FREE CA DMV Driving Test Questions and Answers 2026

FREE CA DMV Driving Test Questions and Answers 2026. You do not need to spend a dime on prep materials. Devote a focused week to the free question banks above, reproduce test conditions a couple of times, and walk into the DMV with calm confidence.

Thousands of Californians pass on the first try each month using nothing more than the state handbook and these zero-cost practice exams—there’s no reason you can’t be next. California’s written knowledge test is famously detail-heavy—state law, safety rules, speed limits, and dozens of tricky road-sign questions packed into a timed exam.

The good news? You don’t need a paid course or an expensive app to master it. The DMV itself, as well as several reputable educational sites, publish full question banks at no charge.

FREE CA DMV Driving Test Questions and Answers

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

1 / 36

1) You want to make a right turn at an upcoming intersection. You should slow down and:

A) Signal for 100 feet before turning

B) Avoid driving in the bicycle lane

C) Move toward the left side of your lane

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) Come to a complete stop before proceeding

B) Go through the intersection without stopping

C) Stop until the light turns green

3 / 36

3) Which of these statements is true about changing lanes?

A) You only need to turn and look over your right shoulder for lane changes to the right or left

B) Look over your right shoulder for a right lane change and your left shoulder for a left lane change

C) Vehicles with two outside mirrors do not have blind spots

4 / 36

This sign means:

A) Cars on the right move first

B) You have the right-of-way

C) Let cross traffic pass before proceeding

5 / 36

5) There are two traffic lanes moving in your direction. You are driving in the left lane and many vehicles are passing you on the right. If the driver behind you wishes to drive faster, you should:

A) Move into the right lane when it is safe

B) Stay in your lane so you don’t impede the flow of traffic

C) Drive onto the left shoulder to let the other vehicles pass

6 / 36

6) Which of the following factors affect an individual’s absorption of alcohol?

A) Intelligence

B) Height

C) Weight

7 / 36

7) When driving in work zones, you should:

A) Reduce your speed and be prepared to stop suddenly

B) Increase your speed to get through the zone as quickly as possible

C) Maintain your normal speed the whole way through the zone

8 / 36

8) Fatigue increases the risk of:

A) Being late for an appointment

B) Missing an exit

C) Falling asleep behind the wheel and crashing

9 / 36

This white sign means:

A) Stay in the right lane if you are driving more slowly than other traffic

B) You should slow down and move to the right lane

C) Slower traffic must exit on the right

10 / 36

10) The driver ahead of you stops at a crosswalk. What should you do?

A) Cautiously pass the vehicle at 10 mph or slower

B) Stop, proceeding only when all the pedestrians have crossed

C) Change lanes, look carefully, and pass the stopped vehicle

11 / 36

11)

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

12 / 36

12)

This sign means

A) Yield the right-of-way

B) Side road

C) Merge

13 / 36

13) When being passed by another vehicle:

A) Maintain a constant speed

B) Speed up

C) Brake hard

14 / 36

14)

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

A) Shoulder work ahead

B) The vehicle has the right-of-way

C) slow-moving vehicle

15 / 36

15) Which of these statements is true about drugs and driving?

A) Any prescription drug is safe use if you don’t feel drowsy

B) Only illegal drugs can impair your driving

C) Even over-the -counter drugs can impair your driving

16 / 36

16)

From top to bottom, the following is the proper order for traffic lights:

A) Red, yellow, green

B) Green, red, yellow

C) Red, green, yellow

17 / 36

17) Yellow lines separate:

A) All carpool lanes from regular traffic lanes

B) Traffic lanes on one-way streets

C) Traffic moving in opposite directions on two-way roads

18 / 36

18) You are approaching an intersection at the posted speed limit when the signal turns yellow. You should:

A) Speed up to cross the intersection before the light turns red

B) Slow down and proceed through the intersection without caution

C) Stop before entering the intersection, if you can do so safely

19 / 36

19) if you park facing uphill on a street with a curb, set the parking brake and:

A) Leave the front wheels straight

B) Turn the front wheels toward the curb

C) Turn the front wheels away from the curb

20 / 36

20) In which of the following scenarios should your wheels not be pointed straight ahead?

