California Road Signs Test (2026)
Every road sign on the California exam, with what it means. Free and unlimited.
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What this test covers
This draw of 40 questions breaks down like this:
- Traffic Signs & Signals — 18
- Right-of-Way & Intersections — 7
- Traffic Lanes, Passing & Turning — 6
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 3
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 2
- Sharing the Road — 2
- Emergencies & Crashes — 1
- Signaling & Communication — 1
Heaviest on Traffic Signs & Signals (18 of 40) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
2 are California-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. A stop sign is the only sign shaped as a(n):
- Pentagon
- Circle
- Diamond
- Octagon
Show answer
Answer: Octagon
Only the stop sign is an octagon.
2. A large truck's blind spots ('No-Zones') are located:
- Only behind it
- Only on the left
- Trucks have no blind spots
- In front, behind, and along both sides
Show answer
Answer: In front, behind, and along both sides
Trucks have big blind spots front, rear, and on both sides (largest on the right). If you can't see the driver's mirrors, they can't see you.
3. As you exit a parking lot across a sidewalk, a pedestrian is walking on the sidewalk. You must:
- Speed across quickly
- Honk and continue
- Proceed — sidewalk users must yield to cars
- Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Show answer
Answer: Yield to the pedestrian before crossing the sidewalk
Vehicles crossing a sidewalk must yield to pedestrians already on it.
4. What does this sign warn of?
- A detour
- A winding road — a series of curves ahead
- A one-way street
- A racetrack
Show answer
Answer: A winding road — a series of curves ahead
This warns of a winding road (several curves). Reduce speed.
5. What does this sign mean?
- Passing is allowed
- The road may be slippery when wet
- A sharp curve is banked
- A racetrack is ahead
Show answer
Answer: The road may be slippery when wet
This warning sign means the road can be slippery, especially when wet — slow down.
6. Construction/work-zone signs are what color?
Show answer
Answer: Orange
Work-zone signs are orange.
7. What does this orange sign with a bending arrow mean?
- Road closed permanently
- One way
- Merge
- Detour — follow the marked alternate route
Show answer
Answer: Detour — follow the marked alternate route
An orange detour sign directs you along a temporary alternate route.
8. As your speed increases, the distance needed to stop:
- Increases sharply
- Only matters at night
- Decreases
- Stays the same
Show answer
Answer: Increases sharply
Higher speed means a much longer stopping distance — roughly quadrupling when you double your speed.
9. The acceleration lane on a highway on-ramp is for:
- Passing
- Speeding up to match traffic before merging
- Parking
- Stopping
Show answer
Answer: Speeding up to match traffic before merging
Use it to reach highway speed so you can merge into a gap smoothly.
10. When merging, you should match the speed of highway traffic so you can:
- Force in
- Stop on the ramp
- Blend into a gap smoothly
- Slow everyone down
Show answer
Answer: Blend into a gap smoothly
Matching speed lets you merge into a gap without disrupting traffic.
11. A right turn should be made:
- Wide to the left
- From any lane
- From the lane nearest the right curb, close to the curb
- From the center lane
Show answer
Answer: From the lane nearest the right curb, close to the curb
Right turns start from the right-most lane, staying close to the curb.
12. This sign, posted on the left side of the road, marks:
- A one-way street
- A truck route
- A picnic area
- A no-passing zone
Show answer
Answer: A no-passing zone
The yellow pennant is the No Passing Zone sign, posted on the left where passing is prohibited.
13. An emergency vehicle is approaching with lights and siren on. You should:
- Continue at the same speed
- Stop immediately in your lane
- Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
- Speed up to clear the intersection
Show answer
Answer: Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes
Pull to the right edge and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
14. A pedestrian steps off the curb into the crosswalk against a 'Walk' signal as you turn. You must:
- Speed up
- Honk
- Proceed
- Yield and let them cross safely
Show answer
Answer: Yield and let them cross safely
Yield to pedestrians lawfully in the crosswalk, even while you're turning.
15. When another driver is trying to pass you, you should:
- Speed up
- Brake hard
- Maintain speed or slow slightly and stay right
- Move left
Show answer
Answer: Maintain speed or slow slightly and stay right
Help them pass: keep right and don't speed up.
16. You are driving and see this red sign facing you. It means:
- Yield
- Continue
- Speed up
- You are going the wrong way — do not proceed; turn around
Show answer
Answer: You are going the wrong way — do not proceed; turn around
A red 'Wrong Way' sign means you're headed against traffic — stop and turn around safely.
17. The best place to be around a large truck is:
- Where you can see the driver's mirrors
- Right beside the cab
- In front, braking
- Directly behind it
Show answer
Answer: Where you can see the driver's mirrors
If you can see the mirrors, the driver can see you. Avoid the No-Zones.
18. A left arm extended straight out means:
- Right turn
- Go
- Left turn
- Stop
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
19. The maximum time you should spend in a truck's blind spot while passing is:
- 10 minutes
- As long as you like
- As little as possible — pass through it steadily
- Until it honks
Show answer
Answer: As little as possible — pass through it steadily
Move through a truck's blind spots quickly and steadily when passing.
