🚦 California DMV Permit Test 2026

🚗 SECTION 1 — ROAD SIGNS & SIGNALS (Q1–40)

Q: What shape is a STOP sign?
A: Octagon.

Q: What color are warning signs?
A: Yellow.

Q: What does a red circle with a slash mean?
A: Prohibited.

Q: What does a flashing red light mean?
A: Stop — same as STOP sign.

Q: What does a flashing yellow light mean?
A: Proceed with caution.

Q: What does a green arrow indicate?
A: Permitted movement.

Q: What shape is a yield sign?
A: Triangle.

Q: What does a diamond-shaped sign indicate?
A: Warning.

Q: What do two solid yellow lines mean?
A: No passing.

Q: What does a broken white line mean?
A: Lane change allowed.

Q: What does a school zone sign look like?
A: Pentagon.

Q: What does a yield sign mean?
A: Let others go first.

Q: What is the speed limit in alleys?
A: 15 mph.

Q: What does a red curb mean?
A: No stopping or parking.

Q: What do double dashed yellow lines allow?
A: Passing when safe.

Q: What does a right turn on red allow after?
A: Complete stop and yield.

Q: What does a white lane marking mean?
A: Same direction traffic.

Q: What sign warns of deer crossings?
A: Diamond-shaped warning sign.

Q: What sign is used for regulatory speed limits?
A: White rectangle.

Q: What color indicates construction?
A: Orange.

Q: What sign alerts you to a pedestrian crossing?
A: Diamond warning with pedestrian symbol.

Q: What does a railroad crossing sign look like?
A: Circular sign with X (or crossbuck sign).

Q: What does a curb painted blue mean?
A: Disabled parking.

Q: What does a green traffic signal mean?
A: Go when safe.

Q: What does a yellow traffic signal mean?
A: Prepare to stop.

Q: What does a red traffic signal mean?
A: Stop.

Q: What do dashed lines on the highway mean?
A: Passing permitted (when safe).

Q: What does a “No U-Turn” sign indicate?
A: U-turns prohibited.

Q: What sign shows a sharp curve ahead?
A: Diamond warning with curve arrow.

Q: What color are guide signs?
A: Green.

Q: What sign alerts drivers to slippery roads?
A: Diamond warning with skid symbol.

Q: What sign warns of merging traffic?
A: Diamond warning with merging arrow.

Q: What sign tells you to slow for a school crossing?
A: School zone sign.

Q: What do roadway markers show?
A: Traffic flow.

Q: What sign indicates a roundabout?
A: Circular arrows.

Q: What does a black arrow on yellow mean?
A: Direction change.

Q: What do pedestrian signals help with?
A: Crossing safely.

Q: What does a red X over a lane mean?
A: Do not use that lane.

Q: What does a flashing yellow arrow mean?
A: Left turn allowed with caution.

Q: What is the meaning of a broken yellow line?
A: Passing permitted when safe.

🚦 SECTION 2 — RULES OF THE ROAD (Q41–100)

Q: Who must yield at a 4-way stop when arriving together?
A: Driver on the right.

Q: What is the basic speed law?
A: Drive at a safe speed for conditions.

Q: When is passing on the right permitted?
A: On multi-lane roads or wide shoulder when safe.

Q: When must headlights be used?
A: 30 min after sunset to 30 min before sunrise.

Q: What is the speed limit in residential areas?
A: 25 mph unless posted otherwise.

Q: What is the speed limit in school zones?
A: 25 mph when children are present.

Q: How far ahead must you signal before turning?
A: At least 100 feet.

Q: What is the minimum following distance?
A: 3 seconds under normal conditions.

Q: When must you stop for a school bus?
A: When red lights are flashing.

Q: What should you do if an emergency vehicle approaches with lights on?
A: Pull to right and stop.

Q: What is “move over” law?
A: Change lanes or slow for emergency vehicles.

Q: What is California’s hands-free law?
A: Use phone hands-free while driving.

Q: What must you do at a crosswalk?
A: Yield to pedestrians.

Q: When traffic lights fail, treat as?
A: 4-way stop.

Q: Who has right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections?
A: Vehicle on the right.

Q: What does a yield sign mean?
A: Slow down and give right-of-way.

Q: When is it illegal to pass?
A: On hills, curves, or solid yellow lines.

Q: What is the 3-foot rule?
A: Give bicyclists at least 3 feet space.

Q: What must you do when turning left at green arrow?
A: Turn with right-of-way.

Q: What is unsafe about tailgating?
A: Increases crash risk.

Q: What must you do when entering a freeway?
A: Accelerate to traffic speed and merge safely.

Q: What is the right-of-way rule at roundabouts?
A: Yield to vehicles in circle.

