California DMV Permit Test Exam Flashcards

Q: How many questions are on the California DMV knowledge test?

Local California DMV metadata lists 46 multiple-choice questions, with 38 correct answers required to pass.

Q: What topics do these California DMV flashcards cover?

The deck covers sign shapes and colors, signals and markings, right-of-way, speed and lane rules, sharing the road, alcohol and drugs, provisional-license rules, parking, and adverse conditions.

Q: Are these copied from live DMV questions?

No. These are original recall cards based on local OpenExamPrep metadata and question-bank concepts, not copied live exam questions.

Question 1

What does a red octagon mean?

Accepted Answer

Stop. Come to a full stop at the limit line, before the crosswalk, or before entering the intersection, then proceed only when safe.

Question 2

What does a red-and-white downward triangle mean?

Accepted Answer

Yield. Slow down, be ready to stop, and let pedestrians or cross traffic go first when they have the right-of-way.

Question 3

What do yellow diamond signs warn about?

Accepted Answer

They warn of road conditions or hazards ahead, such as curves, merging traffic, intersections, or other situations requiring caution.

Question 4

What does an orange road sign identify?

Accepted Answer

A construction or maintenance work zone. Slow down, watch for workers and equipment, and obey temporary lane controls or flaggers.

Question 5

What does a five-sided pentagon sign mark?

Accepted Answer

A school zone or school crossing. Slow down and be ready to stop for children in or near the roadway.

Question 6

What does a round yellow RR sign warn you about?

Accepted Answer

A railroad crossing ahead. Slow down, look and listen for trains, and do not cross unless you can clear the tracks completely.

Question 7

What are white rectangular signs with black or red text?

Accepted Answer

Regulatory signs. They tell drivers what they must or must not do, such as speed limits, one-way rules, and turn restrictions.

Question 8

What does a red circle with a diagonal slash mean?

Accepted Answer

The pictured action is prohibited, such as no U-turn, no left turn, or no parking.

Question 9

What should you do at a steady yellow traffic light?

Accepted Answer

Stop if you can do so safely. If you are already too close to stop safely, proceed through with caution.

Question 10

When may you turn right on red in California?

Accepted Answer

After a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. You must yield to pedestrians and cross traffic before turning.

Question 11

When may you turn left on red in California?

Accepted Answer

Only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping and yielding, unless a sign prohibits it.

Question 12

What should you do when traffic signals are completely dark?

Accepted Answer

Treat the intersection as an all-way stop. Stop, proceed in order of arrival, and yield to the vehicle on your right if arrival is simultaneous.

Question 13

What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

Accepted Answer

It means the same thing as a stop sign: stop completely, yield, and proceed only when safe.

Question 14

What does a flashing yellow traffic light mean?

Accepted Answer

Slow down and proceed with caution. You do not have to stop, but you must watch for hazards and be prepared to yield.

Question 15

What do double solid yellow center lines mean?

Accepted Answer

Passing is prohibited in both directions. You may cross only for a permitted left turn into or out of a road, alley, or driveway.

Question 16

What does a broken yellow line next to a solid yellow line mean?

Accepted Answer

Drivers next to the broken line may pass when safe. Drivers next to the solid line may not cross it to pass.

Question 17

What does a white diamond marking identify?

Accepted Answer

A high-occupancy vehicle or carpool lane. Use it only if your vehicle meets the posted occupancy or eligibility rules.

Question 18

Can you cross double solid white lines into a carpool lane?

Accepted Answer

No. Enter or exit a carpool lane only where the lane lines are broken or signs allow access.

Question 19

At an uncontrolled intersection, who yields when two vehicles arrive together?

Accepted Answer

The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Question 20

When turning left, who must you yield to?

Accepted Answer

Yield to oncoming traffic close enough to be a hazard and to pedestrians crossing the road you are entering.

Question 21

Who has priority when two vehicles meet on a steep, narrow mountain road?

Accepted Answer

The uphill vehicle has the right-of-way. The downhill driver should back up when necessary because backing downhill is generally safer.

Question 22

How do you enter a roundabout?

Accepted Answer

Slow down, yield to traffic already circulating, enter when there is a safe gap, and travel counterclockwise to your exit.

Question 23

What must you do when freeway merging?

Accepted Answer

Use the ramp and acceleration lane to match traffic speed, signal, find a safe gap, and yield to vehicles already on the freeway.

Question 24

What should you do at a railroad crossing with gates down and lights flashing?

