California DMV Permit Test Sample Questions and Explanations

At a four-way stop, the driver who stops first goes first. If two drivers stop at the same time, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.

Wrong answers

• You, because you are on the left: Being on the left means you are the one who yields, not the one who goes.
• Whoever is driving the larger vehicle: Vehicle size has nothing to do with right of way.

When turning left, you must yield to oncoming vehicles that are close enough to be a danger. Wait in the intersection, wheels pointed straight, until there is a safe gap.

Wrong answers

• Turn quickly before the oncoming car arrives: Rushing the turn in front of a close oncoming car is a common cause of serious crashes.
• Flash your headlights and then turn: Flashing your lights does not give you the right of way.

A flashing red light works the same as a stop sign. Stop completely, look for cross traffic and pedestrians, and go only when it is safe. The light will not turn green, so waiting for green is pointless.

Wrong answers

• Slow down and go through without stopping: Slowing down without stopping is what you do at a flashing yellow light, not a flashing red one.
• Wait until the light turns green: A flashing red light does not change to green. You go after stopping and checking that the way is clear.

A solid yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. If you can stop safely, stop. If you are already too close to stop safely, carefully continue through the intersection.

Wrong answers

• You should speed up to get through before it turns red: Speeding up to beat the light is dangerous and is exactly what the yellow light is meant to prevent.
• You may keep going because yellow means the same as green: Yellow is a warning that red is coming. It does not give you the same right to go as a green light.

The Basic Speed Law means you may never drive faster than is safe for the conditions, such as weather, traffic, visibility, and road surface. In heavy rain or fog, a safe speed may be well below the posted limit.

Wrong answers

• Always drive exactly at the posted speed limit: The posted limit is the maximum under good conditions, not a required speed.
• Drive at the same speed as the cars around you: Keeping up with other traffic is not a legal defense if that speed is unsafe.

The maximum speed on most California highways is 65 mph. On some highways, a higher limit of 70 mph is allowed only where it is posted.

Wrong answers

• 75 mph: 75 mph is not a California speed limit.
• 55 mph: 55 mph is the limit for two-lane undivided highways and for vehicles towing trailers, unless otherwise posted.

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%.

Use the three-second rule:

1. Pick a fixed object, like a sign, that the car ahead passes.
2. Count "one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three."
3. If you reach the object before you finish counting, you are too close.

Increase the gap in bad weather or heavy traffic.

Wrong answers

• At least 1 second behind: One second is not enough time to react and stop.
• One car length, no matter your speed: A fixed car length does not account for higher speeds, which need more distance.

California requires at least 3 feet of space when passing a bicyclist. If you cannot give 3 feet, slow down and wait until you can. On a road with two or more lanes in your direction, change lanes to pass when it is safe.

Wrong answers

• At least 1 foot: One foot is far too close; a small wobble could cause a crash.
• No set distance as long as you do not touch them: The law sets a minimum distance; just avoiding contact is not enough.