Free California DMV Practice Test — 25 Questions

FREE CALIFORNIA DMV PRACTICE

Use this 25-question practice test to check your current knowledge before reviewing the official California DMV handbook. No account is required.

Important: Master My Test questions are independent study material and are not official DMV exam questions.

25 QUESTIONS • 5 PER PAGE • NO TIME LIMIT

Test your current knowledge

Answer every question without looking anything up. After you submit, you will see your score, the correct answers, short explanations, and links back to the California DMV source material.

When should you give up your legal right-of-way?

B) Only when another driver signals you to do so.

A) When giving it up will help prevent a collision.

C) Never, because right-of-way is always guaranteed.

None

What is the BAC limit for a noncommercial driver age 21 or older?

C) 0.10%

B) 0.08%

A) 0.04%

None

What does a red and white triangular YIELD sign mean?

A) Stop completely before proceeding.

C) You have the right-of-way over other traffic.

B) Slow down and be ready to stop if necessary.

None

What does a yellow painted curb indicate?

C) Parking reserved for emergency vehicles.

A) Loading and unloading passengers or freight, subject to the posted time limit.

B) General parking for up to 30 minutes.

None

If your vehicle begins a slippery-surface skid, what should you generally do?

A) Brake hard and hold the wheel straight.

B) Ease off the accelerator, avoid braking, and steer in the direction of the skid.

C) Steer sharply in the opposite direction of the skid.

None

What should you do first if your accelerator becomes stuck while driving?

B) Shift into neutral and apply the brakes.

A) Turn off the ignition immediately while the vehicle is moving.

C) Pull the parking brake as hard as possible.

None

What is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing the street, unless a lower limit is posted?

C) 35 mph

B) 25 mph

A) 15 mph

None

What should you do if a traffic signal light is not working at an intersection?

C) Proceed cautiously without stopping.

B) Treat the intersection as if it has stop signs in all directions.

A) Treat the intersection as if it has yield signs in all directions.

None

What does a diamond-shaped traffic sign generally mean?

A) It warns of road conditions or dangers ahead.

C) It always means stop and yield.

B) It marks a railroad crossing.

None

10.

What does a white painted curb indicate?

B) Parking for persons with disabilities.

C) No stopping, standing, or parking.

A) Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.

None

11.

When driving in fog, you should use:

A) High-beam headlights.

C) Parking lights only.

B) Low-beam headlights.

None

12.

What is the maximum speed limit on most California highways unless otherwise posted?

B) 65 mph

C) 70 mph

A) 55 mph

None

13.

How far ahead should you scan the road to give yourself time to react to hazards?

A) About 5 seconds ahead.

C) At least 30 seconds ahead at all times.

B) At least 10 seconds ahead.

None

14.

About how far before making a turn should you start signaling?

C) Only after entering the intersection.

B) About 100 feet before the turn.

A) 25 feet before the turn.

None

15.

When may a motorist drive in a bicycle lane to prepare for a turn?

B) Within 200 feet of the turn.

A) Whenever the lane is clear of bicyclists.

C) Only after coming to a complete stop.

None

16.

What can happen if you refuse or fail to complete a required chemical test after a DUI arrest?

B) Your driving privilege can be suspended or revoked.

A) You receive only a warning and fine.

C) The refusal has no effect on your driving privilege.

None

17.

A flashing red traffic light means:

B) Stop, then proceed only when it is safe.

A) Slow down and proceed cautiously.

C) Yield without stopping if the intersection is clear.

None

18.

It is illegal to park your vehicle:

A) Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

C) In a bicycle lane when parking is specifically permitted.

B) Within 30 feet of a stop sign.

None

19.

When may you make a U-turn in a residential district?

C) Only at an intersection with a green arrow.

A) Whenever the road is wide enough, even if a NO U-TURN sign is posted.

B) When no vehicles are approaching within 200 feet and no sign prohibits the turn.

None

20.

A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means:

C) Passing is prohibited in both directions.

A) You may pass if the broken line is on your side and it is safe.

B) Vehicles in both directions may always pass.

None

21.

What should you do if you choose to drive slower than other traffic?

C) Drive on the shoulder.

B) Drive in the right lane.

A) Stay in the left lane.

None

22.

When does California require headlights based on time of day?

A) Only after midnight.

C) Only when driving on unlighted rural roads.

B) From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

None

23.

When parking uphill on a street with a curb, you should:

A) Turn your wheels toward the curb.

C) Keep your wheels straight.

B) Turn your wheels away from the curb.

None

24.

On an undivided road, what should you do when a school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing?

A) Stop and remain stopped while the red lights are flashing.

C) Stop only if you are directly behind the bus.

B) Slow down and pass if no children are visible.

None

25.

When must you dim your high-beam headlights for an oncoming vehicle?

B) Within 100 feet of the oncoming vehicle.

A) Within 500 feet of the oncoming vehicle.

C) Only when the other driver flashes their lights.

None

1 out of 5

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Turn missed questions into study targets

Review the explanations in your result, check the linked DMV source when a rule is unclear, then retake the test after studying.

California DMV study hub

Source & review

Primary source: California Department of Motor Vehicles — Driver Handbooks

Last reviewed: August 16, 2026

Reviewed by: Master My Test

Master My Test is an independent educational resource. Practice questions are not official government exam questions.