Here are 100 sample DMV permit test questions based on the California Driver Handbook, including correct answers and explanations. These are great to study for the California written test. Expand on this with our paid version with unlimited quizzes and answers

Sample Questions 1–25

1. What is the speed limit in a school zone when children are present?

   • A. 15 mph

   • B. 25 mph ✅

   • C. 35 mph
     Explanation: California law sets school zone limits at 25 mph unless otherwise posted.

2. When parking uphill with a curb, your front wheels should be turned:

   • A. Straight

   • B. Toward the curb

   • C. Away from the curb ✅
     Explanation: This prevents the car from rolling into traffic.

3. You must notify the DMV within ___ days of selling your vehicle.

   • A. 5 days ✅

   • B. 10 days

   • C. 15 days

4. What is the legal BAC limit for drivers 21 or older in California?

   • A. 0.05%

   • B. 0.08% ✅

   • C. 0.10%

5. When two vehicles arrive at an intersection with stop signs at the same time, which one goes first?

   • A. The bigger vehicle

   • B. The one on the left

   • C. The one on the right ✅

6. You should use your high-beam headlights in the following situation:

   • A. Driving in fog

   • B. Driving in rain

   • C. Driving in rural areas at night with no traffic ✅

7. When must you use your headlights?

   • A. From sunset to sunrise ✅

   • B. Only when it’s raining

   • C. Only on freeways

8. You may make a U-turn in a residential district when:

   • A. You can see 100 feet in both directions ✅

   • B. It is at an intersection only

   • C. Traffic is light

9. A red curb means:

   • A. Limited-time parking

   • B. No stopping or parking ✅

   • C. Loading zone only

10. Which of the following are considered distracted driving?

    • A. Eating while driving

    • B. Using a cell phone

    • C. Both A and B ✅

11. You are approaching a flashing red light. What must you do?

    • A. Slow down

    • B. Stop completely and proceed when safe ✅

    • C. Yield only if other cars are present

12. What should you do when passing a bicyclist?

    • A. Honk

    • B. Leave at least 3 feet of space ✅

    • C. Speed up to get around quickly

13. A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means:

    • A. Both sides can pass

    • B. Only the side with the broken line can pass ✅

    • C. Neither side can pass

14. What does a pentagon-shaped sign indicate?

    • A. School zone ✅

    • B. No passing

    • C. Railroad

15. When driving in fog, use:

    • A. High beams

    • B. Low beams ✅

    • C. Emergency lights only

16. When backing up your vehicle you should:

    • A. Use mirrors only

    • B. Look over your right shoulder ✅

    • C. Only use backup camera

17. What should you do if an emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and siren?

    • A. Speed up

    • B. Pull over and stop ✅

    • C. Stop in your lane

18. Which lane should you use for a left turn?

    • A. Far-right lane

    • B. Center left turn lane ✅

    • C. Any lane

19. A white curb means:

    • A. Passenger loading only ✅

    • B. No stopping

    • C. Delivery trucks only

20. You should always yield to pedestrians:

    • A. Only in crosswalks

    • B. Even if they cross illegally ✅

    • C. Only at lights

21. You are involved in a collision. What must you do?

    • A. Leave if there’s no damage

    • B. Exchange info and report it ✅

    • C. Wait for police only

22. A yellow diamond sign means:

    • A. Warning ✅

    • B. Guide

    • C. Regulation

23. When are roads most slippery?

    • A. After it rains

    • B. During the first few minutes of rain ✅

    • C. When dry

24. Tailgating another driver:

    • A. Saves gas

    • B. Is illegal and dangerous ✅

    • C. Is okay in heavy traffic

25. If your tire blows out:

    • A. Slam brakes

    • B. Grip wheel and slow down gradually ✅

    • C. Turn off engine

26–50

26. You must signal continuously during the last ___ feet before turning.
    A. 50
    B. 100 ✅
    C. 200
    Explanation: CA requires at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change.

27. The “basic speed law” means you must:
    A. Never drive below the speed limit
    B. Never drive faster than is safe for conditions ✅
    C. Drive the posted limit at all times
    Explanation: Speed must match current road, weather, and traffic conditions.

28. For drivers under 21, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:
    A. 0.01% or higher ✅
    B. 0.05% or higher
    C. 0.08% or higher
    Explanation: Zero-tolerance law for under-21 drivers (0.01%+).

29. When parallel parking, your wheels must be within ___ inches of the curb.
    A. 6
    B. 12
    C. 18 ✅
    Explanation: 18 inches maximum from curb is required.

