California DMV Practice Test

California study guide

Key facts from the official California DMV handbook, organized the way the test asks about them. Each one links to its source section.

Road signs, signals & markings

• A red light means stop, but you may turn right after stopping at the stop or limit line, yielding to pedestrians, and turning when safe — unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Traffic Signals: Solid Red Light
• A red arrow means STOP. Do not turn at a red arrow; remain stopped until a green traffic signal light or green arrow appears.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Traffic Signals: Red Arrow
• A flashing red signal light means STOP. After stopping, you may go when it is safe.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Traffic Signals: Flashing Red Light
• A flashing yellow light is a warning to proceed with caution. Slow down and be alert; you do not need to stop.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Traffic Signals: Flashing Yellow Light
• When a traffic light is not working, stop as if the intersection is controlled by STOP signs in all directions, then proceed cautiously when safe.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Traffic Signals: Traffic Light Not Working
• A 5-sided sign means you are near a school. Drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Signs: 5-sided Sign
• If you are driving the wrong way at night, the road reflectors will shine red in your headlights. DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY signs may also be posted.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Signs: WRONG WAY Sign
• A yellow and black circular sign or an X-shaped sign means you are approaching a railroad crossing. Look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Signs: Yellow and Black Circular Sign or X-shaped Sign
• The picture inside a red circle with a red line through it shows what you cannot do, and may be shown with words.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Signs: Red Circle with a Red Line Through It
• Diamond-shaped signs warn you of specific road conditions and dangers ahead.Signs, Signals & Markings · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Signs: Diamond-shaped Sign

Traffic laws & licensing

• A flashing Don't Walk signal tells pedestrians not to start crossing, but drivers must still yield to pedestrians even if the Don't Walk light is flashing.Right-of-Way · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Pedestrian Signals and Signs
• Without STOP or YIELD signs, the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way. If another vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist arrives at the same time, give the right-of-way to the one on your right.Right-of-Way · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections
• At T intersections without STOP or YIELD signs, those on the through road (continuing straight) have the right-of-way.Right-of-Way · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections
• The vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill has more control when backing up, so it should back up until the uphill vehicle can pass.Right-of-Way · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Right-of-Way Rules: Mountain Roads
• Slow down as you approach, yield to all traffic already in the roundabout, and travel counter-clockwise without stopping or passing.Right-of-Way · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Right-of-Way Rules: Roundabouts
• When a blind person pulls in their cane and steps away from the intersection, the gesture usually means you may go. Never honk at a blind person.Right-of-Way · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Pedestrians: Pedestrians who are Blind
• Fines for traffic violations in a work zone can be $1,000 or more, and fines are doubled in certain zones and when workers are present.Speed Limits & Work Zones · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Road Workers and Work Zones: Fines and Double Fine Zones
• 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.Speed Limits & Work Zones · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Around Children
• An intersection is blind if it has no stop signs at any corner and your view is blocked. The speed limit for a blind intersection is 15 mph.Speed Limits & Work Zones · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Blind Intersections
• An alley is a road no wider than 25 feet used to reach the rear or side entrances of properties. The speed limit in an alley is 15 mph.Speed Limits & Work Zones · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Alleys
• The speed limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a railroad crossing where you cannot see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions. You may go faster if the crossing has gates, a warning signal, or a flagman.Speed Limits & Work Zones · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks
• In business or residential districts the speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted.Speed Limits & Work Zones · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Business or Residential Districts
• To apply for a California instruction permit under age 18, you must be at least 15½ but under 18 and meet the driver-education requirements.Permits & Licensing · To apply for a California Instruction Permit (under age 18)
• California DMV states that the knowledge test uses multiple-choice questions based on the California Driver's Handbook and the passing score is 80%.Permits & Licensing · Take the knowledge test(s)
• California requires minimum limits of $30,000 for injury/death to one person, $60,000 for injury/death to more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage.Permits & Licensing · FAQs — What is Financial Responsibility (Insurance)?

Safe driving

• An average passenger vehicle at 55 mph can stop within 300 feet; a large vehicle at the same speed can take up to 400 feet.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Sharing the Road: Braking
• When a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped at a safety zone or traffic light, you may pass at no more than 10 mph. Never drive through a safety zone.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Buses, Streetcars, Trolleys
• Allow a safe three-second following distance behind motorcyclists so you can avoid hitting them if they brake suddenly or fall.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Motorcycles
• It is against the law to follow within 300 feet of any fire engine, law enforcement vehicle, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle when its siren or flashing lights are on.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Emergency Vehicles
• When you cannot change lanes to pass a bicyclist, allow at least three feet between your vehicle and the bicyclist. If you can't, don't pass until you can.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Bicycles: Passing a Bicyclist
• When preparing to turn, merge safely behind any bicyclist and enter a bike lane no more than 200 feet before starting the turn.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Bicycles: Passing a Bicyclist
• When the bus flashes red lights you must stop from either direction until the children are safely across and the lights stop flashing. Failing to stop can mean a fine of up to $1,000 and a one-year suspension.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Around Children
• 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.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Around Children
• When crossing devices or a person warn you a train is coming, stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks
• NEVs and LSVs reach a maximum speed of 25 mph and are restricted from roads where the speed limit is greater than 35 mph.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) and Low-speed Vehicles (LSV)
• A diamond-shaped sign on a truck means its load may be dangerous. Vehicles with these signs must stop before crossing railroad tracks.Sharing the Road · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Vehicles with Hazardous Loads
• When towing a vehicle or trailer you must drive in the far-right lane or a lane marked for slower vehicles. With four or more lanes and none marked, use only the two right-hand lanes.Safe Driving Habits · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Towing

Common mistakes

• Turning at a red arrow. A red arrow means stop — you cannot turn on it, even after stopping.Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Red Arrow
• Treating a flashing yellow like a stop. You don't need to stop — slow down and proceed with caution.Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Flashing Yellow Light
• Forgetting that school-bus red lights require a stop from either direction unless the bus is across a divided or multilane highway.Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued) — Around Children
• Mixing up the 15 mph limits: blind intersections, alleys, and some railroad crossings are all 15 mph; school zones are 25 mph unless posted lower.Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (Continued)

Test types

California permit test FAQ