46 Question Practice Permit Test California 2025

46 Question Practice Permit Test California 2025. Getting every one of the 46 questions right on California’s written permit test isn’t just bragging rights—it means you drive away from the DMV counter with your learner’s permit in hand and no seven-day wait for a retake.

We have designed several free simulators that mirror the DMV’s exact 46-question layout and scoring threshold; they even shuffle distractors so you can’t memorize order. Scoring 46 out of 46 feels great, but you only need 38 correct to pass.

Focus on understanding why each answer is correct, and you’ll cruise through the test—no sneaky trick question can throw you off. Grab the official handbook, hammer those practice tests with answer explanations, and walk into the DMV knowing every rule like the back of your steering wheel.

46 Question Practice Permit Test California

California DMV Practice Test
Total Items: 46 Questions
Passing Percentage: 83%
Time Limit: 60 Minutes

1 / 46

1) A school bus with flashing red lights requires you to stop:

A) Only if children are boarding the bus.

B) From either direction unless on a divided highway.

C) Only if behind the bus in a school zone.

2 / 46

2) To merge onto a freeway, you must:

A) Stop on the ramp until a gap appears.

B) Yield only to emergency vehicles.

C) Match traffic speed and merge safely.

3 / 46

3) When driving a hybrid near a blind pedestrian, you should:

A) Maintain speed for consistency.

B) Honk to signal your approach.

C) Be cautious due to low engine noise.

4 / 46

4) Recording a traffic stop is allowed if:

A) You don’t interfere with their duties.

B) The officer gives prior consent.

C) You are not driving the vehicle.

5 / 46

5) To make a right turn using a bike lane, enter it:

A) Only with a broken white line marking.

B) After stopping at the intersection.

C) Within 200 feet after checking for bikes.

6 / 46

6) To use an HOV lane, your vehicle needs:

A) Speed 10 mph above traffic flow.

B) A commercial license for the driver.

C) Required occupants or a DMV decal.

7 / 46

7) At an intersection with an obstructed view, you should:

A) Stop, then inch forward to check.

B) Honk to alert unseen traffic.

C) Proceed slowly if no signs are posted.

8 / 46

8) A U-turn is prohibited:

A) On a one-way street at night.

B) Within 100 feet of a crosswalk.

C) Near a fire station driveway.

9 / 46

9) At a crosswalk with no pedestrian signals, you must:

A) Honk to clear the crosswalk quickly.

B) Proceed if the pedestrian is moving fast.

C) Yield to pedestrians per traffic signals.

10 / 46

10) In a work zone, extra space between vehicles allows for:

A) Avoiding wet road surfaces.

B) Sudden lane changes or stops.

C) Maintaining consistent speed.

11 / 46

11) When passing a bicyclist on a two-lane road, you must:

A) Give space to avoid forcing them off-road.

B) Pass within one foot if safe.

C) Wait for them to move left first.

12 / 46

12) Hand-over-hand steering at low speeds involves:

A) Keeping hands fixed at 9 and 3 o’clock.

B) Crossing hands to pull the wheel smoothly.

C) Using one hand to steer at 12 o’clock.

13 / 46

13) At a railroad crossing with lowering gates, you must:

A) Cross quickly if no train is visible.

B) Proceed if gates are not fully lowered.

C) Stop until gates are fully raised.

14 / 46

14) To pass on a multi-lane highway, you must:

A) Pass on the right without signaling if clear.

B) Signal, check blind spots, and return after seeing headlights.

C) Stay in your lane and speed up to pass.

15 / 46

15) A pedestrian with a guide dog has right-of-way:

A) At all times, regardless of location.

B) Only in marked crosswalks.

C) Only during “WALK” signal phases.

16 / 46

16) At a multi-lane roundabout, you must yield to:

A) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

B) Traffic entering from the right only.

C) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

17 / 46

17) It’s illegal to have objects on your windshield that:

A) Obstruct your view of the road.

B) Are smaller than a 5-inch square.

C) Are placed on the passenger side only.

18 / 46

18) A five-sided sign near a school indicates:

A) A school zone with potential child crossings.

B) A construction zone with workers.

C) A railroad crossing ahead.

19 / 46

19) In heavy fog with visibility under 100 feet, you should:

A) Use high beams for better visibility.

B) Maintain the posted speed limit.

C) Drive no faster than 30 mph.

20 / 46

20) For a collision with over $1,000 in damage, you must:

A) Report to DMV within 10 days.

B) File a police report if no injuries.

C) Notify insurance within 24 hours.

21 / 46

21) On a mountain road during daylight, you must:

A) Activate high-beam headlights for curves.

B) Turn on emergency flashers for visibility.

C) Use low-beam headlights at all times.

22 / 46

22) At an uncontrolled intersection with simultaneous arrivals:

A) The faster vehicle proceeds first.

B) The right vehicle has priority.

C) The left vehicle yields to the right.

23 / 46

23) If your turn signals fail in bright sunlight, you should:

A) Flash headlights to indicate turns.

B) Use hand signals for turns or stops.

C) Proceed without signaling if visible.

24 / 46

24) To prevent rear-end collisions, check your mirrors when:

A) Passing a cyclist on a narrow road.

