Are you preparing for the California DMV written test? This California DMV Written Test Practice 2 is designed to help you study the most common topics found on the California Class C knowledge test, including road signs, right-of-way rules, safe driving, speed laws, parking rules, school bus safety, and traffic signals.
The official California DMV knowledge test is based on the California Driver Handbook. To pass, you need to understand traffic laws, safe driving habits, road signs, and real-life driving situations — not just memorize answers.
Use this practice test as a study guide before taking your official DMV permit test.
California DMV Written Test Practice 2 Overview
This practice test covers important topics such as:
- Basic Speed Law
- Right turns and left turns
- School bus warning lights
- Road signs and regulatory signs
- Open container rules
- Railroad crossings
- Roundabouts
- Crosswalks and pedestrian safety
- Parking on hills
- Curb colors
- Teen driver restrictions
- DMV reporting requirements
- Safe following distance
- Distracted driving and cell phone rules
If you miss any question, do not just memorize the correct answer. Read the explanation and understand the rule behind it. That is the best way to pass the California DMV written exam.
How to Pass the California DMV Written Test
To improve your chance of passing, follow these study tips:
- Study the California Driver Handbook first.
The DMV test questions are based on the handbook, so the handbook should be your main source. - Practice by topic.
Do not only take full tests. Study road signs, speed laws, parking rules, right-of-way, and alcohol/drug rules separately. - Review every wrong answer.
If you get a question wrong, ask yourself: “What law or driving rule is this testing?” - Pay attention to words like “must,” “never,” “always,” and “yield.”
Many DMV questions are testing safe judgment, not tricks. - Understand California’s Basic Speed Law.
Even if you drive at the posted speed limit, you can still get a ticket if the speed is unsafe for traffic, weather, or road conditions.
California DMV Written Test 2 – Answer Key and Explanations
Below are the correct answers and simple explanations for this practice test.
1. At what point during a rainfall are roads most slippery on a hot day?
Correct answer: For the first several minutes.
Roads are most slippery when rain first begins because oil, dust, and dirt on the road mix with water. After it rains for a while, much of the oil and dirt may wash away.
2. You are under 18 years of age and have had your license for eight months. You may drive:
Correct answer: Between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
California has restrictions for teen drivers during the first 12 months after getting a license. In general, teen drivers may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless an exception applies.
3. You are required to notify the DMV by filing an SR-1 form if:
Correct answer: You were involved in a collision with an injury.
In California, you must report certain traffic collisions to the DMV using the SR-1 form, especially when someone is injured or killed.
4. What does a “No Turn on Red” regulatory sign mean?
Correct answer: You must wait for the green light before turning.
A “No Turn on Red” sign means you cannot turn right at a red light, even after stopping. You must wait until the signal allows the turn.
5. When is it required for you to obey directions from a crossing guard?
Correct answer: At all times.
You must obey directions from a crossing guard whenever they are directing traffic or pedestrians.
6. If a traffic signal is green, but traffic is blocking the intersection, what should you do?
Correct answer: Wait and do not enter the intersection until your vehicle can get completely across.
Do not block an intersection. Even if your light is green, you should wait until there is enough space to fully cross.
7. When is it legal for a person to drive with an alcoholic beverage container that has been opened?
Correct answer: If the container is in the trunk of the vehicle.
An opened alcoholic beverage container should not be accessible to the driver or passengers. The safest legal place is the trunk.
8. You approach a traffic signal with a green arrow pointing right. What should you do?
Correct answer: Turn right, yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles.
A green arrow allows movement in the direction of the arrow, but you still must yield to pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection.
9. When approaching a roundabout, who has the right-of-way?
Correct answer: Vehicles already in the roundabout.
When entering a roundabout, yield to traffic already inside the roundabout. Also watch for pedestrians and bicyclists near the entry and exit.
10. What should you do when there is a school bus ahead that starts flashing yellow warning lights?
Correct answer: Slow down and prepare to stop.
Flashing yellow lights on a school bus mean the bus is preparing to stop. You should slow down and be ready to stop.
11. Which of the following is an example of a safe driving practice?
Correct answer: Always keep your eyes moving to scan the surroundings.
Safe drivers constantly scan the road, mirrors, traffic signs, pedestrians, bicyclists, and nearby vehicles.
12. What speed should you be driving when entering onto a highway?
Correct answer: At or near the speed of traffic.
When merging onto a highway, you should adjust your speed to match traffic as safely as possible.
