During daylight, a load no more than two feet wide projects four feet or more behind the vehicle, measured from the taillamps. What marker is required at its end?
Correct answer: A solid red or fluorescent orange flag at least 18 inches square
CVC 24604 sets an 18-inch minimum. A projecting load wider than two feet requires two flags; darkness requires lights instead.
Source: CVC 24604(a)–(b) — daylight projecting-load flags ↗
A vehicle towing a trailer should normally use:
Correct answer: The far-right or marked slow-vehicle lane
Use the far-right or designated slow-vehicle lane. If no lanes are marked for slow vehicles and there are at least four lanes in your direction, you may use either of the two rightmost lanes.
Source: Section 7 — Near Railroad Tracks; Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys; Large Vehicles; Bicycles ↗
For an adult driver age 21 or older who is not on DUI probation, what BAC threshold applies when driving a vehicle requiring a commercial license?
Correct answer: 0.04%
The commercial-driver threshold is 0.04% or higher.
Source: Section 9 — Blood Alcohol Concentration; DUI Arrests; Alcohol Containers ↗
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 ↗
May you drive when a load prevents you from seeing ahead or to the sides?
Correct answer: No
A vehicle may not be loaded so heavily or poorly that the driver cannot control it or see ahead and to the sides.
Source: Section 7 — Other Important Roadway Information: loads ↗
A driver wants to warm up a gasoline-powered car in a closed garage. Which statement is correct?
Correct answer: Deadly carbon monoxide can accumulate
Vehicle exhaust can release odorless, deadly carbon monoxide into an enclosed space.
Source: Section 8 — Be Aware of Carbon Monoxide ↗
In an ordinary moving passenger car carrying only adults, who must wear a seat belt?
Correct answer: The driver and all passengers
California DMV states that drivers and passengers must use seat belts.
Source: Section 8 — Protect Yourself and Your Passengers: Seat Belts ↗
A 15-year-old passenger is not wearing a seat belt. Who can receive a citation for allowing this?
Correct answer: The driver
The driver can also be cited when a passenger under 16 is not properly belted.
Source: Section 8 — Protect Yourself and Your Passengers: Seat Belts ↗
Where should you find the recommended tire pressure for your car?
Correct answer: The vehicle label or owner’s manual
Use the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation, not the maximum molded on the tire.
Source: Maintenance — Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure, Step 1 ↗
What minimum time without driving does NHTSA use to define cold tires for a pressure check?
Correct answer: 3 hours
A three-hour rest lets you compare the reading with the recommended cold pressure.
Source: Maintenance — Tire Pressure ↗
You install rubber floor mats for wet weather. What safety check matters most?
Correct answer: They fit securely and cannot interfere with pedals
Use correctly sized mats and the manufacturer’s retention clips. Loose mats can obstruct braking or acceleration.
Source: Changes You May Notice — Floor Mats ↗
In California, dim high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within:
Correct answer: 500 feet
Use low beams within 500 feet of approaching traffic to avoid glare.
Source: Section 5 — Signals, Horns, And Headlights: Using Your Headlights ↗
You approach another vehicle from behind at night in California. Dim high beams within:
Correct answer: 300 feet
The following-vehicle distance is 300 feet, distinct from the 500-foot oncoming-traffic rule.
Source: Section 5 — Signals, Horns, And Headlights: Using Your Headlights ↗
Which starting hand positions does DMV recommend for hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering?
Correct answer: 9 and 3, or 8 and 4 o’clock
These positions support push/pull steering without crossing your hands over the wheel’s center.
Source: Section 5 — Controlling the Vehicle: Hand-to-Hand Steering (Push/Pull) ↗
You are backing along a curb. Which method best helps you detect and respond to a pedestrian entering your path?
Correct answer: Back slowly and smoothly while continuing to check behind
A pedestrian can enter the area after your initial check. Continuing to look behind helps you detect that change, and a slow, smooth speed gives you time to stop. Use mirrors and look over your shoulder; do not rely on one view alone.
Source: Straight Line Backing — Traffic check, blind spots, backing and control ↗
No other vehicle is visible when you prepare to turn. Should you signal?
Correct answer: Yes, signal even when no vehicle is visible
Someone outside your current view may rely on the signal.
Source: Signaling ↗
Your turn signal has not canceled after a turn. What should you do?
Correct answer: Cancel it once the maneuver is finished
A signal left on communicates an intended turn you may not make.
