California DMV Questions and Answers 2026 [PDF]

California DMV Questions and Answers PDF 2026. California quietly tweaks its knowledge test every year, adding new hands-free rules here, shuffling road-sign items there. Our team pulled every last update from the 2026 California Driver Handbook and the DMV’s announcements, then built a no-fluff question bank you can study offline.

The result: a printable PDF that mirrors the real test in style, tone, and difficulty. (Yes, it’s free—and yes, you’ll find the download link a little further down!)

California DMV Questions and Answers

/36

California DMV Practice Test
Total Items: 36 Questions
Passing Percentage: 83%
Time Limit: 60 Minutes

1 / 36

1) Should you always drive slower than other traffic?

A) Yes, it is always safer than driving faster

B) Yes, it is a good defensive driving technique

C) No, you can block traffic when you drive too slowly

2 / 36

2) You are driving on a city street and see and emergency vehicle with flashing lights behind you. What should you do?

A) Stay in your lane, slow down, and let it pass

B) Drive to the right edge of the road and stop

C) Drive to the right edge of the road and slow down

3 / 36

3) You reach an intersection with stop signs on all four corners at the same time as the driver on your left. Who has the right-of-way?

A) You have the right-of-way

B) The driver on your left has the right-of-way

C) Whoever is signalling to make a turn has the right-of-way

4 / 36

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

A) Only when pulling away from the curb

B) When pulling next to or away from the curb

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

5 / 36

A freeway on-ramp is marked with this white sign. Which of the following vehicles may use this lane?

A) A carpool van containing only the driver

B) A sport utility vehicle containing an adult, child, and family

C) A convertible with an adult and two children

6 / 36

6) You must stop at the intersection ahead. Just before the intersection, you have to cross railroad tracks. You should stop before you cross the railroad tracks when:

A) The crossing is located in a city or town with frequent train traffic

B) You don't have room to completely cross the tracks

C) You transport two or more children in a passenger vehicle

7 / 36

7) California's "Basic Speed Law" says you must:

A) Always drive at the posted speed limit

B) Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions

C) Keep your speed close to that of other traffic

8 / 36

8) Fatigue increases the risk of:

A) Falling asleep behind the wheel and crashing

B) Missing an exit

C) Being late for an appointment

9 / 36

9) You may drive in a bike lane:

A) No more than 200 feet before making a right turn

B) If you drive slower than 15 mph

C) Whenever bicyclists are not present

10 / 36

10) What is the benefit of a space cushion around your vehicle?

A) Oher drivers can "cut" in front of you, improving traffic flow

B) It inflates to protect you from injury in case of a collision

C) If another driver makes a mistake, you have time to react

11 / 36

11)

This yellow sign means:

A) Be prepared to stop if the light is flashing

B) Controlled railroad crossing ahead

C) There is a traffic signal ahead

12 / 36

12) To see vehicles in your blind spots, you should check:

A) Over your shoulder

B) The inside rearview mirror

C) The outside rearview mirror

13 / 36

13)

When you see this sign, you:

A) Should stop and wait for a signal before crossing the railroad tracks

B) Will always stop at the upcoming railroad crossing

C) Are approaching a railroad crossing and should prepare to stop

14 / 36

14) When driving on a multilane street with two-way traffic:

A) Drive alongside the other vehicles so the drivers can see you

B) You should drive ahead of or behind the other vehicles

C) It is safest to drive in the lane next to the center line

15 / 36

15) To turn left from a one-way street with multiple lanes onto a two-way street, start the turn in:

A) The lane closest to the middle of the street

B) The far left lane

C) Any lane available

16 / 36

16) Driving under the influence of any medication which impairs your driving is permitted:

A) If it is prescribed by a physician

B) If you don't feel drowsy

C) Under no circumstances

17 / 36

17) While all of the following are dangerous to do while driving, which is also illegal?