13. 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?
Correct answer: Wait until the pedestrian is out of your path before proceeding.
Pedestrians in the crosswalk have the right-of-way. Do not move forward until the pedestrian is safely out of your path.
14. You see a warning sign with the words “Lane Ends” ahead. What should you do?
Correct answer: Merge safely into the adjacent lane.
A “Lane Ends” sign warns that your lane will end soon. Signal, check traffic, and merge safely.
15. You must notify the DMV within 5 days if you:
Correct answer: Sell or transfer ownership of your vehicle.
When you sell or transfer a vehicle, California requires you to notify the DMV within the required time period.
16. In which lane should you end your turn when making a right turn?
Correct answer: The lane closest to the right edge of the road.
When making a right turn, turn into the lane closest to the right curb or edge of the roadway unless signs or lane markings allow otherwise.
17. When you are driving the speed limit, you can still be given a speeding ticket:
Correct answer: If road or weather conditions require a slower speed.
California’s Basic Speed Law says you must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.
18. You see a warning sign indicating a crossroad ahead. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow down and be prepared to stop if necessary.
A crossroad warning sign means another road crosses ahead. Watch for entering traffic and be ready to slow or stop.
19. What does a flashing yellow traffic signal light direct a driver to do?
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution.
A flashing yellow light means you do not have to stop, but you must slow down and proceed carefully.
20. A highway has a posted speed limit of 65 mph. What does this mean?
Correct answer: You must drive 65 mph only if driving conditions are ideal.
The posted speed limit is the maximum speed under ideal conditions. You must drive slower when conditions are unsafe.
21. In addition to setting your parking brake, what should you do when parking on a hill?
Correct answer: Make sure your vehicle is in the “park” position or in gear.
When parking on a hill, set the parking brake and put the vehicle in park or in gear to help prevent it from rolling.
22. Any driver who willfully flees or attempts to evade law enforcement, during which a person is seriously injured, is subject to:
Correct answer: Imprisonment in a state prison for up to seven years.
Evading law enforcement is a serious offense, especially if someone is seriously injured.
23. What should you do when there is a school bus ahead that starts flashing yellow warning lights?
Correct answer: Slow down and prepare to stop.
This is a repeated question. Yellow flashing lights mean the school bus is preparing to stop.
24. Where should you begin a left turn from a one-way street onto a one-way street?
Correct answer: The far-left lane.
When turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, begin the turn from the far-left lane.
25. You see a red octagon-shaped sign with the word STOP. What must you do?
Correct answer: Stop completely, check for traffic and pedestrians, then proceed when safe.
A stop sign means you must make a complete stop. Do not roll through the stop sign.
26. What color curb does not allow vehicles to stop or park?
Correct answer: Red.
A red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking.
27. Which of the following is the proper procedure for parallel parking?
Correct answer: Stop next to the vehicle in front of the open space, and then back into the space.
Parallel parking usually starts by stopping next to the vehicle in front of the empty space and then backing into the space.
28. Who can legally park next to a curb painted blue?
Correct answer: A person who is disabled and has a special placard or vehicle license plate for disabled persons.
Blue curbs are reserved for disabled parking with the proper placard or license plate.
29. What is indicated by two sets of double yellow lines spaced 2 feet or more apart?
Correct answer: Barrier.
Two sets of double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart are considered a barrier. Do not drive over them.
30. What should you do to make a right turn at an upcoming intersection when there is a bicycle lane at the curb?
Correct answer: Merge into the bicycle lane before making the turn.
Before making a right turn, you should merge carefully into the bicycle lane when allowed, after checking for bicyclists.
31. If you are stopped at an intersection and want to make a left turn, what should you do?
Correct answer: Yield to any oncoming vehicle that is close enough to be a hazard.
When turning left, yield to oncoming traffic, pedestrians, bicyclists, and anyone close enough to be dangerous.
32. What is one of the most common causes of traffic collisions?
Correct answer: Driver distractions.
Distracted driving is a major cause of crashes. Keep your attention on the road.
33. When is parking in a crosshatched area allowed?
Correct answer: It is never allowed to park in a crosshatched area.
Crosshatched diagonal lines often mark areas that must remain clear, such as access aisles near disabled parking spaces.
34. You see a warning sign indicating a divided highway ahead. What does this mean, and how should you drive?
Correct answer: The road ahead has two-way traffic separated by a median; stay on your side.
