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 “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.

2 / 46

2) 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.

3 / 46

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

A) From either direction unless on a divided highway.

B) Only if children are boarding the bus.

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

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

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

A) Maintain speed for consistency.

B) Be cautious due to low engine noise.

C) Honk to signal your approach.

6 / 46

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

A) A railroad crossing ahead.

B) A construction zone with workers.

C) A school zone with potential child crossings.

7 / 46

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

A) Proceed slowly if no signs are posted.

B) Stop, then inch forward to check.

C) Honk to alert unseen traffic.

8 / 46

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

A) Use hand signals for turns or stops.

B) Proceed without signaling if visible.

C) Flash headlights to indicate turns.

9 / 46

9) 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.

10 / 46

10) You may use your horn to:

A) Signal a lane change on a freeway.

B) Warn of a collision risk at an intersection.

C) Alert a pedestrian to move faster.

11 / 46

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

A) Using a single swipe or touch.

B) Holding it briefly to text.

C) Operating it in light traffic only.

12 / 46

12) 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.

13 / 46

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

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

B) Proceed straight through the intersection.

C) Stop until the entire light is green.

14 / 46

14) 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.

15 / 46

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

A) Passing is allowed if no traffic is oncoming.

B) Passing only for left-lane vehicles.

C) No passing in either direction.

16 / 46

16) 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.

17 / 46

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

A) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

B) Traffic entering from the right only.

C) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

18 / 46

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

A) Honk to clear the intersection.

B) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

C) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

19 / 46

19) 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.

20 / 46

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

A) Proceed if the pedestrian is moving fast.

B) Honk to clear the crosswalk quickly.

C) Yield to pedestrians per traffic signals.

21 / 46

21) 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.

22 / 46

22) 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.

23 / 46

23) 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.

24 / 46

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

A) Every 5 seconds for road signs.

B) At least 10 times per minute.

C) Only when changing lanes or turning.

25 / 46

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

A) Are smaller than a 5-inch square.

B) Obstruct your view of the road.

C) Are placed on the passenger side only.

26 / 46

26) 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.

27 / 46

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

A) Only during “WALK” signal phases.

B) At all times, regardless of location.

C) Only in marked crosswalks.

28 / 46

28) 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.

29 / 46

29) A yellow curb allows you to:

A) Park indefinitely if no signs are posted.

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

C) Park for a limited time if signed.

30 / 46

30) When passing a motorcyclist, you should:

A) Pass in the same lane if space allows.

B) Give them the full lane to pass safely.

C) Honk to alert them before passing.

31 / 46

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

A) Travel too slowly on a highway.

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

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

32 / 46

32) Minors using a cell phone while driving face:

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

B) Exemption if with an adult.

C) No penalty if used for navigation.

33 / 46

33) 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.

34 / 46

34) 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.

35 / 46

35) 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.

36 / 46

36) 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.

37 / 46

37) At an uncontrolled intersection with simultaneous arrivals:

A) The faster vehicle proceeds first.

B) The left vehicle yields to the right.

C) The right vehicle has priority.

38 / 46

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

A) Accelerate to maintain traction.

B) Brake firmly to regain control.

C) Ease off the accelerator and steer.

39 / 46

39) 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.

40 / 46

40) 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.

41 / 46

41) 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.

42 / 46

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

A) Drive at the posted speed limit.

B) Use high beams to see better.

C) Stop to clear windshield and lights.

43 / 46

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

A) 0.01% or higher.

B) 0.08% or higher.

C) 0.05% or higher.

44 / 46

44) 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.

45 / 46

45) 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.

46 / 46

46) 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.

Your score is

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.