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) 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.

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) At an uncontrolled intersection with simultaneous arrivals:

A) The right vehicle has priority.

B) The left vehicle yields to the right.

C) The faster vehicle proceeds first.

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

5) 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.

6 / 46

6) You may use your horn to:

A) Alert a pedestrian to move faster.

B) Warn of a collision risk at an intersection.

C) Signal a lane change on a freeway.

7 / 46

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

A) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

B) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

C) Traffic entering from the right only.

8 / 46

8) 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.

9 / 46

9) 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.

10 / 46

10) A “WRONG WAY” sign means you:

A) Are driving against traffic and must turn around.

B) Can proceed if no vehicles are oncoming.

C) Must stop and wait for a green light.

11 / 46

11) 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.

12 / 46

12) 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.

13 / 46

13) 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.

14 / 46

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

A) Maintain the posted speed limit.

B) Use high beams for better visibility.

C) Drive no faster than 30 mph.

15 / 46

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

A) 25 mph unless signs state otherwise.

B) 35 mph unless pedestrians are present.

C) 30 mph unless traffic is heavy.

16 / 46

16) 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.

17 / 46

17) 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.

18 / 46

18) 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.

19 / 46

19) 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.

20 / 46

20) 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.

21 / 46

21) 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.

22 / 46

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

A) Are placed on the passenger side only.

B) Are smaller than a 5-inch square.

C) Obstruct your view of the road.

23 / 46

23) 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.

24 / 46

24) 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.

25 / 46

25) 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.

26 / 46

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

A) Holding it briefly to text.

B) Operating it in light traffic only.

C) Using a single swipe or touch.

27 / 46

27) 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.

28 / 46

28) 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.

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) To use an HOV lane, your vehicle needs:

A) Speed 10 mph above traffic flow.

B) Required occupants or a DMV decal.

C) A commercial license for the driver.

31 / 46

31) Proof of insurance is required when:

A) Using a carpool lane with a decal.

B) Involved in a collision or drive test.

C) Parking at a colored curb.

32 / 46

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

A) Passing only for left-lane vehicles.

B) No passing in either direction.

C) Passing is allowed if no traffic is oncoming.

33 / 46

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

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

B) Crossing hands to pull the wheel smoothly.

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

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) 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.

36 / 46

36) 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.

37 / 46

37) 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.

38 / 46

38) 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.

39 / 46

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

A) It takes longer to stop.

B) It may swing wide during turns.

C) It accelerates quickly in traffic.

40 / 46

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

A) Use high beams to reduce glare.

B) Speed up to pass the glare area.

C) Wear polarized sunglasses.

41 / 46

41) 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.

42 / 46

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

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

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

C) Pass on the right without signaling if clear.

43 / 46

43) 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.

44 / 46

44) Minors using a cell phone while driving face:

A) Exemption if with an adult.

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

C) No penalty if used for navigation.

45 / 46

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

A) Turn on emergency flashers for visibility.

B) Use low-beam headlights at all times.

C) Activate high-beam headlights for curves.

46 / 46

46) 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 the far-right lane only.

C) End in any safe open lane.

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.