When parking downhill with a curb, which way should you turn your front wheels?
Correct answer: Toward the curb
Turn the wheels toward the curb so the vehicle rolls into the curb if the brakes fail.
Source: Section 6 — Parking on a Hill ↗
Which lane is normally used to pass another vehicle on a multilane road?
Correct answer: The far-left lane
The far-left lane, closest to the center divider, is normally the passing lane.
Source: Section 6 — Types of Lanes: Passing Lanes ↗
How should you enter or leave an HOV lane bordered by double solid lines?
Correct answer: Use a designated entrance or exit
Enter and exit only through designated openings. Do not cross the double solid boundary.
Source: Section 6 — Carpool/High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes ↗
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 ↗
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 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 ↗
Freeway traffic is flowing freely. As you use the entrance ramp, how should you prepare to merge?
Correct answer: Approach traffic speed when safe and choose a gap large enough to enter
Freeway traffic has priority. Approaching its speed reduces the speed difference but does not give you right-of-way. Check mirrors and blind spots, then enter a safe gap.
Source: Section 6 — Merging And Exiting: Merging ↗
You are already in the proper lane to leave a freeway. How many seconds before the exit should you signal?
Correct answer: About five seconds
Once in the proper exit lane, signal about five seconds before leaving the freeway. This gives drivers behind you notice of your intended exit; it does not replace checking before any earlier lane change.
Source: Section 6 — Merging And Exiting: Exiting ↗
When is passing on the right permitted?
Correct answer: When a one-way street or multiple same-direction lanes make it safe
Passing on the right is limited to safe situations such as multilane roads, one-way streets, or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Source: Section 6 — How to Pass ↗
Another driver is passing you on a two-lane road. What should you normally do?
Correct answer: Maintain your lane position and a steady speed
A steady speed and lane position make your movement predictable while the other driver passes. Speeding up prolongs the pass; unnecessary braking or lane movement can create another conflict.
Source: Section 6 — Being Passed ↗
When parking uphill next to a curb, turn the front wheels:
Correct answer: Away from the curb
With the wheels turned away from the curb, a backward roll brings a front tire against the curb. Set the parking brake as well; wheel position is an added safeguard.
Source: Section 6 — Parking on a Hill ↗
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 center left-turn lane may be used as:
Correct answer: A preparation lane for a left turn or U-turn
It is reserved for preparing and making left turns or legal U-turns, not regular travel or passing.
Source: Section 6 — Center Left Turn Lanes; Left Turns; Passing; Exiting a Highway ↗
In its passing guidance, the California handbook tells drivers not to pass within what distance of an intersection, bridge, tunnel, or railroad crossing?
Correct answer: 100 feet
Do not pass within 100 feet of these hazardous areas.
Source: Section 6 — Center Left Turn Lanes; Left Turns; Passing; Exiting a Highway ↗
The California handbook illustrates five seconds of signaling before a freeway exit as approximately what distance?
Correct answer: 400 feet
The handbook uses about 400 feet as an illustration. Actual distance traveled in five seconds depends on speed.
Source: Section 6 — Center Left Turn Lanes; Left Turns; Passing; Exiting a Highway ↗
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 ↗
May you park in an area marked with diagonal crosshatch lines beside a disabled space?
Correct answer: No, the crosshatched access area must remain clear
Crosshatched access aisles are not parking spaces and must remain available for accessibility.
Source: Section 6 — Parking at Colored Curbs; Illegal Parking ↗
Before turning right, when may a driver enter a conventional bicycle lane?
Correct answer: Within 200 feet of the turn after checking for bicyclists
California permits entering the bicycle lane within 200 feet of the turn after yielding and checking.
Source: Section 6 — Bicycle Lanes: conventional lanes and entering for a turn ↗
What is the main purpose of a two-way center left-turn lane?
Correct answer: Preparing for legal left turns or U-turns
The shared center lane is reserved for left-turn and permitted U-turn preparation.
Source: Types of Lanes — Center Left Turn Lanes ↗
A white curb has no other restriction posted. What is it normally for?
Correct answer: Brief passenger pickup or drop-off
A white curb permits a passenger stop, not general parking.
Source: Parking at Colored Curbs — White ↗
You find an open space beside a green curb. What should you check before leaving your car?
Correct answer: The posted or painted time limit
Green identifies time-limited parking; the local limit still applies.
Source: Parking at Colored Curbs — Green ↗
You stop a private car at a yellow curb to unload. What normally applies?
Correct answer: Observe the loading time limit and stay with the vehicle
Yellow is a loading zone, not a substitute for ordinary parking.
Source: Parking at Colored Curbs — Yellow ↗
May you stop a private car at a red curb just to wait for a friend?
Correct answer: No, a red curb prohibits stopping as well as parking
Remaining inside the car does not make a red-curb stop legal.
Source: Parking at Colored Curbs — Red ↗
After parallel parking beside a curb, what maximum gap should you leave between the vehicle and the curb?
Correct answer: Within 18 inches
Finish parallel to the curb without leaving more than 18 inches of separation.
Source: Section 6 — Parallel Parking: Straighten Out ↗
You have turned the wheels correctly for hill parking. What else should you do?
Correct answer: Set the parking brake and select Park or a gear for a manual
Wheel direction is a backup, not a replacement for securing the vehicle.
Source: Parking on a Hill ↗
A short parking space would leave part of your car across a driveway. What should you do?