Accepted Answer

Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail and wait until the gates rise and the lights stop before crossing.

Question 25

What is California's Basic Speed Law?

Accepted Answer

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions, even if you are at or below the posted limit.

Question 26

What is the default maximum speed on most California freeways?

Accepted Answer

65 mph unless otherwise posted. Always obey the posted limit and reduce speed when conditions require it.

Question 27

What is the default speed on a two-lane undivided California highway?

Accepted Answer

55 mph unless otherwise posted.

Question 28

What is the default speed in a California business or residential district?

Accepted Answer

25 mph unless otherwise posted.

Question 29

What is the California school-zone speed when children are present unless posted otherwise?

Accepted Answer

25 mph unless otherwise posted. Some school zones post a lower limit, so obey the sign.

Question 30

What California locations commonly require a 15 mph speed unless posted otherwise?

Accepted Answer

Local materials identify 15 mph for alleys and blind intersections, and near certain limited-visibility railroad crossings.

Question 31

What should you do before changing lanes?

Accepted Answer

Signal, check mirrors, look over your shoulder to check the blind spot, and move only when the lane is clear.

Question 32

Where should slower traffic generally drive on a multilane highway?

Accepted Answer

In the right-hand lanes. Left lanes are generally for passing and faster-moving traffic.

Question 33

What should you do when a vehicle is stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk?

Accepted Answer

Do not pass the stopped vehicle. A pedestrian may be crossing where you cannot see them.

Question 34

When must traffic stop for a school bus on an undivided road?

Accepted Answer

When the bus has flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, drivers in both directions must stop until the red lights stop.

Question 35

How do you respond to an approaching emergency vehicle with lights and siren?

Accepted Answer

Pull to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes. If you are in an intersection, clear the intersection first.

Question 36

What does California's Move Over rule require near stopped emergency or service vehicles?

Accepted Answer

Move over one lane away from the stopped vehicle with flashing lights when safe. If you cannot move over, slow to a reasonable speed for conditions.

Question 37

How much space should you leave when passing a bicyclist in California?

Accepted Answer

Leave at least 3 feet when passing. If that is not possible, slow and pass only when it is safe.

Question 38

What should you do before turning right across a bike lane?

Accepted Answer

Signal, check for bicyclists, yield to any cyclist close enough to be a hazard, and merge into the bike lane only near the turn as allowed.

Question 39

Why should you allow extra space behind motorcycles?

Accepted Answer

Motorcycles can stop quickly, are harder to see, and may swerve around hazards. Extra following distance gives you more reaction time.

Question 40

What is California's BAC limit for drivers age 21 or older?

Accepted Answer

0.08% BAC. A driver can still be arrested below that level if alcohol or drugs impair safe driving.

Question 41

What is California's BAC limit for commercial drivers?

Accepted Answer

0.04% BAC while operating a commercial vehicle.

Question 42

What is California's under-21 zero-tolerance BAC rule?

Accepted Answer

Drivers under 21 may not drive with a BAC of 0.01% or higher.

Question 43

What does California implied consent mean?

Accepted Answer

By driving, you agree to take a chemical blood or breath test after a lawful DUI arrest. Refusal can trigger license suspension.

Question 44

What phone rule applies to California drivers under 18?

Accepted Answer

Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or wireless device while driving, even hands-free, except for emergency services.

Question 45

What restrictions apply during the first 12 months of a California provisional license?

Accepted Answer

Local materials list no driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no passengers under 20, unless a qualifying exception or supervising adult applies.

Question 46

What supervised practice is required before a California teen driving test?

Accepted Answer

Local materials list 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, after holding the instruction permit for at least 6 months.

Question 47

What following distance should you keep in good conditions?

Accepted Answer

Use at least a 3-second following distance, and add more time for bad weather, heavy traffic, motorcycles, or other higher-risk conditions.

Question 48

When are headlights required with wipers in California?

Accepted Answer

Turn on headlights when rain, fog, snow, or similar conditions require continuous use of windshield wipers.

Question 49

How should you recover if your right wheels drift off the pavement?

Accepted Answer

Ease off the accelerator, hold the wheel firmly, slow gradually, and steer gently back onto the pavement when clear.

Question 50

What do California curb colors mean for red, blue, white, and yellow?

Accepted Answer

Red means no stopping or parking; blue is disabled parking only; white is passenger or mail loading; yellow is loading or unloading passengers or freight.

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