A) When waiting to make a left turn at a traffic light

B) When parked on a hill or sloping driveway

C) When parked on the side of a level roadway where there is no curb

21 / 36

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

A) High beams

B) Low beams

C) Fog lights only

22 / 36

22) Which of the following blocks the smooth flow of traffic?

A) Slowing down to look at collision scene

B) Using public transportation instead of your vehicle

C) Avoiding unnecessary lane changes

23 / 36

23)

This sign means:

A) Pedestrians must not cross here

B) Pedestrians walking along the road ahead

C) Pedestrian crossing ahead

24 / 36

24) Drivers must use their seat belt:

A) Unless they are driving a limousine

B) And failure to do so will result in a traffic ticket

C) Unless they are driving vehicle built before 1978

25 / 36

25) When driving under snowy or icy conditions:

A) Make speed and directional changes more gradually than you would otherwise

B) Drive as you would under normal conditions

C) It is safe to use your cruise control

26 / 36

26) When driving at night on a dimly lit street, you should:

A) Turn on your high beam headlights to better see the vehicles ahead of you

B) Drive slowly enough that you can stop within the area illuminated by our headlights

C) Keep the instrument panel lights bright to be more visible to other drivers

27 / 36

27) When being followed by a tailgater, which of the following will help you avoid being hit from behind?

A) Decreasing your following distance

B) Merging into another lane

C) Changing lane frequently

28 / 36

28) A broken yellow centerline means that:

A) Passing on the left is permitted when the way ahead is clear

B) Passing on the right is permitted when the way ahead is clear

C) Passing is not permitted

29 / 36

29)

This sign means:

A) Reduction in lanes

B) Yield the right-of-way

C) No Passing zone

30 / 36

30) You should increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead when you:

A) Are following a small passenger vehicle

B) Are driving more slowly than the posted speed limit

C) Are being tailgated by another driver

31 / 36

31) When backing up:

A) Rely only on your rearview mirror

B) Press hard on the gas pedal

C) Look through the rear window

32 / 36

32) When you are behind a motorcycle, you should:

A) Allow a larger following distance

B) Be ready to use your horn

C) Drive more slowly

33 / 36

33) If a truck or bus is making a right turn where you also need to make a right turn, you should:

A) Wait until the truck or bus turns before you turn

B) Quickly turn before the truck or bus is able to

C) Squeeze between the truck or bus and the curb

34 / 36

34) If you are about to be hit from the year, you should not:

A) Release your seat belt

B) Brace yourself

C) Press your head against the head restraint

35 / 36

35) A person may legally ride in the back of a pickup truck when:

A) The sides of the pickup bed are at least 24 inches high

B) In a secured seat and while using an approved safety belt

C) The back of the pickup is covered with a camper shell

36 / 36

36) You are approaching a green traffic light and traffic is blocking the intersection. What is the best thing to do?

A) Partially enter the intersection to establish your right-of-way

B) Continue into the intersection and wait for traffic to clear

C) Don’t enter the intersection until you can get completely across

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

1. Test Snapshot: Numbers You Need to Know

Applicant	# of Questions	Correct to Pass	Passing Rate
Under 18	46	38 (83 %)	3 attempts per application
18 +	36	30 (83 %)	3 attempts per application

English isn’t your only option: the DMV hosts the test (and its practice sets) in more than a dozen languages, including Spanish, Chinese, Punjabi, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

2. Zero-Cost Study Plan (7 Days)

Day	Goal	Tools
1	Read Chapters 1-4 of the 2026 CA Driver Handbook (download free PDF).	DMV site
2	Finish the handbook; highlight speed limits & sign colors.	PDF reader
3	DMV Sample Test #1 + Driving-Tests.org “Easy Mode.”	30 min each
4	DMV Sample Test #2 + Zutobi Simulator (timed).	Track errors
5	Cheat-Sheet flashcards on signs + DMV Sample #3.	45 min
6	Full 46-question simulator; aim for 90 %+.	Notebook review
7	Light review, good sleep, and documents in a folder.	No cramming

Total study time: about 7 hours spread over a week—plenty for a confident pass.