California
DMV Practice Test

Few states offer more to explore than California and having a California driver’s license is one of the keys to enjoying everything the state has to offer. If you want to earn your license you’ll need to pass the California driving test. The test has two parts, a knowledge test and a skills test. In our practice knowledge tests, you will have to answer test questions that are very similar to the official California Driving written knowledge test. You will be presented with 36 questions and you must answer 30 questions correctly to pass. If you are over 18, our California DMV practice test will match the number of questions that you’ll see on the official test. If you are under 18, the official license test you take will contain 46 questions and you’ll need 38 correct answers to pass. To begin your practice test, click the “Start Test” button below.

1 / 36

In open country at night you should drive with

parking lights.

no headlights.

high-beam headlights.

low-beam headlights.

2 / 36

Drive into a special "turnout" area if you need to

allow vehicles to pass you.

park for the night.

exit the highway.

go to the bathroom.

3 / 36

You should signal for at least _____ before changing lanes on the freeway.

50 feet

1/4 mile

3 seconds

5 seconds

4 / 36

When approaching a school zone while children are outside, you must drive no faster than 25 mph if you are within ________ feet of the school.

500-1000

400-600

50-100

100-200

5 / 36

To make sure you are not driving in a truck's blind spot, you should:

Honk twice and wait for a response.

Look for the truck driver's side view mirrors.

Always pass the truck on the right side.

Remain at least 200 feet behind trucks at all times.

6 / 36

Tailgating other drivers:

Reduces the chance of collision

Is a great way to save gas

Is encouraged to make room for other drivers behind you

Can anger other drivers

7 / 36

Is talking on your cell phone permitted while driving?

Yes, but only if you are driving the speed limit.

No.

Yes, but only if you are not in the city.

Only if you are using a hands-free device.

8 / 36

If you are involved in a collision, you should not _____.

Speed away without stopping.

Stop.

Call 9-1-1 to report the accident.

Share your information with others involved in the accident.

9 / 36

You have consented to take a test for the alcohol content of your blood, breath, or urine:

Only If you have been pulled over for suspected drunk driving.

Only if you have already been convicted of drinking and driving.

Only if an accident has occurred.

Whenever you drive in the state of California.

10 / 36

How much space does an airbag need to safely inflate?

5 inches.

None.

10 inches.

24 inches.

11 / 36

Safe driving requires personal responsibility to use ______

Experience and a willingness to share the road.

Sound judgement, reflexes, experience, and a calm demeanor.

Sound judgement, reflexes, experience, and common sense.

None of the listed answers.

12 / 36

You are involved in a minor collision at an intersection. No one is injured and the damage is minor, what should you do?

Stop traffic until you get instructions from law enforcement

Move your car into the middle of the road

Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible

Leave your vehicle and call the authorities

13 / 36

After an accident, the most important thing you can do to reduce the chances of secondary crashes is:

Stand in the roadway and wave your arms.

If possible, move your vehicle out of the traffic lane.

Open your doors.

Manually signal traffic to drive around.

14 / 36

When traveling at 55 mph with quality tires, new brakes, and dry pavement, how far will your car travel before it comes to a complete stop?

200 ft.

400 ft.

300 ft.

500 ft.

15 / 36

When you see this sign you should stop and:

Check traffic in all directions before proceeding

See if someone is quickly approaching from behind

Let all vehicles that arrive before or after you go first

Look for vehicles to your right

16 / 36

When should you turn on your headlights?

Any time in open country with a clear road ahead.

After sunrise.

When it is raining hard.

Before noon.

17 / 36

You must notify the DMV within 5 days if you:

Paint your vehicle of a different color

Have driven without insurance

Have allowed your license to expire

Sell or Transfer your vehicle

18 / 36

Children must be restrained in approved child safety seats until they are:

6 years of age or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

7 years of age 4 feet tall.

8 years of age or until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall.

There are no regulations on child safety seats.

19 / 36

What is the DMV's standard vision requirement?

30/90

20/40

20/80

20/100

20 / 36

A space cushion around your vehicle allows you to

Have drivers weave around you more effectively

Have time to react if another driver makes a mistake

Drive well below the speed limit if you choose

It inflates to protect you from injury in case of a collision

21 / 36

Driving under the influence of any medication which impairs your driving is permitted

with written permission from a medical professional

if it is prescribed by a physician

under no circumstances

as long as you are not on a highway

22 / 36

When are minors allowed to talk on cell phones while driving?

Never.

Whenever they choose.

Only during an emergency.

If they are talking to their parents.

23 / 36

What is the maximum speed limit on most of the highways in California?

60 mph.

50 mph.

75 mph.

65 mph.

24 / 36

If weather conditions require the use of windshield wipers, you must also

stay five car lengths from the car in front of you.

reduce your speed by half.

have your headlights on.

slow down.

25 / 36

What does this sign mean?

A hospital is ahead.

Prepare to stop.

You must turn left or right ahead.

There is a side road ahead.

26 / 36

May you park your vehicle beside a white curb?

Not without a permit.

Yes, but only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers or mail.

Yes, if you are handicapped.

No.

27 / 36

If you are caught cheating on the California drivers test, what are the consequences?

You will be given a warning and a new date to take the test.

Any testing aids will be confiscated, and your score on the test will be lowered by a certain amount.

The test will be marked a "failure" and the DMV may take action against your driving privilege and anyone who assisted you.

You will be given one chance to take the test again.

28 / 36

If your vehicle has a lap belt and also a separate shoulder belt, you are

Only required to use the lap belt

Required to use both

Not required to use either if the car has an airbag

Only required to use the shoulder belt

29 / 36

You may be considered a "negligent operator" under the Negligent Operator Treatment System if your driving record shows the following "point count" totals:

12 points in 12 months, 24 points in 24 months, or 36 points in 36 months.

