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

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

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

C) Travel too slowly on a highway.

2 / 46

2) You may use your horn to:

A) Alert a pedestrian to move faster.

B) Signal a lane change on a freeway.

C) Warn of a collision risk at an intersection.

3 / 46

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

A) Use high beams for better visibility.

B) Drive no faster than 30 mph.

C) Maintain the posted speed limit.

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

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

A) Are placed on the passenger side only.

B) Obstruct your view of the road.

C) Are smaller than a 5-inch square.

6 / 46

6) 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.

7 / 46

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

A) Stop until the entire light is green.

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

C) Proceed straight through the intersection.

8 / 46

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

A) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

B) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

C) Traffic entering from the right only.

9 / 46

9) A flashing red traffic light requires you to:

A) Stop fully, as at a stop sign.

B) Slow down and yield to traffic.

C) Proceed if no pedestrians are present.

10 / 46

10) Minors using a cell phone while driving face:

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

B) No penalty if used for navigation.

C) Exemption if with an adult.

11 / 46

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

A) Stop to clear windshield and lights.

B) Drive at the posted speed limit.

C) Use high beams to see better.

12 / 46

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

A) Honk to clear the crosswalk quickly.

B) Yield to pedestrians per traffic signals.

C) Proceed if the pedestrian is moving fast.

13 / 46

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

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

B) Wait for them to move left first.

C) Pass within one foot if safe.

14 / 46

14) At an uncontrolled intersection with simultaneous arrivals:

A) The left vehicle yields to the right.

B) The faster vehicle proceeds first.

C) The right vehicle has priority.

15 / 46

15) 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.

16 / 46

16) 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.

17 / 46

17) A “WRONG WAY” sign means you:

A) Must stop and wait for a green light.

B) Are driving against traffic and must turn around.

C) Can proceed if no vehicles are oncoming.

18 / 46

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

A) Use hand signals for turns or stops.

B) Flash headlights to indicate turns.

C) Proceed without signaling if visible.

19 / 46

19) 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.

20 / 46

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

A) Proceed slowly if no signs are posted.

B) Honk to alert unseen traffic.

C) Stop, then inch forward to check.

21 / 46

21) A U-turn is prohibited:

A) Within 100 feet of a crosswalk.

B) On a one-way street at night.

C) Near a fire station driveway.

22 / 46

22) 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.

23 / 46

23) 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.

24 / 46

24) 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.

25 / 46

25) 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.

26 / 46

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

A) 0.05% or higher.

B) 0.01% or higher.

C) 0.08% or higher.

27 / 46

27) 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.

28 / 46

28) 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.

29 / 46

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

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

B) Only if children are boarding the bus.

C) From either direction unless on a divided highway.

30 / 46

30) 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.

31 / 46

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

A) Using a single swipe or touch.

B) Operating it in light traffic only.

C) Holding it briefly to text.

32 / 46

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

A) 35 mph unless pedestrians are present.

B) 25 mph unless signs state otherwise.

C) 30 mph unless traffic is heavy.

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) On a mountain road during daylight, you must:

A) Activate high-beam headlights for curves.

B) Use low-beam headlights at all times.

C) Turn on emergency flashers for visibility.

35 / 46

35) 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.

36 / 46

36) To merge onto a freeway, you must:

A) Stop on the ramp until a gap appears.

B) Match traffic speed and merge safely.

C) Yield only to emergency vehicles.

37 / 46

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

A) A railroad crossing ahead.

B) A school zone with potential child crossings.

C) A construction zone with workers.

38 / 46

38) 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.

39 / 46

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

A) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

B) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

C) Honk to clear the intersection.

40 / 46

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

A) It accelerates quickly in traffic.

B) It takes longer to stop.

C) It may swing wide during turns.

41 / 46

41) 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.

42 / 46

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

A) Honk to signal your approach.

B) Be cautious due to low engine noise.

C) Maintain speed for consistency.

43 / 46

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

A) Notify insurance within 24 hours.

B) File a police report if no injuries.

C) Report to DMV within 10 days.

44 / 46

44) 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.

45 / 46

45) A yellow curb allows you to:

A) Park indefinitely if no signs are posted.

B) Park for a limited time if signed.

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

46 / 46

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

A) Required occupants or a DMV decal.

B) A commercial license for the driver.

C) Speed 10 mph above traffic flow.

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.