California DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the California driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the California-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official California driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real California test has 46 questions and you need 38 correct (83%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes California-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

California Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	46 questions, must score 38/46 (83%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	15 years 6 months
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 65 mph \| Residential: 25 mph \| School Zone: 25 mph
DUI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.01%)
Point System	1 point for most violations, 2 points for serious offenses. 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24, or 8 in 36 months triggers suspension.

Rules Specific to California

California prohibits all handheld cell phone use while driving — hands-free only
Carpool (HOV) lane violations carry fines of $490 or more
Provisional license holders under 18 cannot drive between 11 PM and 5 AM for the first 12 months

Sample California Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to California. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

In California, drivers under 21 can face an administrative action if they drive with a BAC at or above what level?
- A. 0.01% BAC or higher
- B. 0.02% BAC or higher
- C. 0.05% BAC or higher
- D. 0.08% BAC or higher
Answer: 0.01% BAC or higher. California applies a very low BAC threshold to under-21 drivers. The safest choice is not to drink at all if you will be driving.
Which option correctly states California’s rear-facing requirement for children under age 2?
- A. Rear-facing only until 1 year old or 20 pounds
- B. Rear-facing if under 2 years old, under 40 pounds, and under 3 feet 4 inches tall
- C. Rear-facing only until 6 months old
- D. Rear-facing until 4 years old regardless of size
Answer: Rear-facing if under 2 years old, under 40 pounds, and under 3 feet 4 inches tall. California uses age plus size limits for rear-facing seats. Follow the car seat manufacturer’s instructions and install the seat correctly.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit on most California highways?
- A. 55 mph
- B. 60 mph
- C. 65 mph
- D. 70 mph
Answer: 65 mph. Some freeways are posted at 70 mph, but only where signs allow it. When no sign is higher, 65 mph is the general maximum on most highways.
In California, you should signal before turning for at least how many feet?
- A. At least 50 feet
- B. At least 100 feet
- C. At least 150 feet
- D. At least 200 feet
Answer: At least 100 feet. Signaling early helps other drivers and bicyclists anticipate your move. Start your signal before you slow down for the turn when possible.
In California, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant (even briefly)?
- A. Within 10 feet
- B. Within 15 feet
- C. Within 20 feet
- D. Within 25 feet
Answer: Within 15 feet. Parking near a hydrant can block emergency access. Obey curb markings and signs, and keep the required clearance.
If you are under 18, how old must you be to apply for a California instruction permit?
- A. 15 years old
- B. 15½ years old
- C. 16 years old
- D. 16½ years old
Answer: 15½ years old. Minors must be at least 15½, complete a driver education program, and have a parent or guardian sign the application.
Before a California minor can take the behind-the-wheel test, how much supervised practice driving is required?
- A. 20 hours, 5 at night
- B. 30 hours, 6 at night
- C. 50 hours, 10 at night
- D. 60 hours, 15 at night
Answer: 50 hours, 10 at night. Minors must practice at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25, and 10 of those hours must be at night.
During the first 12 months with a California provisional license, you may not drive between which hours (unless an exception applies)?
- A. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- B. 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- C. Midnight and 5 a.m.
- D. Midnight and 6 a.m.
Answer: 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.. Provisional drivers can't drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. during their first year unless they meet a listed exception or a qualifying adult rides along.
During the first year of a California provisional license, you may not carry passengers under what age without a qualifying adult in the car?
- A. Under 16
- B. Under 18
- C. Under 20
- D. Under 21
Answer: Under 20. You can't drive with passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian, or other California-licensed driver age 25 or older rides with you.
How many attempts do you get to pass the California knowledge test before you must reapply?
- A. One
- B. Two
- C. Three
- D. Unlimited
Answer: Three. You get three attempts. After the third failure you must start a new application.
If a minor fails the California knowledge test, how long must they wait before retaking it?
- A. The next day
- B. 7 days, not counting the day of the failure
- C. 14 days
- D. 30 days
Answer: 7 days, not counting the day of the failure. Minors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not including the day they failed.
What is the speed limit at a blind intersection in California?
- A. 10 mph
- B. 15 mph
- C. 20 mph
- D. 25 mph
Answer: 15 mph. An intersection is 'blind' if it has no stop signs at any corner and your view is blocked. The limit is 15 mph, and you should creep forward until you can see.
What is the speed limit in a California alley?
- A. 10 mph
- B. 15 mph
- C. 20 mph
- D. 25 mph
Answer: 15 mph. An alley is a road no wider than 25 feet used to reach the back or side of buildings. The speed limit there is 15 mph.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street?
- A. 15 mph
- B. 20 mph
- C. 25 mph
- D. 30 mph
