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

A) Travel too slowly on a highway.

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

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

2 / 46

2) 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.

3 / 46

3) 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.

4 / 46

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

A) Passing only for left-lane vehicles.

B) Passing is allowed if no traffic is oncoming.

C) No passing in either direction.

5 / 46

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

A) All vehicles already in the roundabout.

B) Only emergency vehicles with sirens.

C) Traffic entering from the right only.

6 / 46

6) A U-turn is prohibited:

A) Within 100 feet of a crosswalk.

B) Near a fire station driveway.

C) On a one-way street at night.

7 / 46

7) 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.

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

A) Stop, then inch forward to check.

B) Honk to alert unseen traffic.

C) Proceed slowly if no signs are posted.

10 / 46

10) 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.

11 / 46

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

A) Be cautious due to low engine noise.

B) Honk to signal your approach.

C) Maintain speed for consistency.

12 / 46

12) 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.

13 / 46

13) 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.

14 / 46

14) A flashing red traffic light requires you to:

A) Stop fully, as at a stop sign.

B) Proceed if no pedestrians are present.

C) Slow down and yield to traffic.

15 / 46

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

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

B) Pass on the right without signaling if clear.

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

16 / 46

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

A) Only for emergency vehicles.

B) Only at night with no traffic.

C) At safe intersections or highway openings.

17 / 46

17) 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.

18 / 46

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

A) It takes longer to stop.

B) It accelerates quickly in traffic.

C) It may swing wide during turns.

19 / 46

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

A) Use high beams to see better.

B) Drive at the posted speed limit.

C) Stop to clear windshield and lights.

20 / 46

20) 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.

21 / 46

21) 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.

22 / 46

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

A) 0.08% or higher.

B) 0.05% or higher.

C) 0.01% or higher.

23 / 46

23) 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.

24 / 46

24) 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.

25 / 46

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

A) A school zone with potential child crossings.

B) A construction zone with workers.

C) A railroad crossing ahead.

26 / 46

26) 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.

27 / 46

27) To merge onto a freeway, you must:

A) Match traffic speed and merge safely.

B) Stop on the ramp until a gap appears.

C) Yield only to emergency vehicles.

28 / 46

28) Minors using a cell phone while driving face:

A) No penalty if used for navigation.

B) Exemption if with an adult.

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

29 / 46

29) 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.

30 / 46

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

A) Avoiding wet road surfaces.

B) Sudden lane changes or stops.

C) Maintaining consistent speed.

31 / 46

31) 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.

32 / 46

32) 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.

33 / 46

33) For a left turn from a one-way street to a multi-lane one-way street:

A) End in any safe open lane.

B) End in the center lane only.

C) End in the far-right lane only.

34 / 46

34) 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.

35 / 46

35) 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.

36 / 46

36) 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.

37 / 46

37) When passing a motorcyclist, you should:

A) Give them the full lane to pass safely.

B) Pass in the same lane if space allows.

C) Honk to alert them before passing.

38 / 46

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

A) Are smaller than a 5-inch square.

B) Are placed on the passenger side only.

C) Obstruct your view of the road.

39 / 46

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

A) Proceed if the pedestrian is moving fast.

B) Yield to pedestrians per traffic signals.

C) Honk to clear the crosswalk quickly.

40 / 46

40) 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.

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) Recording a traffic stop is allowed if:

A) You don’t interfere with their duties.

B) You are not driving the vehicle.

C) The officer gives prior consent.

43 / 46

43) 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.

44 / 46

44) 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.

45 / 46

45) 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.

46 / 46

46) 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.

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.