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California DMV practice test

Prepare for the California learner permit knowledge test with questions written from the official driver handbook, in English, Russian and Spanish.

46questions on the test
38correct to pass
83%pass mark
Quick answer: The California DMV knowledge (permit) test has 46 questions, and you need 38 correct answers (83%) to pass. The minimum age for a learner's permit in California is 15½ years old. The test is also offered in Spanish. Source: California Driver's Handbook, checked October 17, 2026.

California practice tests

Every test is free and works in English, Russian and Spanish. Your progress is saved in this browser.

Start with Test 1

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Full practice tests in the format of the real California knowledge test. Questions do not repeat between tests.

46 questionsFreePractice Test 1Start 46 questionsFreePractice Test 2Start 46 questionsFreePractice Test 3Start 46 questionsFreePractice Test 4Start

Road signs

Shapes, colors and meanings of the signs on the test.

40 questionsFreeRoad SignsStart

Rules of the road

Right of way, turns, parking and sharing the road.

40 questionsFreeRules of the RoadStart 9 questionsFreeSharing the RoadStart 12 questionsFreeParkingStart

California laws

Rules that are specific to California.

9 questionsFreeLicense & Permit RulesStart 9 questionsFreeSpeed LimitsStart 9 questionsFreeAlcohol & DUIStart

Final exam prep

Check that you are ready before test day.

46 questionsFreeExam SimulatorStart 184 questionsFreeMarathon: All QuestionsStart
All 61 California questions with answers → Road signs with answers → Rules of the road with answers →

Key rules from the California handbook

These numbers come straight from the official handbook. Each one is also a question in our tests.

Getting your permit and license

  • 4 points in 12 months can lead to suspension.
  • The property-damage threshold for reporting a crash is $1,000 (see the handbook for who receives the report).
  • File the crash report within 10 days.
  • You can apply for a learner's permit at 15½ years old.
  • Hold the permit at least 6 months before the road test.
  • At least 50 hours of supervised driving are required.
  • At least 10 hours of the practice must be at night.
  • The supervising driver must be at least 25 years old.
  • The night limit for provisional drivers starts at 11 p.m.; the handbook lists any exceptions.
  • Minimum liability limits are $30/$60/$15 (thousand).

Rules of the road

  • Signal at least 100 feet before you turn.
  • Do not make a U-turn unless you can see approaching traffic 200 feet away.
  • Switch to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
  • Use low beams within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.
  • Headlights are required when visibility is less than 1,000 feet.
  • Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail.
  • Stay at least 300 feet behind a fire truck responding to an alarm.
  • Give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space when passing.
  • Keep at least 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead; add more in bad weather.
  • Drivers under 18 years old may not use any wireless device while driving.
  • Drivers may not hold a phone while driving; use a hands-free device.
  • Children ride in a car seat until at least 8 years old.
  • Right on red is allowed after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless a sign says NO TURN ON RED.
  • A left turn on red is allowed only from a one-way street onto a one-way street, after stopping and yielding, unless prohibited.
  • Drivers on the opposite side of a divided highway separated by a median do not have to stop; drivers behind the bus must stop.
  • Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing.
  • Drive no more than 200 feet in the center left-turn lane.
  • Enter the bike lane no more than 200 feet before the turn, after checking for bicyclists.
  • Look at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle.
  • Sit at least 10 inches from the airbag cover (center of the wheel to your breastbone).
  • Do not leave a child 6 years old or younger alone in a vehicle.
  • Headlights must be on from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
  • Signal at least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway.
  • You may pass a stopped bus, streetcar or trolley at a safety zone at no more than 10 mph.
  • On ice, slow to no more than 5 mph.
  • With visibility of 100 feet or less, do not drive faster than 30 mph.
  • Work zone traffic fines can be $1,000 or more.