Correct answer: Find a space that does not block the driveway
Do not park across driveways or obstruct the sidewalk.
Source: Illegal Parking — Sidewalks and Driveways ↗
For an ordinary unattended parking space, what minimum clearance should you leave from a fire hydrant?
Correct answer: 15 feet
Keep the hydrant accessible; the handbook gives a 15-foot no-parking distance.
Source: Illegal Parking — Fire Hydrants ↗
All curb spaces are full. May you leave your car beside another parked car in the traffic lane?
Correct answer: No, that is double parking
An occupied curb space does not permit parking in the adjacent travel lane.
Source: Illegal Parking — Double Parked ↗
You realize too late that you have missed your turn. What is the safe response?
Correct answer: Continue until you can legally and safely change direction
A missed turn is preferable to a sudden, unsafe change of direction.
Source: Changing Lanes ↗
A bus-only lane lies between you and a legal right turn. What is permitted?
Correct answer: Cross it to make the right turn when safe
Crossing for a right turn is distinct from traveling or stopping in a bus lane.
Source: Right Turn at a Public Transit Bus Lane ↗
For an ordinary right turn onto a two-way road with no special lane arrows, where should you finish?
Correct answer: In the lane nearest the right edge
An ordinary right turn should not swing wide into another lane.
Source: Right Turns ↗
For an ordinary left turn from a two-way street, where should you position your car before turning?
Correct answer: In the lawful left-turn lane closest to the center
Approach from the lawful left-turn lane nearest the center so you do not cut across traffic traveling beside you. Stay on your own side of the center line until making the turn.
Source: Examples of Turns — Left Turn from a Two-Way Street ↗
A one-way street is empty. May you make a U-turn and drive back along it?
Correct answer: No, U-turns are prohibited on one-way streets
A U-turn would put you against the authorized direction of travel.
Source: U-TURN — Prohibited Locations ↗
In a business district, which location may permit a U-turn if it is otherwise legal and safe?
Correct answer: An intersection or a designated opening in a divided highway
The business-district restriction has specific intersection and divider-opening exceptions.
Source: U-TURN — Business Districts ↗
You need to cross two freeway lanes. How should you move over?
Correct answer: One lane at a time, checking and signaling for each move
Each lane change creates a new blind-spot and spacing decision.
Source: Merging ↗
Traffic ahead is turning left, but the only way past on the right is off the paved roadway. May you pass there?
Correct answer: No, do not leave the paved or main-traveled road to pass
A right-side passing opportunity does not authorize driving off the roadway.
Source: How to Pass ↗
The vehicle ahead signals a left turn. Should you begin passing it on the left?
Correct answer: No, its intended turn may cross your passing path
Do not move into the path of a driver preparing to turn left.
Source: How to Pass ↗
With no curb extension or different local rule, what is the minimum required curb clearance on the approach side of a crosswalk?
Correct answer: At least 20 feet
The approach-side restriction protects visibility at marked and unmarked crossings.
Source: CVC 22500(n)(1)(A) ↗
A crosswalk has a curb extension and no different local rule. What minimum clearance must your parked car leave on its approach side?
Correct answer: At least 15 feet
A curb extension changes the standard approach-side clearance from 20 feet to 15 feet.
Source: CVC 22500(n)(1)(A) ↗
In 2026, may you park a car within the standard crosswalk approach clearance solely because the curb is not painted red?
Correct answer: No, the restriction can apply without red paint
The temporary warning-only period for unmarked curbs ended January 1, 2025. Applicable local exceptions must be assessed separately.
Source: CVC 22500(n)(1)(A)–(B) ↗
After overtaking a car, which mirror check helps you avoid cutting in too closely?
Correct answer: See both of its headlights in your rearview mirror before returning
Use this clearance cue along with a signal, blind-spot check and a safe gap. It does not make an otherwise unsafe lane change safe.
Source: Passing — mirror clearance (general driving technique) ↗
Why does reversing out of a parking space require extra observation?
Correct answer: People or vehicles may enter areas you cannot see in a single mirror
Check around the vehicle and keep looking while moving slowly. Do not rely on a single view.
Source: Straight Line Backing ↗
After you signal, another vehicle closes the gap you planned to enter. What should you do?
Correct answer: Stay in your lane, reassess the gap, and move smoothly when clear
A signal requests space; it does not create it. Traffic can change after your first check. Confirm enough space and check the blind spot before moving.
Source: Section 6 — Changing Lanes ↗
Which sequence follows DMV's method for entering a parallel-parking space between two parked cars?
Correct answer: Pull alongside the car ahead of the space, check around you, then back into the space
Set up beside the front vehicle, check mirrors and blind spots, and reverse slowly into the space before straightening.
Source: Parallel Parking — positioning and backing ↗
On a one-way street with no signs or markings allowing another turn lane, where should you position your car before turning left?
Correct answer: Near the left edge of the leftmost lane available to your direction
Use the lawful leftmost approach unless traffic controls permit a different movement. Check and yield before turning.
Source: CVC 22100(b) — left-turn approach ↗
At minimum, how much longer than your vehicle does DMV recommend a parallel-parking space should be?
Correct answer: At least three feet longer
Choose enough room to maneuver before signaling and positioning beside the vehicle ahead of the space.
Source: Section 6 — Parallel Parking: Find a Space ↗
