California DMV Practice Test Questions and Answers Printable PDF. Getting ready for the California DMV written test shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. With the 2026 permit exam trimmed down to 46 razor-sharp questions for teens (and 36 for adults), every click on the touchscreen matters

CA DMV Practice Test – Printable PDF

This guide offers a free, printable PDF containing up-to-date practice questions and verified answers. So you can drill the exact rules, fines, and sign shapes the DMV loves to ask. No fluff, no outdated trivia.

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FREE CA DMV Practice Test
Questions and Answers Quiz
Total Items: 36 Questions
Passing Percentage: 83%
Time Limit: 60 Minutes

1 / 36

1) Alcohol is:

A) A depressant

B) An antihistamine

C) A Stimulant

2 / 36

2) If you are driving on a highway next to a single broken white line marking:

A) You cannot cross the line to pass

B) You may only cross the line to change lanes if you are in the left lane.

C) You may cross the line to pass and change lanes.

3 / 36

3) Excessive speed:

A) Does not increase the chance of a crash.

B) Increases your ability to react to a hazard.

C) Often leads to high-risk decision-making

4 / 36

4) A broken yellow line between two lanes of traffic means:

A) Both lanes of traffic are going in the same direction.

B) Passing is permitted when its safe.

C) Passing is not permitted.

5 / 36

5) You must notify the DMV within five days if you:

A) Sell or transfer your vehicle

B) Are cited for a traffic violation.

C) Paint your vehicle a different color.

6 / 36

6) You are driving on the freeway. The vehicle in front of you is a large truck. You should drive:

A) No more than one car length behind the truck so the driver can see you.

B) Closely behind the truck in bad weather because the driver can see farther ahead than you can.

C) Farther behind the truck than you would when following a passenger vehicle.

7 / 36

7) It is very foggy. You should slow down and:

A) Turn on your emergency flashers.

B) Turn your lights to their low beam setting.

C) Turn your lights to their high beam setting.

8 / 36

8) Using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle is considered a distraction because:

A) It causes the driver to be concerned about the cost of the call.

B) It is an activity that draws the attention of other drivers.

C) It occupies the driver’s hands, eyes, and mind.

9 / 36

9) You have stopped for a train at a railroad crossing. After the train passes, you should:

A) Wait for signal lights to stop flashing.

B) Both of the above

C) Look for a second train

10 / 36

10) You are approaching an intersection where a traffic signal is displaying a steady yellow light. If you have not already entered the intersection, you should:

A) Speed up to beat the red light.

B) Come to a safe stop.

C) Reduce you speed and proceed carefully through the intersection

11 / 36

11) Before you change lanes, you should check your mirrors and:

A) Glance over your shoulder.

B) Always slow down in your traffic lane.

C) Never look over your right shoulder.

12 / 36

12) If oncoming headlights are blinding you while you are driving at night, you should:

A) Switch your lights to high beams

B) Look toward the right edge of the road

C) Turn your lights on and off

13 / 36

13) You can drive off the road to pass another vehicle:

A) If the vehicle ahead is turning left.

B) If there are two or more lanes travelling in your direction.

C) Under no circumstances.

14 / 36

14) Night driving presents unique problems because:

A) There are fewer cars on the roads at night.

B) Distance and vehicle speed are difficult to judge in the dark.

C) The speed limit is increased at night

15 / 36

15) Increase your following distance when driving behind a large vehicle:

A) Because following too closely will get you caught in the vehicle’s slipstream.

B) Because other drivers tend to pull behind large vehicles before trying to pass them.

C) To better see around the sides of the vehicle.

16 / 36

16) After passing a vehicle, it is safe to return to your driving lane when:

A) The driver you passed signals for you to return to your lane

B) You see the headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror

C) You signal your intention for three seconds

17 / 36

17) A distraction when driving is:

A) Anything that takes your attention away from driving.

B) Anything that causes evasive action while driving.

C) Anything that causes you to pay more attention to driving.

18 / 36

18) If you miss your exit on the freeway, you should not:

A) Proceed to the next exit, leave the freeway, and return to your proper exit.

B) Continue on the freeway and find an alternate route to your destination.

C) Back up on the road or shoulder.

19 / 36

19) The safest precaution that you can take when using cellular phones while driving is:

A) To review the number before answering a call.

