California DMV Permit Test — All Questions

What must a driver do when approaching a red, eight-sided sign?

• a.Slow down and merge
• b.Come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe✓
• c.Yield only to trucks
• d.Stop only if a pedestrian is waiting

A red octagon is a STOP sign; you must stop fully at the limit line or crosswalk, then proceed when it is safe. (California Driver's Handbook, signs)

A yellow, diamond-shaped sign generally tells you:

• a.A hazard or change in the road is ahead✓
• b.The speed limit you must obey
• c.Where to find gas and food
• d.That you are entering a one-way street

Diamond-shaped yellow signs are warning signs alerting you to hazards or road changes ahead. (California Driver's Handbook)

A double solid yellow line down the center of the road means:

• a.You may pass when the way is clear
• b.Traffic in both directions may turn left freely
• c.The road ahead is closed
• d.Do not cross the line to pass✓

Two solid yellow lines mark a no-passing zone; you may not cross to pass, though you may cross to turn into a driveway when safe. (California Driver's Handbook, lane markings)

At an intersection, a flashing red traffic light means:

• a.Speed up to clear the intersection
• b.The signal is broken; ignore it
• c.Stop, then proceed when it is safe, like a stop sign✓
• d.Slow down but do not stop

A flashing red light is treated like a STOP sign: stop completely, then go when it is safe. (California Driver's Handbook, signals)

A red-and-white downward-pointing triangle means:

• a.Yield the right of way and be ready to stop✓
• b.No U-turns permitted
• c.A hospital is ahead
• d.The road narrows

A downward triangle is a YIELD sign; slow, give the right of way to traffic and pedestrians, and stop if needed. (California Driver's Handbook)

Two cars reach a four-way stop at the same time, side by side. Who goes first?

• a.The larger vehicle
• b.The driver on the right✓
• c.The driver who honks first
• d.The driver on the left

When drivers stop at the same time, the one on the right has the right of way. (California Driver's Handbook, right of way)

You want to turn left at an intersection with a green light. You must:

• a.Turn quickly before oncoming cars arrive
• b.Assume oncoming traffic will stop
• c.Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, then turn when safe✓
• d.Sound your horn and turn

On a green light a left-turning driver must yield to oncoming traffic and crossing pedestrians before turning. (California Driver's Handbook)

At an open intersection with no signs or signals, you should yield to:

• a.Nobody; you always have priority
• b.Only large trucks
• c.The car on your left
• d.A vehicle already in the intersection or one arriving on your right✓

Yield to any vehicle already in the intersection, and if you arrive together, to the vehicle on your right. (California Driver's Handbook, right of way)

When entering a roundabout, you should:

• a.Yield to traffic already circulating, then enter when there is a gap✓
• b.Stop in the circle to let others in
• c.Enter at full speed
• d.Turn left and travel clockwise

Traffic in a roundabout has the right of way; yield to circulating vehicles, then enter and travel counterclockwise. (California Driver's Handbook)

At a red light, a right turn is:

• a.Never allowed in California
• b.Allowed without stopping
• c.Allowed after a full stop, unless a sign prohibits it✓
• d.Allowed only after 9 p.m.

You may turn right on red after stopping completely and yielding, unless a posted sign prohibits the turn. (California Driver's Handbook)

The 'three-second rule' helps a driver judge:

• a.How long to signal
• b.A safe following distance behind the car ahead✓
• c.How long a yellow light lasts
• d.When to change oil

Pick a fixed point; if you reach it less than three seconds after the car ahead, you are following too closely. Increase the gap in poor conditions. (California Driver's Handbook, following distance)

When passing a bicyclist traveling the same direction, California drivers must give at least:

• a.Three feet of clearance✓
• b.Six inches of clearance
• c.One foot of clearance
• d.No set distance

California's Three Feet for Safety Act requires at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist, or slowing and passing only when safe. (California Driver's Handbook, sharing the road)

An emergency vehicle approaches with siren and flashing lights. You should:

• a.Speed up to get out of the way
• b.Stop immediately in your lane
• c.Turn left in front of it
• d.Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes✓

Pull over to the right, clear of intersections, and stop until the emergency vehicle has passed. (California Driver's Handbook)

A school bus ahead has stopped with its red lights flashing and stop arm out. You must:

• a.Pass slowly on the left
• b.Sound your horn and continue
• c.Stop until the red lights stop flashing and the arm folds in✓
• d.Continue if no children are visible

Stop for a school bus flashing red lights in either direction on an undivided road, and remain stopped until the lights stop and the arm folds in. (California Driver's Handbook)

California's 'basic speed law' means you must:

• a.Always drive the posted maximum
• b.Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions✓
• c.Drive at least 55 mph on highways
• d.Match the fastest car around you

The basic speed law requires you never drive faster than is safe for traffic, weather, road, and visibility conditions, even if below the posted limit. (California Driver's Handbook, speed)

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a business or residential district is:

• a.25 mph✓
• b.40 mph
• c.15 mph
• d.55 mph

The standard limit in business and residential districts is 25 mph unless a sign states otherwise. (California Driver's Handbook, speed limits)

When approaching a blind intersection or an alley, the speed limit is:

• a.45 mph
• b.35 mph
• c.15 mph✓
• d.25 mph

The limit is 15 mph at blind intersections, in alleys, and within 100 feet of a railroad crossing where you cannot see clearly. (California Driver's Handbook)

In a school zone when children are present, you should not drive faster than:

• a.45 mph
• b.40 mph
• c.35 mph
• d.25 mph✓

Slow to 25 mph, or a lower posted limit, when passing a school zone while children are present. (California Driver's Handbook, speed)

For a driver 21 or older, it is illegal to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of:

• a.0.05% or higher
• b.0.08% or higher✓
• c.0.10% or higher
• d.0.02% or higher

The legal limit for drivers 21 and over is 0.08% BAC; a commercial driver's limit is 0.04%. (California Driver's Handbook, alcohol and drugs)

Under California's zero-tolerance law, a driver under 21 may not drive with a BAC of:

• a.0.01% or higher✓
• b.0.08% or higher
• c.0.05% or higher
• d.0.04% or higher

Drivers under 21 are subject to zero tolerance: it is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.01% or more. (California Driver's Handbook)

During the first 12 months with a provisional license, a driver under 18 generally may NOT:

• a.Drive to school at all
• b.Drive on any freeway
• c.Carry passengers under 20 unless a licensed adult 25 or older is in the car✓
• d.Drive with any adult present

For the first 12 months, provisional drivers may not transport passengers under 20 unless accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, or driver 25 or older. (California Driver's Handbook, GDL)

During the first 12 months, a provisional driver under 18 generally may not drive between:

• a.6 a.m. and noon
• b.Noon and 6 p.m.
• c.9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• d.11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed adult 25 or older✓

Provisional drivers may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months unless a licensed parent, guardian, or driver 25 or older accompanies them. (California Driver's Handbook, GDL)