50 California DMV Practice Questions and Answers (2026)

You realize you have driven onto a road against traffic and see a WRONG WAY sign. What should you do?

1. When it is safe, back out or turn around
2. Keep going slowly until the next exit
3. Stop in your lane and wait for help

What does a diamond-shaped road sign usually tell you?

1. It warns of specific road conditions and dangers ahead
2. It gives directions to nearby cities
3. It tells you a rule, such as the speed limit

The light is red and a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. You want to turn right. What should you do?

1. Stop, then turn right when it is safe
2. Turn right only if no pedestrians are present
3. Stay stopped until the light turns green

How can you find out the minimum number of people needed to use a carpool (HOV) lane and the hours the rules apply?

1. It is always two people, 24 hours a day, everywhere in California
2. Ask the DMV when you renew your registration
3. Read the signs at the on-ramp or along the road

You are in a center left turn lane waiting to turn. What should you watch for?

1. Vehicles coming toward you in the same center left turn lane
2. Only vehicles behind you
3. Nothing, because the lane is yours while you wait

When may you turn left on a red light in California?

1. Never; left turns on red are always illegal
2. From any street, after a full stop, if no cars are coming
3. Only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, if no sign prohibits it

You come to an intersection where the traffic lights are not working. What should you do?

1. Stop as if there were STOP signs in all directions, then proceed cautiously when it is safe
2. Slow down and go through if no one is coming, as with a yield sign
3. Keep going if you are on the busier street

What may you use a center left turn lane for?

1. Passing slow vehicles
2. Preparing for and making a left turn or U-turn
3. Driving in traffic jams

Many railroad crossings have a blue and white sign. What is it for?

1. To tell you what to do if there is an emergency at the crossing
2. To show the train schedule
3. To mark a place where you may park near the tracks

You are making a legal left turn on red from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Who must you yield to?

1. No one, because the turn is legal
2. Vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists who have a green light
3. Only vehicles coming from your left

You are already in an intersection when an emergency vehicle with its siren on comes up behind you. What should you do?

1. Stop right where you are in the intersection
2. Back up out of the intersection
3. Continue through the intersection, then pull to the right and stop

In a roundabout with two lanes, you want to turn right. Which lane should you use?

1. Enter in the right lane and exit in the right lane
2. Enter in the left lane and exit in the right lane
3. Either lane, then cut across to exit

Two vehicles reach an intersection with no signs or signals at the same time. Who should go first?

1. The vehicle on the right
2. The vehicle on the left
3. The larger vehicle

Once you are driving in a roundabout, what should you avoid doing?

1. Following the lane markings
2. Signaling when you exit
3. Stopping or passing other vehicles

You and another car come to a full stop at the same time at an intersection with stop signs on all four corners. The other car is on your right. What should you do?

1. Go first because you are on the left
2. Wait for the other driver to wave you through
3. Let the car on your right go first

On which side should you pass a large truck?

1. The right side
2. Either side, whichever is faster
3. The left side

You are turning left from a one-way street onto a two-way street. Which lane should you start the turn from?

1. The far-right lane
2. The middle lane
3. The far-left lane

You cannot see clearly for 200 feet in each direction. Can you make a U-turn?

1. No, it is illegal
2. Yes, if you go slowly
3. Yes, if you turn on your hazard lights

Can you make a U-turn across a single set of double yellow lines?

1. No, double yellow lines can never be crossed
2. Yes, if it is safe and not otherwise prohibited
3. Only if you are in a carpool lane

When should you use your turn signal in a roundabout?

1. When you change lanes or exit
2. Only when you enter
3. Only when a car is right behind you

How low can the posted speed limit be in some school zones?

1. 15 mph
2. 20 mph
3. 10 mph

Where should you use your headlights even on a sunny day?

1. On mountain roads and in tunnels
2. On any freeway with three or more lanes
3. Only when another driver flashes their lights at you

What does a yellow painted curb mean?

1. Stop to load and unload passengers and freight, no longer than the posted time
2. No stopping, standing, or parking
3. Park for up to two hours

How should you adjust your speed on packed snow?

1. Reduce your speed by half
2. Keep your normal speed but brake earlier
3. Reduce your speed by 5 to 10 mph

You must dim your high beams to low beams within how many feet of a vehicle coming toward you?

