin fee. Tickets and fines are not included in the rental price.
Do I need to stop for a yellow bus on a divided road?
If the bus is on the other side of a divided road, or of a road with two or more lanes in each direction, you do not need to stop. If it is travelling in your direction, you always stop.
Want to start driving as soon as you land at LAX? Get a quote for a car with full insurance and unlimited miles. For general information on long rentals, see the guide to monthly car rental in Los Angeles.