Q: What is the penalty for illegal U-turn?
A: Fine or citation.

Q: When is passing prohibited?
A: Double solid yellow lines.

Q: What lane do slower vehicles use?
A: Right lane.

Q: What must you do before switching lanes?
A: Signal and check mirrors.

Q: What is the move over law?
A: Change lanes or slow for stopped emergency vehicles.

Q: How far must you park from a fire hydrant?
A: 15 feet.

Q: What is “No Stopping”?
A: Red curb.

Q: What does “No Parking” mean?
A: Yellow curb.

Q: When backing, what is safest?
A: Turn head and look.

Q: When must seat belts be worn?
A: Always.

Q: What’s the BAC limit for adults?
A: 0.08%.

Q: What is zero tolerance?
A: Under age 21 DUI limit lower.

Q: What happens if you refuse a chemical test?
A: License suspension.

Q: What is the purpose of a turn signal?
A: Communicate intentions.

Q: What is a “blind spot”?
A: Area not seen in mirrors.

Q: How far must you stay behind an emergency vehicle?
A: At least 300 feet.

Q: What is a HOV lane?
A: High Occupancy Vehicle lane.

Q: When can you use a center left turn lane?
A: Only for left turns.

Q: What is a safe following distance in bad weather?
A: Increase to 4+ seconds.

Q: When must you signal on a freeway?
A: Before merging or changing lanes.

Q: What is the meaning of a broken white line?
A: Lane changes allowed.

Q: What are guide signs?
A: Indicates directions/distance.

Q: What must you do at a yield sign?
A: Slow and yield.

Q: What is maximum speed near schools?
A: Posted limit when signs present.

Q: How far should you look ahead on highways?
A: 12–15 seconds.

Q: What is an intersection?
A: Where roads meet.

Q: What action is required at a stop sign?
A: Complete stop.

Q: What is a regulatory sign?
A: Law or rule.

Q: What is a guide sign?
A: Directional info.

Q: What does a red light with green arrow mean?
A: Protected turn.

Q: When must headlights be on in fog?
A: Low beam.

Q: What do yellow lines separate?
A: Opposite direction traffic.

Q: What do white lines separate?
A: Same direction traffic.

Q: What is a pavement marking?
A: Road guidance.

Q: How should you treat merging vehicles?
A: Adjust speed/space.

Q: What is defensive driving?
A: Avoid others’ mistakes.

Q: What is the basic rule at uncontrolled rail crossing?
A: Slow/stop if needed.

Q: What side should pedestrians use?
A: Crosswalk or sidewalk.

🚗 SECTION 3 — SAFE DRIVING PRACTICES (Q101–160)

Q: When roads are slippery?
A: Slow down.

Q: How often should mirrors be checked?
A: Every 5–8 seconds.

Q: What is the three-second rule?
A: Minimum safe following gap.

Q: What should you do in fog?
A: Use low beams.

Q: What is the main hazard of night driving?
A: Reduced visibility.

Q: When entering a roadway, what do you do?
A: Yield.

Q: What is a safe uphill parking rule?
A: Wheels away from curb.

Q: What is a safe downhill parking rule?
A: Wheels toward curb.

Q: What is a crosswalk?
A: Pedestrian crossing.

Q: What must you do for blind pedestrians?
A: Stop until safe.

Q: What does ABS stand for?
A: Anti-Lock Braking System.

Q: Does ABS reduce stopping distance?
A: Not always.

Q: What must you do when approaching emergency vehicles?
A: Pull over right.

Q: How close may you park to a crosswalk?
A: 20 feet.

Q: How close may you park to a stop sign?
A: 30 feet.

Q: How close to a fire hydrant?
A: 15 feet.

Q: What does a solid white line mean?
A: Stay in lane.

Q: What does a solid yellow line mean?
A: No passing.

Q: How do you handle blowing sand?
A: Slow down.

Q: Why is hands-free driving required?
A: Safety.

Q: What is a regulatory sign?
A: Rule or law.

Q: What is an advisory sign?
A: Suggested safe behavior.

Q: Why should you not block intersections?
A: Impedes traffic.

Q: What does a slow-moving vehicle sign mean?
A: Limited speed ahead.

Q: What is a guide sign?
A: Directional.

Q: What are exit signs?
A: Freeway exit info.

Q: What is a traffic lane?
A: Road part for one line.

Q: Why follow the posted speed?
A: Safety and law.

Q: How far back should you stop behind a bus?
A: At least 20 feet.

Q: What must you do at a red arrow?
A: Stop.

Q: When allowed to turn right on red?
A: After stop yield.

Q: What must you do before backing?
A: Look all around.

