DMV Practice Lab · Car practice sample
California printable driving practice
20 questions · Choose one answer for each question. Check your choices against the answer key after you finish.
A short sample of car driving questions. Read the handbook to cover the other topics you need.
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Practice questions
1. What must you do at a red, eight-sided STOP sign?
- Come to a complete stop
- Slow down if another car is near
- Yield and continue
- Stop only when a pedestrian is present
My answer:
2. A wet curve is ahead. Why should you reduce speed before entering it?
- Firm braking inside the curve gives the tires more grip
- Too much speed can exceed the tires' grip in the curve
- Maintaining dry-road speed makes steering more stable
- Accelerating into the curve prevents the tires from sliding
My answer:
3. How should you enter or leave an HOV lane bordered by double solid lines?
- Cross anywhere after signaling
- Use a designated entrance or exit
- Stop and wait for a gap
- Use the shoulder
My answer:
4. After stopping at a solid circular red light, which left turn may be allowed if no sign prohibits it and the way is clear?
- From a one-way street onto another one-way street
- From a two-way street onto a one-way street
- From a one-way street onto a two-way street
- From a two-way street onto another two-way street
My answer:
5. You are already in the proper lane to leave a freeway. How many seconds before the exit should you signal?
- About one second
- About three seconds
- About five seconds
- Wait until you are on the exit ramp
My answer:
6. Where should you look when oncoming headlights are too bright?
- Directly at the headlights
- Toward the right edge of your lane
- At your rearview mirror
- Down at the dashboard
My answer:
7. What shape is the sign shown?
- Triangle
- Octagon
- Pentagon
- Circle
My answer:
8. What does this sign tell an approaching driver?
- Enter only after stopping
- Do not enter this road or ramp
- One-way traffic ends ahead
- Passing is prohibited
My answer:
9. What should you expect beyond this sign?
- A fuel station
- Road workers or maintenance activity
- A recreation area
- A school crossing
My answer:
10. How should you drive in wet conditions after seeing this sign?
- Brake hard whenever it rains
- Reduce speed and avoid sudden maneuvers
- Drive on the shoulder
- Use cruise control
My answer:
11. Your light turns green, but stopped traffic leaves no space beyond the intersection. What should you do?
- Enter slowly and wait inside the intersection
- Move halfway across to hold your place
- Wait until you can clear the intersection
- Enter if you expect traffic to move
My answer:
12. What minimum following distance is required behind an emergency vehicle using its siren or flashing lights?
- 100 feet
- 200 feet
- 300 feet
- 400 feet
My answer:
13. What is the speed limit in an alley?
- 10 mph
- 15 mph
- 20 mph
- 25 mph
My answer:
14. Near an uncontrolled railroad crossing with limited visibility, when does the 15 mph rule apply?
- Within 50 feet when you cannot see 200 feet
- Within 100 feet when you cannot see 400 feet in both directions
- Within 200 feet at every crossing
- Only when a train is visible
My answer:
15. What is the maximum passing speed when a bus, streetcar, or trolley is stopped at a safety zone or traffic light?
- 5 mph
- 10 mph
- 15 mph
- 25 mph
My answer:
16. Your car has four-wheel ABS. How should you brake in an emergency?
- Pump the pedal rapidly to prevent wheel lock
- Apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal
- Release the pedal whenever the ABS begins working
- Use only gentle pressure throughout the stop
My answer:
17. A DUI conviction remains on a California driving record for:
- 3 years
- 5 years
- 7 years
- 10 years
My answer:
18. If you cannot see a truck driver in the truck's side mirror, what should you assume?
- The truck driver probably cannot see your vehicle
- The truck must yield before changing lanes
- You are far enough behind the truck
- The truck driver can see you through a camera
My answer:
19. May you park in an area marked with diagonal crosshatch lines beside a disabled space?
- No, the crosshatched access area must remain clear
- Yes, with hazard lights on
- Yes, for passenger loading only
- Only with a disabled placard
My answer:
20. What standard minimum bodily-injury liability limits does the California handbook list?
- $30,000 for one person and $60,000 for more than one person
- $15,000 and $30,000
- $25,000 and $50,000
- $50,000 and $100,000
My answer:
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Answer key & explanations
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California · 20-question sample · Mark one correct answer for each question.
