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California DMV permit practice test

25 questions written from the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), covering signals and pavement markings, road signs, right of way, turns and intersections, speed limits and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.

25 questions
  1. Question 1What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

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    B: Stop, then go when it is safe. A flashing red light is treated like a STOP sign: come to a full stop, then proceed when it is safe. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Traffic Signals: Flashing Red Light, page 33.

  2. Question 2What must you do at a STOP sign?

    red and white octagon road sign
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    D: Make a full stop at the limit line or before the crosswalk, then check traffic in all directions. At a STOP sign, make a full stop before entering the crosswalk or at the limit line, then check traffic in all directions before going. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Signs: STOP Sign, page 35.

  3. Question 3At an intersection without STOP or YIELD signs, you and another vehicle arrive at the same time. Who has the right-of-way?

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    D: The vehicle on the right. At an uncontrolled intersection, the first to arrive goes first. If you arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist on your right. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections, page 39.

  4. Question 4An intersection is considered blind when:

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    D: It has no stop signs at any corner. An intersection is blind if it has no stop signs at any corner. If your view is blocked, move slowly forward until you can see. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Blind Intersections, page 51.

  5. Question 5California's Basic Speed Law says you may never drive:

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    D: Faster than is safe for current road conditions. The Basic Speed Law means you may never drive faster than is safe for the current conditions, regardless of the posted limit. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Manage Your Speed, page 67.

  6. Question 6What following distance does the handbook recommend in normal conditions?

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    A: Three seconds. Use the three-second rule to keep a safe following distance. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Tailgating (Following Too Closely), page 57.

  7. Question 7On a road with several lanes, what is the far-left lane called?

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    C: The Number 1 Lane. The left (or fast) lane is called the Number 1 Lane; the lane to its right is the Number 2 Lane, and so on. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Choosing a Lane, page 15.

  8. Question 8You are parking headed downhill on a street with a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

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    A: Into the curb (toward the right side of the road). Headed downhill, turn your front wheels into the curb, toward the side of the road. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Parking on a Hill, page 27.

  9. Question 9A school bus ahead is stopped with its red lights flashing. You are on a two-lane road behind it. You must:

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    B: Stop and remain stopped until the children are across and the red lights stop flashing. When a school bus flashes red lights, you must stop from either direction and remain stopped until the children are safely across and the lights stop flashing. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Around Children, page 51.

  10. Question 10You must dim your high beams within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle?

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    C: 500 feet. Dim your high beams to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Using Your Headlights, page 11.

  11. Question 11It is illegal for a driver 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of:

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    D: 0.08% or higher. It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher if you are over 21. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits, page 73.

  12. Question 12What is the minimum age to apply for a California instruction permit?

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    B: 15½. If you are under 18, you must be at least 15½ years old to apply for an instruction permit. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Applying For An Instruction Permit, page 3.

  13. Question 13You have a tire blowout. What should you do?

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    C: Hold the wheel with both hands, keep your speed if safe, and gradually release the accelerator. Don't panic. Hold the wheel with both hands, maintain speed if possible and safe, gradually release the accelerator, steer to stabilize, then slow down and pull off when safe. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Tire Blowouts, page 68.

  14. Question 14How far ahead of your vehicle should you scan the road?

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    A: At least 10 seconds. Keep your eyes moving and scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Scan Your Surroundings, page 57.

  15. Question 15You are stopped at a red arrow pointing right. What may you do?

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    C: Remain stopped until a green light or green arrow appears. A red arrow means stop and do not turn. You must wait until a green signal or green arrow appears. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Traffic Signals: Red Arrow, page 33.

  16. Question 16What does a red YIELD sign require you to do?

    red and white downward-pointing triangle road sign
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    B: Slow down and be ready to stop to let vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians pass. At a YIELD sign, slow down and be ready to stop to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before you proceed. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Signs: Red YIELD Sign, page 35.

  17. Question 17At a T intersection with no STOP or YIELD signs, who has the right-of-way?

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    C: Traffic on the through road. At a T intersection without STOP or YIELD signs, vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road have the right-of-way. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections, page 39.

  18. Question 18How far before a turn should you start signaling?

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    C: At least 100 feet. Signal at least 100 feet before you turn. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Signals, Horns, And Headlights: Signaling, page 11.

  19. Question 19Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit on most California highways is:

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    C: 65 mph. Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Manage Your Speed, page 67.

  20. Question 20How do you use the three-second rule?

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    B: Count three seconds after the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point; if you reach the point before you finish, you are too close. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point such as a sign, count three seconds. If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Glossary: Three-second rule, page 84.

  21. Question 21Which lane should you use to enter or exit traffic or to pull onto the road from the curb?

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    A: The right lane. Use the right lane to enter or exit traffic or when you enter the road from a curb or shoulder. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Choosing a Lane, page 15.

  22. Question 22You are parking headed uphill next to a curb. How should you turn your front wheels?

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    B: Away from the curb, then let the car roll back a few inches so the wheel gently touches the curb. Headed uphill, turn the wheels away from the curb (left, toward the center of the road) and let the vehicle roll back a few inches until the wheel gently touches the curb. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Parking on a Hill, page 27.

  23. Question 23If you fail to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights, you may be fined up to:

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    C: $1,000. Failing to stop can bring a fine of up to $1,000, and your driving privilege could be suspended for one year. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Around Children, page 51.

  24. Question 24You must dim your high beams within how many feet of a vehicle you are following?

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    A: 300 feet. Dim your high beams within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Using Your Headlights, page 11.

  25. Question 25It is illegal for a driver under 21 to drive with a BAC of:

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    C: 0.01% or higher. Drivers under 21 may not drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits, page 73.

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Read each explanation, even when you get the question right: it tells you the rule and the handbook section, so you can look it up. Your answers are saved in this browser only, so the weak spots mode can give you more questions on the topics you miss. When you're scoring well, take the exam simulator: it uses 25 questions at the DMV's pass mark, since it doesn't publish the number of questions.

Our own questions, written from the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600) and checked against it. Not affiliated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Found a mistake? Tell us.