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 U-turn is prohibited:

A) On a one-way street at night.

B) Near a fire station driveway.

C) Within 100 feet of a crosswalk.

2 / 46

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

A) Honk to alert unseen traffic.

B) Stop, then inch forward to check.

C) Proceed slowly if no signs are posted.

3 / 46

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

A) Wait for them to move left first.

B) Pass within one foot if safe.

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

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

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

A) Stop at all railroad crossings.

B) Park in designated loading zones.

C) Yield at intersections only.

6 / 46

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

A) Holding it briefly to text.

B) Using a single swipe or touch.

C) Operating it in light traffic only.

7 / 46

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

A) No passing in either direction.

B) Passing only for left-lane vehicles.

C) Passing is allowed if no traffic is oncoming.

8 / 46

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

A) Only at night with no traffic.

B) At safe intersections or highway openings.

C) Only for emergency vehicles.

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

A) End in the far-right lane only.

B) End in any safe open lane.

C) End in the center lane only.

11 / 46

11) To merge onto a freeway, you must:

A) Yield only to emergency vehicles.

B) Stop on the ramp until a gap appears.

C) Match traffic speed and merge safely.

12 / 46

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

A) After stopping at the intersection.

B) Within 200 feet after checking for bikes.

C) Only with a broken white line marking.

13 / 46

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

A) Proceed straight through the intersection.

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

C) Stop until the entire light is green.

14 / 46

14) 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.

15 / 46

15) A yellow curb allows you to:

A) Park indefinitely if no signs are posted.

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

C) Park for a limited time if signed.

16 / 46

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

A) Proceed without signaling if visible.

B) Use hand signals for turns or stops.

C) Flash headlights to indicate turns.

17 / 46

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

A) Travel too slowly on a highway.

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

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

18 / 46

18) 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.

19 / 46

19) 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.

20 / 46

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

A) At least 10 times per minute.

B) Every 5 seconds for road signs.

C) Only when changing lanes or turning.

21 / 46

21) You may use your horn to:

A) Warn of a collision risk at an intersection.

B) Signal a lane change on a freeway.

C) Alert a pedestrian to move faster.

22 / 46

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

A) Crossing hands to pull the wheel smoothly.

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

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

23 / 46

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

A) Turn on emergency flashers for visibility.

B) Activate high-beam headlights for curves.

C) Use low-beam headlights at all times.

24 / 46

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

A) Preparing to park or pull from a curb.

B) Merging onto a freeway at high speed.

C) Passing a cyclist on a narrow road.

25 / 46

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

A) Are smaller than a 5-inch square.

B) Obstruct your view of the road.

C) Are placed on the passenger side only.

26 / 46

26) When passing a motorcyclist, you should:

A) Honk to alert them before passing.

B) Give them the full lane to pass safely.

C) Pass in the same lane if space allows.

27 / 46

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

A) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

B) Honk to clear the intersection.

C) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

28 / 46

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

A) Only in marked crosswalks.

B) Only during “WALK” signal phases.

C) At all times, regardless of location.

29 / 46

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

A) Notify insurance within 24 hours.

B) Report to DMV within 10 days.

C) File a police report if no injuries.

30 / 46

30) 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.

31 / 46

31) Proof of insurance is required when:

A) Parking at a colored curb.

B) Involved in a collision or drive test.

C) Using a carpool lane with a decal.

32 / 46

32) 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.

33 / 46

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

A) Pass on the right without signaling if clear.

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

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

34 / 46

34) 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.

35 / 46

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

A) Maintaining consistent speed.

B) Sudden lane changes or stops.

C) Avoiding wet road surfaces.

36 / 46

36) 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.

37 / 46

37) Minors using a cell phone while driving face:

A) Exemption if with an adult.

B) No penalty if used for navigation.

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

38 / 46

38) 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.

39 / 46

39) 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.

40 / 46

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

A) A construction zone with workers.

B) A railroad crossing ahead.

C) A school zone with potential child crossings.

41 / 46

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

A) It may swing wide during turns.

B) It takes longer to stop.

C) It accelerates quickly in traffic.

42 / 46

42) A flashing red traffic light requires you to:

A) Slow down and yield to traffic.

B) Proceed if no pedestrians are present.

C) Stop fully, as at a stop sign.

43 / 46

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

A) Traffic entering from the right only.

B) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

C) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

44 / 46

44) 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.

45 / 46

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

A) 0.05% or higher.

B) 0.08% or higher.

C) 0.01% or higher.

46 / 46

46) 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.

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.