California DMV Written Test Practice 1 – Free Permit Test With Answers

November 7, 2025

Welcome to your California DMV Written Test 1

You see a warning sign indicating a narrow bridge ahead. What should you do?

Narrow Bridge warning sign — Narrow Bridge – warning sign

Deselect Answer

Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.

Honk your horn continuously while crossing.

Maintain your current speed; other vehicles will yield.

Which of the following is an example of a safe driving practice?

Deselect Answer

Staring only at the middle of the road.

Using your high-beam headlights in the fog.

Always keep your eyes moving to scan the surroundings.

What is one of the most common causes of traffic collisions?

Deselect Answer

Better traffic flow.

Paying attention to your surroundings.

Driver distractions.

What should you do to make a right turn at an upcoming intersection?

Deselect Answer

Merge into the bicycle lane before making the turn.

Wait until the bicycle lane ends, then make the turn.

Make the turn from your current lane and do not enter the bicycle lane.

A highway has a posted speed limit of 65 mph. What does this mean?

Deselect Answer

You must always drive 65 mph on that highway.

You must drive 65 mph only if driving conditions are ideal.

You may drive faster only if there are no other vehicles.

Which of the following should you do if you are being followed by a tailgater?

Deselect Answer

Change lanes and allow the tailgater to pass.

Tap the brakes to signal you are moving at a slower pace.

Increase your speed to match the speed of the vehicle.

When is parking in a crosshatched (diagonal lines) area allowed?

crosshatched (diagonal lines) area - drivingtestexam

Deselect Answer

If the area is labeled as a bicycle lane, unless otherwise posted.

If the area is at least twenty feet away from a railroad track.

It is never allowed to park in a crosshatched (diagonal lines) area.

When a railroad crossing is not controlled, what is the speed limit when you are within 100 feet and cannot see for 400 feet in both directions?

Deselect Answer

10 mph.

15 mph.

25 mph.

What is indicated by two sets of double yellow lines spaced 2 feet or more apart?

Deselect Answer

Barrier.

Carpool/High-Occupancy (HOV) lane.

Lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.

What should you do if a pedestrian is still in the crosswalk after the “DON’T WALK” sign begins to flash and your light has turned green?

Deselect Answer

Wait until the pedestrian is almost out of your path before proceeding.

Wait until the pedestrian has crossed the street completely before proceeding.

Wait until the pedestrian is out of your path before proceeding.

When is it required for you to obey directions from a crossing guard?

Deselect Answer

During school hours only.

At all times.

Only when children are present in front of a school.

What color curb does not allow vehicles to stop or park?

Deselect Answer

White.

Yellow.

Red.

You see a warning sign indicating a crossroad ahead. What should you do?

Warning sign – Crossroad — Warning Sign – Crossroad

Deselect Answer

Maintain your current speed; crossroad traffic must yield.

Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.

Turn immediately to avoid the crossroad.

What does a flashing yellow traffic signal light direct a driver to do?

Deselect Answer

Stop and proceed when the traffic allows you to proceed safely.

Slow down and proceed with caution.

Stop and wait for a flashing green signal.

What should you do when traffic is slow and heavy, and you must cross railroad tracks before reaching the upcoming intersection?

Deselect Answer

Wait until you can completely cross the tracks before proceeding.

Wait on the tracks until the stoplight at the intersection turns green.

Begin crossing when the vehicle in front of you is crossing the tracks.

Which of the following is the proper procedure for parallel parking?

Deselect Answer

Stop next to the vehicle behind the open space, and then drive forward into the space.

Drive forward into the space without stopping.

Stop next to the vehicle in front of the open space, and then back into the space.

Which of the following is illegal while driving?

Deselect Answer

Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers one ear.

Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers both ears.

Using cruise control on residential streets.

You see this regulatory sign: NO LEFT TURN What should you do?

No Left Turn sign — Regulatory Sign – No Left Turn

Deselect Answer

Turn left only after checking traffic.