A divided highway sign warns that traffic will be separated by a median or divider.
35. When is it legal to drive off the road to pass another vehicle?
Correct answer: It is not legal under any conditions.
You should not drive off the paved or main-traveled portion of the road to pass another vehicle.
36. Which of the following is illegal while driving?
Correct answer: Wearing a headset or ear plugs that cover both ears.
In California, drivers generally may not wear a headset or earplugs covering both ears while driving.
37. When parking downhill on a two-way street with no curb, which way should you turn your wheels?
Correct answer: Toward the street/right edge of the road.
When parking downhill with no curb, turn your wheels toward the edge of the road so the vehicle rolls away from traffic if it moves.
38. What should you do if your cell phone rings and you do not have a hands-free device?
Correct answer: Do not answer the phone and let it go to voicemail.
Do not use a handheld phone while driving. Let the call go to voicemail or pull over safely before using the phone.
39. Which lights should be used if a driver is having trouble seeing other vehicles because of dust or smoke blowing across the roadway?
Correct answer: Headlights.
Use headlights when visibility is poor because of dust, smoke, fog, rain, or other conditions.
40. What should you do when reaching an intersection where a person operating a motorized wheelchair has entered the crosswalk?
Correct answer: Remain stopped behind the crosswalk line until the motorized wheelchair has safely finished crossing.
A person using a motorized wheelchair in a crosswalk must be treated like a pedestrian. Remain stopped and let them cross safely.
41. Which of the following is a requirement of California’s Basic Speed Law?
Correct answer: Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.
This is one of the most important California DMV test topics. The posted speed limit does not mean you can drive that speed in unsafe conditions.
42. What does an “ONLY” sign mean if you are in the inside lane?
Correct answer: You must turn right.
If your lane is marked “ONLY” with a right-turn arrow, you must follow the direction shown by the sign or lane marking.
43. What is the minimum following distance you should maintain under ideal conditions?
Correct answer: 3 seconds.
Use at least a three-second following distance under ideal conditions. Increase the distance in rain, fog, heavy traffic, or when following large vehicles.
44. 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?
Correct answer: 15 mph.
If visibility is limited near an uncontrolled railroad crossing, slow to the required safe speed and be ready to stop.
45. What should you do when traffic is slow and heavy, and you must cross railroad tracks before reaching the upcoming intersection?
Correct answer: Wait until you can completely cross the tracks before proceeding.
Never stop on railroad tracks. Wait until there is enough space to cross completely.
46. You see a white regulatory sign that says “Left Turn Yield on Green.” What does this mean?
Correct answer: You may turn left on a green light, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
A green light does not always give you the right-of-way to turn left. You must yield before turning.
Most Important Rules to Remember for This Test
If you are short on study time, focus on these rules:
- Roads are most slippery during the first few minutes of rain.
- A green light does not mean you can enter a blocked intersection.
- A flashing yellow light means slow down and proceed with caution.
- A red curb means no stopping, standing, or parking.
- Blue curbs are for disabled parking with proper placard or plates.
- School bus yellow lights mean slow down and prepare to stop.
- Never stop on railroad tracks.
- Never drive faster than is safe for road, weather, or traffic conditions.
- Keep at least a 3-second following distance in ideal conditions.
- Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and oncoming traffic when required.
Common Mistakes on the California DMV Written Test
Many students fail because they memorize answers without understanding the rule. Watch out for these common mistakes:
Mistake 1: Thinking the speed limit is always safe
The posted speed limit is for ideal conditions. Rain, fog, traffic, curves, construction, and pedestrians may require you to drive slower.
Mistake 2: Entering an intersection just because the light is green
If traffic is backed up and you cannot fully cross, wait before entering the intersection.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to yield to pedestrians
Pedestrians in crosswalks have the right-of-way. This includes people using wheelchairs or motorized wheelchairs.
Mistake 4: Not knowing curb colors
Red means no stopping or parking. Blue is for disabled parking. Curb color questions are common on DMV tests.
Mistake 5: Confusing school bus yellow lights and red lights
Yellow flashing lights mean slow down and prepare to stop. Red flashing lights mean stop.
Final Study Tip
Before taking the official California DMV knowledge test, practice until you can explain why each answer is correct. If you only memorize the answer, you may get confused when the DMV asks the same rule in a different way.
Use this California DMV Written Test Practice 2 to review your weak areas, then continue with more practice tests, road signs, and California traffic law questions.