If you're preparing for the California DMV written test, it's essential to know how many questions you'll face and what kind of questions to expect. The number of questions on the test depends on the type of license you're applying for. Here's a breakdown:
Provisional License
- Number of Questions: 46
- Maximum Errors Allowed: 8
The California DMV written test for a Provisional License consists of 46 questions, and you must answer at least 38 questions correctly to pass. This means you are allowed a maximum of 8 errors.
Details About the Provisional License Test
-
Eligibility:
- For drivers under the age of 18 applying for their first California driver's license.
- Requires a learner's permit before the license can be issued.
-
Test Format:
- Multiple-choice questions.
- Covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices, specifically emphasizing rules for new and young drivers.
-
Languages: The test is available in various languages and can be taken at a DMV office.
-
Additional Requirements:
- Pass a vision test.
- Complete a driver's education program and provide proof of completion.
- Hold a learner's permit for at least 6 months and practice driving under supervision.
Topics Covered
- Traffic Laws: Speed limits, right-of-way rules, and lane usage.
- Road Signs and Markings: Identifying and understanding traffic signs and road markings.
- Safe Driving Practices: Defensive driving, avoiding distractions, and night driving tips.
- Laws for Minors: Restrictions on cell phone use, curfews, and passenger limitations.
- Alcohol and Drugs: Zero-tolerance policy for underage drivers and consequences of DUI.
- Emergency Situations: Handling accidents, road hazards, and adverse weather.
Adult Original License
- Number of Questions: 36
- Maximum Errors Allowed: 6
The California DMV written test for an Adult Original License consists of 36 questions. To pass, you must answer at least 30 questions correctly, achieving a passing score of 83%.
Key Details About the Test
- Eligibility: This test is for adults (18 years or older) applying for their first California driver's license.
-
Test Format:
- Multiple-choice questions.
- Covers California traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices.
-
Languages: Available in multiple languages and can be taken:
- Online (for eligible applicants).
- In-person at a DMV office on a touchscreen kiosk or paper form.
-
Additional Tests:
- You may also need to take a vision test and behind-the-wheel driving test after passing the written exam.
Topics Covered
- Traffic Laws: California driving rules, speed limits, and lane usage.
- Road Signs and Signals: Identifying and understanding traffic signs and signals.
- Safe Driving Practices: Avoiding distractions, using turn signals, and sharing the road.
- Alcohol and Drugs: Legal limits, consequences of driving under the influence.
- Right-of-Way Rules: Pedestrian crossings, yielding, and intersections.
- Special Situations: Driving in adverse weather, highway merging, and emergencies.
License Renewal
- Number of Questions: 18
- Maximum Errors Allowed: 3
The California DMV written test for license renewal consists of 18 questions. To pass the test, you need to answer at least 15 questions correctly, which is a passing score of 83%. This test is designed to assess your understanding of traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices.
Here's what you should know about the test:
Key Details for the California DMV License Renewal Test
- Question Format: The test consists of multiple-choice questions.
- Language Options: The test is available in multiple languages, including English and Spanish.
-
Test Modes: You can take the test:
- Online (if eligible through your DMV account).
- At a DMV Office (on a touchscreen kiosk or paper-based).
- Eligibility for Online Test: Some individuals, especially those renewing their license for the first time or with a clean driving record, may qualify for an online renewal without testing.
California DMV Test Sample Questions and Answers
-
What is the legal BAC limit for drivers under 21 in California?
- A. 0.08%
- B. 0.05%
- C. 0.01%
- D. 0.00%
- Answer: C. 0.01%
-
When can you drive in a bike lane?
- A. When you need to make a turn
- B. During rush hour
- C. Whenever there are no bicycles
- D. Never
- Answer: A. When you need to make a turn
-
What should you do if you see a pedestrian with a white cane?
- A. Honk your horn
- B. Stop and give them the right of way
- C. Drive around them
- D. Flash your lights
- Answer: B. Stop and give them the right of way
-
You are approaching a school and see children near the street, you should:
- A. Speed up to clear the area quickly
- B. Stop, then proceed
- C. Slow down and proceed with caution
- D. Continue driving at the posted speed limit
- Answer: C. Slow down and proceed with caution
-
What should you do if you are being tailgated?
- A. Brake suddenly
- B. Speed up
- C. Change lanes if possible
- D. Ignore them
- Answer: C. Change lanes if possible
-
When parallel parking, you should park within how many inches of the curb?
