46 Question Practice Permit Test California 2026

46 Question Practice Permit Test California 2026. 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 yellow curb allows you to:

A) Park for a limited time if signed.

B) Park indefinitely if no signs are posted.

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

2 / 46

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

A) Honk to alert unseen traffic.

B) Proceed slowly if no signs are posted.

C) Stop, then inch forward to check.

3 / 46

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

A) It takes longer to stop.

B) It accelerates quickly in traffic.

C) It may swing wide during turns.

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

5) A U-turn is prohibited:

A) Near a fire station driveway.

B) On a one-way street at night.

C) Within 100 feet of a crosswalk.

6 / 46

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

A) Honk to signal your approach.

B) Maintain speed for consistency.

C) Be cautious due to low engine noise.

7 / 46

7) To merge onto a freeway, you must:

A) Match traffic speed and merge safely.

B) Stop on the ramp until a gap appears.

C) Yield only to emergency vehicles.

8 / 46

8) A “WRONG WAY” sign means you:

A) Are driving against traffic and must turn around.

B) Must stop and wait for a green light.

C) Can proceed if no vehicles are oncoming.

9 / 46

9) At an uncontrolled intersection with simultaneous arrivals:

A) The faster vehicle proceeds first.

B) The left vehicle yields to the right.

C) The right vehicle has priority.

10 / 46

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

A) Operating it in light traffic only.

B) Using a single swipe or touch.

C) Holding it briefly to text.

11 / 46

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

A) No passing in either direction.

B) Passing is allowed if no traffic is oncoming.

C) Passing only for left-lane vehicles.

12 / 46

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

A) End in the center lane only.

B) End in any safe open lane.

C) End in the far-right lane only.

13 / 46

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

A) Accelerate to maintain traction.

B) Ease off the accelerator and steer.

C) Brake firmly to regain control.

14 / 46

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

A) A railroad crossing ahead.

B) A construction zone with workers.

C) A school zone with potential child crossings.

15 / 46

15) Proof of insurance is required when:

A) Involved in a collision or drive test.

B) Parking at a colored curb.

C) Using a carpool lane with a decal.

16 / 46

16) Minors using a cell phone while driving face:

A) No penalty if used for navigation.

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

C) Exemption if with an adult.

17 / 46

17) 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.

18 / 46

18) 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.

19 / 46

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

A) Traffic entering from the right only.

B) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

C) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

20 / 46

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

A) 30 mph unless traffic is heavy.

B) 25 mph unless signs state otherwise.

C) 35 mph unless pedestrians are present.

21 / 46

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

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

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

C) Travel too slowly on a highway.

22 / 46

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

A) Use low-beam headlights at all times.

B) Activate high-beam headlights for curves.

C) Turn on emergency flashers for visibility.

23 / 46

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

A) Required occupants or a DMV decal.

B) Speed 10 mph above traffic flow.

C) A commercial license for the driver.

24 / 46

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

A) Only at night with no traffic.

B) Only for emergency vehicles.

C) At safe intersections or highway openings.

25 / 46

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

A) Use hand signals for turns or stops.

B) Proceed without signaling if visible.

C) Flash headlights to indicate turns.

26 / 46

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

A) Stop until the entire light is green.

B) Proceed straight through the intersection.

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

27 / 46

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

A) From either direction unless on a divided highway.

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

C) Only if children are boarding the bus.

28 / 46

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

A) Speed up to pass the glare area.

B) Wear polarized sunglasses.

C) Use high beams to reduce glare.

29 / 46

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

A) Pass within one foot if safe.

B) Wait for them to move left first.

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

30 / 46

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

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

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

C) Pass on the right without signaling if clear.

31 / 46

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

A) File a police report if no injuries.

B) Report to DMV within 10 days.

C) Notify insurance within 24 hours.

32 / 46

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

A) Honk to clear the intersection.

B) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

C) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

33 / 46

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

A) Stop at all railroad crossings.

B) Yield at intersections only.

C) Park in designated loading zones.

34 / 46

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

A) Merging onto a freeway at high speed.

B) Preparing to park or pull from a curb.

C) Passing a cyclist on a narrow road.

35 / 46

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

A) After stopping at the intersection.

B) Only with a broken white line marking.

C) Within 200 feet after checking for bikes.

36 / 46

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

A) At least 10 times per minute.

B) Only when changing lanes or turning.

C) Every 5 seconds for road signs.

37 / 46

37) A flashing red traffic light requires you to:

A) Proceed if no pedestrians are present.

B) Slow down and yield to traffic.

C) Stop fully, as at a stop sign.

38 / 46

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

A) At all times, regardless of location.

B) Only during “WALK” signal phases.

C) Only in marked crosswalks.

39 / 46

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

A) Drive at the posted speed limit.

B) Stop to clear windshield and lights.

C) Use high beams to see better.

40 / 46

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

A) 0.01% or higher.

B) 0.08% or higher.

C) 0.05% or higher.

41 / 46

41) Recording a traffic stop is allowed if:

A) You are not driving the vehicle.

B) The officer gives prior consent.

C) You don’t interfere with their duties.

42 / 46

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

A) Maintain the posted speed limit.

B) Drive no faster than 30 mph.

C) Use high beams for better visibility.

43 / 46

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

A) Yield to pedestrians per traffic signals.

B) Honk to clear the crosswalk quickly.

C) Proceed if the pedestrian is moving fast.

44 / 46

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

A) Stop until gates are fully raised.

B) Proceed if gates are not fully lowered.

C) Cross quickly if no train is visible.

45 / 46

45) 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.

46 / 46

46) When passing a motorcyclist, you should:

A) Honk to alert them before passing.

B) Pass in the same lane if space allows.

C) Give them the full lane to pass safely.

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.