California DMV Permit Practice Test 1: 50 Questions
Practice Test 1 has 50 multiple-choice questions on California driving rules, including traffic signals, Right-of-Way rules at intersections and crosswalks, safe following distance and school bus laws. Each answer is explained as soon as you pick it, and every question is listed with its answer in the study guide below.
More California Practice Tests
What Practice Test 1 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Traffic Signals
- Right-of-Way Rules at intersections and crosswalks
- Safe Following Distance
- School Bus Laws
- Emergency Vehicle Procedures
- Freeway Merging & Exit Rules
- Headlight Requirements
- BAC Limits
- Hill Parking Wheel Direction
Try 5 Questions from This Test
-
When approaching a flashing yellow traffic signal, what should you do?
Show answer
B. Slow down and proceed with caution
A flashing yellow signal warns drivers to slow down and continue carefully, watching for cross traffic or pedestrians.
-
When two vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time, who has the right-of-way?
Show answer
B. The vehicle on the right
When two vehicles arrive simultaneously at an intersection without signs or signals, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.
-
What is the minimum safe following distance in ideal driving conditions?
Show answer
C. Three seconds
A three-second gap allows enough time to react to sudden stops in good weather conditions.
-
When you hear a siren and see flashing lights behind you, you must:
Show answer
C. Pull to the right and stop
Pulling over and stopping gives emergency vehicles a clear path.
-
If your car begins to skid, you should:
Show answer
C. Steer in the direction of the skid
Steering in the skid direction helps you regain control without spinning out.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 1, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
-
Q1. When approaching a flashing yellow traffic signal, what should you do?
Correct answer: Slow down and proceed with caution
Why: A flashing yellow signal warns drivers to slow down and continue carefully, watching for cross traffic or pedestrians.
-
Q2. What is the legal BAC limit for drivers age 21 and over in California?
Correct answer: 0.08%
Why: California law prohibits driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher for adults 21 and over.
-
Q3. If you see a school bus stopped with flashing red lights, you must:
Correct answer: Stop until the lights stop flashing
Why: Drivers must stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights and remain stopped until the lights are turned off.
-
Q4. When driving in fog, you should:
Correct answer: Use low beams
Why: Low beams reduce glare and improve visibility in fog; high beams can reflect off fog and reduce your ability to see.
-
Q5. What is the correct hand signal for a left turn?
Correct answer: Left arm straight out
Why: Extending your left arm straight out from the driver's window signals a left turn to other drivers.
-
Q6. At 55 mph, under good conditions, about how far will your vehicle travel before coming to a complete stop?
Correct answer: 300 feet
Why: An average passenger vehicle traveling at 55 mph can stop within about 300 feet. A large truck at the same speed can need up to 400 feet.
-
Q7. When a pedestrian is crossing at an unmarked crosswalk, you should:
Correct answer: Yield the right-of-way
Why: Drivers must yield to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks by law.
-
Q8. Before changing lanes, you should:
Correct answer: Check mirrors and blind spots
Why: Always check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes to ensure it is safe to move.
-
Q9. What should you do if your accelerator sticks while driving?
Correct answer: Shift to neutral
Why: Shifting to neutral allows you to safely slow the vehicle without losing control if the accelerator sticks.
-
Q10. When parking uphill on a two-way street with no curb, your front wheels should be turned:
Correct answer: Toward the shoulder
Why: Without a curb, turning wheels toward the shoulder prevents the car from rolling into traffic if brakes fail.
-
Q11. When two vehicles arrive at an intersection at the same time, who has the right-of-way?
Correct answer: The vehicle on the right
Why: When two vehicles arrive simultaneously at an intersection without signs or signals, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.
-
Q12. If your car begins to skid, you should:
Correct answer: Steer in the direction of the skid
Why: Steering in the skid direction helps you regain control without spinning out.
-
Q13. When driving near a motorcycle, you should:
Correct answer: Give extra space
Why: Motorcycles need more room to maneuver, so increase following distance and avoid crowding them.
-
Q14. When entering a freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Match the speed of traffic
Why: Adjusting to the speed of freeway traffic helps merge smoothly and safely.
-
Q15. The safest way to take a curve is to:
Correct answer: Slow before entering the curve
Why: Reducing speed before entering a curve keeps your vehicle stable and reduces the chance of skidding.
-
Q16. If another driver is tailgating you, you should:
Correct answer: Increase your following distance
Why: Increasing your distance from the vehicle ahead gives you more time to react if you must stop suddenly.
-
Q17. When approaching a railroad crossing with flashing red signals, you must:
Correct answer: Stop completely
Why: Flashing red lights at a railroad crossing mean you must stop until the lights stop and it's safe to proceed.
-
Q18. What is the minimum safe following distance in ideal driving conditions?
