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

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

75 mph.

60 mph.

50 mph.

65 mph.

2 / 36

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

100 feet

50 feet

75 feet

200 feet

3 / 36

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

Whenever they choose.

If they are talking to their parents.

Only during an emergency.

Never.

4 / 36

For which of the following traffic lights must you always stop your vehicle:

Solid red lights, flashing red lights and blacked out traffic signals

Flashing yellow arrows, solid red lights and flashing red lights

Solid red lights, red arrows and flashing yellow lights

Solid red lights, flashing red lights and yellow lights

5 / 36

If you approach a flashing yellow traffic signal at an intersection it means

You should stop immediately

You can pass through at full speed

You should treat the signal like a stop sign

You should slow down and be alert

6 / 36

When driving on a multilane street with two way traffic:

It is safest to drive in the lane next to the center line

Always stay in the farthest left lane

Drive along side the other vehicles so the drivers can see you

You should drive ahead or behind the other vehicles

7 / 36

While driving up a mountain road, you come up to another vehicle and there is not enough room for you to pass. What should you do?

Wait for the other vehicle to reverse back up the hill until there is room for you to pass.

Discuss your options with the other driver.

Park your car and walk.

Reverse down the hill until you find a place to pull off the road.

8 / 36

During which of the following situations should you turn on your headlights?

You should turn on your headlights whenever it is past noon.

You should turn on your headlights only when it's foggy outside.

On hilly or mountain roads, as well to help avoid head-on collisions.

You should only use your headlights at night.

9 / 36

Tailgating other drivers:

Can anger other drivers

Reduces the chance of collision

Is a great way to save gas

Is encouraged to make room for other drivers behind you

10 / 36

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

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

Are not allowed to pass

Next to the solid line may pass

In both directions may pass

11 / 36

In the case of a minor being convicted of possessing a concealable weapon or live ammunition, the court will:

Impose a 3 month suspension of driving privileges.

Suspend or revoke driving privilege.

Permanently revoke driving privileges.

None of the answers provided.

12 / 36

It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of __________ or higher

0.0012

0.0008

0.0005

0.001

13 / 36

When can a left turn be made at a red light?

When turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street

Never

When turning from a two-lane road onto a one-lane road

In rural areas

14 / 36

Written evidence of financial responsibility is needed:

When driving with other people in the vehicle.

For purchasing a car.

When a law enforcement officer requires it.

Whenever you drive.

15 / 36

To avoid last-second maneuvers, look down the road ________.

5-10 seconds

10-15 seconds

200 feet or more

2-3 seconds

16 / 36

You must notify the DMV within 5 days if you:

Have allowed your license to expire

Have driven without insurance

Paint your vehicle of a different color

Sell or Transfer your vehicle

17 / 36

If your vehicle has broken down but you are unable to move it from the road, where should you stop?

In an intersection

Near a stop sign

In the middle of the road

In a spot where your vehicle can be seen from behind

18 / 36

When should you turn on your headlights?

After sunrise.

Before noon.

When it is raining hard.

Any time in open country with a clear road ahead.

19 / 36

What does this sign mean?

Prepare to stop.

A hospital is ahead.

There is a side road ahead.

You must turn left or right ahead.

20 / 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.

The vehicle may be impounded for 30 days.

All of the listed answers.

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

21 / 36

Out of state drivers over the age of 18 can drive in California as long as they _________.

Have California license plates.

Drive with their headlights on at all times.

Apply for special permission to drive in California.

Possess a valid driver license from their home states.

22 / 36

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

Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible

Stop traffic until you get instructions from law enforcement

Leave your vehicle and call the authorities

Move your car into the middle of the road

23 / 36

This sign means:

Be prepared to stop if the light is flashing

A traffic light is out

There is a traffic signal ahead

Three lane road ahead

24 / 36

As you approach a school bus from behind it displays yellow flashing lights at the top. You must:

Be prepared to stop.

Drive alongside the bus until it stops.

Stop immediately.

Pass quickly.

25 / 36

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

Always pass the truck on the right side.

Honk twice and wait for a response.

Look for the truck driver's side view mirrors.

Remain at least 200 feet behind trucks at all times.

26 / 36

Why should you always check for motorcycles before changing lanes?

Motorcycles always have the right of way.

Motorcycles can change lanes without signaling.

Motorcycles have different speed limits.

They can be difficult to see.

27 / 36

The California "Basic Speed Law" means that

you must never drive faster than what is safe for current road conditions.

you should never drive faster than the posted speed limit.

the speed limit is the same throughout the state.

you should always drive the speed limit.

28 / 36

This sign means:

Merging Traffic ahead

Exit ahead on the left

Lane ends ahead

One lane ahead

29 / 36

You are at a red light but a police officer signals you to proceed. What should you do?

Wait for a green signal.

Change lanes, but not proceed against the right light.

Ask the officer what you should do.

Proceed as the officer has directed.

30 / 36

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

Keep your speed close to that of other traffic

Remain under the posted speed limit at all times

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions

Always drive at the posted speed limit

31 / 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.

50-100

100-200

400-600

500-1000

32 / 36

Double parking

Is allowed if there are no parking spaces.

Is allowed on a one-way street.

Is allowed unless there is a sign prohibiting it.

Is not allowed.

33 / 36

When you see this sign you should stop and:

Look for vehicles to your right

Let all vehicles that arrive before or after you go first

See if someone is quickly approaching from behind

Check traffic in all directions before proceeding

34 / 36

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

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.

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.

35 / 36

Which of the following crimes can result in a permanent revocation of your driver's license?

Reckless driving.

Hit and run.

Speeding.

Using your vehicle as a weapon.

36 / 36

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

as long as you are not on a highway

with written permission from a medical professional

under no circumstances

if it is prescribed by a physician

Your score is

The average score is 0%

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.

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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