A) Adjusting your outside mirrors

B) Listening to music through a set of dual headphones

C) Reading a road map

18 / 36

18)

An orange and red triangular sign on a vehicle always means:

A) slow-moving vehicle

B) Shoulder work ahead

C) The vehicle has the right-of-way

19 / 36

19) When driving in fog, rain, or snow, use:

A) Low beams

B) Fog lights only

C) High beams

20 / 36

20) A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means that vehicles:

A) In both directions may pass

B) Next to the solid line may pass

C) Next to the broken line may pass

21 / 36

21) Which of the following is true about roadways on bridges and overpasses in cold, wet weather?

A) They tend to freeze after the rest of the road does

B) They do not freeze because they are made of concrete

C) They tend to freeze before the rest of the road does

22 / 36

22) If you approach a traffic light with a red signal and a police officer directs you to go through the intersection without stopping, you should:

A) Go through the intersection without stopping

B) Stop until the light turns green

C) Come to a complete stop before proceeding

23 / 36

23) A flashing red light at an intersection means:

A) Stop and wait for the green light

B) Stop before entering

C) Slow down before entering

24 / 36

24) You are involved in a minor collision at an intersection. There are no injuries and very little vehicle damage. You should:

A) Not move your vehicle for any reason

B) Leave your vehicle in the traffic lane until law enforcement arrives

C) Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible

25 / 36

25) A flashing yellow traffic signal at an intersection means:

A) Stop, Yield to all cross traffic before crossing the intersection

B) Slow down and be alert at the upcoming intersection

C) You should treat the signal like a stop sign

26 / 36

26) Drivers are required to obey instruction from:

A) Flaggers (signal persons) at construction sites

B) Security guards patrolling parking lots

C) Other drivers whose vehicle are broken down on the roadway

27 / 36

27) If there is no crosswalk and you see a pedestrian crossing your lane, you should:

A) Cautiously drive around the pedestrian

B) Make sure the pedestrian can see you before proceeding

C) Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing

28 / 36

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

A) Closer behind the truck than for a passenger vehicle

B) To the right side of the truck and wait to pass

C) Farther behind the truck than for a passenger vehicle

29 / 36

29) Backing your vehicle is:

A) Only dangerous in large vehicles

B) Dangerous if you have a helper

C) Always dangerous to do

30 / 36

30) Tailgating other drivers (driving too close to their rear bumper):

A) Cannot result in a traffic citation

B) Can frustrate other drivers and make them angry

C) Reduce collisions by preventing you from being "cut off"

31 / 36

31)

This yellow sign means:

A) The road ahead may be slippery

B) The road ahead has many curves

C) There is a sharp curve in the road ahead

32 / 36

32) Which statement is true about motorcyclists and motorcyclists and motorists?

A) Motorcycles are heavier than other vehicles and are less affected by wind or rain

B) Motorcyclists are not allowed to drive faster than other traffic during congested road conditions

C) Motorcyclists have the same rights/ responsibilities as other motorists

33 / 36

33) If you are riding in a vehicle equipped with a lap belt and also a separate shoulder belt, you are:

A) Required to use both the lap and shoulder belts

B) Only required to use the shoulder belt

C) Only required to use the lap belt

34 / 36

34) You are on the freeway and traffic is merging into your lane. You should:

A) Make room for the merging traffic, if possible

B) Assert your right-of-way by driving faster

C) Always slow down and maintain your position

35 / 36

35) Blocking an intersection during "rush hour" traffic is not permitted:

A) Unless you have the right-of-way or a green light

B) Under any circumstances, even if your light is green

C) Unless you entered the intersection on a green light

36 / 36

36) You want to park uphill on a two-way road and there is no curb. Which way do you turn your wheels?

A) So they face straight ahead

B) Right - towards side of the road

C) Left - towards the center of the road

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

Questions on the exam

Teens under 18: 46 questions, must answer 38 correctly (83%) to pass.
Adults 18 +**: 36 questions (original license) or 18 (renewal); need at least 30 correct.

Attempts allowed: Three tries per application; minors wait 7 days between retakes.

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