Source: Signaling — Canceling Signals ↗
Can parking lights alone replace headlights while you drive at night?
Correct answer: No, use the required headlights
Parking lamps do not provide the lighting required for driving.
Source: Using Your Headlights ↗
A narrow mountain bend prevents you from seeing 200 feet ahead. What warning should you give?
Correct answer: Sound the horn to alert approaching traffic
A horn warning can alert a driver approaching the blind bend.
Source: Using Your Horn ↗
Your mirrors show an open lane. How should you check the blind spot before moving over?
Correct answer: Briefly turn your head over your shoulder while keeping the steering steady
Mirrors can miss a vehicle beside you. Check before moving, turning your head without pulling the steering wheel or letting the car drift.
Source: Section 8 — Blind Spots ↗
May passengers ride in an ordinary pickup bed that has no secured seats or safety belts?
Correct answer: No, the bed lacks the required passenger protection
An open cargo area without secured seats and belts is not a passenger seat.
Source: Other Important Roadway Information — Pickup Passengers ↗
What must be done before transporting an animal in the back of a pickup?
Correct answer: Secure it properly against falling, jumping, or being thrown out
An animal can jump or be thrown from the cargo area during a turn or sudden stop. A closed tailgate alone does not provide the protection described in the correct answer.
Source: Other Important Roadway Information — Animals in Trucks ↗
A 1-year-old weighs 25 pounds and is 30 inches tall. Which seat orientation is required?
Correct answer: Rear-facing in an appropriate child restraint
This child is under two and below both size exceptions for the rear-facing requirement.
Source: Child Restraint System and Safety Seats ↗
Where must you NOT put a rear-facing child seat?
Correct answer: In front of an active frontal airbag
An inflating frontal airbag can strike the rear-facing seat with severe force.
Source: Child Restraint System and Safety Seats — Airbag Warning ↗
A 6-year-old is 4 feet tall, and a suitable rear seat is available with no applicable exception. What is required?
Correct answer: A suitable child restraint in the rear seat
This child is below eight and below the height exception. Use an appropriate rear-seat restraint.
Source: Child Restraint System and Safety Seats ↗
Where should the shoulder part of a safety belt rest?
Correct answer: Across the shoulder and chest
The shoulder belt restrains your upper body across the shoulder and chest. Routing it under your arm or behind your back removes that protection or puts force in the wrong place during a collision.
Source: Seat Belts — Correct Fit ↗
How should you position the lap portion of a safety belt?
Correct answer: Snug and low across the hips
The lap belt belongs over the hips, not the soft abdomen.
Source: Seat Belts — Correct Fit ↗
While retaining full control of the car, how far should your breastbone be from the steering-wheel airbag cover?
Correct answer: At least 10 inches
Space from the cover reduces the risk of injury as the airbag deploys.
Source: Air Bags ↗
A car towing a trailer enters a highway posted at 65 mph. What is its maximum speed?
Correct answer: 55 mph
The towing limit still applies even where other vehicles may travel faster.
Source: Manage Your Speed ↗
In an ordinary automatic car without adaptive controls, what pedal technique does DMV's self-assessment recommend?
Correct answer: Use the right foot for either the accelerator or brake
This is driving-technique guidance for standard controls, not a claim that all left-foot use is illegal.
Source: Legs and Feet — pedal use ↗
Even in clear weather, during which period must you use headlights?
Correct answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
Visibility, weather, wiper use and posted signs can require headlights outside this nighttime period too.
Source: Using Your Headlights ↗
A passenger car carries an item projecting beyond its fenders. What side-projection limits does the handbook give?
Correct answer: None beyond the left fenders and no more than 6 inches beyond the right
Side-projection limits are separate from rear-load marking requirements.
Source: Other Important Roadway Information — passenger-vehicle load ↗
Mud makes your license plate illegible. What should you do before continuing to drive?
Correct answer: Restore its legibility
A valid registration does not make an unreadable or altered plate acceptable.
Source: Other Important Roadway Information — plates ↗
Light boxes in a pickup could blow onto the road. What must you do before driving?
Correct answer: Secure the load so it cannot create a road hazard
Even a load that does not block your view can endanger others if it is unsecured.
Source: Other Important Roadway Information — unsecured loads ↗
What mirror arrangement does DMV list for a vehicle used in the drive test?
Correct answer: At least two rearview mirrors, including one on the left side
A rear camera does not replace the listed mirror requirement for the test.
Source: Pre-drive safety check — rear-view mirrors ↗
