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

A) Decreasing your following distance

B) Changing lane frequently

C) Merging into another lane

2 / 36

2) Drivers must use their seat belt:

A) Unless they are driving vehicle built before 1978

B) Unless they are driving a limousine

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

3 / 36

3) 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

4 / 36

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

A) High beams

B) Fog lights only

C) Low beams

5 / 36

5) When being passed by another vehicle:

A) Speed up

B) Brake hard

C) Maintain a constant speed

6 / 36

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

C) Slow down and proceed through the intersection without caution

7 / 36

7) When backing up:

A) Rely only on your rearview mirror

B) Look through the rear window

C) Press hard on the gas pedal

8 / 36

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

A) Brace yourself

B) Press your head against the head restraint

C) Release your seat belt

9 / 36

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

A) Signal for 100 feet before turning

B) Move toward the left side of your lane

C) Avoid driving in the bicycle lane

10 / 36

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

A) Weight

B) Intelligence

C) Height

11 / 36

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

A) Are driving more slowly than the posted speed limit

B) Are being tailgated by another driver

C) Are following a small passenger vehicle

12 / 36

12)

This white sign means:

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

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

C) Slower traffic must exit on the right

13 / 36

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

A) When parked on a hill or sloping driveway

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

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

14 / 36

14) 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

15 / 36

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

A) Be ready to use your horn

B) Allow a larger following distance

C) Drive more slowly

16 / 36

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

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

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

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

17 / 36

17) 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

18 / 36

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

A) Only illegal drugs can impair your driving

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

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

19 / 36

19)

This sign means:

A) No Passing zone

B) Reduction in lanes

C) Yield the right-of-way

20 / 36

20) A broken yellow centerline means that:

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

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

C) Passing is not permitted

21 / 36

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

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

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

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

22 / 36

22) Yellow lines separate:

A) Traffic lanes on one-way streets

B) All carpool lanes from regular traffic lanes

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

23 / 36

23) Fatigue increases the risk of:

A) Missing an exit

B) Falling asleep behind the wheel and crashing

C) Being late for an appointment

24 / 36

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

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

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

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

25 / 36

25) When driving in work zones, you should:

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

B) Reduce your speed and be prepared to stop suddenly

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

26 / 36

26) 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) Stop until the light turns green

C) Go through the intersection without stopping

27 / 36

27) 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

28 / 36

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

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

B) Cautiously pass the vehicle at 10 mph or slower

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

29 / 36

29)

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

30 / 36

30)

This sign means

A) Side road

B) Yield the right-of-way

C) Merge

31 / 36

31)

This sign means:

A) Pedestrian crossing ahead

B) Pedestrians walking along the road ahead

C) Pedestrians must not cross here

32 / 36

32) When driving under snowy or icy conditions:

A) Drive as you would under normal conditions

B) It is safe to use your cruise control

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

33 / 36

33)

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

A) slow-moving vehicle

B) The vehicle has the right-of-way

C) Shoulder work ahead

34 / 36

34)

This sign means:

A) Let cross traffic pass before proceeding

B) You have the right-of-way

C) Cars on the right move first

35 / 36

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

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

36 / 36

36)

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

A) Red, green, yellow

B) Red, yellow, green

C) Green, red, yellow

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.