B) To keep your phone within easy reach so you won’t need to take your eyes off the road.

C) To use hands-free devices so you can keep both hands on the steering wheel.

20 / 36

20) It is illegal to leave a child age _____ or younger alone in a vehicle.

A) Seven

B) Eight

C) Six

21 / 36

21) Smoking inside a vehicle with a person younger than 18 years of age is:

A) Not restricted by law.

B) Legal, if it is your child

C) illegal at all times.

22 / 36

22)
A pentagon-shaped sign is a:

A) School zone or school crossing sign

B) Regulatory sign

C) Stop sign

23 / 36

23) When parking next to a curb, you should use your turn signals:

A) When pulling next to or away from the curb

B) When pulling next to, but not away from, the curb.

C) Only when pulling away from the curb.

24 / 36

24) When changing lanes on a freeway, you should:

A) Signal for at least five seconds.

B) Assume there is enough space in the next lane for your vehicle, if you signal first.

C) Slow down before you start to change lanes.

25 / 36

25) Dim your headlights for oncoming vehicles or when you are within 300 feet of a vehicle:

A) That you are approaching from behind.

B) That you have already passed.

C) Approaching you from behind.

26 / 36

26) What is an important step in turning?

A) Increase your speed.

B) Check traffic in all directions.

C) Always move to the left lane

27 / 36

27) A pedestrian starts to cross the street after the “Don’t Walk” signal begins to flash. The pedestrian is in the middle of the street when your signal light changes to green. You should:

A) Proceed if you have the right-of-way.

B) Wait until the pedestrian crosses the street before proceeding.

C) Proceed if the pedestrian is not in your lane.

28 / 36

28) If a child is riding a bicycle near your vehicle:

A) Expect the unexpected

B) Expect the child to be in total control of the bicycle

C) Beep your horn.

29 / 36

29) Adjust your rearview and side mirrors:

A) Whenever you need to use them

B) Before you start driving

C) Before you get into the car.

30 / 36

30) Which of the following driving skills is / are affected by the use of alcohol and / or drugs?

A) Alertness

B) Coordination

C) Both of the above

31 / 36

31) This white sign means:

A) Look, listen, and prepare to stop at the crossing if necessary.

B) The railroad crossing is controlled. Continue at your regular speed.

C) Stop at the railroad tracks and wait for a signal before crossing.

32 / 36

32) Always carefully look for motorcycles before you change lanes because:

A) They usually have the right-of-way at intersections.

B) It is illegal for motorcycles to share traffic lanes.

C) Their small size can make them hard to see.

33 / 36

33) When you want to change lanes, you should never:

A) Check for other drivers moving into the same lane.

B) Check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder.

C) Move into another lane while within an intersection.

34 / 36

34) A blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent:

A) Won’t put other drivers at risk

B) Will double your chances of having an accident.

C) Won’t have any effect on your driving

35 / 36

35) If you want to pass a bicyclists riding on the right edge of your lane:

A) You must not squeeze past the bicyclist

B) You may not pass the bicyclist for any reason.

C) You must honk your horn before passing the bicyclists.

36 / 36

36) You are driving on the freeway behind a large truck. You should drive:

A) To the right side of the truck and wait to pass.

B) Farther behind the truck than you would if following a passenger vehicle

C) Closer behind the truck than you would if following a passenger vehicle.

Your score is
0%

Download Printable PDF

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

Quick Stats on the 2026 Written Exam

Applicant	# of Questions	Correct to Pass	Time Limit
Under 18	46	38 (≈ 83 %)	60 min
18 and older	36	30 (≈ 83 %)	45 min

FAQ

Is the printable PDF identical to the real 2026 exam?
No—DMV keeps the live items secret, but the PDF covers the exact rule set, so if you can explain why each answer is correct, you’re bullet-proof on test day.

Did the 46-question format change in 2026?
Still 46 for teens, 36 for adults. The twist is which laws show up—see the table above.

Where can I find a legitimate answer key?
Every DMV sample test includes one; it prints automatically if you tick “Answers.”
California Department of Motor Vehicles

Do seniors (70+) still need the written test?
Not for renewals after Oct 1 2026—unless they’ve had recent violations—so most seniors won’t face the 2026 questions at all.