- A. 6 inches
- B. 12 inches
- C. 18 inches
- D. 24 inches
- Answer: C. 18 inches
-
You must notify the DMV within how many days if you sell your vehicle?
- A. 5 days
- B. 10 days
- C. 15 days
- D. 20 days
- Answer: A. 5 days
-
What does a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line mean?
- A. Passing is allowed in both directions
- B. Passing is allowed only on the side with the broken line
- C. No passing allowed in either direction
- D. Passing is allowed only during daylight hours
- Answer: B. Passing is allowed only on the side with the broken line
-
When must you yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk?
- A. Only when the pedestrian is on your side of the road
- B. Always, whether or not the crosswalk is marked
- C. Only during daylight hours
- D. Never
- Answer: B. Always, whether or not the crosswalk is marked
-
What should you do if you approach a traffic signal with a flashing yellow light?
- A. Stop before proceeding
- B. Slow down and proceed with caution
- C. Speed up to clear the intersection quickly
- D. Stop and wait for the light to change
- Answer: B. Slow down and proceed with caution
-
When can you legally use a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving?
- A. Never
- B. When making an emergency call
- C. When driving in a school zone
- D. When stopped at a red light
- Answer: B. When making an emergency call
-
What should you do if you are involved in a minor collision with a parked car and cannot find the owner?
- A. Leave a note with your contact information
- B. Drive away
- C. Call the police
- D. Wait by the car until the owner returns
- Answer: A. Leave a note with your contact information
-
You must turn on your headlights:
- A. One hour after sunset
- B. One hour before sunset
- C. 30 minutes after sunset
- D. 30 minutes before sunset
- Answer: C. 30 minutes after sunset
-
What should you do if your car starts to skid on a wet road?
- A. Brake immediately
- B. Take your foot off the accelerator
- C. Steer in the opposite direction of the skid
- D. Turn off the ignition
- Answer: B. Take your foot off the accelerator
-
When driving in fog, you should use your:
- A. High-beam headlights
- B. Low-beam headlights
- C. Parking lights
- D. Hazard lights
- Answer: B. Low-beam headlights
-
You should use your horn:
- A. To alert other drivers of your presence
- B. Only in emergency situations
- C. When passing another vehicle
- D. To greet other drivers
- Answer: B. Only in emergency situations
-
If you are approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, you must:
- A. Slow down and proceed with caution
- B. Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn
- C. Pass the bus quickly
- D. Honk to alert the bus driver
- Answer: B. Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn
-
When parking uphill on a two-way street with no curb, your front wheels should be:
- A. Turned to the left (toward the street)
- B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
- C. Parallel with the pavement
- D. Facing straight ahead
- Answer: B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
-
You may not park your vehicle:
- A. On the side of a freeway in an emergency
- B. Next to a red-painted curb
- C. Within 100 feet of a school
- D. Within 500 feet of a fire station
- Answer: B. Next to a red-painted curb
-
If you are involved in a traffic collision, you are required to complete and submit a written report (SR1) to the DMV:
- A. Only if you or the other driver is injured
- B. If there is property damage in excess of $1,000 or if there are any injuries
- C. Only if you are at fault
- D. If the collision results in a traffic ticket
- Answer: B. If there is property damage in excess of $1,000 or if there are any injuries
-
If you experience a tire blowout, you should:
- A. Brake hard immediately
- B. Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle straight
- C. Quickly turn the steering wheel to the side of the road
- D. Speed up to regain control
- Answer: B. Hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle straight
-
A flashing red traffic light means:
- A. Stop before entering
- B. Proceed with caution
- C. Stop and wait for a green light
- D. Slow down
- Answer: A. Stop before entering
-
At a four-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, who has the right of way?
- A. The vehicle on the left
- B. The vehicle on the right
- C. The vehicle that is bigger
- D. The vehicle that flashes its lights first
- Answer: B. The vehicle on the right
-
When driving in the far right lane of a freeway, you:
- A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
- B. Must give the right-of-way to merging traffic
- C. Must drive faster than other traffic
- D. Should use your hazard lights
- Answer: A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
-
Which of the following increases your chances of having a collision?
- A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
- B. Driving at a constant speed
- C. Adjusting your rearview mirror before you start driving
- D. Scanning the road ahead
- Answer: A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
-
Which of the following is true about large trucks?