Answer: 25 mph. The limit is 25 mph near schools when children are present. Some school zones are posted as low as 15 mph.
Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing where you can't see the tracks for 400 feet in both directions, what is the speed limit?
- A. 10 mph
- B. 15 mph
- C. 20 mph
- D. 25 mph
Answer: 15 mph. The limit is 15 mph in that situation. You can go faster only if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagger.
Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed on a California two-lane undivided highway?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 50 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 65 mph
Answer: 55 mph. Most California highways max out at 65 mph, but two-lane undivided highways and vehicles towing trailers are limited to 55 mph.
A school bus with flashing red lights is stopped on the other side of a divided highway. What must you do in California?
- A. Stop until the lights stop flashing
- B. Slow to 25 mph and pass
- C. You do not need to stop
- D. Stop only if children are visible
Answer: You do not need to stop. You don't have to stop for a school bus on the other side of a divided or multilane highway (two or more lanes in each direction). On an undivided road you must stop from either direction.
What penalty can you face in California for failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
- A. A warning for the first offense
- B. A $100 fine
- C. A fine of up to $1,000 and a license suspension of up to one year
- D. Two points but no fine
Answer: A fine of up to $1,000 and a license suspension of up to one year. Failing to stop can bring a fine of up to $1,000, and your driving privilege could be suspended for one year.
In California, you may not park within how many feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk (without a curb extension)?
- A. 10 feet
- B. 15 feet
- C. 20 feet
- D. 30 feet
Answer: 20 feet. You can't park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, or within 15 feet where there is a curb extension. This keeps pedestrians visible to approaching drivers.
You may not park within how many feet of a sidewalk ramp for people with disabilities?
- A. 3 feet
- B. 5 feet
- C. 10 feet
- D. 15 feet
Answer: 3 feet. Parking within three feet of a sidewalk ramp, or in front of a curb that provides wheelchair access, is illegal.
When must you dim your high beams for an oncoming vehicle in California?
- A. Within 200 feet
- B. Within 300 feet
- C. Within 500 feet
- D. Within 1,000 feet
Answer: Within 500 feet. Switch to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you, and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.
If you need your windshield wipers because of rain, fog, or snow, what does California law require?
- A. Nothing extra
- B. Turn on your hazard lights
- C. Turn on your low-beam headlights
- D. Turn on your high beams
Answer: Turn on your low-beam headlights. Whenever conditions require wipers, you must also turn on your low-beam headlights so other drivers can see you.
How long before changing lanes on a California freeway should you signal?
- A. At least 2 seconds
- B. At least 3 seconds
- C. At least 5 seconds
- D. At least 10 seconds
Answer: At least 5 seconds. Signal at least five seconds before a freeway lane change, and at least 100 feet before a turn.
When you can't change lanes to pass a bicyclist, how much space must you leave?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. Any amount, if you slow down
Answer: At least 3 feet. Leave at least three feet. If you can't, wait to pass until you can give that much clearance.
You plan to turn left from a two-way center left turn lane. How far before the turn may you enter it?
- A. Within 100 feet
- B. Within 200 feet
- C. Within 500 feet
- D. Any distance
Answer: Within 200 feet. Enter a center left turn lane no more than 200 feet before your turn. It is not a regular traffic lane or a passing lane.
What are California's minimum liability insurance amounts for injury or death?
- A. $15,000 per person / $30,000 per crash
- B. $25,000 per person / $50,000 per crash
- C. $30,000 per person / $60,000 per crash
- D. $50,000 per person / $100,000 per crash
Answer: $30,000 per person / $60,000 per crash. California requires at least $30,000 for a single death or injury, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage.
You park facing downhill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?
- A. Away from the curb
- B. Into the curb
- C. Straight ahead
- D. It doesn't matter if the parking brake is set
Answer: Into the curb. Facing downhill, turn your wheels into the curb so the car rolls into it rather than into traffic. Facing uphill, turn them away from the curb.

California Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the California permit test?

The California knowledge test has 46 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 38 correct answers (83%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in California?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in California is 15 years 6 months. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in California?

California calls impaired driving DUI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.01% for drivers under 21.

How does the California driver point system work?

1 point for most violations, 2 points for serious offenses. 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24, or 8 in 36 months triggers suspension.

What are the default speed limits in California?

Typical limits in California are up to 65 mph on highways, 25 mph in residential areas and 25 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official California government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the California Driver's Handbook on September 24, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current California driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any California government agency.