California DMV Permit Test Alcohol, Phones, and Licensing Laws Summary

For drivers 21 and older, driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher is illegal. You can also be arrested at a lower BAC if alcohol affects your driving.

Wrong answers

• 0.10% or higher: 0.10% is above the legal limit; you would already be over 0.08%.
• 0.15% or higher: 0.15% is far above the legal limit.

California has a zero tolerance rule for drivers under 21. Driving with a BAC of 0.01% or higher is illegal.

Wrong answers

• 0.08% or higher: 0.08% is the limit for drivers 21 and older.
• 0.05% or higher: 0.05% is not a California limit; for under-21 drivers it is 0.01%.

Drivers 18 and older may not hold a phone while driving. They may use it only in hands-free mode, such as a mounted phone or voice commands. This applies even when stopped at a red light, because you are still driving.

Wrong answers

• Yes, if the call is short: There is no exception for short calls.
• Yes, when stopped at a red light: Stopped at a red light, you are still driving, so holding the phone is still illegal.

California law requires the driver and all passengers to be properly buckled up, with children in the correct child restraint. Seat belts greatly reduce the chance of serious injury in a crash.

Wrong answers

• Only the driver: Passengers must also wear seat belts.
• Only people in the front seat: Back-seat passengers must buckle up too; unbelted back-seat riders can be thrown forward into others.

It is illegal to drive when any drug affects your ability to drive safely, including prescription and over-the-counter medicine. Read the label and ask your doctor or pharmacist about side effects like drowsiness.

Wrong answers

• No, prescription medicine is always allowed: A prescription does not make impaired driving legal.
• No, only illegal drugs count: The law covers any drug that impairs driving, not only illegal ones.

You must report a collision to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days if anyone was injured or killed, or if property damage was over $1,000. This is required even if the police also made a report.

Wrong answers

• 30 days: 30 days is too late; the deadline is 10 days.
• 60 days: 60 days is far past the 10-day deadline.

California requires financial responsibility for every vehicle you drive, most often liability insurance. Carry proof with you and show it when a police officer asks or after a collision.

Wrong answers

• A credit card in the vehicle: A credit card is not proof of financial responsibility.
• A membership in a roadside assistance club: Roadside assistance is optional and does not satisfy the law.

Under implied consent, when you drive in California you have already agreed to take a breath, blood, or urine test if you are lawfully arrested for DUI. Refusing leads to penalties such as license suspension.

Wrong answers

• You may refuse any test without consequences: Refusing a required chemical test brings serious penalties, including license suspension.
• Police need a court order before every breath test: Implied consent means your agreement is already given by driving; a court order is not needed for each test.

An opened container of alcohol may not be in the passenger area of a vehicle. Keep it in the trunk or another area where passengers do not sit.

Wrong answers

• In the glove compartment: The glove compartment is part of the passenger area.
• Under the driver's seat: Under the seat is still within the passenger area.

Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or electronic device while driving, even in hands-free mode. The exception is an emergency call to police, fire, or medical services.

Wrong answers

• Hands-free use is fine for drivers under 18: Hands-free use is allowed for adults, not for drivers under 18.
• Drivers under 18 may use the phone only on freeways: There is no freeway exception for drivers under 18.