- A. They have smaller blind spots than most passenger vehicles
- B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
- C. They have shorter stopping distances than most passenger vehicles
- D. They require less turning space
- Answer: B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
-
To turn left from a multilane one-way street onto a one-way street, you should start your turn from:
- A. The lane closest to the left curb
- B. Any lane as long as it is safe
- C. The lane in the center of the road
- D. The lane closest to the right curb
- Answer: A. The lane closest to the left curb
-
When driving on a multilane street with two-way traffic:
- A. You should drive ahead of or behind the other vehicles
- B. It is safest to drive in the lane next to the center line
- C. You should drive in the lane with the least traffic
- D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
- Answer: D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
-
You may cross double yellow lines to pass another vehicle if the:
- A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
- B. Yellow line next to the other side of the road is broken
- C. The lines are solid and there is no oncoming traffic
- D. There is no sign prohibiting passing
- Answer: A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
-
You are driving on a one-way street. You may turn left onto another one-way street only if:
- A. A sign permits the turn
- B. Traffic on the street moves to the right
- C. Traffic on the street moves to the left
- D. There is a green arrow
- Answer: C. Traffic on the street moves to the left
-
You must notify law enforcement and file a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR1) with DMV if:
- A. You are involved in a collision and there is an injury
- B. You are involved in a collision and there is property damage
- C. Your vehicle breaks down on the side of the road
- D. You change your insurance company
- Answer: A. You are involved in a collision and there is an injury
-
When planning to pass another vehicle, you should:
- A. Not assume they will make space for you to return to your lane
- B. Assume they will let you pass if you use your turn signal
- C. Assume they will maintain a constant speed
- D. Assume they will slow down for you
- Answer: A. Not assume they will make space for you to return to your lane
-
You should use your turn signals:
- A. When changing lanes
- B. When turning into your own driveway
- C. When parking at the curb
- D. All of the above
- Answer: D. All of the above
-
What is the purpose of a diamond-shaped traffic sign?
- A. To provide directional guidance
- B. To indicate a school zone
- C. To warn of potential hazards
- D. To provide information about speed limits
- Answer: C. To warn of potential hazards
-
When driving in fog, you should use your:
- A. High-beam headlights
- B. Low-beam headlights
- C. Parking lights
- D. Hazard lights
- Answer: B. Low-beam headlights
-
When can you drive in a center left turn lane?
- A. To pass other vehicles
- B. For making left turns
- C. As a regular driving lane
- D. Only during rush hour
- Answer: B. For making left turns
-
What should you do if you approach a traffic signal with a flashing yellow light?
- A. Stop before proceeding
- B. Slow down and proceed with caution
- C. Speed up to clear the intersection quickly
- D. Stop and wait for the light to change
- Answer: B. Slow down and proceed with caution
-
You must notify the DMV within how many days if you sell your vehicle?
- A. 5 days
- B. 10 days
- C. 15 days
- D. 20 days
- Answer: A. 5 days
-
When parking uphill on a two-way street with no curb, your front wheels should be:
- A. Turned to the left (toward the street)
- B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
- C. Parallel with the pavement
- D. Facing straight ahead
- Answer: B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
-
When parallel parking, you should park within how many inches of the curb?
- A. 6 inches
- B. 12 inches
- C. 18 inches
- D. 24 inches
- Answer: C. 18 inches
-
When driving in the far right lane of a freeway, you:
- A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
- B. Must give the right-of-way to merging traffic
- C. Must drive faster than other traffic
- D. Should use your hazard lights
- Answer: A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
-
Which of the following increases your chances of having a collision?
- A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
- B. Driving at a constant speed
- C. Adjusting your rearview mirror before you start driving
- D. Scanning the road ahead
- Answer: A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
-
Which of the following is true about large trucks?
- A. They have smaller blind spots than most passenger vehicles
- B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
- C. They have shorter stopping distances than most passenger vehicles
- D. They require less turning space
- Answer: B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
-
To turn left from a multilane one-way street onto a one-way street, you should start your turn from:
- A. The lane closest to the left curb
- B. Any lane as long as it is safe
- C. The lane in the center of the road
- D. The lane closest to the right curb
- Answer: A. The lane closest to the left curb
-
When driving on a multilane street with two-way traffic:
- A. You should drive ahead of or behind the other vehicles
- B. It is safest to drive in the lane next to the center line
- C. You should drive in the lane with the least traffic
- D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
- Answer: D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
-
You may cross double yellow lines to pass another vehicle if the:
- A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
- B. Yellow line next to the other side of the road is broken
- C. The lines are solid and there is no oncoming traffic
- D. There is no sign prohibiting passing
- Answer: A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
---------------------------------------------------
-
What should you do if you are approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and are unable to see 400 feet down the tracks?
