Free California DMV Practice Test

Take a free, untimed California DMV practice test in the real exam format: 46 questions, 38 correct to pass. Fresh random questions every attempt.

How this practice exam works

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.

More sample California questions

At an uncontrolled intersection (no signs or signals) in California, who has the right-of-way?

Answer: Whoever arrives first

At an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle that arrives first generally has the right-of-way.

Right-of-Way

A pedestrian signal shows a steady WALK signal (or walking-person symbol). What does this mean for a pedestrian entering the crosswalk?

Answer: They may begin crossing

A steady WALK signal means a pedestrian may begin crossing.

Signals

Under California's Negligent Operator Treatment System (NOTS), how many points does a routine violation like basic speeding, an at-fault collision, or a child-restraint violation add?

Answer: 1 point

Most routine violations — basic speeding, an at-fault collision, a child-restraint violation — add 1 point under NOTS.

Negligent Operator Points

What does a white curb marking mean in California?

Answer: Stop only briefly to load or unload passengers

White curbs allow a brief stop to load or unload passengers only.

Parking Rules

Until what point must a child ride rear-facing in a California car seat?

Answer: Until they turn 2 AND weigh at least 40 lbs AND are at least 40 inches tall — all three conditions

California requires rear-facing seating until a child is at least 2 years old AND at least 40 pounds AND at least 40 inches tall — all three thresholds must be met before facing forward.

Child Passenger Safety

Do pedestrians have the right-of-way at unmarked crosswalks (intersections without painted crosswalk lines) in California?

Answer: Yes — pedestrians have the right-of-way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks

California grants pedestrians the right-of-way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

Right-of-Way

A pedestrian is already in the crosswalk when the signal switches to a flashing DON'T WALK. What should happen?

Answer: The pedestrian should finish crossing, and drivers must still yield to them

A flashing DON'T WALK means don't start crossing, but a pedestrian already in the crosswalk should finish crossing — and drivers must still yield to them.

Signals

How many NOTS points does a hit-and-run or DUI conviction add to your California driving record?

Answer: 2 points

Hit-and-run and DUI convictions are treated as more serious, adding 2 points instead of the standard 1.

Negligent Operator Points

Back to the full California study route

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.