Practice test 1 of 10 — California permit test

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Question 1 of 36Speed and following distance (California)

What following distance does the California handbook recommend?

1. AA. At least one second
2. BB. At least three seconds
3. CC. At least two seconds
4. DD. At least six seconds

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Question 2 of 36Signals and pavement markings

The light is green, but traffic is backed up on the far side of the intersection. What should you do?

1. AA. Pull into the intersection and wait there for room
2. BB. Wait until there is room to clear the intersection
3. CC. Sound your horn to move traffic along
4. DD. Use the crosswalk to wait out of the way of others

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Question 3 of 36Safe driving and hazards

How can you let other drivers know what you plan to do?

1. AA. Change lanes first, then signal
2. BB. Speed up as you near intersections
3. CC. Flash your high beams at every car
4. DD. Use your signals and brake lights

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Question 4 of 36Road signs

In most states, how are exit numbers on an Interstate chosen?

1. AA. By the mile marker nearest the exit
2. BB. By the order the exits were built
3. CC. By the number of lanes at the exit
4. DD. By the size of the nearest town

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Question 5 of 36Safe driving and hazards

You are on a dark, empty road with no cars ahead or coming toward you. Which headlights help you see best?

1. AA. Parking lights only, to save the battery
2. BB. Low beams only, even on empty roads
3. CC. High beams, until another car comes near
4. DD. Hazard lights, so others know you are there

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Question 6 of 36Turning, passing and lanes

You need to turn at the next intersection. When should you get into the correct lane?

1. AA. In the middle of the intersection
2. BB. Right at the stop line
3. CC. Well before the intersection
4. DD. After you turn

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Question 7 of 36Parking and stopping (California)

What does a white curb mean in California?

1. AA. Stop only to pick up or drop off riders
2. BB. Park for up to two hours at a time
3. CC. Load or unload freight only, no people
4. DD. No stopping or parking at any time

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Question 8 of 36Emergencies and equipment (California)

Someone is injured in your California collision. Within how long must it be reported to law enforcement?

1. AA. Within 1 hour
2. BB. Within 24 hours
3. CC. Within 3 days
4. DD. Within 10 days

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Question 9 of 36Signals and pavement markings

What does a flashing yellow arrow pointing left mean?

1. AA. You may turn left after yielding
2. BB. You have a protected left turn
3. CC. You must stop and wait for a green light
4. DD. Left turns are banned at this light

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Question 10 of 36Right of way (California)

In California, a blind person at a corner pulls in their cane and steps back. What does it usually mean?

1. AA. They are about to step out
2. BB. You may go
3. CC. They need you to honk
4. DD. They are lost

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Question 11 of 36Alcohol, drugs and penalties

Can an energy drink make up for the effects of alcohol?

1. AA. Yes, it cancels the alcohol
2. BB. Yes, if you drink two
3. CC. No, you are still impaired
4. DD. Yes, for short trips

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Question 12 of 36Speed and following distance

You are following a car in heavy traffic. What should you do?

1. AA. Follow close so no one can cut in
2. BB. Change lanes often to get ahead
3. CC. Look only at the car right in front of you
4. DD. Keep a steady gap and watch for brake lights

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Question 13 of 36Emergencies and equipment

Your hood flies up while you are driving. What should you do?

1. AA. Brake hard right there in the lane
2. BB. Look through the gap and pull over
3. CC. Stop and get out to close it in the lane
4. DD. Keep driving until you get home

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Question 14 of 36Road signs

Which sign is the only one with eight sides?

1. AA. Yield
2. BB. Railroad crossing ahead
3. CC. School zone
4. DD. Stop

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Question 15 of 36Safe driving and hazards

Why is driving at night riskier than in the day?

1. AA. Roads are busier at night than by day
2. BB. You cannot see as far or as clearly
3. CC. Speed limits are higher at night
4. DD. Cars run worse when it is cold

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Question 16 of 36Emergencies and equipment

Your gas pedal sticks down. What should you do?

1. AA. Turn off the key while moving fast
2. BB. Pump the gas pedal
3. CC. Shift to neutral and brake
4. DD. Pull the parking brake hard

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Question 17 of 36Turning, passing and lanes

On a highway with several lanes, which lane should slower traffic use?

1. AA. The left lane
2. BB. The right lane
3. CC. The middle lane
4. DD. The shoulder

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Question 18 of 36Safe driving and hazards (California)

In California, cargo sticks out more than 4 feet past your rear bumper. What must you show in daylight?

1. AA. A white sheet tied to the load
2. BB. Your hazard lights only
3. CC. Nothing in daylight
4. DD. A 12-inch red or orange flag

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Question 19 of 36Alcohol, drugs and penalties

How do the laws treat driving under the influence of illegal drugs?

1. AA. It is legal as long as you feel fine
2. BB. It is only a small fine
3. CC. It is as illegal as driving drunk
4. DD. It is treated as a minor offense

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Question 20 of 36Emergencies and equipment

How should you set your head restraint?

