California DMV Permit Mock Exam (2026)

Question 1 of 46

What must you do at this sign?

1. Make a full stop before the crosswalk or limit line, then go when it is safe
2. Slow down and stop only if you see other traffic
3. Stop only if a pedestrian is waiting to cross

Question 2 of 46

Who may park at a blue painted curb?

1. Anyone, for up to one hour
2. Delivery vehicles
3. A disabled person, or someone driving a disabled person, with a special placard or license plate

Question 3 of 46

A provisional driver must drive during restricted hours because of a medical need. What must they carry?

1. Their health insurance card
2. A note signed by their physician
3. Nothing, if the need is real

Question 4 of 46

Where is a U-turn never allowed?

1. At an intersection with a green light
2. Across a double yellow line
3. In front of a fire station

Question 5 of 46

When may you drive through a safety zone marked for pedestrians waiting for a bus or streetcar?

1. When no pedestrians are in it
2. At less than 10 mph
3. Never, under any condition

Question 6 of 46

While waiting to turn left, how should your front wheels be pointed?

1. Turned left, ready to go
2. Turned right, toward the curb
3. Straight ahead until it is safe to start the turn

Question 7 of 46

What does this sign mean?

1. Do not stop or park on this road
2. One-way road ahead: enter slowly
3. Do not enter the road or ramp where the sign is posted

Question 8 of 46

Is it legal in California for a motorcycle to ride between lanes of traffic (lane splitting)?

1. No, it is always illegal
2. Yes, it is legal to share lanes with motorcycles
3. Only on freeways at night

Question 9 of 46

Two vehicles meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Who has the right-of-way?

1. The vehicle facing downhill
2. The larger vehicle
3. The vehicle facing uphill

Question 10 of 46

When you are in the proper lane to exit a highway, how early should you signal?

1. Only as you start moving onto the ramp
2. About one second before the exit
3. About five seconds (approximately 400 feet) before the exit

Question 11 of 46

Your car does not have ABS and begins to skid. How should you brake?

1. Press the brake as hard as you can and hold it
2. Do not touch the brakes at all
3. Quickly pump the brakes until you reach a safe speed

Question 12 of 46

How close to a crosswalk (without a curb extension) may you park?

1. No closer than 10 feet
2. No closer than 20 feet
3. You may park right up to it

Question 13 of 46

What does California's Basic Speed Law say?

1. Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, regardless of the posted limit
2. You may always drive at the posted limit
3. You may drive 5 mph over the limit to pass

Question 14 of 46

Which medicines can make it illegal for you to drive?

1. Any prescription or over-the-counter medicine that affects your ability to drive
2. Only illegal drugs
3. Only medicines that contain alcohol

Question 15 of 46

A truck ahead moves to the left before turning right. Why?

1. The driver changed their mind
2. The driver is about to pass you
3. Large vehicles must often swing wide to complete a turn

Question 16 of 46

A flashing yellow arrow for a left turn means:

1. Oncoming traffic is stopped, so your turn is protected
2. You may turn left, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic
3. You must stop and wait for a green arrow

Question 17 of 46

How many hours of supervised driving practice must a driver under 18 complete before the drive test?

1. At least 50 hours
2. At least 20 hours
3. At least 100 hours

Question 18 of 46

On a two-way road with one lane in each direction, when may you pass on the right?

1. Whenever the shoulder is wide enough
2. When the driver ahead is turning left and you can pass safely on the right
3. Never

Question 19 of 46

What is the speed limit in an alley?

1. 10 mph
2. 15 mph
3. 25 mph

Question 20 of 46

What does this warning sign mean?

1. A lane is added on the right
2. The right lane ends ahead: merge left when it is safe
3. The road curves to the left

Question 21 of 46

Your car starts to skid on a slippery road. What should you do?

1. Ease off the accelerator, do not brake, and steer in the direction of the skid
2. Brake hard and steer the opposite way
3. Speed up to regain traction

Question 22 of 46

Before changing lanes on a freeway, you should signal for at least:

1. One second
2. Three seconds
3. Five seconds

Question 23 of 46

You see this sign. What should you expect?