B) Preparing to park or pull from a curb.

C) Merging onto a freeway at high speed.

25 / 46

25) Minors using a cell phone while driving face:

A) No penalty if used for navigation.

B) Exemption if with an adult.

C) A violation unless it’s an emergency call.

26 / 46

26) To avoid last-minute reactions, scan your surroundings:

A) Every 5 seconds for road signs.

B) At least 10 times per minute.

C) Only when changing lanes or turning.

27 / 46

27) If your vehicle skids on a wet road, you should:

A) Brake firmly to regain control.

B) Accelerate to maintain traction.

C) Ease off the accelerator and steer.

28 / 46

28) To handle sun glare while driving, you should:

A) Wear polarized sunglasses.

B) Speed up to pass the glare area.

C) Use high beams to reduce glare.

29 / 46

29) In an unposted residential area, the speed limit is:

A) 25 mph unless signs state otherwise.

B) 30 mph unless traffic is heavy.

C) 35 mph unless pedestrians are present.

30 / 46

30) A flashing “DON’T WALK” signal means drivers must:

A) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

B) Honk to clear the intersection.

C) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

31 / 46

31) For a left turn from a one-way street to a multi-lane one-way street:

A) End in any safe open lane.

B) End in the center lane only.

C) End in the far-right lane only.

32 / 46

32) Adult drivers may use a mounted cell phone by:

A) Operating it in light traffic only.

B) Holding it briefly to text.

C) Using a single swipe or touch.

33 / 46

33) A green arrow with a red light allows you to:

A) Proceed straight through the intersection.

B) Stop until the entire light is green.

C) Turn in the arrow’s direction if safe.

34 / 46

34) A flashing red traffic light requires you to:

A) Stop fully, as at a stop sign.

B) Proceed if no pedestrians are present.

C) Slow down and yield to traffic.

35 / 46

35) In heavy rain with poor visibility, you should:

A) Use high beams to see better.

B) Drive at the posted speed limit.

C) Stop to clear windshield and lights.

36 / 46

36) Proof of insurance is required when:

A) Involved in a collision or drive test.

B) Using a carpool lane with a decal.

C) Parking at a colored curb.

37 / 46

37) A single solid yellow line on a two-way road means:

A) Passing only for left-lane vehicles.

B) No passing in either direction.

C) Passing is allowed if no traffic is oncoming.

38 / 46

38) You may receive a citation for impeding traffic if you:

A) Drive at the speed limit in a work zone.

B) Travel too slowly on a highway.

C) Pass a vehicle on a two-lane road.

39 / 46

39) A “No U-Turn” sign in a business district allows U-turns:

A) Only for emergency vehicles.

B) At safe intersections or highway openings.

C) Only at night with no traffic.

40 / 46

40) A vehicle with a “Hazardous Loads Placards” sign must:

A) Yield at intersections only.

B) Park in designated loading zones.

C) Stop at all railroad crossings.

41 / 46

41) You may use your horn to:

A) Signal a lane change on a freeway.

B) Warn of a collision risk at an intersection.

C) Alert a pedestrian to move faster.

42 / 46

42) A “WRONG WAY” sign means you:

A) Must stop and wait for a green light.

B) Can proceed if no vehicles are oncoming.

C) Are driving against traffic and must turn around.

43 / 46

43) Drivers under 21 cannot drive with a BAC of:

A) 0.01% or higher.

B) 0.08% or higher.

C) 0.05% or higher.

44 / 46

44) A yellow curb allows you to:

A) Stop to load/unload, staying with vehicle.

B) Park indefinitely if no signs are posted.

C) Park for a limited time if signed.

45 / 46

45) When passing a motorcyclist, you should:

A) Give them the full lane to pass safely.

B) Pass in the same lane if space allows.

C) Honk to alert them before passing.

46 / 46

46) When following a large truck, keep extra space because:

A) It takes longer to stop.

B) It may swing wide during turns.

C) It accelerates quickly in traffic.

Your score is

California DMV Practice Tests & Hard Sets

CA DMV Test 1	CA DMV Test 2	CA DMV Test 3	CA DMV Hard 1
CA DMV Test 4	CA DMV Test 5	CA DMV Test 6	CA DMV Hard 2
CA DMV Test 7	CA DMV Test 8	CA DMV Test 9	CA DMV Hard 3
CA DMV Test 10	CA DMV Test 11	CA Road‑Sign Test	CA DMV Hard 4

Q: Are the practice-test answers identical to the real exam?
A: No. The DMV pulls from a secure item bank, but practice tests cover the same rule set, so mastering their explanations covers the real answers too.

Q: I’m over 18—why do sites still show 46 questions?
A: They default to the teen (provisional) version. Adults get 36 questions; look for simulators labeled “adult” to avoid extra study time.

Q: How often does California update the written test?
A: Minor tweaks roll out each January when the new Driver Handbook drops. Significant rule changes—like new distracted-driving fines—appear the same year legislators pass them.

Q: Can I rely on YouTube answer keys?
A: Use them only as a side dish. Some videos recycle outdated laws; always cross-check with the current handbook PDF on DMV.ca.gov.