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:

Prepare for a delay

Always stop at the crosswalk

Be prepared to stop if children are in the crosswalk

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

2 / 36

You may drive in a bike lane

whenever bicyclists are not present

whenever you choose

if you drive slower than 15mph

No more than 200 feet before making a right turn

3 / 36

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

Toward the curb

Away from the curb

Parallel to the curb

To the left

4 / 36

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

100

500

200

5 / 36

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

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

slow down.

reduce your speed by half.

have your headlights on.

6 / 36

When you see this sign you:

Stop and wait for a signal before crossing the railroad tracks

No railroad is ahead, proceed freely

Are approaching a railroad crossing; prepare to stop

No trespassing

7 / 36

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

Are not allowed to pass

In both directions may pass

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

Next to the solid line may pass

8 / 36

Children must be restrained in approved child safety seats until they are:

6 years of age or at least 4 feet 9 inches tall.

There are no regulations on child safety seats.

8 years of age or until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall.

7 years of age 4 feet tall.

9 / 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 already been convicted of drinking and driving.

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

Only if an accident has occurred.

10 / 36

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

Whenever they choose.

If they are talking to their parents.

Never.

Only during an emergency.

11 / 36

With an instruction permit you may drive alone:

With a special permit.

With a licensed adult.

In no situation.

During daylight hours.

12 / 36

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

50 feet

3 seconds

5 seconds

1/4 mile

13 / 36

What is the DMV's standard vision requirement?

20/80

20/100

30/90

20/40

14 / 36

When driving on a multilane street with two way traffic:

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

You should drive ahead or behind the other vehicles

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

Always stay in the farthest left lane

15 / 36

Drivers are required by law to obey instructions from

security guards patrolling parking lots

flaggers (also known as signal persons) at construction sites

drivers using roadside flares

any person in an official uniform

16 / 36

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

Toward the side of the road.

Away from the side of the road.

Parallel to the road.

You should not park there.

17 / 36

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

5-10 seconds

2-3 seconds

10-15 seconds

200 feet or more

18 / 36

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

go to the bathroom.

park for the night.

allow vehicles to pass you.

exit the highway.

19 / 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

20 / 36

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

The vehicle on the right

The vehicle on the left

The freeway traffic

The vehicle that is merging

21 / 36

A space cushion around your vehicle allows you to

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

Drive well below the speed limit if you choose

22 / 36

Any time you merge with other traffic, you:

Must accelerate to a speed faster than other vehicles.

Need a gap of at least four seconds.

Must come to a complete stop.

Should speed up and insist on the right-of-way.

23 / 36

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

using turn signals to change lanes.

paying close attention for pavement markings.

following a counter-clockwise path.

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

24 / 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.

400 ft.

300 ft.

500 ft.

25 / 36

Tailgating other drivers:

Is a great way to save gas

Is encouraged to make room for other drivers behind you

Reduces the chance of collision

Can anger other drivers

26 / 36

You should reduce your speed by half when the road is

packed with snow.

under construction.

all answers are correct.

icy.

27 / 36

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

Check the number and send them a text

Answer the call if you think it may be an emergency

Check the incoming number before answering the call

Let the call go to voicemail

28 / 36

If you start to skid,

turn in the direction of the skid.

ease off the gas pedal.

stop braking.

all answers are correct.

29 / 36

Which of these situations is appropriate to use your horn?

To express anger at another driver

To scare cyclists

To let pedestrians know they should get off the road

To get the attention of another driver

30 / 36

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

Increased risk of skidding.

Shorter stopping distance.

Improved traction.

Better visibility.

31 / 36

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

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

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

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

You should only use your headlights at night.

32 / 36

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

if it is prescribed by a physician

as long as you are not on a highway

with written permission from a medical professional

under no circumstances

33 / 36

What does this sign mean?

There is a side road ahead.

Prepare to stop.

A hospital is ahead.

You must turn left or right ahead.

34 / 36

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

1 second

2 seconds

10 seconds

3 seconds

35 / 36

Enter a roundabout:

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

After coming to a complete stop and looking both ways.

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

When there is a big enough gap in traffic.

36 / 36

An orange-colored sign like this means:

Be prepared to stop

You must change lanes ahead

There is road work ahead

Traffic delays are ahead

Your score is

The average score is 54%

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