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California DMV practice questions

100 questions written from the California Driver's Handbook, each with its explanation. When you are ready, take a full practice test.

Signs, signals and pavement markings 12

  1. You are approaching an intersection and the traffic signal turns solid yellow. What should you do?
  2. You are stopped at a signal showing a red arrow and want to turn in the direction the arrow points. What must you do?
  3. The center of the road is marked with two sets of double solid yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart. What do these markings mean?
  4. You come to an intersection where the traffic signal is a flashing red light. What does it require you to do?
  5. You arrive at an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure. What should you do?
  6. The light is green, but traffic ahead is backed up and you are not sure you can get all the way across the intersection before the light turns red. What should you do?
  7. You are driving next to a carpool (HOV) lane that is separated from your lane by double solid white lines. When may you cross them to enter the HOV lane?
  8. You see a five-sided (pentagon-shaped) sign ahead. What does it tell you?
  9. You are waiting in a left turn lane when the green arrow changes to a solid yellow arrow. What is that signal telling you?
  10. The left turn signal ahead of you shows a flashing yellow arrow. What may you do?
  11. A line of solid white triangles is painted across your lane as you approach an intersection, with the points aimed at you. What is it?
  12. You are driving at night and the reflectors along the road ahead shine red in your headlights. What does that tell you?

Right-of-way and intersections 13

  1. You reach an intersection that has no STOP or YIELD signs at the same time as another vehicle, which is on your right. What should you do?
  2. What should you do as you approach a roundabout and prepare to enter it?
  3. An ambulance with its siren and red lights on is coming up behind you while you are in the middle of an intersection. What should you do?
  4. A pedestrian with a white cane is waiting at the corner as you approach the intersection. Which of these is correct?
  5. Two vehicles meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Which vehicle must back up?
  6. You are on a road that ends at a T intersection with no STOP or YIELD signs. Who has the right-of-way?
  7. You are inside a roundabout and realize you have just gone past the exit you wanted. What should you do?
  8. A funeral procession led by a traffic officer is crossing the intersection ahead of you. What are you required to do?
  9. A fire engine ahead of you has its siren and flashing lights on. How close behind it may you legally drive?
  10. A tow truck is stopped on the shoulder ahead of you with its amber warning lights flashing. What does the law require of you?
  11. A person on a skateboard is crossing the street ahead of you. Under California right-of-way rules, how is that person treated?
  12. The car in the lane beside you has stopped at a crosswalk. Your light is green and your own lane looks clear. What should you do?
  13. A firefighter at the scene of a collision waves you through a red light. What should you do?

Speed limits 12

  1. You are driving past a school, less than 500 feet from it, and there are children outside or crossing the street. Unless a lower limit is posted, what is the speed limit?
  2. Unless a different limit is posted, what is the maximum speed limit on a two-lane undivided highway in California?
  3. An intersection has no STOP signs on any corner and your view of the cross street is blocked. What is the speed limit as you approach?
  4. In a heavy rainstorm you cannot see farther than 100 feet ahead. According to the handbook, what is the fastest it is safe to drive?
  5. The road is covered in ice. By how much does the handbook say you should reduce your speed?
  6. You turn into an alley behind a row of shops. Unless a sign says otherwise, how fast may you drive?
  7. You are driving on a residential street and there are no speed limit signs posted. What is the speed limit?
  8. You are towing a trailer on a divided highway that is posted at 65 mph. How fast may you drive?
  9. The road is wet from rain. By how much does the handbook say you should cut your speed?
  10. You are driving on packed snow. What does the handbook tell you to do with your speed?
  11. Traffic is light and the weather is clear, but you are driving well under the speed limit and cars are stacking up behind you. What does the handbook say about that?
  12. You are on a California highway and there are no speed limit signs in sight. What is the maximum speed limit?

Turns, lanes, passing and parking 12

  1. You are using a two-way center left turn lane to prepare for a left turn. What is the maximum distance you may drive in that lane?
  2. In which of these situations is a U-turn NOT permitted?
  3. You park facing uphill on a street that has a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?
  4. On a city street, how far before you turn should you begin signaling?
  5. When may you turn left at a red light in California?
  6. You want to pass a slow vehicle on a two-lane road. Within what distance of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, or railroad crossing is passing NOT allowed?
  7. In which situation may you pass another vehicle on its right?
  8. When you finish parallel parking, how far from the curb may your vehicle be at most?
  9. You are on the freeway and want to move into the next lane. How far ahead of the move should you signal?
  10. What are you allowed to do at a curb painted yellow?
  11. You are driving slowly on a two-lane road where it is not safe for anyone to pass, and five cars are now following you. What does the handbook require?
  12. How close to a fire hydrant may you legally park?