Go straight or turn right, but not left.

Slow down and prepare to turn left.

What should you do when there is a school bus ahead that starts flashing yellow warning lights?

Deselect Answer

Slow down and prepare to stop.

Cautiously pass the school bus on the left.

Stop immediately and remain stopped

When you are driving the speed limit, you can be given a speeding ticket:

Deselect Answer

If road or weather conditions require a slower speed.

Under no circumstances because it is always legal.

Only if you are approaching a sharp curve in the road.

At what point during a rainfall are roads slippery on a hot day?

Deselect Answer

For the first several minutes.

Immediately after it has stopped raining.

When it has been raining for a few hours.

What should you do if your cell phone rings and you do not have a hands-free device?

Deselect Answer

Answer the call and keep the conversation short.

Do not answer the phone and let it go to voice mail.

Answer the call if you are stopped at a red light.

In addition to setting your parking brake, what should you do when parking on a hill?

Deselect Answer

Make sure your vehicle is left in the “neutral” position.

Make sure the front vehicle wheels are parallel to the road.

Make sure your vehicle is in the “park” position or in gear.

You see a red octagon-shaped sign with the word STOP. What must you do?

Regulatory sign – Stop sign — Regulatory Sign – Stop Sign

Deselect Answer

Honk your horn before entering the intersection.

Stop completely, check for traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe.

Slow down and proceed without stopping.

Where should you begin a left turn from a one-way street onto a one-way street?

Deselect Answer

You can turn from any lane.

The lane closest to the center of the street.

The far-left lane.

Which lights should be used if a driver is having trouble seeing other vehicles because of dust or smoke blowing across the roadway?

Deselect Answer

Emergency lights.

Parking lights.

Headlights.

You must notify the DMV within 5 days if you:

Deselect Answer

Receive a traffic violation.

Paint your vehicle a different color.

Sell or transfer ownership of your vehicle.

When is it legal to drive off the road to pass another vehicle?

Deselect Answer

If there are two or more one-way lanes.

It is not legal under any conditions.

If the vehicle ahead is turning left.

You see a warning sign that says "Soft Shoulder." What should you do?

Soft Shoulder warning sign — Soft Shoulder – Warning Sign

Deselect Answer

Drive onto the shoulder at normal speed.

Pull over immediately; the road ends.

Avoid driving on the shoulder and stay on the paved road.

What speed should you be driving when entering onto a highway?

Deselect Answer

Slower than the speed of traffic.

Faster than the speed of traffic.

At or near the speed of traffic.

What does the “Right Turn Only” regulatory sign mean?

Regulatory sign – Right Turn Only — Regulatory Sign – Right Turn Only

Deselect Answer

Right turns are prohibited at the intersection.

You may turn right or go straight.

Drivers must make a right turn; going straight or left is not allowed.

What does this “Two Way Traffic Ahead” regulatory sign mean?

Regulatory sign – Two-Way Traffic Ahead — Regulatory Sign – Two-Way Traffic Ahead

Deselect Answer

You are entering a one-way street.

You must stay in the left lane only.

The road ahead will carry traffic in both directions.

In which lane should you end your turn when making a right turn?

Deselect Answer

Any lane free of traffic.

The lane closest to the left edge of the road.

The lane closest to the right edge of the road.

When may you legally drive in a bicycle lane in California?

Deselect Answer

Whenever traffic is heavy and you need to pass slower vehicles

When you want to stop briefly to pick up a passenger

Only when you are turning right, and it is safe to do so

Who can legally park next to a curb painted blue?

Deselect Answer

A person who is disabled and has a special placard or vehicle license plate for disabled persons.

Someone who is either picking up or dropping off passengers at this location.

A person who will only be parked at the curb for less than 15 minutes.

You are driving on a freeway and see a vehicle stopped on the shoulder with flashing amber lights. What should you do?

