California DMV Permit Practice Mini Test 1: 12 Questions

Mini Test 1 has 12 multiple-choice questions on California driving rules, including BAC limits, 4-Way stop Right-of-Way, school bus laws and basic speed law. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.

Question 1
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For California test facts, what to bring and FAQs, see the California permit test page. You can also read the official California Driver's Handbook.

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What Mini Test 1 Covers

The questions in this test ask about:

Try 5 Questions from This Test

  1. What is the legal BAC limit for drivers age 21+ in California?

    • A. 0.05%
    • B. 0.08%
    • C. 0.10%
    Show answer

    B. 0.08%

    Drivers 21+ may not drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.

  2. At a 4-way stop where two cars arrive at the same time, who goes first?

    • A. The vehicle on the right
    • B. The largest vehicle
    • C. The vehicle on the left
    Show answer

    A. The vehicle on the right

    Yield to the vehicle on your right when you arrive at the same time.

  3. When approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, you must:

    • A. Stop until the lights stop flashing
    • B. Honk to alert children
    • C. Slow and pass with caution
    Show answer

    A. Stop until the lights stop flashing

    You must stop in both directions until the red lights stop flashing.

  4. What is the basic speed law in California?

    • A. Drive with traffic flow
    • B. Never exceed the posted speed limit
    • C. Drive at a safe speed for conditions
    Show answer

    C. Drive at a safe speed for conditions

    You must adjust speed to current conditions even if below the posted limit.

  5. What are you required to do at a railroad crossing with flashing red signals?

    • A. Stop until safe and signals stop
    • B. Honk and proceed
    • C. Slow and proceed if clear
    Show answer

    A. Stop until safe and signals stop

    Flashing red at a crossing means stop and proceed only when it’s safe and signals stop.

Complete Study Guide: All 12 Questions with Answers

Every question in Mini Test 1, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.

  1. Q1. What is the legal BAC limit for drivers age 21+ in California?

    Correct answer: 0.08%

    Why: Drivers 21+ may not drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher.

  2. Q2. At a 4-way stop where two cars arrive at the same time, who goes first?

    Correct answer: The vehicle on the right

    Why: Yield to the vehicle on your right when you arrive at the same time.

  3. Q3. When must headlights be turned on in California?

    Correct answer: When it’s dark or visibility is poor (including rain)

    Why: Use headlights in darkness and when visibility is reduced (rain, snow, fog).

  4. Q4. When approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, you must:

    Correct answer: Stop until the lights stop flashing

    Why: You must stop in both directions until the red lights stop flashing.

  5. Q5. What is the basic speed law in California?

    Correct answer: Drive at a safe speed for conditions

    Why: You must adjust speed to current conditions even if below the posted limit.

  6. Q6. What is the minimum following distance in ideal conditions?

    Correct answer: Three seconds

    Why: A 3-second gap is the general minimum in good conditions.

  7. Q7. On a two-lane road, when can you legally pass over double solid yellow lines?

    Correct answer: To turn left into a driveway or make a U-turn

    Why: You may cross double solid yellow only to turn left into/out of a driveway or make a permitted U-turn.

  8. Q8. What’s the rule for right turns on a red light in California?

    Correct answer: Allowed after stopping, unless prohibited

    Why: You may turn right on red after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it.

  9. Q9. If you approach an intersection with a malfunctioning signal (dark), treat it as:

    Correct answer: A four-way stop

    Why: No power/light = treat as a 4-way stop.

  10. Q10. When must you use turn signals?

    Correct answer: Anytime you turn or change lanes

    Why: Signal every turn and lane change to communicate clearly.

  11. Q11. When are you required to yield to pedestrians?

    Correct answer: At both marked and unmarked crosswalks

    Why: Pedestrians have right-of-way at both marked and unmarked crosswalks.

  12. Q12. What are you required to do at a railroad crossing with flashing red signals?

    Correct answer: Stop until safe and signals stop

    Why: Flashing red at a crossing means stop and proceed only when it’s safe and signals stop.

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