Q: What is shared road?
A: Used by bikes/peds.

Q: What is carve-out lane?
A: Bike lane exception.

Q: What must you do when visibility is low?
A: Reduce speed.

Q: What do rumble strips warn?
A: Change ahead.

Q: What must you do at a four-way stop?
A: Go in order.

Q: What is a safe space cushion?
A: Gap around vehicle.

Q: What is a pull-out lane used for?
A: Slow vehicle turn.

Q: What does a broken center line mean?
A: Passing allowed.

Q: What is a traffic control device?
A: Signs/Markings.

Q: What’s the first action at emergency?
A: Pull off safely.

Q: What should you do if tires hydroplane?
A: Slow gradually.

Q: When should you check blind spots?
A: Before lane change.

Q: What is a freeway?
A: High-speed road.

Q: How must headlights be used in rain?
A: Low beams.

Q: What is defensive driving?
A: Avoid others’ errors.

Q: What should you do if road is icy?
A: Slow.

Q: What do red reflectors mean?
A: Wrong way.

Q: What do white reflectors mean?
A: Same direction.

🚦 SECTION 4 — SHARING THE ROAD (Q161–200)

Q: What is the 3-foot passing rule for cyclists?
A: Minimum 3 feet.

Q: Who has right-of-way in crosswalk?
A: Pedestrians.

Q: What must you do when school bus lights flash?
A: Stop in all directions.

Q: What is an uncontrolled intersection?
A: No signs or signals.

Q: Who yields at uncontrolled intersections?
A: Driver on right.

Q: How close may you park near a railroad?
A: 7.5 feet.

Q: What road users must you watch for?
A: Bikes & pedestrians.

Q: What must you do when entering traffic?
A: Yield.

Q: What is a merge lane?
A: Lane to join traffic.

Q: What is a safe distance from large trucks?
A: More space.

Q: What is a “share the road” sign?
A: Bikes/peds present.

Q: When bus stops for passengers, what do you do?
A: Stop.

Q: What must you do around motorcyclists?
A: Give space.

Q: What should you anticipate near schools?
A: Children.

Q: What is the extra caution near transit vehicles?
A: They stop often.

Q: What must you do if vehicle stalled on tracks?
A: Exit and move away.

Q: What is the number one rule around horses?
A: Slow down.

Q: What is a bike lane?
A: Lane for bicycles.

Q: What do shared lane markings mean?
A: Bikes and cars share lane.

Q: What is a school zone warning?
A: Reduced speed.

Q: What is a crossing guard signal?
A: Stop.

Q: Who has priority in crosswalks?
A: Pedestrians.

Q: What do advanced railroad signs warn?
A: Railroad ahead.

Q: What is a pedestrian hybrid beacon?
A: Flashing stop for drivers.

Q: What is a high-visibility crosswalk?
A: Extra marked.

Q: How should you treat cyclists?
A: Like slow vehicles.

Q: Where do bikes often ride?
A: Right edge of lane.

Q: What must you do near emergency responders?
A: Move over.

Q: Why share road safely?
A: Save lives.

Q: What is a bike box?
A: Bike waiting area.

Q: What must drivers watch for at night?
A: Pedestrians.

Q: What is the safest passing on two-lane roads?
A: Only when clear.

Q: What is the crossbuck?
A: Railroad crossing sign.

Q: What is a staggered stop line?
A: Offset stop.

Q: What do chevrons indicate?
A: Sharp curve.

Q: What is a refuge island?
A: Safe pedestrian zone.

Q: What is a RRFB?
A: Rectangular rapid flash beacon.

Q: What is a multi-use trail crossing?
A: Bikes/peds.

Q: What is a shared path?
A: Bikes/peds shared.

Q: What must you always do at intersections?
A: Look both ways.

Q: What is the safest approach to bicycles?
A: Slow down.

Q: What do advanced stop lines do?
A: Give space.

Q: What should drivers do at intersections?
A: Yield.

Q: What is the safest behavior near school buses?
A: Stop on red lights.

Q: What is a transit priority signal?
A: Bus first signal.

Q: When is a bike considered to have full lane?
A: If marked.

Q: What must you do if dog runs into road?
A: Slow/stop safely.

Q: What must you do near ice cream trucks?
A: Stop.

Q: What’s the CA rule for yield signs near school?
A: Obey them.

Q: What’s the #1 goal of the permit test?
A: Safe driving knowledge.

📌 OFFICIAL DMV RESOURCES & PRACTICE TESTS

🔗 Practice Tests via DMV: California DMV Sample Driver’s License Tests

Remember: the real California permit test pulls random questions from a large library — drive safety knowledge, signs, road laws, and right-of-way are the core.