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 U-turn is prohibited:

A) On a one-way street at night.

B) Within 100 feet of a crosswalk.

C) Near a fire station driveway.

2 / 46

2) 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.

3 / 46

3) 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.

4 / 46

4) 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.

5 / 46

5) 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.

6 / 46

6) 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.

7 / 46

7) 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.

8 / 46

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

A) 0.08% or higher.

B) 0.01% or higher.

C) 0.05% or higher.

9 / 46

9) 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.

10 / 46

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

A) Pass on the right without signaling if clear.

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

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

11 / 46

11) 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.

12 / 46

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

A) Operating it in light traffic only.

B) Holding it briefly to text.

C) Using a single swipe or touch.

13 / 46

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

A) Only if children are boarding the bus.

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

C) From either direction unless on a divided highway.

14 / 46

14) 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.

15 / 46

15) 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.

16 / 46

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

A) Cross quickly if no train is visible.

B) Stop until gates are fully raised.

C) Proceed if gates are not fully lowered.

17 / 46

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

A) Crossing hands to pull the wheel smoothly.

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

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

18 / 46

18) 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.

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) 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.

21 / 46

21) 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.

22 / 46

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

A) A construction zone with workers.

B) A school zone with potential child crossings.

C) A railroad crossing ahead.

23 / 46

23) For a collision with over $1,000 in damage, you must:

A) File a police report if no injuries.

B) Notify insurance within 24 hours.

C) Report to DMV within 10 days.

24 / 46

24) 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.

25 / 46

25) 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.

26 / 46

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

A) Accelerate to maintain traction.

B) Ease off the accelerator and steer.

C) Brake firmly to regain control.

27 / 46

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

A) Speed up to pass the glare area.

B) Wear polarized sunglasses.

C) Use high beams to reduce glare.

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

A) Proceed if the crosswalk is clear.

B) Honk to clear the intersection.

C) Wait for pedestrians to finish crossing.

30 / 46

30) 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.

31 / 46

31) 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.

32 / 46

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

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

B) Stop until the entire light is green.

C) Proceed straight through the intersection.

33 / 46

33) 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.

34 / 46

34) At an uncontrolled intersection with simultaneous arrivals:

A) The right vehicle has priority.

B) The faster vehicle proceeds first.

C) The left vehicle yields to the right.

35 / 46

35) 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.

36 / 46

36) 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.

37 / 46

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

A) Only with a broken white line marking.

B) Within 200 feet after checking for bikes.

C) After stopping at the intersection.

38 / 46

38) 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.

39 / 46

39) 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.

40 / 46

40) 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.

41 / 46

41) 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.

42 / 46

42) 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.

43 / 46

43) 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.

44 / 46

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

A) Maintain the posted speed limit.

B) Drive no faster than 30 mph.

C) Use high beams for better visibility.

45 / 46

45) A flashing red traffic light requires you to:

A) Slow down and yield to traffic.

B) Proceed if no pedestrians are present.

C) Stop fully, as at a stop sign.

46 / 46

46) 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.

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.