Speed limits

  • 25 mph in residential districts unless a sign shows otherwise.
  • 25 mph in business districts unless posted otherwise.
  • 25 mph in school zones when children are present, unless posted otherwise.
  • 65 mph on highways unless posted otherwise.
  • The school-zone limit applies within 500 feet of a school.
  • At a blind intersection the limit is 15 mph.
  • The limit in an alley (a road no wider than 25 feet) is 15 mph.
  • The limit is 15 mph within 100 feet of a railroad crossing.
  • 55 mph on two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers.

Parking

  • Do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
  • Do not park within 15 feet of a fire station driveway.
  • Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
  • Red curb: no stopping, standing or parking.
  • Green curb: parking for a limited time, shown on a sign or painted on the curb.
  • White curb: stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.
  • Yellow curb: loading and unloading of passengers and freight; stay only as long as posted.
  • Blue curb: only for a disabled person, or a driver carrying one, with a placard or special plate.
  • Look for a space at least 3 feet longer than your vehicle.

Alcohol and drugs

  • 0.08% BAC or higher is the legal limit for drivers 21 and older.
  • For drivers under 21 the limit is 0.01%.
  • The limit for commercial drivers is 0.04%.
  • A first refusal means a 12-month license suspension.
  • Has an implied consent law: refusing a lawful chemical test leads to license suspension.

How to get a driver's license in California

  1. Pass the written knowledge test to get a learner's permit (minimum age 15½ years old).
  2. Hold the permit for at least 6 months.
  3. Complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
  4. Drive only with a licensed supervising driver (minimum age 25 years old).
  5. Pass the road (driving) test.
  6. As a new provisional driver, follow the night limit that starts at 11 p.m..

Steps include only rules confirmed in the official handbook; your state may have more requirements (documents, fees, driver education).

California driving rules in numbers

Learner's permit and teen license rules by state

Learner's permit from age
15½ years old
Hold the permit at least
6 months
Supervised driving hours
50 hours
Of them at night
10 hours
Supervising driver at least
25 years old
Night limit for new drivers from
11 p.m.

Speed limits by state

Residential district
25 mph
Business district
25 mph
School zone
25 mph
Other highways
65 mph

Drunk driving laws by state: BAC limits

Drivers 21+
0.08%
Under 21
0.01%
Commercial (CDL)
0.04%
Refusing a chemical test (1st time)
12 months

Cell phone laws for drivers by state

No phone at all for drivers under
18 years old
Adults: phone in hand to talk?
No, only hands-free use is allowed

Parking distances by state

Fire hydrant
15 feet
Fire station driveway
15 feet
Crosswalk at an intersection
20 feet

School bus, move over and bicycle passing laws by state

Passing a bicyclist
3 feet
Bus on the other side of a divided highway
Do not have to stop, but should watch for children

Car seat and booster seat laws by state

Car seat until at least
8 years old
Child may not be left alone in car at
6 years old

License renewal, insurance and points by state

Points that can suspend your license
4 points in 12 months
Crash must be reported if damage is
$1,000
Minimum liability insurance
$30/$60/$15 (thousand)

Sample questions

In California, you may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
  1. 10 feet
  2. 15 feet
  3. 20 feet
  4. 25 feet

California: do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

In California, you must signal at least how far before you turn?
  1. 50 feet
  2. 75 feet
  3. 100 feet
  4. 150 feet

California: signal at least 100 feet before you turn.

In California, a driver 21 or older is legally intoxicated starting at what blood alcohol content (BAC)?
  1. 0.04%
  2. 0.05%
  3. 0.08%
  4. 0.10%

California: 0.08% BAC or higher is the legal limit for drivers 21 and older.

California permit test: questions and answers

The California knowledge test has 46 questions.

You need 38 correct answers out of 46 (83%).

No, as of our last check the California DMV does not offer the knowledge test in this language. You can still study in your language here and answer in English.

Yes, as of our last check the California DMV offers the knowledge test in this language. Confirm with the DMV before your visit.

From the official California driver handbook (California Driver's Handbook). We write our own questions; the DMV does not publish its real exam questions.

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