30. If you are being tailgated, you should:
    A. Brake hard
    B. Move to another lane or slow to let them pass ✅
    C. Speed up
    Explanation: Create space and let them go by safely.

31. A solid red arrow means:
    A. You may turn after stopping
    B. You must stop and cannot turn in that direction ✅
    C. Proceed with caution
    Explanation: Red arrow = no turn until it turns green.

32. You should dim your high beams for an oncoming vehicle within:
    A. 100 feet
    B. 300 feet
    C. 500 feet ✅
    Explanation: Dim at 500 ft for oncoming; 300 ft when following.

33. When must you report a collision to the DMV (SR-1)?
    A. Any collision
    B. If there is injury, death, or property damage over $1,000 ✅
    C. Only if police respond
    Explanation: Must file within 10 days if these thresholds are met.

34. Double solid white lines mean:
    A. Lane changes are allowed
    B. Lane changes are discouraged
    C. Lane changes are prohibited ✅
    Explanation: You may not cross double solid white lines.

35. Where should a child under 2 years old ride?
    A. In a rear-facing car seat in the back seat ✅
    B. In the front seat facing forward
    C. In a booster seat
    Explanation: Under 2, unless 40+ lbs or 40+ inches, must be rear-facing.

36. You must turn on headlights when:
    A. You can’t see 1,000 ft ahead or from sunset to sunrise ✅
    B. Only in heavy traffic
    C. Only on freeways
    Explanation: Also required when using windshield wipers in rain.

37. On a two-lane road where passing is unsafe, you must use a turnout if ___ vehicles are behind you.
    A. 3
    B. 5 ✅
    C. 7
    Explanation: California requires you to pull over if 5+ vehicles are stacked behind you.

38. At a railroad crossing with no gates or signals, you should stop:
    A. Within 5 feet
    B. Within 15–50 feet if required to stop ✅
    C. At least 100 feet away
    Explanation: Federal rule for stopping distances at tracks.

39. If your accelerator sticks, you should:
    A. Turn off the engine immediately
    B. Shift to neutral and apply brakes gently ✅
    C. Put the car in park while moving
    Explanation: Neutral + brake to stop safely; don’t turn off steering lock.

40. A center left turn lane can be used for:
    A. Passing other vehicles
    B. Left turns and permitted U-turns only ✅
    C. Parking temporarily
    Explanation: It’s for left turns from or into the roadway, not for passing or cruising.

41. When merging onto a freeway, you should be driving:
    A. At or near the speed of freeway traffic ✅
    B. Much slower than traffic
    C. At the posted speed limit only
    Explanation: Match the speed of freeway traffic to merge safely.

42. A blind pedestrian pulls in their cane and steps away from the curb. You should:
    A. Proceed because they aren’t crossing
    B. Stop and then honk
    C. Proceed with caution; they are not crossing now ✅
    Explanation: Cane pulled back usually signals they are not crossing yet.

43. A solid yellow line on your side and a broken on the other means:
    A. You may pass
    B. You may not pass ✅
    C. Both may pass
    Explanation: Only the side with the broken line may pass.

44. You can turn right on a red light after stopping unless:
    A. The light is a steady red
    B. There is a ‘No Turn on Red’ sign ✅
    C. Pedestrians are across the street only
    Explanation: Signs or signals may prohibit the turn.

45. Use your horn to:
    A. Alert other drivers to danger ✅
    B. Show frustration
    C. Encourage slow traffic to speed up
    Explanation: Horn is for safety warnings only.

46. When driving at night, you should drive slow enough to:
    A. Stop within the distance you can see in your headlights ✅
    B. Stop within half your headlight distance
    C. Keep the same speed as daytime
    Explanation: Don’t “overdrive” your headlights.

47. If you’re involved in a minor crash and your car blocks traffic, you should:
    A. Leave it where it is
    B. Move it out of traffic if it’s safe ✅
    C. Wait for a tow
    Explanation: Move disabled vehicles off the roadway if possible.

48. A white cane typically indicates:
    A. A hearing-impaired pedestrian
    B. A blind or visually impaired pedestrian ✅
    C. A senior pedestrian
    Explanation: White cane = blind; always yield.

49. Smoking in a vehicle with a minor present is:
    A. Legal if windows are open
    B. Illegal ✅
    C. Legal if the minor is over 12
    Explanation: Prohibited in CA regardless of window status.

50. On a two-lane road, you may pass another vehicle:
    A. On a hill
    B. Over a double yellow line
    C. On the left when the line on your side is broken ✅
    Explanation: Only broken yellow on your side allows passing.