- A. Drive faster to cross the tracks quickly
- B. Stop before crossing and proceed when safe
- C. Proceed without stopping if you don't see a train
- D. Honk to alert any nearby trains
- Answer: B. Stop before crossing and proceed when safe
-
You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 20 feet
- Answer: C. 15 feet
-
When you see a "Roadwork Ahead" sign you should:
- A. Speed up to avoid traffic
- B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
- C. Maintain your speed
- D. Merge into another lane
- Answer: B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
-
What is the first thing you should do if your car starts to skid?
- A. Brake hard
- B. Take your foot off the accelerator
- C. Steer in the opposite direction of the skid
- D. Turn off the ignition
- Answer: B. Take your foot off the accelerator
-
When driving in fog, you should use your:
- A. High-beam headlights
- B. Low-beam headlights
- C. Parking lights
- D. Hazard lights
- Answer: B. Low-beam headlights
-
What is the purpose of a diamond-shaped traffic sign?
- A. To provide directional guidance
- B. To indicate a school zone
- C. To warn of potential hazards
- D. To provide information about speed limits
- Answer: C. To warn of potential hazards
-
When can you drive in a center left turn lane?
- A. To pass other vehicles
- B. For making left turns
- C. As a regular driving lane
- D. Only during rush hour
- Answer: B. For making left turns
-
What should you do if you approach a traffic signal with a flashing yellow light?
- A. Stop before proceeding
- B. Slow down and proceed with caution
- C. Speed up to clear the intersection quickly
- D. Stop and wait for the light to change
- Answer: B. Slow down and proceed with caution
-
You must notify the DMV within how many days if you sell your vehicle?
- A. 5 days
- B. 10 days
- C. 15 days
- D. 20 days
- Answer: A. 5 days
-
When parking uphill on a two-way street with no curb, your front wheels should be:
- A. Turned to the left (toward the street)
- B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
- C. Parallel with the pavement
- D. Facing straight ahead
- Answer: B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
-
When parallel parking, you should park within how many inches of the curb?
- A. 6 inches
- B. 12 inches
- C. 18 inches
- D. 24 inches
- Answer: C. 18 inches
-
When driving in the far right lane of a freeway, you:
- A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
- B. Must give the right-of-way to merging traffic
- C. Must drive faster than other traffic
- D. Should use your hazard lights
- Answer: A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
-
Which of the following increases your chances of having a collision?
- A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
- B. Driving at a constant speed
- C. Adjusting your rearview mirror before you start driving
- D. Scanning the road ahead
- Answer: A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
-
Which of the following is true about large trucks?
- A. They have smaller blind spots than most passenger vehicles
- B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
- C. They have shorter stopping distances than most passenger vehicles
- D. They require less turning space
- Answer: B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
-
To turn left from a multilane one-way street onto a one-way street, you should start your turn from:
- A. The lane closest to the left curb
- B. Any lane as long as it is safe
- C. The lane in the center of the road
- D. The lane closest to the right curb
- Answer: A. The lane closest to the left curb
-
When driving on a multilane street with two-way traffic:
- A. You should drive ahead of or behind the other vehicles
- B. It is safest to drive in the lane next to the center line
- C. You should drive in the lane with the least traffic
- D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
- Answer: D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
-
You may cross double yellow lines to pass another vehicle if the:
- A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
- B. Yellow line next to the other side of the road is broken
- C. The lines are solid and there is no oncoming traffic
- D. There is no sign prohibiting passing
- Answer: A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
-
What should you do if you are approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and are unable to see 400 feet down the tracks?
- A. Drive faster to cross the tracks quickly
- B. Stop before crossing and proceed when safe
- C. Proceed without stopping if you don't see a train
- D. Honk to alert any nearby trains
- Answer: B. Stop before crossing and proceed when safe
-
You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 20 feet
- Answer: C. 15 feet
-
When you see a "Roadwork Ahead" sign you should:
- A. Speed up to avoid traffic
- B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
- C. Maintain your speed
- D. Merge into another lane
- Answer: B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
-
What is the first thing you should do if your car starts to skid?