1. People crossing the road ahead
2. A sidewalk that ends ahead
3. A school bus stop ahead

Question 24 of 46

How far should you sit from the steering wheel airbag cover?

1. At least 3 inches
2. At least 10 inches
3. At least 2 feet

Question 25 of 46

The open-container rule does NOT apply if you are a passenger in:

1. Any car, as long as the driver is sober
2. A bus, taxi, camper, or motorhome
3. The back seat of a sedan

Question 26 of 46

To merge into traffic on a highway, you need a gap of about:

1. A full block, about 300 feet
2. One car length
3. Half a block, about 50 feet

Question 27 of 46

How close to a fire hydrant may you park?

1. No closer than 15 feet
2. No closer than 5 feet
3. No closer than 30 feet

Question 28 of 46

You may not pass within how many feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, or railroad crossing?

1. 25 feet
2. 50 feet
3. 100 feet

Question 29 of 46

Your load extends more than 4 feet beyond your rear bumper. What must you display during the day?

1. Your emergency flashers
2. A 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag
3. A white reflector

Question 30 of 46

A blind pedestrian pulls in their cane and steps away from the intersection. This usually means:

1. They want you to honk
2. You may go
3. They are about to cross

Question 31 of 46

How much should you reduce your speed on packed snow?

1. By 5 mph
2. By half
3. To 25 mph

Question 32 of 46

When must you have your headlights on in the evening?

1. Only when it is completely dark
2. Beginning 30 minutes after sunset
3. At sunset exactly

Question 33 of 46

You are driving behind a large truck and cannot see its side mirrors. This means:

1. The truck driver cannot see you
2. You are at a safe following distance
3. The truck is about to turn

Question 34 of 46

You are in a collision and do not have proper insurance. What can happen, even if you were not at fault?

1. Nothing, if you were not at fault
2. A warning letter only
3. Your driving privilege can be suspended for up to four years

Question 35 of 46

When may a driver under 18 use a cell phone while driving?

1. Any time, in hands-free mode
2. To answer calls from parents
3. Only to call for emergency assistance

Question 36 of 46

By driving in California, you have agreed to:

1. Take a breath test only if you are involved in a collision
2. Let officers search your trunk at any time
3. Take a breath, blood, or urine test if an officer suspects you of DUI

Question 37 of 46

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in business or residential districts is:

1. 35 mph
2. 15 mph
3. 25 mph

Question 38 of 46

California's minimum liability insurance must cover at least how much for a single death or injury?

1. $5,000
2. $15,000
3. $30,000

Question 39 of 46

You see a collision ahead. Besides turning on your emergency flashers, how can you warn drivers behind you?

1. Stop suddenly so they notice
2. Flash your high beams at them
3. Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times

Question 40 of 46

You just turned onto a road and see this sign. What should you do?

1. When it is safe, back out or turn around
2. Keep going and leave at the next exit
3. Stop in your lane and wait for the police

Question 41 of 46

If an officer asks you to take a blood or urine test because they think you are under the influence and you refuse:

1. Nothing happens if you pass a field sobriety test
2. DMV will suspend or revoke your driving privilege for one year
3. You only receive a written warning

Question 42 of 46

A round yellow-and-black sign or an X-shaped sign warns that you are approaching:

1. A school zone
2. A roundabout
3. A railroad crossing

Question 43 of 46

If you are under 18, how long must you have your instruction permit before you can schedule the behind-the-wheel test?

1. 30 days
2. 6 months
3. 1 year

Question 44 of 46

What does this sign mean?

1. A divided highway begins ahead
2. A lane is added on the right
3. The divided highway ends: traffic in both directions will no longer be separated

Question 45 of 46

A sign shows a picture inside a red circle with a red line through it. What does it mean?

1. The action shown is allowed only at certain hours
2. The action shown is recommended but not required
3. The action shown in the picture is not allowed

Question 46 of 46

At a railroad crossing, the gate rises but the red lights are still flashing. What should you do?

1. Cross quickly before the gate comes down again
2. Stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing
3. Cross if you do not see a train