California Learner's Permit Practice Test

Free California DMV practice test for your learner's permit — road signs, right-of-way and the rules of the road, with real California knowledge-exam questions.

What's on the California knowledge test

The California knowledge test is a single 46-question exam covering road signs and the rules of the road together. You need 38 correct (83%) to pass.

Questions and exam format researched against California's official driver handbook and state sources. Last verified 22 August 2026.

Topics covered

Sample California permit test questions

In the U.S. sign system used in California, what shape is always used for a STOP sign?

Answer: Octagon

STOP signs use the eight-sided octagon shape nationwide, including California, so they're recognizable even from behind.

Road Signs

What's the default speed limit in California business and residential districts unless otherwise posted?

Answer: 25 mph

California's default limit in business and residential districts is 25 mph unless a different limit is posted.

Speed & Spacing

When are headlights required in California based on time of day or weather?

Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, or whenever wipers are running for rain, fog, or snow

California requires headlights from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and any time wipers are on for weather.

CA Laws

At what minimum age can you apply for a California learner's permit?

Answer: 15 years, 6 months

You can apply for a California learner's permit at 15½.

Teen & Permit Rules

When passing a bicyclist in California, how much clearance must you leave?

Answer: 3 feet

California's safe passing law requires at least 3 feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist.

Sharing the Road

A pentagon-shaped sign (like home plate) on the road is used for what type of sign?

Answer: School zone or school crossing

The pentagon shape is reserved for school-zone and school-crossing signs.

Road Signs

What is the default California speed limit within 500 feet of a school when children are present, unless a lower limit is posted?

Answer: 25 mph

The default school-zone limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of the school while children are present; some zones post as low as 15 mph.

Speed & Spacing

Regardless of the time of day, at what visibility distance must you turn on your headlights in California?

Answer: 1,000 feet

California requires headlights any time visibility drops below 1,000 feet, regardless of the time of day.

CA Laws

Ways to practise

Other states

Sources

Questions and exam format researched against California's official driver handbook and state sources. Last verified 22 August 2026.

Full research notes, including what could not be confirmed

California DMV Driver Handbook (dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/laws-and-rules-of-the-road/, .../laws-and-rules-of-the-road-cont1/, and .../safe-driving-cont2/), DMV's Negligent Operator Treatment System point-count and threshold pages, and the California Vehicle Code (CVC 23103 reckless driving, CVC child-passenger-safety provisions) — researched and verified 2026-08-18/19. Exam format: DMV's site officially confirms only an 80% passing score; no official question count is published on dmv.ca.gov. Third-party sources consistently cite 46 questions for under-18 applicants / 36 for 18+ and renewal, and an 83% passing threshold, tracing back to a DMV publication ('Evaluation of the Class C Driver License Written Knowledge Tests') that could not be read directly — so this module uses the DMV-confirmed 80% (not the unconfirmed 83%) paired with the 46-question count matching this app's under-18 audience, as a unified knowledge test with no separate sign-recognition section (signCount: 0). Known gaps deliberately NOT invented: exact dollar fines for seat belt, phone, and child-restraint violations; no-parking distance from railroad crossings and fire stations specifically; truck/bus no-zone footage figures (described only qualitatively in the handbook); stopping-distance tables; the specific NOTS point value for a reckless-driving conviction; and work-zone speeding fine bracket detail beyond 'can be $1,000 or more.' EXAM FORMAT UPDATED 2026-08-22, and the earlier uncertainty above is now largely resolved: the DMV research report 'Evaluation of the Class C Driver License Written Knowledge Tests' WAS retrieved this pass (dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/evaluation-of-the-class-c-driver-license-written-knowledge-tests/). It states the DL 5T given to applicants younger than 18 'has five forms, each with 46 questions', and gives the allowable-error standard as eight for DL 5T provisional applicants (six for the 36-question adult DL 5). Eight errors on 46 means 38 correct, i.e. 82.6% — which is where the third-party '83%' figure actually comes from. rulePassPct is therefore now the exact fraction 38/46 rather than 0.8, which had enforced only 37 and passed a student one answer short of the real bar. The 46-question count is confirmed for the under-18 path this app targets. Re-verify periodically, as DMV handbook content, fees,and thresholds change over time.

Unofficial study aid. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any DMV or state agency.