1. A — 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
2. B — Too much speed can exceed the tires' grip in the curve
Slippery pavement reduces traction. Entering more slowly helps prevent a skid and avoids needing sudden braking while turning. Steer smoothly and keep your speed safe throughout the curve.
Source: Section 8 — Slippery Surface Skids: approaching curves; Slippery Roads
3. B — 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
4. A — From a one-way street onto another one-way street
Only the one-way-to-one-way case qualifies. Stop and yield before turning; a red arrow does not allow the turn.
5. C — 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.
6. B — Toward the right edge of your lane
Avoid staring at the lights. Use the right edge of your lane as a visual guide.
Source: Section 8 — Understand the Road Conditions: Darkness
7. B — Octagon
The eight-sided octagon is reserved for STOP signs.
Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions
Image credit: FHWA MUTCD Figure 2B-1
8. B — Do not enter this road or ramp
The sign prohibits entry from the direction where it is posted.
Source: Section 7 — Signs: STOP; YIELD; shapes; prohibitions
Image credit: FHWA MUTCD Figure 2B-11
9. B — Road workers or maintenance activity
The worker-with-shovel symbol warns of workers ahead. Adjust speed for conditions and watch for people and equipment.
Source: MUTCD 2009 Section 6F.33 — Workers (W21-1)
Image credit: FHWA MUTCD Figure 6F-4, sheet 3
10. B — Reduce speed and avoid sudden maneuvers
Wet pavement may reduce traction, so slow down and steer or brake smoothly.
Source: Section 8 — Slippery Roads: reduce speed and avoid sudden maneuvers
Image credit: FHWA MUTCD Figure 2C-6
11. C — Wait until you can clear the intersection
Green does not guarantee room to exit. Waiting prevents your vehicle from blocking crossing traffic or pedestrians if the queue stays stopped.
Source: Section 7 — Solid Green Light; Right-of-Way Rules: Intersections, entering traffic
12. C — 300 feet
California prohibits following within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle using sirens or flashing lights.
Source: Section 7 — Emergency Vehicles
13. B — 15 mph
The speed limit in an alley is 15 mph.
Source: Section 7 — Alleys
14. B — Within 100 feet when you cannot see 400 feet in both directions
Drive no faster than 15 mph within 100 feet when track visibility is under 400 feet both ways, unless the crossing is controlled.
Source: Section 7 — Near Railroad Tracks; Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys; Large Vehicles; Bicycles
15. B — 10 mph
Pass at no more than 10 mph and watch carefully for people.
Source: Section 7 — Near Railroad Tracks; Buses, Streetcars, and Trolleys; Large Vehicles; Bicycles
16. B — Apply firm, steady pressure to the brake pedal
Keep firm pressure on the pedal instead of pumping it. DMV gives different instructions for vehicles without ABS, so know which system your vehicle has before an emergency.
17. D — 10 years
DUI convictions remain on the driving record for 10 years.
Source: Section 9 — Blood Alcohol Concentration; DUI Arrests; Alcohol Containers
18. A — The truck driver probably cannot see your vehicle
Large vehicles have extensive blind spots. If you cannot see the driver in the mirror, the driver likely cannot see you.
Source: Section 7 — Blind Spots; Braking
19. A — 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
20. A — $30,000 for one person and $60,000 for more than one person
California DMV lists minimum bodily-injury coverage of $30,000 for one death or injury and $60,000 for more than one.
Source: Section 10 — Insurance Requirements; Reporting a Collision; Driving Without Insurance
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