20. A green light turns to a steady green arrow for your turn. This means:
- Turn is now prohibited
- Stop
- You now have a protected turn — oncoming traffic is stopped
- Yield to oncoming still
Show answer
Answer: You now have a protected turn — oncoming traffic is stopped
A green arrow gives a protected turn; opposing traffic is held.
21. What does this sign warn of?
- A bike shop
- No bicycles
- A bike lane ends
- A bicycle crossing ahead — watch for cyclists
Show answer
Answer: A bicycle crossing ahead — watch for cyclists
A bicycle-crossing sign warns cyclists may cross the road ahead.
22. A center lane marked with a solid yellow line and a dashed yellow line on each side is used for:
- Parking
- Making left turns only (from either direction)
- Through driving
- Passing slower traffic
Show answer
Answer: Making left turns only (from either direction)
This is a two-way left-turn lane — used only to make left turns from either direction, never for through travel or passing.
23. What does this sign mean?
- Trucks are not allowed on this road
- Truck route
- Truck parking
- Weigh station
Show answer
Answer: Trucks are not allowed on this road
A truck with a red slash means trucks are prohibited on that road.
24. You must yield to pedestrians:
- Never
- Only at signals
- Only downtown
- In marked and unmarked crosswalks
Show answer
Answer: In marked and unmarked crosswalks
Yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
25. Green highway signs give you:
- Warnings of hazards
- Directions, distances, and destinations
- Traffic laws
- Recreation information
Show answer
Answer: Directions, distances, and destinations
Green guide signs show directions, distances, and destinations.
26. At a four-way stop, you should proceed:
- Whenever you want
- After honking
- Only if biggest
- In the order vehicles arrived and stopped
Show answer
Answer: In the order vehicles arrived and stopped
Go in arrival order; if you tie, the driver on the right goes first.
27. What does this sign mean?
- A loop ramp only
- A roundabout is ahead
- No turns
- A detour
Show answer
Answer: A roundabout is ahead
A roundabout-ahead sign warns of a traffic circle; slow down and prepare to yield.
28. A flashing yellow traffic light means:
- Stop completely
- Slow down and proceed with caution
- The light is out of order
- Turn left only
Show answer
Answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
Flashing yellow means proceed with caution — slow down and be ready to yield.
29. There is no amount of alcohol that is proven 'safe' before driving because:
- It's expensive
- It tastes bad
- Even small amounts impair skills you need
- Rules change
Show answer
Answer: Even small amounts impair skills you need
Impairment begins with the first drink — the safest amount before driving is none.
30. A safe following distance in normal conditions is at least:
- Three to four seconds
- Two seconds
- One second
- Half a second
Show answer
Answer: Three to four seconds
Keep a minimum of three to four seconds; increase it in poor conditions.
31. A black-on-white sign of this shape is a:
- Regulatory signs that tell you the law
- Warnings
- Service signs
- Guide signs
Show answer
Answer: Regulatory signs that tell you the law
Black-on-white rectangular signs are regulatory — they tell you a traffic law you must obey (e.g., speed limit).
32. At an uncontrolled T-intersection, the driver on the road that ends must:
- Stop only at night
- Go first
- Speed up
- Yield to traffic on the through road
Show answer
Answer: Yield to traffic on the through road
The through road has priority; the ending road yields.
33. Total stopping distance is made up of:
- Only braking distance
- Tire pressure
- Only reaction time
- Perception + reaction + braking distance
Show answer
Answer: Perception + reaction + braking distance
Stopping distance = how far you travel while perceiving, reacting, and then braking.
34. What does this sign mean?
- A hospital
- A bus stop
- A playground
- A pedestrian/school crossing — watch for people
Show answer
Answer: A pedestrian/school crossing — watch for people
This marks a pedestrian or school crossing; be ready to yield to people crossing.
35. For a driver under 21 in California, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:
- 0.01% or higher
- 0.08%
- 0.05%
- 0.02%
Show answer
Answer: 0.01% or higher
Under 21, a BAC of 0.01% or higher is illegal (zero tolerance).
36. In a skid, you should look and steer:
- Where you want the car to go
- Down at the pedals
- At the skid
- At oncoming traffic
Show answer
Answer: Where you want the car to go
Look and steer toward your intended path to recover from a skid.
37. What does this sign warn of?
- A weigh station
- No trucks
- A truck crossing or entering the road ahead
- A truck stop
Show answer
Answer: A truck crossing or entering the road ahead
A truck-crossing sign warns that trucks may be crossing or entering; watch for them.
38. A flashing red traffic light means:
- Yield to the left only
- Stop, then proceed when safe — treat it like a stop sign
- The signal is broken — proceed normally
- Slow down but do not stop
Show answer
Answer: Stop, then proceed when safe — treat it like a stop sign
Flashing red = treat it exactly like a stop sign: full stop, then go when it's safe.
39. Opposing up/down arrows on a yellow sign warn of:
- A one-way street
- A passing zone
- A parking area
- Two-way traffic ahead — keep right
Show answer
Answer: Two-way traffic ahead — keep right
This warns that the road ahead carries two-way traffic; keep right and don't pass.
40. This sign shape warns of:
- A hospital
- A school zone or school crossing
- A railroad crossing
- A dead end
Show answer
Answer: A school zone or school crossing
The pentagon shape marks a school zone or school crossing ahead.
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