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

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

B) Not move your vehicle for any reason

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

2 / 36

2) 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) Stop until the light turns green

B) Go through the intersection without stopping

C) Come to a complete stop before proceeding

3 / 36

3) 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) Left - towards the center of the road

C) Right - towards side of the road

4 / 36

4) 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

5 / 36

5) You may drive in a bike lane:

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

B) Whenever bicyclists are not present

C) If you drive slower than 15 mph

6 / 36

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

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

B) When pulling next to or away from the curb

C) Only when pulling away from the curb

7 / 36

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

A) Only required to use the shoulder belt

B) Required to use both the lap and shoulder belts

C) Only required to use the lap belt

8 / 36

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

A) The vehicle has the right-of-way

B) slow-moving vehicle

C) Shoulder work ahead

9 / 36

9) 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 transport two or more children in a passenger vehicle

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

10 / 36

10) 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

11 / 36

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

A) Reading a road map

B) Adjusting your outside mirrors

C) Listening to music through a set of dual headphones

12 / 36

12) Should you always drive slower than other traffic?

A) Yes, it is a good defensive driving technique

B) Yes, it is always safer than driving faster

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

13 / 36

13) 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 for a passenger vehicle

C) Farther behind the truck than for a passenger vehicle

14 / 36

14)

This yellow sign means:

A) There is a traffic signal ahead

B) Be prepared to stop if the light is flashing

C) Controlled railroad crossing ahead

15 / 36

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

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

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

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

16 / 36

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

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

B) Unless you entered the intersection on a green light

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

17 / 36

17)

When you see this sign, you:

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

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

C) Will always stop at the upcoming railroad crossing

18 / 36

18) Backing your vehicle is:

A) Only dangerous in large vehicles

B) Always dangerous to do

C) Dangerous if you have a helper

19 / 36

19)

This yellow sign means:

A) The road ahead may be slippery

B) There is a sharp curve in the road ahead

C) The road ahead has many curves

20 / 36

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

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

21 / 36

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

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

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

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

22 / 36

22) 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 have the same rights/ responsibilities as other motorists

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

23 / 36

23) 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

24 / 36

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

A) Next to the broken line may pass

B) Next to the solid line may pass

C) In both directions may pass

25 / 36

25) 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

26 / 36

26)

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

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

B) A carpool van containing only the driver

C) A convertible with an adult and two children

27 / 36

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

A) Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing

B) Cautiously drive around the pedestrian

C) Make sure the pedestrian can see you before proceeding

28 / 36

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

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

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

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

29 / 36

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

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

B) Cannot result in a traffic citation

C) Can frustrate other drivers and make them angry

30 / 36

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

A) You should treat the signal like a stop sign

B) Slow down and be alert at the upcoming intersection

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

31 / 36

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

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

B) Make room for the merging traffic, if possible

C) Always slow down and maintain your position

32 / 36

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

A) Fog lights only

B) High beams

C) Low beams

33 / 36

33) 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

34 / 36

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

A) Over your shoulder

B) The outside rearview mirror

C) The inside rearview mirror

35 / 36

35) Fatigue increases the risk of:

A) Missing an exit

B) Being late for an appointment

C) Falling asleep behind the wheel and crashing

36 / 36

36) 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

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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