- A. Brake hard
- B. Take your foot off the accelerator
- C. Steer in the opposite direction of the skid
- D. Turn off the ignition
- Answer: B. Take your foot off the accelerator
-
When driving in fog, you should use your:
- A. High-beam headlights
- B. Low-beam headlights
- C. Parking lights
- D. Hazard lights
- Answer: B. Low-beam headlights
-
What is the purpose of a diamond-shaped traffic sign?
- A. To provide directional guidance
- B. To indicate a school zone
- C. To warn of potential hazards
- D. To provide information about speed limits
- Answer: C. To warn of potential hazards
-
When can you drive in a center left turn lane?
- A. To pass other vehicles
- B. For making left turns
- C. As a regular driving lane
- D. Only during rush hour
- Answer: B. For making left turns
-
What should you do if you approach a traffic signal with a flashing yellow light?
- A. Stop before proceeding
- B. Slow down and proceed with caution
- C. Speed up to clear the intersection quickly
- D. Stop and wait for the light to change
- Answer: B. Slow down and proceed with caution
-
You must notify the DMV within how many days if you sell your vehicle?
- A. 5 days
- B. 10 days
- C. 15 days
- D. 20 days
- Answer: A. 5 days
-
When parking uphill on a two-way street with no curb, your front wheels should be:
- A. Turned to the left (toward the street)
- B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
- C. Parallel with the pavement
- D. Facing straight ahead
- Answer: B. Turned to the right (away from the street)
-
When parallel parking, you should park within how many inches of the curb?
- A. 6 inches
- B. 12 inches
- C. 18 inches
- D. 24 inches
- Answer: C. 18 inches
-
When driving in the far right lane of a freeway, you:
- A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
- B. Must give the right-of-way to merging traffic
- C. Must drive faster than other traffic
- D. Should use your hazard lights
- Answer: A. Should expect merging vehicles at on-ramps
-
Which of the following increases your chances of having a collision?
- A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
- B. Driving at a constant speed
- C. Adjusting your rearview mirror before you start driving
- D. Scanning the road ahead
- Answer: A. Continuously changing lanes to pass other vehicles
-
Which of the following is true about large trucks?
- A. They have smaller blind spots than most passenger vehicles
- B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
- C. They have shorter stopping distances than most passenger vehicles
- D. They require less turning space
- Answer: B. They take longer to stop than a car traveling at the same speed
-
To turn left from a multilane one-way street onto a one-way street, you should start your turn from:
- A. The lane closest to the left curb
- B. Any lane as long as it is safe
- C. The lane in the center of the road
- D. The lane closest to the right curb
- Answer: A. The lane closest to the left curb
-
When driving on a multilane street with two-way traffic:
- A. You should drive ahead of or behind the other vehicles
- B. It is safest to drive in the lane next to the center line
- C. You should drive in the lane with the least traffic
- D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
- Answer: D. It is safest to drive in the right lane
-
You may cross double yellow lines to pass another vehicle if the:
- A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
- B. Yellow line next to the other side of the road is broken
- C. The lines are solid and there is no oncoming traffic
- D. There is no sign prohibiting passing
- Answer: A. Yellow line next to your side of the road is broken
-
What should you do if you are approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and are unable to see 400 feet down the tracks?
- A. Drive faster to cross the tracks quickly
- B. Stop before crossing and proceed when safe
- C. Proceed without stopping if you don't see a train
- D. Honk to alert any nearby trains
- Answer: B. Stop before crossing and proceed when safe
-
You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?
- A. 5 feet
- B. 10 feet
- C. 15 feet
- D. 20 feet
- Answer: C. 15 feet
-
When you see a "Roadwork Ahead" sign you should:
- A. Speed up to avoid traffic
- B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
- C. Maintain your speed
- D. Merge into another lane
- Answer: B. Slow down and be prepared to stop
-
What is the first thing you should do if your car starts to skid?
- A. Brake hard
- B. Take your foot off the accelerator
- C. Steer in the opposite direction of the skid
- D. Turn off the ignition
- Answer: B. Take your foot off the accelerator
-
When driving in fog, you should use your:
- A. High-beam headlights
- B. Low-beam headlights
- C. Parking lights
- D. Hazard lights
- Answer: B. Low-beam headlights
-
What is the purpose of a diamond-shaped traffic sign?
- A. To provide directional guidance
- B. To indicate a school zone
- C. To warn of potential hazards
- D. To provide information about speed limits
- Answer: C. To warn of potential hazards
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