1. AA. As low as it will go on the seat
2. BB. Level with your neck or shoulders
3. CC. Removed, so it is more comfortable
4. DD. Level with the back of your head

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Question 21 of 36Signals and pavement markings

You reach an intersection where the traffic lights are not working at all. In general, what should you do?

1. AA. Go through at normal speed
2. BB. Treat it as an all-way stop
3. CC. Treat it as a yield for you only
4. DD. Turn around and find another road

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Question 22 of 36Parking and stopping

You park on a hill with no curb, facing up or down. Which way should you turn your wheels?

1. AA. Toward the edge of the road
2. BB. Toward the middle of the road
3. CC. Straight ahead
4. DD. Away from the edge

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Question 23 of 36Emergencies and equipment

Your headlights suddenly go out at night. What should you do?

1. AA. Keep driving slowly in the dark
2. BB. Stop right where you are in the lane
3. CC. Follow the lights of the car ahead closely
4. DD. Turn on hazards and pull off the road

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Question 24 of 36Signals and pavement markings

A solid white line runs along the right edge of the road. What does it mark?

1. AA. The edge of the road
2. BB. A lane you may use to pass
3. CC. A place to stop for buses
4. DD. The center of the road

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Question 25 of 36Right of way

Your road ends at a T-intersection with no signs. A car is coming on the through road. Who has the right-of-way?

1. AA. You do, since you got there first
2. BB. Whoever is turning right
3. CC. Whoever is going faster
4. DD. The car on the through road

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Question 26 of 36Alcohol, drugs and penalties

In nearly every state, what is the legal blood alcohol limit for drivers 21 and over?

1. AA. 0.08 percent
2. BB. 0.10 percent
3. CC. 0.15 percent
4. DD. 0.20 percent

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Question 27 of 36Signals and pavement markings

What do two solid yellow lines down the center of the road mean?

1. AA. Passing is allowed from both sides
2. BB. The lane is for turning left only
3. CC. The road is one-way
4. DD. No passing from either side

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Question 28 of 36Alcohol, drugs and penalties (California)

In California, where must an opened container of alcohol be kept in a car?

1. AA. In the glove box, out of sight
2. BB. Under the driver's seat
3. CC. In a cup holder with a lid
4. DD. In the trunk or where no passenger sits

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Question 29 of 36Speed and following distance (California)

The California handbook names two kinds of double-fine areas. One is a Safety Enhanced-Double Fine Zone. What is the other?

1. AA. Any school zone after it gets dark
2. BB. Any freeway during the rush hour
3. CC. Any city street on the weekend
4. DD. A work zone while workers are present

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Question 30 of 36Parking and stopping

May you park in a disability space without a valid placard or plate?

1. AA. Yes, for a short stop
2. BB. Yes, at night
3. CC. No, it is not allowed
4. DD. Yes, if the lot is full

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Question 31 of 36Sharing the road

Where should you take extra care to watch for children?

1. AA. On highways and freeways
2. BB. In tunnels and on bridges
3. CC. Near schools, parks, and playgrounds
4. DD. Near truck stops and rest areas

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Question 32 of 36Road signs

What does this sign tell you about the road ahead?

1. AA. A side road joins from the left
2. BB. It ends, and you must turn left or right
3. CC. Two lanes merge into one lane ahead
4. DD. It splits into two branches, left and right

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Question 33 of 36Parking and stopping

Why should you not park next to a fire hydrant?

1. AA. Its paint can scratch your car
2. BB. The space is kept for city workers
3. CC. Water may leak out onto your car
4. DD. Fire crews need to reach it quickly

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Question 34 of 36Parking and stopping (California)

In California, how close to a fire hydrant may you park?

1. AA. No closer than 5 feet
2. BB. No closer than 15 feet
3. CC. No closer than 10 feet
4. DD. No closer than 20 feet

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Question 35 of 36Turning, passing and lanes (California)

You tow a trailer on a California road with four lanes your way and no lanes marked for slow traffic. Which lanes may you use?

1. AA. Only the far left lane for passing
2. BB. Only the two lanes nearest the right edge
3. CC. Any of the four lanes you like
4. DD. Only the paved right shoulder

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Question 36 of 36Sharing the road

An orange triangle with a red border on the back of a vehicle means:

1. AA. It carries dangerous goods
2. BB. It is a slow-moving vehicle
3. CC. It is a school bus or van
4. DD. It is broken down or stalled

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Practice test 1 of 10 for the Driver's license knowledge test (Class C) (the California DMV): 36 questions, 29 to pass — the commonly reported format; the California DMV does not publish the count. Official pass mark: 80%. Our practice tests are untimed.

Keep practicing

• California Class C knowledge test: official facts and all practice tests
• California road-sign quiz
• California Class C knowledge test FAQ
• California Driver's Handbook (DL 600) (official)