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California DMV permit practice test 3

25 questions written from the California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), covering sharing the road, hazards, weather and night driving, alcohol and drugs, licensing laws and penalties, emergencies and more. Pick an answer to see straight away whether you're right and why.

25 questions
  1. Question 1A school bus is flashing yellow lights. This means:

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    B: The bus is preparing to stop to let children off; slow down and prepare to stop. Some school buses flash yellow lights when preparing to stop. The yellow lights warn you to slow down and prepare to stop. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Around Children, page 50.

  2. Question 2You turn on your windshield wipers because of rain. What must you also do?

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    D: Turn on your low-beam headlights. If you need to use your windshield wipers due to fog, rain, or snow, you must turn on your low-beam headlights. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Using Your Headlights, page 11.

  3. Question 3It is illegal to drive a vehicle that requires a commercial driver's license with a BAC of:

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    C: 0.04% or higher. The limit is 0.04% for drivers of vehicles requiring a commercial driver's license. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits, page 73.

  4. Question 4A minor practicing with an instruction permit must be supervised by a California-licensed driver who is at least:

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    D: 25 years old. Minors must practice with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25 (adults with permits: at least 18). California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Applying For A Driver's License, page 3.

  5. Question 5Your vehicle breaks down on the freeway. After pulling onto the right shoulder, what does the handbook recommend?

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    C: Exit on the right side if you must get out, call 511 or use a call box, and wait in the vehicle with your seat belt on. Pull to the right shoulder, exit on the right side if you must, dial 511 or find a call box, return through the right side, and stay inside with your seat belt on until help arrives. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): If Your Vehicle Becomes Disabled on the Freeway, page 69.

  6. Question 6When is hand-over-hand steering recommended?

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    D: When turning at low speeds, parking, or recovering from a skid. Use hand-over-hand steering when you turn at low speeds, park, or need to recover from a skid. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Hand-Over-Hand Steering, page 10.

  7. Question 7What does a flashing yellow arrow mean?

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    B: You may turn after yielding to oncoming traffic; the turn is not protected. With a flashing yellow arrow you may turn, but oncoming traffic is not stopped. Yield to oncoming traffic and proceed with caution. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Traffic Signals: Flashing Yellow Arrow, page 34.

  8. Question 8You enter a roadway and see a WRONG WAY sign. What should you do?

    red and white horizontal rectangle road sign
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    A: When it is safe, back out or turn around. DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs may be posted if you enter a road against traffic. When safe, back out or turn around. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): WRONG WAY Sign, page 38.

  9. Question 9When entering traffic, you must:

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    B: Proceed with caution and yield to traffic already in the lanes. When entering traffic, you must proceed with caution and yield to the traffic already occupying the lanes. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections, page 39.

  10. Question 10When may you turn left against a red light?

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    D: From a one-way street onto a one-way street, after stopping, if no sign prohibits it. You may turn left against a red light when turning from a one-way street onto a one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it. Yield to traffic and pedestrians with a green light. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Left Turn Against a Red Light, page 20.

  11. Question 11What is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street (unless otherwise posted)?

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    D: 25 mph. The speed limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street. Some school zones may be as low as 15 mph. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Around Children, page 50.

  12. Question 12When should you leave extra space in front of you when following a motorcycle?

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    D: When it is on metal surfaces like bridge gratings or railroad tracks, or on gravel. Create more space when following motorcyclists on metal surfaces (bridge gratings, railroad tracks) and gravel. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Tailgating (Following Too Closely), page 57.

  13. Question 13When merging onto a highway from an on-ramp, you should:

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    B: Be at or near the speed of traffic and merge when safe. Be at or near the speed of traffic and merge when safe. Do not stop unless absolutely necessary. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Merging And Exiting: Merging, page 23.

  14. Question 14When parallel parking, look for a space that is at least how much longer than your vehicle?

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    C: Three feet. Look for a space at least three feet longer than your vehicle. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Parallel Parking, page 26.

  15. Question 15An ambulance with its siren and red lights on is approaching from behind. You should:

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    D: Drive to the right edge of the road and stop until it has passed. Give the right-of-way to emergency vehicles using a siren and red lights. Drive to the right edge of the road and stop until they have passed. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Emergency Vehicles, page 45.

  16. Question 16Is it legal to drive using only your parking lights?

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    C: No, it is illegal. It is illegal to drive using only parking lights. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Using Your Headlights, page 11.

  17. Question 17What is the BAC limit when you are driving passengers for hire?

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    C: 0.04%. It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.04% or higher if you are driving a passenger for hire. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Limits, page 73.

  18. Question 18When can a teen begin using their instruction permit?

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    C: After starting behind-the-wheel training with an instructor who validates the permit. Minors must wait to use the permit until they start behind-the-wheel driver training with an instructor who validates it. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Applying For An Instruction Permit, page 3.

  19. Question 19What number can you dial for CHP Freeway Service Patrol information and assistance?

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    A: 511. Call 511 for Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) information and assistance. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): California Highway Patrol (CHP) Freeway Service Patrol (FSP), page 70.

  20. Question 20When turning while backing up, where should you place your hand on the steering wheel?

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    C: At 12 o'clock. When turning while backing up, steer with one hand at the 12 o'clock position so you can see behind you. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): One-Hand Steering, page 10.

  21. Question 21A solid yellow arrow means:

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    B: The protected turning time is ending. A yellow arrow means the protected turn is about to end. If you cannot stop safely or are already in the intersection, complete the turn cautiously. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Traffic Signals: Yellow Arrow, page 33.

  22. Question 22A sign shows a red circle with a red line through a picture. It means:

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    A: The pictured action is not allowed. A red circle with a red line through it shows what you cannot do. It may also be shown with words. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Red Circle with a Red Line Through It, page 38.

  23. Question 23When approaching a roundabout, you should:

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    A: Slow down and yield to all traffic already in the roundabout. Slow down as you approach and yield to all traffic already in the roundabout. Enter heading to the right when there is a big enough gap. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Roundabouts, page 40.

  24. Question 24While waiting to turn left across oncoming traffic, how should your front wheels be pointed?

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    A: Straight ahead until it is safe to start the turn. Keep your wheels straight until it is safe to turn. If your wheels are turned left and you are hit from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Left Turns, page 19.

  25. Question 25Some California school zones may have speed limits as low as:

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    C: 15 mph. Some school zones may have speed limits as low as 15 mph. California Driver's Handbook (DL 600): Around Children, page 50.

Answer every question to see your score.

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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.