8 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 16 points in 36 months.

9 points in 12 months, 12 points in 24 months, or 15 points in 36 months.

4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months.

30 / 36

According to California's "Basic Speed Law" says you must

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions

Always drive at the posted speed limit

Remain under the posted speed limit at all times

Keep your speed close to that of other traffic

31 / 36

To sign up to donate your organs and tissue for transplantation upon your death, you should do what?

Notify the DMV by phone.

Coordinate with your family and doctor.

Check the "YES! Add my name to the donor registry." when applying or renewing your license.

Fill out the online form on the DMV website.

32 / 36

If a street has a center left turn lane, a person should not drive more than _________ in the center left turn lane.

75 feet

50 feet

100 feet

200 feet

33 / 36

A road with a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means that vehicles

Are not allowed to pass

Can pass if they are on the side with the broken line

In both directions may pass

Next to the solid line may pass

34 / 36

If you start to skid,

stop braking.

all answers are correct.

ease off the gas pedal.

turn in the direction of the skid.

35 / 36

If a 19 year old is caught in their vehicle with an open alcoholic beverage, which of the following can happen?

The court may fine them up to $1,000.

Their driving privilege may be revoked for one year, or issuance of their license may be suspended for one year.

All of the listed answers.

The vehicle may be impounded for 30 days.

36 / 36

When you park facing up a hill and there is no curb, you should turn your front wheels:

Parallel to the road.

Toward the side of the road.

Away from the side of the road.

You should not park there.

Your score is

The average score is 88%

3.7/5 - (12 votes)

How To Get A California Driver's License

There are certainly some hoops that you need to jump through to get a California driver’s permit or license. While there is some legwork to do to earn your license, it’s not an insurmountable task. We’ll walk you through the necessary steps and documentation to help you get comfortable with the process and ready to hit the road.

What are the age requirements for getting a California instruction permit and driver’s license? You can apply for your permit at age 15 ½ by going to your local California DMV location. At this age, you’ll need to complete a licensed driver’s education course, pass the DMV written knowledge test and pass the vision test to earn an instruction permit.

What are the steps for obtaining an instruction permit in California? For aspiring drivers under the age of 18, they will be required to complete an application. You can receive a permit if a parent or legal guardian signs your driver’s license or ID application. You will also need some documents and information:

Proof of insurance
Social security number
Legal proof of ID - such as a birth certificate or passport
Proof of residency

For minors less than 17.5 years old, they will also need to prove that they have completed or are in the process of completing a state-approved driver’s education program. People between 17.5 and 18 years old can obtain an instruction permit without driver’s ed certification, but will still need to turn 18 before they can take the driver’s test to earn their license.

For those who have moved to California after completing driver’s training out of state, California’s DMV will acknowledge the training if the school provides the necessary information on official letterhead, signed by a school official from the California DL33 form.

How To Pass the California Driver's License Test

Practice makes perfect, and that certainly holds true when it comes to preparing for your driving test. The number one piece of study material you’ll need to spend time with is the California Driver’s Manual. The manual contains everything you’ll need to know to pass the test, but it can be hard to digest so you’ll definitely want to supplement it with other tools. It can be worthwhile to utilize free resources like this site’s California permit practice test, which contains questions similar in format and content to what you’ll see on the official DMV test. As you progress through the driver’s manual, take these practice tests and record your scores to see how you’re progressing. If you’re struggling with questions related to signs, you can try our road signs practice test and work to improve in that area as well.

Second Content Inline Ad

Where to find a California driver’s manual?

Any DMV office should have a free copy on hand for you, or you can also find downloadable copies in a number of languages on the California DMV website here.

California License Frequently Asked Questions

You can renew your license in person at any California DMV location, by mail, or online. There are some stipulations for the latter two options. You can only renew by mail if your license expires in less than 60 days, are under age 70, do not have any current suspensions, and have not had two consecutive mail-in renewals. You can renew online if you received a renewal ID number by mail, can pay via credit card, and still have the same address from your previous license.

While some states require additional testing or an eye test during a license renewal, California does not require these unless a physician specifies the need for an eye test.

All is not lost if you fail your first attempt at the road test. California does require that you wait at least two weeks before scheduling your next test, however. You are allowed three attempts to pass the test before the DMV will require you to start the entire application process over again.

More than anything, you need to convince your evaluator that you are a safe and confident driver who can manage a vehicle on your own. Common skills you’ll be expected to demonstrate during your road test typically include:

Maintaining an acceptable speed - not too fast, and not too slow.
Understanding of right of way.
Completely stopping and proceeding at intersections.
Using proper driving mechanics, like keeping both hands on the wheel.
Safely parking the vehicle.
Stopping behind crosswalks.
Safely moving the car while in reverse.
Changing lanes and merging into traffic.

If you have a valid out of state license you have ten days to apply for a California license. If you have a current copy of your license, you can surrender it and you can avoid taking the California driver’s test. If you don’t have your current license, you’ll be required to take the California DMV test.

Additional Information

Information on the California Department of Motor Vehicles

Student testing and licensing in California is handled by the California DMV. Use the information below to contact them for any questions you have about licensing, or scheduling testing and training.

Website: https://www.dmv.ca.gov
Phone: 800.368.4327

To find the California DMV location nearest you please visit: https://drivingtestsample.com/dmv-locations/california/

Additional California Drivers License Helpful Links

The links below can help you answer common questions people have about the California driver’s license test or other California driver’s license-related topics.

Even More California Drivers Tests

We have put together ten additional tests to help you practice for your California Driver's License. Click below and get practicing!

California DMV Practice Test