1. 300 feet
2. 500 feet
3. 1,000 feet

You must turn on your headlights when it is too dark to see from how far away?

1. 500 feet
2. 1,000 feet
3. 200 feet

A school bus ahead is stopped with its red lights flashing. What must you do?

1. Slow to 10 mph and pass carefully
2. Stop and stay stopped until the children are across and the lights stop flashing
3. Stop, then go once the children have stepped off the bus

Near a railroad crossing where your view of the tracks is blocked, when may you legally drive faster than 15 mph?

1. When it is daytime and the road is dry
2. When the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagman
3. When you have looked in one direction and seen no train

The road is wet. By how much should you reduce your speed?

1. 5 to 10 mph
2. To no more than 5 mph
3. By half

You park facing uphill next to a curb. What should you do with your front wheels?

1. Turn them away from the curb and let the vehicle roll back until a wheel gently touches the curb
2. Keep them straight and rely on the parking brake
3. Turn them into the curb

There are hazards on both sides of the road at the same time, but one is more dangerous. What should you do?

1. Drive exactly in the middle between them
2. Speed up to get past both quickly
3. Give more space to the more dangerous one

How far ahead of your vehicle should you scan the road?

1. At least 3 seconds ahead
2. At least 10 seconds ahead
3. Only as far as the vehicle in front of you

You are already in an intersection when you see a fire engine coming with its siren on. What should you do?

1. Stop in the middle of the intersection
2. Continue through the intersection, then pull to the right and stop
3. Back up out of the intersection

How should you check your blind spots?

1. Use only your rearview mirror
2. Turn your body and the steering wheel toward that side
3. Look over your shoulder out the side window, turning only your head

In a work zone where a lane is closed, you should:

1. Wait until the last moment to merge
2. Merge as soon as it is safe, without crossing the cones or drums
3. Drive between the cones to get around slow traffic

Why is it dangerous to move in front of a large truck and then suddenly slow down?

1. Trucks have smaller mirrors than cars
2. Trucks always travel slower than cars
3. Large trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles

Vehicles are entering the freeway from an on-ramp next to you, and you have the right-of-way. What should you do?

1. Hold your lane and speed so they must wait
2. Make space for them if you can
3. Speed up to stay ahead of them

The Move Over and Slow Down law applies to which of these?

1. Any vehicle driving slowly in the right lane
2. Stopped road work vehicles with flashing amber warning lights
3. Only law enforcement vehicles

Another vehicle signals that it plans to pass you. What should you do?

1. Let it pass, keeping your lane position and speed
2. Speed up so it cannot pass
3. Move toward the center line

You are a driver under 18. When may you use a cell phone while driving?

1. Only to call for emergency help
2. Any time, if you use hands-free mode
3. When you are stopped at a red light

How many hours of supervised practice driving must a minor complete before getting a license?

1. At least 30 hours
2. At least 40 hours
3. At least 50 hours

A driver under 21 is convicted of illegally carrying alcohol in a vehicle. The court may fine the driver and suspend the license for:

1. One year
2. Six months
3. 30 days

If you are in a collision without the required insurance, your driving privilege can be suspended for up to:

1. One year
2. Four years
3. Ten years

If you move, how long do you have to give DMV your new address?

1. 30 days
2. 60 days
3. 10 days

You move to California with a car registered in another state. How long do you have to register it here after becoming a resident or getting a job in California?

1. 20 days
2. 10 days
3. 6 months

For a driver age 21 or older, what is the lowest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at which it is illegal to drive?

1. 0.08%
2. 0.10%
3. 0.05%

Can you be convicted of DUI for driving while affected by a medicine your doctor prescribed?

1. No, prescription medicines are always allowed
2. Yes, if the medicine affects your ability to drive safely
3. Only if you also drank alcohol

What does DMV call a driver who has too many points on their record?

1. A provisional driver
2. A negligent driver
3. A restricted driver

When you buy a vehicle, how long do you have to transfer ownership into your name?

1. 5 days
2. 10 days
3. 30 days

You must report a collision to DMV if it caused property damage of more than:

1. $500
2. $1,000
3. $2,500