What is the minimum age to apply for a California instruction permit when under 18?
Correct answer: 15½ years
An applicant younger than 18 must be at least 15½ and meet the additional education and consent requirements.
Source: Section 2 — Instruction Permits; Driver's License; Minor's Restrictions and Exceptions ↗
For an applicant who remains under 18, what is the minimum time an instruction permit must normally be held before scheduling the drive test?
Correct answer: At least six months
A minor must normally hold a California or out-of-state instruction permit for at least six months, unless turning 18.
Source: Section 2 — Instruction Permits; Driver's License; Minor's Restrictions and Exceptions ↗
What minimum amount of supervised driving practice must a California applicant under 18 complete?
Correct answer: 50 hours, including 10 at night
At least 50 hours, including 10 at night, with a California-licensed driver age 25 or older.
Source: Section 2 — Instruction Permits; Driver's License; Minor's Restrictions and Exceptions ↗
A 17-year-old is in the first 12 months of a provisional license, with no qualifying supervisor or exception. During which hours is driving restricted?
Correct answer: Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
The first-year provisional restriction generally prohibits driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., subject to documented exceptions.
Source: Section 2 — Instruction Permits; Driver's License; Minor's Restrictions and Exceptions ↗
During the first 12 months, a 17-year-old provisional driver without a qualifying adult or exception generally may not carry passengers younger than what age?
Correct answer: 20
The cutoff is age 20. A qualifying parent, guardian, or other California-licensed adult age 25 or older may supervise; documented exceptions also exist.
Source: Section 2 — Instruction Permits; Driver's License; Minor's Restrictions and Exceptions ↗
A minor receives two at-fault collisions, two traffic convictions, or one of each during the first 12 months. What restriction can DMV impose?
Correct answer: No driving for 30 days unless accompanied by a licensed adult at least 25
The handbook describes a 30-day restriction requiring an accompanying licensed adult age 25 or older.
Source: Section 7 — Maintaining Your Minor's (Provisional) Driver's License ↗
What can happen after three at-fault collisions, three traffic convictions, or a qualifying combination during a minor's first 12 months?
Correct answer: The driving privilege can be suspended for six months
The handbook describes a six-month suspension and one year of probation for a minor with this qualifying incident history.
Source: Section 7 — Maintaining Your Minor's (Provisional) Driver's License ↗
For a California driver under 21, what is the minimum BAC that can trigger a one-year zero-tolerance suspension?
Correct answer: 0.01%
California DMV may suspend an under-21 driver for one year after a PAS or other chemical test shows a BAC of 0.01% or higher.
Source: DUI — Administrative suspension: under-21 BAC; adult first chemical-test refusal ↗
What must you do at a red, eight-sided STOP sign?
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop
Stop at the limit line. If there is no limit line, stop before the crosswalk; if neither is present, stop before entering the intersection. Slowing to a rolling stop is not enough.
Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP Sign ↗
Two vehicles approach an uncontrolled four-way intersection from crossing roads. They arrive at the same time and both plan to go straight. Which driver must yield?
Correct answer: The driver on the left
At simultaneous arrival, yield to the vehicle on your right. This resolves the conflict even when both drivers plan to go straight. Never assume the other driver will yield; wait if needed to prevent a collision.
Source: Section 7 — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections ↗
Rain has made the road slippery. How should you adjust the gap behind the vehicle ahead?
Correct answer: Leave a larger gap than on dry pavement
Slippery pavement reduces tire grip, so you may need more distance to stop. A larger following gap and lower speed give you room to respond if the vehicle ahead brakes.
Source: Section 8 — Slippery Roads ↗
A flashing red traffic signal means:
Correct answer: Stop, then proceed when safe
Treat a flashing red light like a stop sign: stop completely and proceed only when safe.
Source: Section 7 — Traffic Signals: Flashing Red Light ↗
You have signaled to change lanes and your mirrors show an open gap. What should you do before moving over?
Correct answer: Look over your shoulder toward the lane you plan to enter
Mirrors can miss traffic beside and slightly behind you. A quick shoulder check toward the new lane can reveal a vehicle, motorcycle, or bicycle in that blind spot. Keep the car steady while checking; signaling alone does not establish that the lane is clear.
Source: Section 6 — Changing Lanes ↗
A pedestrian is crossing in an unmarked crosswalk. What should you do?
Correct answer: Yield and allow the pedestrian to cross
A crosswalk does not need painted lines for pedestrians to have the right-of-way. Yield so the person can finish crossing safely; the absence of markings is not permission to drive through their path.
Source: Section 7 — Pedestrians; Crosswalks ↗
A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means:
Correct answer: Only traffic next to the broken line may pass when safe
The broken line permits passing when safe; traffic beside the solid line must not pass.
Source: Section 6 — Lane Markings: Broken Yellow Line ↗
What is the maximum distance you may travel in a center left-turn lane?
Correct answer: 200 feet
A center left-turn lane may be used for up to 200 feet to prepare for a left turn or U-turn.
Source: Section 6 — Center Left Turn Lanes ↗
What is the maximum distance before an intersection for entering a conventional bicycle lane to turn right?
Correct answer: 200 feet
Enter no earlier than 200 feet before the intersection. Check for bicyclists and yield before moving into their lane.
Source: Section 6 — Bicycle Lanes; Right Turns ↗
What minimum distance before a turn does the DMV recommend for signaling?
Correct answer: 100 feet
Signal at least 100 feet before turning to give other road users advance notice of your intention. Signal even when you do not see another vehicle, and cancel the signal once the turn is complete so it does not mislead others.
Source: Section 5 — Signals, Horns, And Headlights: Signaling ↗
When may you turn right at a solid circular red light (not a red arrow)?
Correct answer: After stopping, yielding, and checking that no sign prohibits it
Stop completely, yield to people and traffic, and turn only when safe unless a sign prohibits the turn.
Source: Section 7 — Traffic Signals: Solid Red Light ↗
What should you do at a red arrow?
Correct answer: Stop and wait for a green light or green arrow
A red arrow prohibits the turn. Remain stopped until a green indication appears.
Source: Section 7 — Traffic Signals: Red Arrow ↗
Two vehicles approach an uncontrolled four-way intersection from crossing roads. Both plan to go straight, and one arrives before the other. Who normally goes first?
Correct answer: The vehicle that arrives first
When arrivals are at different times, the first vehicle normally goes first. The yield-to-the-right rule resolves simultaneous arrivals; still be ready to yield to prevent a collision.
Source: Section 7 — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections ↗
When leaving a driveway to enter a road, who must you yield to?
Correct answer: Vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians already using the road or sidewalk
A driver entering traffic from a driveway must yield to road users and pedestrians already occupying the path.
Source: Section 7 — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections ↗
Why must you not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk?
Correct answer: A pedestrian may be hidden from your view
The stopped vehicle may be yielding to a pedestrian you cannot see.
Source: Section 7 — Pedestrians; Crosswalks ↗
What shape is the sign shown?
Correct answer: Octagon
The eight-sided octagon is reserved for STOP signs.
Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗
How should you respond when approaching this sign?
Correct answer: Slow down and give the right-of-way when needed
A YIELD sign gives priority to road users who would conflict with your path. Reduce speed, check for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians, and stop if needed. Traffic behind you does not remove your duty to yield.
Source: Section 7 — Signs: Red YIELD Sign ↗
