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) 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.

2 / 46

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

A) Proceed if gates are not fully lowered.

B) Stop until gates are fully raised.

C) Cross quickly if no train is visible.

3 / 46

3) 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.

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

5) 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.

6 / 46

6) 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.

7 / 46

7) 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.

8 / 46

8) 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.

9 / 46

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

A) Only during “WALK” signal phases.

B) Only in marked crosswalks.

C) At all times, regardless of location.

10 / 46

10) 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.

11 / 46

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

A) Preparing to park or pull from a curb.

B) Passing a cyclist on a narrow road.

C) Merging onto a freeway at high speed.

12 / 46

12) 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.

13 / 46

13) 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.

14 / 46

14) 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.

15 / 46

15) 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.

16 / 46

16) 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.

17 / 46

17) 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.

18 / 46

18) 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.

19 / 46

19) 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.

20 / 46

20) A “WRONG WAY” sign means you:

A) Can proceed if no vehicles are oncoming.

B) Must stop and wait for a green light.

C) Are driving against traffic and must turn around.

21 / 46

21) 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.

22 / 46

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

A) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

B) Traffic entering from the right only.

C) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

23 / 46

23) 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.

24 / 46

24) 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.

25 / 46

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

A) At safe intersections or highway openings.

B) Only for emergency vehicles.

C) Only at night with no traffic.

26 / 46

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

A) 0.05% or higher.

B) 0.08% or higher.

C) 0.01% or higher.

27 / 46

27) 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.

28 / 46

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

A) Use high beams to see better.

B) Stop to clear windshield and lights.

C) Drive at the posted speed limit.

29 / 46

29) 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.

30 / 46

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

A) Park in designated loading zones.

B) Stop at all railroad crossings.

C) Yield at intersections only.

31 / 46

31) 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.

32 / 46

32) 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.

33 / 46

33) 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.

34 / 46

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

A) Speed up to pass the glare area.

B) Use high beams to reduce glare.

C) Wear polarized sunglasses.

35 / 46

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

A) Drive no faster than 30 mph.

B) Use high beams for better visibility.

C) Maintain the posted speed limit.

36 / 46

36) 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.

37 / 46

37) 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.

38 / 46

38) 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.

39 / 46

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

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

B) From either direction unless on a divided highway.

C) Only if children are boarding the bus.

40 / 46

40) 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.

41 / 46

41) 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.

42 / 46

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

A) Maintaining consistent speed.

B) Avoiding wet road surfaces.

C) Sudden lane changes or stops.

43 / 46

43) 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.

44 / 46

44) 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.

45 / 46

45) You may use your horn to:

A) Signal a lane change on a freeway.

B) Alert a pedestrian to move faster.

C) Warn of a collision risk at an intersection.

46 / 46

46) A U-turn is prohibited:

A) Near a fire station driveway.

B) Within 100 feet of a crosswalk.

C) On a one-way street at night.

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.