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 yellow curb allows you to:

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

B) Park for a limited time if signed.

C) Park indefinitely if no signs are posted.

2 / 46

2) 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.

3 / 46

3) 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.

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

5) 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.

6 / 46

6) 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.

7 / 46

7) 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.

8 / 46

8) 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.

9 / 46

9) 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.

10 / 46

10) 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.

11 / 46

11) Proof of insurance is required when:

A) Using a carpool lane with a decal.

B) Parking at a colored curb.

C) Involved in a collision or drive test.

12 / 46

12) 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.

13 / 46

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

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

B) Pass on the right without signaling if clear.

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

14 / 46

14) Recording a traffic stop is allowed if:

A) You are not driving the vehicle.

B) You don’t interfere with their duties.

C) The officer gives prior consent.

15 / 46

15) 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.

16 / 46

16) 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.

17 / 46

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

A) Every 5 seconds for road signs.

B) Only when changing lanes or turning.

C) At least 10 times per minute.

18 / 46

18) 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.

19 / 46

19) To merge onto a freeway, you must:

A) Match traffic speed and merge safely.

B) Yield only to emergency vehicles.

C) Stop on the ramp until a gap appears.

20 / 46

20) 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.

21 / 46

21) 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.

22 / 46

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

A) Yield at intersections only.

B) Stop at all railroad crossings.

C) Park in designated loading zones.

23 / 46

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

A) Use low-beam headlights at all times.

B) Turn on emergency flashers for visibility.

C) Activate high-beam headlights for curves.

24 / 46

24) 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.

25 / 46

25) 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.

26 / 46

26) 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.

27 / 46

27) 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.

28 / 46

28) 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 the center lane only.

C) End in any safe open lane.

29 / 46

29) 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.

30 / 46

30) 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.

31 / 46

31) 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.

32 / 46

32) 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.

33 / 46

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

A) Stop to clear windshield and lights.

B) Use high beams to see better.

C) Drive at the posted speed limit.

34 / 46

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

A) 0.05% or higher.

B) 0.08% or higher.

C) 0.01% or higher.

35 / 46

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

A) Within 200 feet after checking for bikes.

B) After stopping at the intersection.

C) Only with a broken white line marking.

36 / 46

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

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

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

C) Crossing hands to pull the wheel smoothly.

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 in marked crosswalks.

C) Only during “WALK” signal phases.

39 / 46

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

A) Flash headlights to indicate turns.

B) Proceed without signaling if visible.

C) Use hand signals for turns or stops.

40 / 46

40) 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.

41 / 46

41) 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.

42 / 46

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

A) Be cautious due to low engine noise.

B) Maintain speed for consistency.

C) Honk to signal your approach.

43 / 46

43) 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.

44 / 46

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

A) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

B) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

C) Honk to clear the intersection.

45 / 46

45) 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.

46 / 46

46) 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.

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.