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 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.

2 / 46

2) 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.

3 / 46

3) 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.

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

5) 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.

6 / 46

6) 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.

7 / 46

7) 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.

8 / 46

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

A) At safe intersections or highway openings.

B) Only at night with no traffic.

C) Only for emergency vehicles.

9 / 46

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

A) 0.08% or higher.

B) 0.01% or higher.

C) 0.05% or higher.

10 / 46

10) 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.

11 / 46

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

A) Obstruct your view of the road.

B) Are smaller than a 5-inch square.

C) Are placed on the passenger side only.

12 / 46

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

A) It accelerates quickly in traffic.

B) It may swing wide during turns.

C) It takes longer to stop.

13 / 46

13) 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.

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 vehicle with a “Hazardous Loads Placards” sign must:

A) Stop at all railroad crossings.

B) Yield at intersections only.

C) Park in designated loading zones.

16 / 46

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

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

B) Pass within one foot if safe.

C) Wait for them to move left first.

17 / 46

17) At an uncontrolled intersection with simultaneous arrivals:

A) The left vehicle yields to the right.

B) The right vehicle has priority.

C) The faster vehicle proceeds first.

18 / 46

18) 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.

19 / 46

19) 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.

20 / 46

20) 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.

21 / 46

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

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

B) Travel too slowly on a highway.

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

22 / 46

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

A) Sudden lane changes or stops.

B) Maintaining consistent speed.

C) Avoiding wet road surfaces.

23 / 46

23) 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.

24 / 46

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

A) Merging onto a freeway at high speed.

B) Passing a cyclist on a narrow road.

C) Preparing to park or pull from a curb.

25 / 46

25) Recording a traffic stop is allowed if:

A) The officer gives prior consent.

B) You don’t interfere with their duties.

C) You are not driving the vehicle.

26 / 46

26) 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.

27 / 46

27) 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.

28 / 46

28) 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.

29 / 46

29) 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.

30 / 46

30) A yellow curb allows you to:

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

B) Park indefinitely if no signs are posted.

C) Park for a limited time if signed.

31 / 46

31) 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.

32 / 46

32) 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.

33 / 46

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

A) A commercial license for the driver.

B) Required occupants or a DMV decal.

C) Speed 10 mph above traffic flow.

34 / 46

34) 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.

35 / 46

35) A flashing red traffic light requires you to:

A) Slow down and yield to traffic.

B) Stop fully, as at a stop sign.

C) Proceed if no pedestrians are present.

36 / 46

36) 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.

37 / 46

37) 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.

38 / 46

38) Proof of insurance is required when:

A) Parking at a colored curb.

B) Using a carpool lane with a decal.

C) Involved in a collision or drive test.

39 / 46

39) To merge onto a freeway, you must:

A) Stop on the ramp until a gap appears.

B) Yield only to emergency vehicles.

C) Match traffic speed and merge safely.

40 / 46

40) 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.

41 / 46

41) 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.

42 / 46

42) 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.

43 / 46

43) If your vehicle skids on a wet road, you should:

A) Brake firmly to regain control.

B) Ease off the accelerator and steer.

C) Accelerate to maintain traction.

44 / 46

44) 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.

45 / 46

45) When passing a motorcyclist, you should:

A) Give them the full lane to pass safely.

B) Honk to alert them before passing.

C) Pass in the same lane if space allows.

46 / 46

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

A) Honk to clear the intersection.

B) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

C) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

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.