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

When you see this sign:

Be prepared to stop if children are in the crosswalk

Prepare for a delay

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

Always stop at the crosswalk

2 / 36

Written evidence of financial responsibility is needed:

For purchasing a car.

Whenever you drive.

When driving with other people in the vehicle.

When a law enforcement officer requires it.

3 / 36

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

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

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 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.

4 / 36

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

exit the highway.

allow vehicles to pass you.

park for the night.

go to the bathroom.

5 / 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.

All of the listed answers.

The vehicle may be impounded for 30 days.

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

6 / 36

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

slow down.

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

have your headlights on.

reduce your speed by half.

7 / 36

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

Parallel to the road.

Away from the side of the road.

You should not park there.

Toward the side of the road.

8 / 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.

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

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

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

9 / 36

What does this sign mean?

Prepare to stop.

A hospital is ahead.

You must turn left or right ahead.

There is a side road ahead.

10 / 36

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

2 seconds

1 second

10 seconds

3 seconds

11 / 36

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

Manually signal traffic to drive around.

Open your doors.

Stand in the roadway and wave your arms.

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

12 / 36

When in a roundabout, you should do all of the following except

using turn signals to change lanes.

come to a stop until you know which exit to take.

following a counter-clockwise path.

paying close attention for pavement markings.

13 / 36

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

Only if an accident has occurred.

Whenever you drive in the state of California.

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

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

14 / 36

Enter a roundabout:

After coming to a complete stop and looking both ways.

When there is a big enough gap in traffic.

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

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

15 / 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.

16 / 36

The speed limit for a blind intersection is what?

30 mph.

20 mph.

15 mph.

10 mph.

17 / 36

When you see this sign you should stop and:

Let all vehicles that arrive before or after you go first

See if someone is quickly approaching from behind

Look for vehicles to your right

Check traffic in all directions before proceeding

18 / 36

When you see this sign you:

Are approaching a railroad crossing; prepare to stop

Stop and wait for a signal before crossing the railroad tracks

No railroad is ahead, proceed freely

No trespassing

19 / 36

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

Never.

Only during an emergency.

Whenever they choose.

If they are talking to their parents.

20 / 36

What is the DMV's standard vision requirement?

20/100

30/90

20/80

20/40

21 / 36

Double parking

Is allowed if there are no parking spaces.

Is allowed unless there is a sign prohibiting it.

Is not allowed.

Is allowed on a one-way street.

22 / 36

You may drive in a bike lane

whenever you choose

whenever bicyclists are not present

No more than 200 feet before making a right turn

if you drive slower than 15mph

23 / 36

The California "Basic Speed Law" means that

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

the speed limit is the same throughout the state.

you should always drive the speed limit.

you should never drive faster than the posted speed limit.

24 / 36

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

Wait for a green signal.

Ask the officer what you should do.

Change lanes, but not proceed against the right light.

Proceed as the officer has directed.

25 / 36

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

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

Drive to the right edge of the road and stop

Make the first available turn

Stop immediately

26 / 36

After stopping and yielding, you may turn right at a red light unless:

You are turning from a two-way street.

There is a car behind you.

A no turn on red sign is posted.

You are in the far right lane.

27 / 36

You should reduce your speed by half when the road is

icy.

all answers are correct.

under construction.

packed with snow.

28 / 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

29 / 36

Smoking inside a vehicle with a passenger under 18 years of age is

Illegal at all times

Legal, if it is your child

Legal, but not recommended

Not restricted by law

30 / 36

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

0.0008

0.0012

0.0005

0.001

31 / 36

Due to their size, trucks often appear to be driving

the wrong direction.

slower.

faster.

recklessly.

32 / 36

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

50 feet

1/4 mile

3 seconds

5 seconds

33 / 36

Tailgating other drivers:

Reduces the chance of collision

Is encouraged to make room for other drivers behind you

Is a great way to save gas

Can anger other drivers

34 / 36

A space cushion around your vehicle allows you to

Drive well below the speed limit if you choose

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

Have drivers weave around you more effectively

Have time to react if another driver makes a mistake

35 / 36

California residents who drive on public highways or use public parking facilities must have a California driver license, unless ______.

They are driving or operating implements used for husbandry not operated or moved over a highway.

They are an officer or employee of the U.S. government operating a government vehicle on federal business.

Driving or operating an off-highway vehicle across a highway.

All of the listed answers.

36 / 36

What conditions should you be aware of when driving on gravel roads?

Improved traction.

Better visibility.

Shorter stopping distance.

Increased risk of skidding.

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