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

Always stop at the crosswalk

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

2 / 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.

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.

3 / 36

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

Drive alongside the bus until it stops.

Pass quickly.

Stop immediately.

Be prepared to stop.

4 / 36

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

Make sure to signal as you begin to turn.

Signal the last 100 feet before you reach the turn.

Come to a complete stop before turning.

Always stop before making the turn.

5 / 36

The California "Basic Speed Law" means that

you should never drive faster than the posted speed limit.

the speed limit is the same throughout the state.

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

you should always drive the speed limit.

6 / 36

What is a safety zone?

A space set aside for pedestrians.

The median in a divided highway.

The road's shoulder.

An area for construction workers.

7 / 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

100-200

50-100

8 / 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.

9 / 36

This sign means:

Three lane road ahead

Be prepared to stop if the light is flashing

There is a traffic signal ahead

A traffic light is out

10 / 36

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

Possess a valid driver license from their home states.

Have California license plates.

Drive with their headlights on at all times.

Apply for special permission to drive in California.

11 / 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

12 / 36

What does this sign mean?

You must turn left or right ahead.

A hospital is ahead.

Prepare to stop.

There is a side road ahead.

13 / 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

14 / 36

This sign means:

There is a sharp turn to the right ahead

Right turn permitted on green arrow only

Slow down

Turn right to exit

15 / 36

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

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

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

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

All of the listed answers.

16 / 36

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

Always drive at the posted speed limit

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

17 / 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.

18 / 36

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

Not restricted by law

Illegal at all times

Legal, but not recommended

Legal, if it is your child

19 / 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 60 days.

Within 90 days.

Within 10 days.

Immediately.

20 / 36

Enter a roundabout:

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

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

When there is a big enough gap in traffic.

After coming to a complete stop and looking both ways.

21 / 36

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

60 mph.

65 mph.

50 mph.

75 mph.

22 / 36

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

Reckless driving.

Hit and run.

Using your vehicle as a weapon.

Speeding.

23 / 36

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

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.

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

24 / 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

Required to use both

Only required to use the lap belt

Only required to use the shoulder belt

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

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

Ignore any gestures from the other driver.

Get out of their way.

Make eye contact.

Focus on your own driving.

27 / 36

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

To the left

Away from the curb

Parallel to the curb

Toward the curb

28 / 36

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

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.

Only if an accident has occurred.

29 / 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.

Notify the DMV by phone.

Fill out the online form on the DMV website.

30 / 36

Tailgating other drivers:

Is encouraged to make room for other drivers behind you

Reduces the chance of collision

Can anger other drivers

Is a great way to save gas

31 / 36

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

3 seconds

2 seconds

1 second

10 seconds

32 / 36

Due to their size, trucks often appear to be driving

the wrong direction.

recklessly.

faster.

slower.

33 / 36

To make a U-turn on a highway with multiple lanes, you must start from:

The shoulder.

Any lane.

The far left lane.

The far right lane.

34 / 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.

35 / 36

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

under no circumstances

with written permission from a medical professional

if it is prescribed by a physician

as long as you are not on a highway

36 / 36

When you see this sign you should stop and:

See if someone is quickly approaching from behind

Check traffic in all directions before proceeding

Look for vehicles to your right

Let all vehicles that arrive before or after you go first

Your score is

The average score is 82%

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