California DMV permit practice test 12
25 questions written from the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), covering road signs, right of way, turns and intersections, parking, sharing the road and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.
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Question 1A yellow sign shows a snake-shaped line. It warns of:
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D: A winding road ahead. The winding road sign warns of a series of curves ahead. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Warning Signs, page 37.
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Question 2You are in an intersection when an emergency vehicle with siren and red lights approaches. What should you do?
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D: Continue through the intersection, then drive to the right and stop. If you are in an intersection, continue through it. Then drive to the right as soon as it is safe and stop. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Emergency Vehicles, page 45.
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Question 3You may cross a public transit bus lane:
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B: To make a right turn. It is illegal to drive, stop, or park in a bus-only lane, but you may cross it to make a right turn. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right Turn at a Public Transit Bus Lane, page 18.
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Question 4Before getting out of your car after parallel parking, you should:
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A: Look carefully for passing vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles. Turn off the vehicle, set the parking brake, and look carefully for passing vehicles, bicycles, and motorcycles before you exit. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Parallel Parking, page 26.
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Question 5On a one-way road with two or more lanes, a bicyclist may ride:
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C: Near the left curb or edge of the road. On a one-way road with two or more lanes, a bicyclist may ride near the left curb or edge. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Bicycling in Travel Lanes, page 48.
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Question 6When driving in high winds, you should NOT:
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B: Use cruise control. Do not use cruise control in high winds, so you keep maximum control of the accelerator if a gust hits. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): High Winds, page 63.
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Question 7Is it legal for a passenger in a car to smoke or eat a cannabis product while the car is being driven?
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D: No, it is illegal for drivers and passengers. It is illegal to drink any alcohol or smoke or eat a cannabis product while driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Use or Possession of Alcohol or Cannabis Products in a Vehicle, page 72.
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Question 8If you are in a collision without proper insurance, your driving privilege can be suspended for up to:
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D: Four years. Your driving privilege will be suspended for up to four years if you are in a collision without proper insurance, regardless of fault. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Driving Without Insurance, page 76.
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Question 9When stopping for vehicle trouble, what should you do after pulling off the road?
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C: Call for roadside assistance and stay in your vehicle until help arrives. Call for emergency roadside assistance and stay in your vehicle until help arrives. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Using Your Emergency Flashers, page 12.
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Question 10Is it legal to smoke in a vehicle when a minor is present?
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B: No, you can be fined. You must not smoke when a minor is in the vehicle. You can be fined. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Other Important Roadway Information, page 52.
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Question 11School crosswalks may be marked with what color lines?
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B: Yellow. Crosswalks are often marked with white lines, and school crossings may have yellow crosswalk lines. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Crosswalks, page 41.
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Question 12A sign shows a large divided road splitting around a median ahead. What does it warn?
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D: A divided highway begins ahead. The Divided Highway sign warns that the road ahead becomes divided by a median or barrier. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Warning Signs, page 37.
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Question 13A law enforcement officer directs you to go through a red light. You should:
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C: Obey the officer. Obey any direction, order, or signal from a law enforcement officer or firefighter, even if it conflicts with signs, signals, or laws. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Emergency Vehicles, page 45.
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Question 14You are in a dedicated right turn lane that does not merge into another lane. The light for straight-through traffic is red. You may:
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B: Turn without stopping unless a light or sign on the right curb controls the lane, yielding to pedestrians. A dedicated right turn lane lets you turn without stopping, even when straight traffic has a red light. Obey any light or sign on the right curb of that lane and always yield to pedestrians. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right Turn onto a Road with a Dedicated Lane, page 19.
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Question 15Before you open your car door next to traffic, you should check for:
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A: Motorcyclists and bicyclists. Check for motorcyclists before opening your door next to traffic, and give bicyclists room so they are not forced into open doors. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Motorcycles, page 44.
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Question 16A law enforcement officer is conducting a traffic break, weaving across lanes with emergency lights on. You should:
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C: Turn on your emergency flashers and slowly match the officer's speed without passing. During a traffic break, turn on your emergency flashers, slowly decrease to the officer's speed, keep a safe distance, and do not drive past the patrol vehicle. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Law Enforcement Traffic Breaks, page 64.
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Question 17As you get older, your tolerance to alcohol:
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D: Decreases. As you age, your tolerance to alcohol decreases, increasing the risk of alcohol-related driving problems. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): SECTION 9. Alcohol and Drugs, page 72.
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Question 18You must report a collision to DMV within 10 days if:
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D: There was more than $1,000 in property damage, or anyone was injured or killed. Report to DMV within 10 days (SR 1 form) if damage was more than $1,000 or anyone was injured or killed, no matter who was at fault. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Reporting a Collision, page 78.
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Question 19Cargo extends more than 4 feet past your rear bumper. What must you display during the day?
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A: A 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag. Cargo extending more than 4 feet from the rear bumper must display a 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag, and two red lights at night. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Other Important Roadway Information, page 52.
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Question 20How are safety zones for people waiting for buses or streetcars marked?
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D: With raised buttons or markers and dotted white lines. Safety zones are marked by raised buttons or markers on the road and dotted white lines. Never drive through a safety zone. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Buses, Streetcars, Trolleys, page 43.
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Question 21An orange and red triangle on the back of a vehicle means it is:
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C: A slow-moving vehicle, such as road maintenance equipment that usually travels 25 mph or less. Some slow-moving vehicles, such as road maintenance vehicles, have an orange and red triangle on the back. They usually travel at 25 mph or less. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Slow-moving Vehicles, page 45.
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Question 22A funeral procession led by a traffic officer is passing through an intersection. You should:
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A: Not interfere; the procession has the right-of-way. A funeral procession led by a traffic officer has the right-of-way. You can be ticketed if you interrupt one. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Other Important Roadway Information, page 53.
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Question 23When should you signal if you plan to turn shortly after crossing an intersection?
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D: When you are almost through the intersection. If you plan to turn shortly after crossing an intersection, signal when you are almost through the intersection. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Signals, Horns, And Headlights: Signaling, page 11.
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Question 24When may you turn in front of an approaching light rail vehicle?
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D: Never. Never turn in front of an approaching light rail vehicle. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Light Rail Vehicles, page 44.
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Question 25How far from the nearest railroad track should you stop when a train is coming?
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B: At least 15 feet. When crossing devices or a person warns that a train is coming, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks, page 51.
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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.