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 ↗
What do two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart represent?
Correct answer: A barrier you must not cross
California treats two separated sets of double yellow lines as a barrier. Cross only at a designated opening.
Source: Section 6 — Lane Markings: Double Solid Yellow Lines ↗
When must a slow driver use a turnout on a two-lane road where passing is unsafe?
Correct answer: When five or more vehicles follow
Use a turnout when five or more vehicles are following and passing is unsafe.
Source: Section 6 — Turnout Areas or Lanes ↗
What is the minimum clear-view distance needed in each direction before a U-turn?
Correct answer: 200 feet
A U-turn is prohibited when you cannot see clearly for 200 feet in both directions.
Source: Section 6 — U-TURN ↗
A driver is following too closely on a multilane road. What should you do?
Correct answer: Maintain control and move right when safe to let the driver pass
A tailgater has little room to stop. Avoid sudden moves and let the driver pass safely. Keep extra space ahead so you have more time to respond to slowing traffic.
Source: Section 8 — Tailgating (Following Too Closely): a tailgater behind you ↗
In an ordinary passenger vehicle, where must an opened alcohol container be kept?
Correct answer: In the trunk or another area where passengers do not sit
An opened container must be kept in the trunk or a place where passengers do not sit. Separate passenger exceptions apply to buses, taxis, campers, and motorhomes.
Source: Section 9 — Use or Possession of Alcohol or Cannabis Products in a Vehicle ↗
What does this sign warn you about?
Correct answer: A railroad crossing ahead
The circular railroad advance-warning sign tells you to slow, look, listen, and prepare to stop.
Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions ↗
What does the number on this sign represent?
Correct answer: The maximum lawful speed under normal conditions
A posted SPEED LIMIT sign states the maximum lawful speed; California’s Basic Speed Law can require a lower speed when conditions are unsafe.
Source: Section 8 — Manage Your Speed: Basic Speed Law ↗
What change in the road does this sign warn about?
Correct answer: A divided roadway begins ahead
A divided roadway is ahead. On the similar divided-highway-ends sign, the median symbol is at the bottom instead.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Figure 2C-5 — W6-1 divided highway; W6-2 divided highway ends ↗
You are turning left without a protected arrow. An oncoming car would have to brake for you. What should you do?
Correct answer: Wait for a safe gap before turning
Yield to approaching traffic close enough to conflict with your turn. Signaling or arriving first does not require that driver to brake for you.
Source: Section 7 — Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections, turning left ↗
Two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road where neither can pass. Which vehicle should back up?
Correct answer: The vehicle facing downhill
The downhill-facing driver can usually control backing uphill more safely and should yield.
Source: Section 7 — Mountain Roads ↗
At a blind intersection with obstructed visibility and no stop signs, yield signs, or signals, what speed limit does the California handbook give?
Correct answer: 15 mph
The California handbook specifies 15 mph at a blind intersection.
Source: Section 7 — Blind Intersections ↗
When warning lights flash at a railroad crossing, when may you proceed?
Correct answer: After the red lights stop flashing and it is safe
Wait for the red lights to stop flashing, any gates to be fully raised, and a clear, safe route across the tracks.
Source: Section 7 — Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks ↗
You park at the right edge of a hill with no curb. Which way should you turn the front wheels?
Correct answer: Right, away from the road center
Turn the wheels right so a rolling vehicle moves away from the center of the road.
Source: Section 6 — Parking on a Hill ↗
A left-turn arrow changes from green to solid yellow. What does it mean?
Correct answer: Protected turning time is ending
Stop if safe before entering. If already inside or unable to stop safely, finish cautiously. Watch the next signal.
Source: Section 7 — Traffic Signals: Yellow Arrow ↗
If a vehicle without ABS enters a locked-wheel skid, how should you use the brakes while slowing?
Correct answer: Quickly pump the brakes until you reach a safe speed
California DMV advises quickly pumping the brakes on a vehicle without ABS during a locked-wheel skid. ABS-equipped vehicles require different braking techniques.
Source: Section 8 — Hydroplaning; Driving in Rain or Snow; Locked Wheel Skids ↗
When applying for an original California driver's license, how many knowledge-test attempts are allowed before you must reapply?
Correct answer: Three
Applicants have three attempts before they must reapply.
Source: Section 3 — Driver's License Tests: Knowledge Test ↗
Who may legally park next to a blue-painted curb?
Correct answer: An eligible disabled person, or a driver transporting that person, using a valid placard or plate
The placard or plate must be used for the eligible person's transportation, not simply borrowed to obtain parking.
Source: Section 6 — Parking at Colored Curbs; Illegal Parking ↗
Traffic is backed up beyond railroad tracks. When may you begin crossing?
Correct answer: Only when there is enough room to clear every track
Traffic ahead may stop again and leave your vehicle trapped on the tracks. Before entering, make sure the space beyond all tracks can hold your entire vehicle. A raised gate or a moving car ahead does not guarantee that space.
Source: Section 7 — Near Railroad or Light Rail Tracks ↗
At night, how must a load projecting four feet or more behind the vehicle, measured from the taillamps, be marked?
Correct answer: With two red lights
CVC 24604 requires two red lights at the load's end, in addition to the required taillamp, visible from at least 500 feet to the sides and rear.
Source: CVC 24604(a) — projecting-load lighting during darkness ↗
What is one purpose of California's pre-drive safety check?
Correct answer: Confirm the vehicle meets minimum safety standards and the driver knows its controls
Before the road portion, the examiner checks basic vehicle safety and whether you can identify or use essential controls. A safe test vehicle and familiarity with it are prerequisites to demonstrating driving skills.
Source: Test preparation — Knowledge Test; Pre-drive Safety Check ↗
When may a minor driver use a cell phone while driving?
Correct answer: To request emergency assistance
A minor may not use a wireless device while driving except to make an emergency-assistance call.
Source: Section 8 — Cell Phones and Texting; Minors and Cell Phones ↗
A vehicle is stuck on tracks, but no train is visible and warning lights are off. What should you do after leaving the vehicle?
Correct answer: Call the number posted at the crossing, then call 911
Use the emergency number on the crossing equipment and provide the crossing number if shown, then contact 911.
Source: Section 8 — Disabled Vehicles on Railroad Tracks ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