Deselect Answer

Speed up to pass quickly to avoid danger

Stay in your lane but slow down slightly

Move over one lane if possible, or slow down if you cannot safely move over

You are required to notify DMV by filing a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1) form if:

Deselect Answer

You failed to pay your registration fees.

You allowed a licensed driver from another state to drive your vehicle.

You were involved in a collision with more than $1,000 in damages.

If a traffic signal is green, but traffic is blocking the intersection, what should you do?

Deselect Answer

Drive around the traffic on the shoulder to help ease the congestion.

Partially enter the intersection, as allowed by traffic.

Wait and do not enter the intersection until your vehicle can get completely across.

Which of the following is true about large trucks?

Deselect Answer

They have large and powerful emergency brakes, which gives them the capability to stop quickly.

They are made of many trailers, which make them more maneuverable than passenger vehicles.

They have large blind spots, which makes it difficult for the truck driver to see other vehicles.

What should you do when reaching an intersection where a person operating a motorized wheelchair has entered the crosswalk?

Deselect Answer

Remain stopped behind the nearest crosswalk line until the motorized wheelchair is beyond the range of your vehicle.

Assume right-of-way if the motorized wheelchair stops in the crosswalk.

Remain stopped behind the crosswalk line until the motorized wheelchair has safely finished crossing.

You are under 18 years of age and have had your license for eight months. You may drive:

Deselect Answer

Between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

At any time.

Between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

When is it legal for a person to drive with an alcoholic beverage container that has been opened?

Deselect Answer

If the container is in the trunk of the vehicle.

If the container is in the front seat.

If the container is under the front seat.

Which of the following is a requirement of California’s Basic Speed Law?

Deselect Answer

Always drive the speed limit, regardless of conditions.

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

Match your speed to that of your surrounding traffic.

Any driver who willfully flees or attempts to evade law enforcement, during which a person is seriously injured, is subject to:

Deselect Answer

Imprisonment in a state prison for up to seven years.

Attending an anger-management class.

A fine of less than $1,000.

What should a driver do, who is stopped at an intersection and wants to make a left turn?

Deselect Answer

Turn immediately if there are no pedestrians.

Take the right-of-way turn before oncoming traffic.

Give the right-of-way to any approaching vehicle that is close enough to be dangerous.

When approaching a vehicle coming toward you, how many feet away should you switch from high beam to low beam headlights?

Deselect Answer

900 feet.

500 feet.

700 feet.

Name

4 thoughts on “California DMV Written Test Practice 1 – Free Permit Test With Answers”

Monte B Wells
February 12, 2026 at 5:07 am

two of the questions were the same. they were about making rght turns and where you should begin your turn. sorry, i don’t remember the question numbers but one of the answers said to begin your turn from the lane you are in (do not cross into the bike lane) and a later question said to cross into the bike lane and make your right turn. maybe I missed something but i felt the answers should be the same

Reply
1. Driving Test Exam
  February 12, 2026 at 3:36 pm
  
  Thanks for helping us correct the mistake. Have a Great Day, Monte.
  
  Reply
Monte Wells
February 12, 2026 at 5:13 am

See qestions 11 and 31. The two questions seem to be the same. but their answers conflict with each other.

Reply
1. Driving Test Exam
  February 12, 2026 at 3:34 pm
  
  Hi Monte, thanks for pointing that out — you’re absolutely right to question it.
  
  Those two questions are based on the same DMV rule, but one of them was mistakely edit incorrectly, which made the answers look contradictory.
  
  Correct California DMV rule:
  
  When making a right turn, you should merge into the bicycle lane (if it’s a dashed line) within about 200 feet before the turn, after checking mirrors and blind spots and yielding to bicyclists.
  
  You should not turn directly from the car lane across the bike lane at the last second.
  So for both questions, the correct answer should be:
  
  “Merge into the bicycle lane before making the turn.”
  
  I’ll update the quiz so both questions match the California Driver Handbook. Thanks again for catching that!
  
  Reply

4 thoughts on “California DMV Written Test Practice 1 – Free Permit Test With Answers”

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply