California DMV permit practice test 2026: what is on the test

The California knowledge test checks traffic laws, road signs and safe driving. Here is the format, every topic it covers, and sample questions.

Test format

• Under 18: 46 questions, at least 38 correct to pass.
• 18 and older: 36 questions, at least 30 correct to pass.
• No time limit. Failed as a minor? Wait at least one week before retaking (two weeks after a failed driving test).
• Minors must hold the permit 6 months and log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night, before the driving test.

Source: California Vehicle Code §12814.6 and dmv.ca.gov. Check the DMV site for current rules before your appointment.

Topics on the test

• Speed limits: California has one rule above all others: never drive faster than is safe for the conditions.
• Signals and signs: Lights and signs tell you who goes and who waits.
• Road signs: About one in five questions in our bank is a road sign.
• Right of way: The law says who must yield, never who may force their way.
• Lane markings and lane types: Paint tells you which way traffic moves and what you may do in each lane.
• Lanes, passing and turns: Lane lines tell you where you may move.
• Freeways: Match the speed of traffic, keep right unless passing, and never stop in the lanes.
• Parking: Where and how you park is tested with exact distances.
• Sharing the road: Bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcycles, trucks and buses all have rights on the road.
• Buses, light rail and streetcars: Trains and buses are big, heavy and slow to stop.
• Work zones: Orange signs mean workers and equipment are close to traffic.
• Railroad crossings: Trains cannot stop quickly.
• Defensive driving: Leave yourself space and time.
• Weather and slippery roads: Rain, ice, fog and wind call for lower speeds than the posted limit.
• Night driving and emergencies: See and be seen at night, and know the first steps when something goes wrong.
• Alcohol and drugs: Impairment starts with judgment, before you feel drunk.
• Phones and distraction: Eyes on the road, hands on the wheel.
• Seat belts and children: Everyone buckles up, and children ride in the back in the right seat for their age and size.
• Vehicle control and equipment: Know your car's controls and keep it legal: clear windows, working lights, secure loads.
• Police stops and road rage: Stay calm, stay visible and keep your hands where they can be seen.
• Insurance, collisions and penalties: Every driver must carry insurance, stop after a crash, and keep a clean record.
• Permits and licensing rules: Rules for drivers under 18 are tested often.
• Road signs with pictures

Sample questions

Under normal conditions, a safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead is at least:

A curb painted red means:

For a driver 21 or older in a regular passenger car, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of:

Common questions

How many questions are on the California DMV written test?

46 questions if you are under 18 (38 correct to pass) and 36 questions if you are 18 or older (30 correct to pass).

How many times can I take the California permit test?

Each DMV application includes three tries at the knowledge test. After a third fail you must reapply. Under 18 you wait at least one week between tries.

Is there a time limit?

No. The California knowledge test has no time limit.

Do I need the permit for 6 months?

If you are under 18, yes: hold the permit at least 6 months and log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night, before the driving test.

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