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 a safety zone?

The median in a divided highway.

A space set aside for pedestrians.

The road's shoulder.

An area for construction workers.

2 / 36

You should reduce your speed by half when the road is

packed with snow.

under construction.

all answers are correct.

icy.

3 / 36

Drivers are required by law to obey instructions from

security guards patrolling parking lots

any person in an official uniform

drivers using roadside flares

flaggers (also known as signal persons) at construction sites

4 / 36

Is talking on your cell phone permitted while driving?

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

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

Only if you are using a hands-free device.

No.

5 / 36

This sign means:

A traffic light is out

Three lane road ahead

There is a traffic signal ahead

Be prepared to stop if the light is flashing

6 / 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.

300 ft.

500 ft.

400 ft.

7 / 36

Enter a roundabout:

Immediately, you have the right of way at all times.

After coming to a complete stop and looking both ways.

When there is a big enough gap in traffic.

At a high rate of speed to avoid traffic behind you.

8 / 36

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

Ask the officer what you should do.

Change lanes, but not proceed against the right light.

Wait for a green signal.

Proceed as the officer has directed.

9 / 36

How much space should you leave between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to avoid tailgating?

1 second

3 seconds

2 seconds

10 seconds

10 / 36

If you sell a vehicle, you must report it to the DMV within ______ days.

365

11 / 36

If you become involved in a road-rage incident, it is best NOT to:

Make eye contact.

Get out of their way.

Ignore any gestures from the other driver.

Focus on your own driving.

12 / 36

You may drive in a bike lane

whenever you choose

No more than 200 feet before making a right turn

whenever bicyclists are not present

if you drive slower than 15mph

13 / 36

Where should you stop your vehicle when there is no limit line or crosswalk?

At the corner and before entering the intersection.

Wherever you have a line of sight to see cross traffic.

Out far enough to see cross traffic.

10 feet behind the stop sign.

14 / 36

Why should you always check for motorcycles before changing lanes?

Motorcycles have different speed limits.

They can be difficult to see.

Motorcycles always have the right of way.

Motorcycles can change lanes without signaling.

15 / 36

You are getting ready to make a right turn ahead. You should:

Come to a complete stop before turning.

Make sure to signal as you begin to turn.

Always stop before making the turn.

Signal the last 100 feet before you reach the turn.

16 / 36

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

50 feet

5 seconds

3 seconds

1/4 mile

17 / 36

When should you turn on your headlights?

When it is raining hard.

Before noon.

After sunrise.

Any time in open country with a clear road ahead.

18 / 36

What does this sign mean?

A hospital is ahead.

You must turn left or right ahead.

Prepare to stop.

There is a side road ahead.

19 / 36

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

Whenever they choose.

Never.

If they are talking to their parents.

Only during an emergency.

20 / 36

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

In a spot where your vehicle can be seen from behind

Near a stop sign

In an intersection

In the middle of the road

21 / 36

This sign means:

There is a sharp turn to the right ahead

Slow down

Right turn permitted on green arrow only

Turn right to exit

22 / 36

You are driving on a city street and see an emergency vehicle with flashing lights behind you. What should you do?

Stop immediately

Make the first available turn

Drive to the right edge of the road and stop

Stay in your lane, slow down, and let it pass

23 / 36

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

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

Coordinate with your family and doctor.

Fill out the online form on the DMV website.

Notify the DMV by phone.

24 / 36

When you see this sign:

Look for a crossing guard and wait for a signal to proceed

Always stop at the crosswalk

Be prepared to stop if children are in the crosswalk

Prepare for a delay

25 / 36

When there is no curb and you are parking uphill, turn the wheels so that the vehicle will roll ______ the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Parallel to

Towards

On top of

Away from

26 / 36

You must notify the DMV within 5 days if you:

Sell or Transfer your vehicle

Paint your vehicle of a different color

Have allowed your license to expire

Have driven without insurance

27 / 36

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

Never

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

In rural areas

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

28 / 36

When driving within 500 to 1,000 feet of a school while children are outside, what is the speed limit?

25 mph unless otherwise posted.

5 mph unless otherwise posted.

15 mph unless otherwise posted.

10 mph unless otherwise posted.

29 / 36

When merging into freeway traffic, who has the right-of-way?

The vehicle that is merging

The freeway traffic

The vehicle on the left

The vehicle on the right

30 / 36

How soon after becoming a resident of California must you apply for a California driver's license if you plan on driving in California?

Within 90 days.

Within 60 days.

Within 10 days.

Immediately.

31 / 36

The California "Basic Speed Law" means that

the speed limit is the same throughout the state.

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

you should never drive faster than the posted speed limit.

you should always drive the speed limit.

32 / 36

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

Next to the solid line may pass

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

Are not allowed to pass

In both directions may pass

33 / 36

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

2-3 seconds

200 feet or more

5-10 seconds

10-15 seconds

34 / 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

500-1000

400-600

100-200

35 / 36

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

Always pass the truck on the right side.

Remain at least 200 feet behind trucks at all times.

Honk twice and wait for a response.

Look for the truck driver's side view mirrors.

36 / 36

If you receive a phone call and you do not have a hands free device what should you do?

Let the call go to voicemail

Answer the call if you think it may be an emergency

Check the incoming number before answering the call

Check the number and send them a text

Your score is

The average score is 80%

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