All 45 California Permit Test Questions
Every question in our California bank, with the correct answer and an explanation. Free to read, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock Exams Licensing & Permits To get an instruction permit under 18 in California, you must be at least:
Answer: 15½
You must be at least 15½ years old for an instruction permit if under 18.
A California applicant under 18 must complete:
Answer: A driver education program
Drivers under 18 must complete a driver education program.
An applicant under 18 needs a parent/guardian to:
Answer: Sign to approve and accept financial responsibility
A parent/guardian must sign to approve and accept financial responsibility.
During the first 12 months, a provisional (under-18) driver may NOT drive between:
Answer: 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
No driving 11 p.m.–5 a.m. during the first 12 months (with exceptions).
During the first 12 months, a provisional driver may not carry passengers under 20 unless accompanied by:
Answer: A parent/guardian or licensed driver at least 25
No passengers under 20 in the first 12 months unless a parent/guardian or licensed driver 25+ is present.
The provisional night/passenger restrictions can be waived if you:
Answer: Have a signed note for a documented need (medical, school, work, family)
Exceptions apply with a signed note for documented needs.
To be licensed in California you must pass a:
Answer: Vision test
A vision test is required.
A California driver license for someone under 18 is marked:
Answer: Provisional
Under-18 licenses carry the word 'provisional.'
A provisional driver may not:
Answer: Drive for pay or operate vehicles requiring a commercial license
Provisional drivers can't drive for pay or operate commercial vehicles.
While driving you must:
Answer: Carry your license and show it on request
Carry and present your license when asked.
To ride a motorcycle in California you need:
Answer: A Class M license/endorsement
A Class M license is required for motorcycles.
Alcohol, Drugs & the Law .02 under 21 .08 adult
In California, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of ___ or higher if you are over 21:
Answer: 0.08%
0.08% or higher is illegal for drivers over 21.
.02 under 21 .08 adult
For a driver under 21 in California, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:
Answer: 0.01% or higher
Under 21, a BAC of 0.01% or higher is illegal (zero tolerance).
At any age, if you are on DUI probation, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:
Answer: 0.01% or higher
On DUI probation, 0.01% or higher is illegal at any age.
For a commercial-license driver in California, the BAC limit is:
Answer: 0.04%
Commercial drivers are limited to 0.04%.
The only thing that lowers your BAC is:
Answer: Time
Only time removes alcohol from your body.
By driving in California you consent to:
Answer: Chemical testing if lawfully arrested for DUI; refusal has penalties
Driving = implied consent to testing; refusal brings penalties.
The safest choice if you'll be drinking is to:
Answer: Use a designated driver or ride
Plan a sober ride — never drive impaired.
Points & Penalties 12 30-day susp. 18 3-month susp. 24 1-year susp. points → suspension length
An adult California driver may be suspended (negligent operator) at:
Answer: 4 points in 12 months
Suspension can occur at 4 points in 12 months (also 6 in 24, 8 in 36).
12 30-day susp. 18 3-month susp. 24 1-year susp. points → suspension length
An adult may also be suspended at:
Answer: 6 points in 24 months
6 points in 24 months is another negligent-operator threshold.
Convictions and collisions stay on your California record for:
Answer: 36 months or longer
They remain 36 months or longer depending on the type.
For a 1-point violation, a California judge may offer:
Answer: Traffic violator school to keep it off your insurance record
Traffic violator school can keep a 1-point citation off your insurance record.
If you're involved in a crash, you must:
Answer: Stop and exchange information
Stop and exchange information at any crash.
Speed Limits & Speed Management California's Basic Speed Law says you must never drive:
Answer: Faster than is safe for current conditions
Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions — even below the posted limit.
The prima facie speed limit in a business or residential district (unless posted) is:
Answer: 25 MPH
25 MPH is the prima facie limit in business/residential districts.
The prima facie limit at an alley, blind intersection, or railroad crossing is:
Answer: 15 MPH
15 MPH applies at alleys, blind intersections, and railroad crossings.
Near a school when children are present, you should:
Answer: Slow to the posted school-zone limit (often 25 MPH or less)
Slow to the school-zone limit when children are present.
A large truck at 55 MPH needs about how much more room to stop than a car?
Answer: More — up to about 400 feet vs 300 for a car
A truck may need up to 400 feet to stop at 55 MPH vs about 300 for a car.
Sharing the Road Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights in California, you must:
Answer: Move over and slow down
Move over and slow down for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights.
When an emergency vehicle approaches with siren/lights, you should:
Answer: Drive to the right edge and stop until it passes
Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes (clear the intersection first if you're in one).
If an emergency vehicle approaches while you're in an intersection, you should:
Answer: Continue through, then pull right and stop
Clear the intersection first, then pull to the right and stop.
Give a motorcycle:
Answer: A full lane
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.
When passing a bicyclist in California, you should give at least:
Answer: 3 feet
California requires at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.
When a school bus stops with red lights flashing on an undivided road, traffic:
Answer: In both directions must stop
Both directions stop for a stopped school bus on an undivided road.
Signaling & Communication You should signal continuously before a turn for at least:
Answer: 100 feet
Signal at least 100 feet before turning.
You must turn on headlights:
Answer: 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and when visibility is low
Use headlights from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and in low visibility.
A left arm extended straight out means:
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
Vehicle Equipment California law requires:
Answer: The driver and all passengers to be buckled
Everyone must buckle up in California.
California child-restraint law requires proper car seats/boosters for:
Answer: Young children by age/height/weight
Young children must be in appropriate child restraints.
If your turn signals fail, you should:
Answer: Use hand signals until repaired
Use hand signals if your signals fail.
Replace tires when the tread is:
Answer: Worn too low to grip the road
Worn tread loses traction — replace low tires.
Safe Driving
In California, holding a cell phone to talk or text while driving is:
Answer: Illegal — use hands-free
Hand-held phone use is illegal; use hands-free (and no phone use at all for drivers under 18).
Drivers under 18 in California may use a cell phone while driving:
Answer: Not at all (even hands-free)
Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all while driving.
If you become drowsy, you should:
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
Keeping a space cushion around your vehicle helps you:
Answer: Have time and room to avoid hazards
Space gives you time and room to react to problems.