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

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

Out far enough to see cross traffic.

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

At the corner and before entering the intersection.

10 feet behind the stop sign.

2 / 36

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

Signal the last 100 feet before you reach the turn.

Always stop before making the turn.

Make sure to signal as you begin to turn.

Come to a complete stop before turning.

3 / 36

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

Solid red lights, flashing red lights and yellow lights

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 blacked out traffic signals

4 / 36

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

You should stop immediately

You should slow down and be alert

You should treat the signal like a stop sign

You can pass through at full speed

5 / 36

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

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

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

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

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

6 / 36

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

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

Open your doors.

Stand in the roadway and wave your arms.

Manually signal traffic to drive around.

7 / 36

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

1/4 mile

5 seconds

50 feet

3 seconds

8 / 36

Written evidence of financial responsibility is needed:

For purchasing a car.

When a law enforcement officer requires it.

When driving with other people in the vehicle.

Whenever you drive.

9 / 36

What is the DMV's standard vision requirement?

30/90

20/80

20/40

20/100

10 / 36

Enter a roundabout:

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.

After coming to a complete stop and looking both ways.

11 / 36

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

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions

Keep your speed close to that of other traffic

Remain under the posted speed limit at all times

Always drive at the posted speed limit

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?

Move your car into the middle of the road

Stop traffic until you get instructions from law enforcement

Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible

Leave your vehicle and call the authorities

13 / 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

14 / 36

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

Change lanes, but not proceed against the right light.

Wait for a green signal.

Ask the officer what you should do.

Proceed as the officer has directed.

15 / 36

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

Not required to use either if the car has an airbag

Only required to use the lap belt

Required to use both

Only required to use the shoulder belt

16 / 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

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

In rural areas

17 / 36

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

65 mph.

75 mph.

60 mph.

50 mph.

18 / 36

This sign means:

Stay in the right lane if other traffic is moving faster than you

You should pass anyone in the right lane

You should slow down and move to the right lane

Slower traffic must exit on the right

19 / 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

200 feet

100 feet

20 / 36

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

2 seconds

3 seconds

10 seconds

1 second

21 / 36

If your vehicle is parked on a level street, in which direction should the tires point?

Away from the curb

To the left

Parallel to the curb

Toward the curb

22 / 36

When you see this sign you:

No railroad is ahead, proceed freely

No trespassing

Stop and wait for a signal before crossing the railroad tracks

Are approaching a railroad crossing; prepare to stop

23 / 36

While driving in a center left-turn lane, you may only drive for ____ feet.

100

500

200

24 / 36

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

200 feet or more

10-15 seconds

2-3 seconds

5-10 seconds

25 / 36

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

Hit and run.

Using your vehicle as a weapon.

Speeding.

Reckless driving.

26 / 36

Due to their size, trucks often appear to be driving

the wrong direction.

slower.

faster.

recklessly.

27 / 36

You should reduce your speed by half when the road is

packed with snow.

icy.

all answers are correct.

under construction.

28 / 36

A space cushion around your vehicle allows you to

Have time to react if another driver makes a mistake

Have drivers weave around you more effectively

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

Drive well below the speed limit if you choose

29 / 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.

400-600

100-200

50-100

500-1000

30 / 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.

31 / 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

32 / 36

Tailgating other drivers:

Reduces the chance of collision

Can anger other drivers

Is a great way to save gas

Is encouraged to make room for other drivers behind you

33 / 36

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

0.0005

0.0008

0.0012

0.001

34 / 36

Which of these situations is appropriate to use your horn?

To get the attention of another driver

To let pedestrians know they should get off the road

To express anger at another driver

To scare cyclists

35 / 36

This sign means:

There is a traffic signal ahead

A traffic light is out

Three lane road ahead

Be prepared to stop if the light is flashing

36 / 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.

400 ft.

500 ft.

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.

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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