Sharing the road 13

  1. A bicyclist is riding in your travel lane and you cannot move into another lane to pass. How much space must you leave between your vehicle and the bicyclist?
  2. A school bus ahead of you on a two-lane road has stopped and its red lights are flashing. What must you do?
  3. You are driving behind a large truck. How can you tell whether the truck driver can see you?
  4. Which statement about sharing the road with motorcycles in California is correct?
  5. A streetcar is stopped at a safety zone marked on the road. What is the fastest you may pass it?
  6. Which vehicles are required to stop before crossing railroad tracks, even when no train is in sight?
  7. A school bus with its red lights flashing is stopped on the far side of a divided highway that has two lanes in each direction. Must you stop?
  8. An average passenger vehicle at 55 mph can stop within 300 feet. How much room can a large vehicle need at the same speed?
  9. The large truck ahead of you swings out to the left as it comes up to a corner. What is the safest reading of that move?
  10. When may you overtake and pass a light rail vehicle or a streetcar on its left side?
  11. Who is required to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle in California?
  12. You are riding a bicycle after dark. From how far away must the white light of your front lamp be visible?
  13. A neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) pulls out in front of you. What does the handbook say about which roads these vehicles may use?

Safe driving and emergencies 12

  1. Which method does the California Driver's Handbook recommend for keeping a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead?
  2. Under California rules, when must you turn on your headlights?
  3. Your rear wheels begin to skid on an icy road. What should you do first?
  4. Your vehicle starts to hydroplane on a wet freeway. What should you do?
  5. You must drive through heavy fog. Which lights should you use?
  6. A child is under 2 years old, weighs less than 40 pounds, and is shorter than 3 feet 4 inches. How must the child ride in your vehicle?
  7. A front tire blows out while you are driving at highway speed. What should you do?
  8. You are 17 and hold a provisional license. When may you use a cell phone while driving?
  9. You have to run into a shop for a few minutes. Under what condition may you leave your five-year-old in the car?
  10. Your car stalls on a railroad crossing, a train is coming and the warning lights are flashing. Once you are out of the car, which way should you run?
  11. An oncoming vehicle's headlights are so bright that you can barely see the road. Where should you look?
  12. How far back from the air bag cover should you sit, and how is that distance measured?

Alcohol and drugs 13

  1. You are 19 years old. At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does it become illegal for you to drive in California?
  2. You are carrying a bottle of wine that has already been opened. Where may it legally ride in your car?
  3. A law enforcement officer suspects you of driving under the influence and asks you to take a breath, blood, or urine test. What happens if you refuse?
  4. How long does a DUI conviction stay on your California driver's record?
  5. You are 30 years old and not on DUI probation. You are driving your own car, which needs no commercial license and carries no passengers for hire. At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does it become illegal for you to drive?
  6. You are 40 years old and on DUI probation. At what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does it become illegal for you to drive?
  7. A friend is driving and you are in the passenger seat of their car. May you drink a beer?
  8. You are convicted of a DUI in California. What does DMV do to your driving privilege, and what must you do?
  9. You are arrested for DUI and the officer takes your driver's license. What are you given instead, and for how long?
  10. You have been arrested for DUI and want a DMV administrative hearing. By when must you ask for one?
  11. You are 19 and a friend asks you to carry an unopened bottle of wine in your car. When is that legal?
  12. You are 16 and are convicted of riding a bicycle while under the influence of alcohol. What can happen to your driving privilege?
  13. Your doctor has prescribed a medicine that makes you drowsy. How does California's DUI law treat it?

Licensing, insurance and the law 13

  1. Within any 12-month period, what is the lowest point total at which DMV may consider you a negligent driver and suspend your driving privilege?
  2. You are 17, got your provisional license eight months ago, and want to drive your 16-year-old friend home at 6 p.m. Is that allowed?
  3. You move to a new home within California. Within how many days must you notify DMV of your new address?
  4. What is the minimum liability insurance coverage California requires for property damage?
  5. You are in a collision in which another driver is injured. Within what time must a report be made to law enforcement?
  6. You are 17 and applying for your first driver's license. How much supervised practice driving do you need, and with whom?
  7. How many attempts do you get at the knowledge test before you must reapply, and how long must a minor wait after failing one?
  8. You are in a collision and you do not have proper insurance coverage. What happens to your driving privilege?
  9. You move to California bringing your car with you. How long do you have to register it here?
  10. Your driver's license is about to expire and you are 72 years old. How must you renew it?
  11. A law enforcement officer pulls you over. Which documents must you, as the driver, produce?
  12. You lend your car to someone who turns out to have no driver's license, and they are stopped by police. What can happen to your car?
  13. A physician diagnoses a patient with a condition that can cause a lapse of consciousness. From what age must the physician report it to DMV?