Studying the handbook helps - but consistent, state-specific practice makes the real exam feel familiar and easier to handle.
Questions
46 (under 18) / 36 (18+)
Passing score
83% (38 correct for teens)
Time limit
Approx. 45 min
Agency
DMV
Free California practice test
Try 10 real California permit questions
Tap an answer to check it instantly and read the explanation — exactly how the app works.
No sign-up, no score saved here.
Your score0 / 0answered
1 Under California's Basic Speed Law, you must:
California's Basic Speed Law means you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions — even when that speed is below the posted limit (e.g., in rain, fog, or heavy traffic).
2 In California, the blood-alcohol limit for drivers UNDER 21 is:
California has a Zero Tolerance law: drivers under 21 with a BAC of 0.01% or higher can lose their license. For drivers 21+, the limit is 0.08%.
3 On a California freeway, you should generally enter traffic by:
Use the on-ramp to accelerate to the speed of freeway traffic, then merge into a gap. Stopping on the ramp (unless a ramp meter requires it) is dangerous and a common test mistake.
4 What is the shape of a STOP sign?
Only the STOP sign is an octagon. The unique 8-sided shape lets drivers recognize it even when snow or dirt hides the wording.
5 A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:
A solid yellow line on your side means you may not cross it to pass. A broken yellow line on your side would allow passing when safe.
6 Under good conditions, the minimum safe following distance is about:
Use the 3-second rule: pick a fixed point, and you should pass it at least 3 seconds after the car ahead. Add more time in rain, fog, or at higher speeds.
7 A triangular (downward-pointing) sign tells you to:
A downward triangle is always a YIELD sign. Slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians already in the intersection.
8 When a traffic light is flashing red, you must:
A flashing red light has the same meaning as a STOP sign: come to a full stop, then proceed only when it is safe.
9 In fog, the safest headlights to use are:
High beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility. Use low beams (and fog lights if equipped), and slow down.
10 A school bus ahead stops and turns on its flashing red lights on an undivided road. You must:
On an undivided road, traffic in BOTH directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and remain stopped until the lights are turned off.
Demo complete
You scored 0 / 10
This is just a 10-question taster. The California app has hundreds of questions,
full-length timed exams, a road-sign trainer, and a readiness score that tells you when you're ready to pass.
California’s 2026 exam balances mega-city pace with statewide terrain
California learners navigate Silicon Valley express lanes, LA HOV corridors, and Tahoe snow in one state. The DMV’s 2026 manual refresh highlights clean-air rules, Vision Zero enforcement, and online testing logistics. Structure study sessions across three tracks: urban commuting (metered ramps, bus rapid transit lanes, protected intersections), coastal/freeway travel (carpool sticker rules, toll express lanes, fog on Highway 1), and mountains/deserts (chain controls on I-80, heat-related breakdowns in the desert, wildfire evacuation). App explanations cite California Vehicle Code so you see the legal foundation behind each answer. Finish sessions by comparing teen curfews with handheld device penalties-hybrid questions like these are common on the 46/36-question exam.
Before tackling California’s two-tier exam, check these items
Under 18: 46 questions with 38 correct required (83%); 18+ see 36 questions with 30 correct needed (83%).
Expect questions about lane-splitting etiquette, Vision Zero speed reductions, and bold crosswalks in SF/LA.
California emphasizes clean-air rules-know carpool sticker requirements, idle reduction, and zero-emission zone signage.
Mountain prompts stress chain laws, runaway ramps, and braking techniques on SR-89 and I-80 near Donner Pass.
DUI and hands-free laws appear frequently-memorize the 0.01% BAC limit for minors and penalties for handheld device use.
Minimum age
Teens may apply at 15½ with proof of driver education completion and parent/guardian signature.
Permit fees
$41 application fee for Class C permit, covering three knowledge test attempts and two road tests.
Included within the application fee (three attempts). Additional attempts require a new application fee.
Covered by the original application fee (two tries).
Bring payment (card, cash, check, money order). AB 60 applicants follow separate ID requirements but pay the same fee.
Retest rules
You can retake the online or in-person knowledge test after waiting seven days. Three failed attempts require a new application and fee.
CVC §23124 – Prohibition on cell phone use by drivers under 18.
CVC §22450 – Stop requirements at limit lines, including California’s enforcement nuances.
Weather extremes California exam writers cover
Sierra Nevada chain controls require readiness-know when to install chains and carry mandatory equipment. Coastal fog along Highway 1 reduces visibility; use low beams and increase following distance. Desert heat on I-10 compels pre-trip inspections-expect reminders to check coolant, tires, and carry water.
Imagine your Hollywood DMV test after a Metro ride
You exit the Red Line, step into the bustling office, and head to an online test validation kiosk. After the vision screen, you slide into the exam booth. The first prompt covers an LA HOV lane-your practice drill kicks in. Later, a Tahoe chain control scenario appears; remembering last winter’s trip, you choose the correct answer and finish the exam with confidence.
Regional practice ideas
Where to keep honing skills after California
Keep momentum by comparing how nearby agencies phrase questions, documentation, and retest timelines.
Quick answers to the questions California learners search most before exam day.
Can I take California’s permit test online?
Yes. Eligible applicants can take the proctored Online Knowledge Test; you must still visit a DMV office to complete biometrics and receive the permit.
What if I fail the online exam?
You can retake it after seven days. Online and in-person attempts count toward your three allotted tries per application fee.
How long is the permit valid?
Instruction permits are valid for 12 months. Renewing after expiration requires paying a new application fee and retesting.
Do I need a parent present?
Applicants under 18 must have a parent or guardian present (or provide a notarized DL 44) to sign the application.
Are interpreter services available?
Yes. The DMV offers exams in multiple languages and provides ASL interpreters-request ahead of time when scheduling.
Can I drive immediately after passing?
Once your permit is issued, you may drive with a licensed adult 25 or older, following California’s passenger and night restrictions for teens.
Related states
Explore more
Other State DMV Practice Tests
Compare how neighboring states handle permits, testing, and California Department of Motor Vehicles reciprocity.
Every page is aligned with California Department of Motor Vehicles guidelines and refreshed for 2026. Use them to cross-check documentation, scoring, and waiting periods.