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 No fluff, no outdated trivia.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) Adjust your rearview and side mirrors:

A) Whenever you need to use them

B) Before you get into the car.

C) Before you start driving

2 / 36

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

A) Alertness

B) Both of the above

C) Coordination

3 / 36

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

A) Seven

B) Six

C) Eight

4 / 36

4) 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

5 / 36

5)
A pentagon-shaped sign is a:

A) School zone or school crossing sign

B) Regulatory sign

C) Stop sign

6 / 36

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

A) Approaching you from behind.

B) That you are approaching from behind.

C) That you have already passed.

7 / 36

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

A) Move into another lane while within an intersection.

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

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

8 / 36

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

A) Are cited for a traffic violation.

B) Paint your vehicle a different color.

C) Sell or transfer your vehicle

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9) 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 must honk your horn before passing the bicyclists.

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

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

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

11 / 36

11) Night driving presents unique problems because:

A) The speed limit is increased at night

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

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

12 / 36

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

A) Passing is not permitted.

B) Passing is permitted when its safe.

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

13 / 36

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

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

B) Signal for at least five seconds.

C) Slow down before you start to change lanes.

14 / 36

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

A) You signal your intention for three seconds

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

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

15 / 36

15) 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.

16 / 36

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

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

B) You cannot cross the line to pass

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

17 / 36

17) A distraction when driving is:

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

B) Anything that causes evasive action while driving.

C) Anything that takes your attention away from driving.

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

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

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

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

19 / 36

19) This white sign means:

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

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

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

20 / 36

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

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

B) Under no circumstances.

C) If the vehicle ahead is turning left.

21 / 36

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

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

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

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

22 / 36

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

A) illegal at all times.

B) Legal, if it is your child

C) Not restricted by law.

23 / 36

23) Excessive speed:

A) Often leads to high-risk decision-making

B) Increases your ability to react to a hazard.

C) Does not increase the chance of a crash.

24 / 36

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

A) Look for a second train

B) Both of the above

C) Wait for signal lights to stop flashing.

25 / 36

25) 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.

26 / 36

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

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

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

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

27 / 36

27) Alcohol is:

A) An antihistamine

B) A Stimulant

C) A depressant

28 / 36

28) 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.

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

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

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

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

30 / 36

30) A blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent:

A) Won’t have any effect on your driving

B) Will double your chances of having an accident.

C) Won’t put other drivers at risk

31 / 36

31) 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.

32 / 36

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

A) Never look over your right shoulder.

B) Glance over your shoulder.

C) Always slow down in your traffic lane.

33 / 36

33) What is an important step in turning?

A) Check traffic in all directions.

B) Increase your speed.

C) Always move to the left lane

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34) 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) Reduce you speed and proceed carefully through the intersection

B) Speed up to beat the red light.

C) Come to a safe stop.

35 / 36

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

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

B) Only when pulling away from the curb.

C) When pulling next to or away from the curb

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

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

B) To review the number before answering a call.

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

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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.