Free California Permit Practice Test (2026)
Real questions from the official California driver handbook, each with a plain-English explanation. Free, unlimited retakes, no signup.
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Get Smart Review & Mock ExamsWhat this test covers
This draw of 20 questions breaks down like this:
- Licensing & Permits — 6
- Points & Penalties — 3
- Speed Limits & Speed Management — 3
- Safe Driving — 2
- Sharing the Road — 2
- Signaling & Communication — 2
- Alcohol, Drugs & the Law — 1
- Vehicle Equipment — 1
Heaviest on Licensing & Permits (6 of 20) — that is the section to revise first if you miss several here.
20 are California-specific questions, drawn from the state handbook rather than general road rules.
Each test on this site draws a different set, so Test 1, 2 and 3 never repeat a question.
Questions on this test
1. A California driver license for someone under 18 is marked:
- Restricted
- Provisional
- Temporary
- Junior
Show answer
Answer: Provisional
Under-18 licenses carry the word 'provisional.'
2. During the first 12 months, a provisional driver may not carry passengers under 20 unless accompanied by:
- Anyone over 18
- Any friend
- A parent/guardian or licensed driver at least 25
- No one
Show answer
Answer: A parent/guardian or licensed driver at least 25
No passengers under 20 in the first 12 months unless a parent/guardian or licensed driver 25+ is present.
3. To get an instruction permit under 18 in California, you must be at least:
- 16
- 15½
- 14
- 15
Show answer
Answer: 15½
You must be at least 15½ years old for an instruction permit if under 18.
4. Approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights in California, you must:
- Speed up
- Stop in your lane
- Move over and slow down
- Ignore it
Show answer
Answer: Move over and slow down
Move over and slow down for a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights.
5. If your turn signals fail, you should:
- Not signal
- Use hand signals until repaired
- Use headlights
- Turn without signaling
Show answer
Answer: Use hand signals until repaired
Use hand signals if your signals fail.
6. A large truck at 55 MPH needs about how much more room to stop than a car?
- More — up to about 400 feet vs 300 for a car
- Less room
- The same
- No difference
Show answer
Answer: More — up to about 400 feet vs 300 for a car
A truck may need up to 400 feet to stop at 55 MPH vs about 300 for a car.
7. A left arm extended straight out means:
- Right turn
- Go
- Left turn
- Stop
Show answer
Answer: Left turn
Arm straight out = left turn.
8. For a 1-point violation, a California judge may offer:
- Jail
- Traffic violator school to keep it off your insurance record
- Nothing
- A medal
Show answer
Answer: Traffic violator school to keep it off your insurance record
Traffic violator school can keep a 1-point citation off your insurance record.
9. During the first 12 months, a provisional (under-18) driver may NOT drive between:
- Midnight and 6 a.m.
- 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Show answer
Answer: 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
No driving 11 p.m.–5 a.m. during the first 12 months (with exceptions).
10. If you're involved in a crash, you must:
- Stop and exchange information
- Only photograph it
- Leave
- Call later
Show answer
Answer: Stop and exchange information
Stop and exchange information at any crash.
11. An adult may also be suspended at:
- 12 points
- 20 points
- 6 points in 24 months
- 1 point
Show answer
Answer: 6 points in 24 months
6 points in 24 months is another negligent-operator threshold.
12. Drivers under 18 in California may use a cell phone while driving:
- Only on calls
- Not at all (even hands-free)
- Freely
- Only to text
Show answer
Answer: Not at all (even hands-free)
Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all while driving.
13. You must turn on headlights:
- Only on highways
- Only after midnight
- 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and when visibility is low
- Only in tunnels
Show answer
Answer: 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and when visibility is low
Use headlights from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise and in low visibility.
14. If you become drowsy, you should:
- Push on
- Pull over safely and rest
- Turn up music
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Pull over safely and rest
Only rest cures drowsiness — pull over.
15. At any age, if you are on DUI probation, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:
- 0.01% or higher
- 0.04%
- 0.08%
- 0.05%
Show answer
Answer: 0.01% or higher
On DUI probation, 0.01% or higher is illegal at any age.
16. A California applicant under 18 must complete:
- Nothing
- Only a road test
- A driver education program
- A CDL course
Show answer
Answer: A driver education program
Drivers under 18 must complete a driver education program.
17. The prima facie speed limit in a business or residential district (unless posted) is:
- 25 MPH
- 45 MPH
- 35 MPH
- 15 MPH
Show answer
Answer: 25 MPH
25 MPH is the prima facie limit in business/residential districts.
18. Give a motorcycle:
- No room
- Half a lane
- A full lane
- The shoulder
Show answer
Answer: A full lane
Motorcycles are entitled to a full lane.
19. A provisional driver may not:
- Drive with adults
- Drive on weekends
- Drive at all
- Drive for pay or operate vehicles requiring a commercial license
Show answer
Answer: Drive for pay or operate vehicles requiring a commercial license
Provisional drivers can't drive for pay or operate commercial vehicles.
20. Near a school when children are present, you should:
- Keep speed
- Slow to the posted school-zone limit (often 25 MPH or less)
- Stop fully
- Speed up
Show answer
Answer: Slow to the posted school-zone limit (often 25 MPH or less)
Slow to the school-zone limit when children are present.