California DMV permit practice test 2
25 questions written from the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), covering licensing laws and penalties, emergencies, safe and defensive driving, signals and pavement markings, road signs and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.
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Question 1A teen with an instruction permit must hold it for at least how long before taking the drive test (unless they turn 18)?
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B: 6 months. You must have an instruction permit for at least 6 months (or turn 18) before scheduling your behind-the-wheel drive test. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Applying For A Driver's License, page 3.
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Question 2Your right wheels drift off the pavement onto the shoulder. What should you do?
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A: Grip the wheel firmly, take your foot off the accelerator, brake gently, check traffic, and steer back carefully. Grip the wheel firmly, remove your foot from the accelerator, brake gently, check for traffic behind you, and carefully steer back onto the pavement. Pulling the wheel too hard can send you into oncoming traffic. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Driving Off the Pavement, page 68.
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Question 3How should you check your blind spots?
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B: Look over your shoulder out of the side window, turning only your head. Look over your right and left shoulders out of the side windows. Turn only your head, not your whole body or steering wheel. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Blind Spots, page 58.
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Question 4What should you do when you see a solid yellow traffic light?
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B: Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise cross the intersection cautiously. A solid yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely; if you can't, cross with caution. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Traffic Signals: Solid Yellow Light, page 33.
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Question 5You see a DO NOT ENTER sign at a ramp. What does it mean?
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C: Do not enter the road or ramp where the sign is posted. Follow the instruction on red and white regulatory signs: DO NOT ENTER means you may not enter the road or ramp where it is posted. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Red and White Regulatory Sign, page 38.
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Question 6You are turning left at an intersection. You must yield to:
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A: Pedestrians and any approaching vehicle close enough to be dangerous. When turning left, check for pedestrians and give the right-of-way to any pedestrian or approaching vehicle close enough to be dangerous. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections, page 39.
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Question 7When preparing for a right turn, you may drive in a bicycle lane:
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D: Within 200 feet of the turn. You can drive in a bike lane within 200 feet of the turn. Check for bicyclists in your blind spots first. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Turns: Right Turns, page 18.
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Question 8Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed on a two-lane undivided highway is:
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A: 55 mph. The maximum speed limit is 55 mph on a two-lane undivided highway, unless otherwise posted. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Manage Your Speed, page 67.
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Question 9Another vehicle merges too closely in front of you. What should you do?
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A: Take your foot off the accelerator to create space. If a vehicle merges in front of you too closely, take your foot off the accelerator to create space between you and that vehicle. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Tailgating (Following Too Closely), page 57.
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Question 10How many seconds before changing lanes on a freeway should you signal?
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B: At least five seconds. Signal at least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Signals, Horns, And Headlights: Signaling, page 11.
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Question 11You park on a hill where there is no curb, uphill or downhill. Which way should you turn the wheels?
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D: To the right, toward the shoulder. When there is no curb, turn the wheels to the right so the vehicle would roll away from the center of the road if the brakes failed. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Parking on a Hill, page 27.
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Question 12You do not need to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights when:
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A: It is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway with two or more lanes in each direction. If the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway (two or more lanes in each direction), you do not need to stop. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Around Children, page 51.
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Question 13When must you turn on your headlights?
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D: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Use headlights beginning 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever it is too dark to see 1,000 feet ahead. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Using Your Headlights, page 11.
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Question 14What BAC limit applies to a person of any age who is on DUI probation?
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A: 0.01%. It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher at any age if you are on DUI probation. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits, page 73.
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Question 15How many hours of supervised practice must a driver under 18 complete before the drive test?
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A: 50 hours, 10 at night. Minors must practice for at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver at least 25 years old, and 10 of those hours must be at night. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Applying For A Driver's License, page 3.
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Question 16Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor. You should first:
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C: Quickly pump the brake pedal. If the brake pedal sinks to the floor, quickly pump the brakes. If that doesn't work, downshift to a lower gear and then try the emergency brake. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Locked Wheel Skids, page 61.
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Question 17For hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering, where should your hands be on the wheel?
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D: 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock, without crossing over the middle. Start with your hands at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock and do not cross your hands over the middle of the wheel. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Hand-to-Hand Steering (Push/Pull), page 9.
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Question 18A flashing yellow traffic signal means:
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B: Slow down and proceed with caution; you do not need to stop. A flashing yellow light is a warning to proceed with caution. Slow down and be alert, but you are not required to stop. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Traffic Signals: Flashing Yellow Light, page 34.
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Question 19While driving at night, the road reflectors in your lane shine red in your headlights. This means:
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C: You are driving the wrong way. If road reflectors shine red in your headlights at night, you are going the wrong way. Back out or turn around when it is safe. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): WRONG WAY Sign, page 38.
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Question 20According to the handbook, who always has the right-of-way at intersections?
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D: Pedestrians. The handbook states that pedestrians always have the right-of-way at intersections. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections, page 39.
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Question 21You want to turn right at a red light. What must you do?
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C: Make a complete stop, yield, and turn when safe unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. You may turn right on red after a complete stop, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. Yield to pedestrians and turn when safe. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right Turn Against a Red Light, page 18.
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Question 22What is the maximum speed limit for a vehicle towing a trailer, unless posted otherwise?
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B: 55 mph. The speed limit is 55 mph for vehicles towing trailers. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Manage Your Speed, page 67.
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Question 23A driver is tailgating you. What should you do?
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D: Maintain your course and speed, then merge right when safe to let them pass. When a tailgater is behind you, maintain your course and speed, then merge right when it is safe so they can pass. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Tailgating (Following Too Closely), page 57.
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Question 24When exiting a freeway, once you are in the proper lane you should signal about:
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A: Five seconds (about 400 feet) before the exit. When in the proper lane, signal five seconds (approximately 400 feet) before you exit. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Merging And Exiting: Exiting, page 23.
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Question 25When parking on a sloping driveway, you should:
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B: Turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the street, leave it in park, and set the parking brake. On a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so the vehicle won't roll into the street, leave it in park, and set the parking brake. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Parking on a Hill, page 27.
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How to use these tests
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.