Correspondent

Amy Bentley

A newspaper, magazine and online journalist in Southern California for three decades, Amy Bentley has written about nearly every topic imaginable, from business and community news to the environment, travel, the justice system, parenting and more. Her writing portfolio can be viewed online at amybentley.contently.com.

People walk through the rain at the Arleta DMV in Arleta on Thursday, November 20, 2025. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

What’s required when renewing your driver’s license if you’re over 70?

May 27, 2026 at 7:38 a.m.

In October 2024, rules for renewing a license for those 70 and older changed, writes Amy Bentley

An entry to the westbound San Bernardino Express Lanes on the 10 Freeway near Etiwanda Avenue in Ontario is seen Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. The toll lanes, which are set to open early Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, will run in both directions of the 10 from Etiwanda Avenue to the San Bernardino County/Los Angeles County line in Montclair. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

AI-powered cameras will be watching 10 Freeway toll lanes in San Bernardino County

May 24, 2026 at 2:35 p.m.

The four-month pilot program will be looking out for cheaters using the HOV 3+ lanes even though they have fewer people in their vehicle.

Carpool lanes on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles County on Sept. 9, 2025. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Why do carpool lanes have different markings in different counties?

May 3, 2026 at 2:49 p.m.

The lines on the lanes are painted to help with traffic flow, a Caltrans spokesperson says.

A semi-truck makes its way toward an Amazon Fulfillment center in Eastvale on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Do out-of-state semitrucks pay California licensing fees?

April 20, 2026 at 1:17 p.m.

An Amazon warehouse in the Inland Empire has trucks registered in Indiana and a reader wants to know how that works. Columnist Amy Bentley gets the answer.

Disabled-person parking spots aren’t only for drivers. (iStockphoto/Getty Images)

The parking spot is marked for accessibility and EV charging. Do I have to have both to park there?

April 4, 2026 at 8:05 p.m.

The laws vary by city and county, so it's best to know the rules where you're going, writes Amy Bentley.

Gilman Springs Road has a center median to separate lanes of traffic, visible in this staff file photo. A Hemet reader recently asked what the law is for drivers when they encounter an emergency vehicle going the opposite direction on this road. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

What’s the law when you encounter an oncoming emergency vehicle while driving?

March 29, 2026 at 2:55 p.m.

A Hemet reader asks about the rules specific to Gilman Springs Road, but the rules apply for all roads. Amy Bentley shares more.

Traffic flows on the 15 Freeway through the Cajon Pass on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Could more speed limit signs on 15 Freeway through Cajon Pass improve traffic flow?

March 5, 2026 at 10:27 p.m.

The speed limit in that area is 70 mph, but does everyone know that? One reader asks. Amy Bentley answers.

A 210 Freeway sign in Highland. On The Road recently answered a reader’s question about whether there are plans to add lanes to the freeway between La Verne in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino in San Bernardino County. (Staff file photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

210 Freeway congestion is increasing in San Bernardino County, can another lane be added?

March 1, 2026 at 3:13 p.m.

Columnist Amy Bentley asks the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority about plans for the freeway.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles requires drivers to complete a vision test at a DMV office, but the state is considering an alternative for drivers after the passage of a new law. (Photo by Mark Acosta, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

How DMV investigates medical suspensions of a driver’s license

February 13, 2026 at 2:54 p.m.

A hospital stay for a vison-related issue had a Riverside resident going through the process to get her license back. Amy Bentley asks DMV about such instances.

A worker performs a smog check on a car as heavy rains crash down around the shop in Redlands on Wednesday, April 8, 2020. (Photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)

Why are smog checks not required for older vehicles in California?

February 1, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.

The exemption is based on a model year cutoff established in law, Amy Bentley writes.

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