Correct answer: Three seconds
Why: A three-second gap allows enough time to react to sudden stops in good weather conditions.
-
Q19. When a traffic signal light isn't working, you should:
Correct answer: Treat it as a four-way stop
Why: Non-functioning traffic lights must be treated as a four-way stop for safety.
-
Q20. When driving in rain on a highway, you should:
Correct answer: Reduce your speed
Why: Slowing down in wet conditions helps maintain traction and reduces the chance of hydroplaning.
-
Q21. When backing out of a parking space, you should:
Correct answer: Check behind and both sides
Why: Turning your head and checking surroundings ensures safety when reversing.
-
Q22. You are driving at night and another vehicle's high beams are shining directly at you. What should you do?
Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of your lane
Why: Looking toward the right edge of your lane helps avoid glare from oncoming high beams.
-
Q23. If your vehicle starts hydroplaning, you should:
Correct answer: Ease off the accelerator
Why: Releasing the gas pedal helps tires regain contact with the road during hydroplaning.
-
Q24. What should you do if an emergency vehicle with flashing lights is approaching?
Correct answer: Pull over and stop
Why: Move to the right edge of the road and stop until the emergency vehicle passes.
-
Q25. When you hear a siren and see flashing lights behind you, you must:
Correct answer: Pull to the right and stop
Why: Pulling over and stopping gives emergency vehicles a clear path.
-
Q26. When should you turn your headlights on?
Correct answer: Anytime it rains, snows, or visibility is poor
Why: Headlights are required in bad weather and when visibility is low to help you see and be seen.
-
Q27. What is the safest way to handle a blowout while driving?
Correct answer: Grip the steering wheel firmly and slow gradually
Why: Keeping control of the steering wheel and slowing down gradually helps prevent loss of control.
-
Q28. When driving near a blind pedestrian with a white cane, you should:
Correct answer: Yield the right-of-way
Why: Drivers must always yield to blind pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog.
-
Q29. When should you use your turn signal?
Correct answer: Anytime you turn or change lanes
Why: Signaling every turn and lane change communicates your intentions to other drivers.
-
Q30. If your brakes fail, what is the first thing you should try?
Correct answer: Pump the brake pedal
Why: Pumping the brakes can help build up brake pressure if your brakes stop working.
-
Q31. What should you do if your turn signals fail to work?
Correct answer: Use hand signals
Why: If turn signals aren't functioning, you must use the correct hand signals to indicate turns or lane changes.
-
Q32. What is the penalty for not wearing a seat belt in California?
Correct answer: A fine
Why: California law requires seat belt use, and violations result in a fine for the driver and possibly passengers.
-
Q33. When are you allowed to park in a disabled parking space?
Correct answer: Only with a valid placard or license plate
Why: Parking in a disabled space without a valid placard or plate is illegal and subject to fines.
-
Q34. When must you turn on your headlights?
Correct answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and when visibility is poor
Why: Use your headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and any time clouds, rain, fog, dust or smoke make it hard to see other vehicles.
-
Q35. When can you legally make a U-turn in a residential district?
Correct answer: When no vehicles are approaching within 200 feet
Why: In a residential area, you may make a U-turn if there is no approaching traffic within 200 feet, unless otherwise posted.
-
Q36. At what BAC can a driver under 21 be charged with DUI in California?
Correct answer: 0.01%
Why: California has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers under 21; a BAC of 0.01% or higher is illegal.
-
Q37. If your vehicle starts to skid on ice, you should:
Correct answer: Steer toward the direction you want the car to go
Why: Steering gently in the direction you want to travel helps regain control during a skid.
-
Q38. On a two-lane road, a vehicle is coming toward you and a bicyclist is ahead on your right. What should you do?
Correct answer: Slow down and let the vehicle pass, then pass the bicyclist
Why: Take one danger at a time. Slow down and let the oncoming vehicle pass, then move left and give the bicyclist at least 3 feet.
-
Q39. How far before a turn should you signal in California?
Correct answer: At least 100 feet
Why: State law requires signaling continuously for at least 100 feet before turning.
-
Q40. What is the safest way to enter traffic from a parked position?
Correct answer: Wait for a large enough gap
Why: Always wait for a safe gap in traffic before entering the roadway from a parked position.
-
Q41. If you miss your freeway exit, you should:
Correct answer: Take the next exit
Why: Never stop or back up on the freeway; take the next exit instead.
-
Q42. When driving downhill, you should:
Correct answer: Shift into a lower gear
Why: Lower gears help control speed on downhill grades without overheating brakes.
-
Q43. What does a double solid yellow line mean?
Correct answer: Passing is prohibited in both directions
Why: Double solid yellow lines mean you may not pass in either direction unless making a legal left turn.
-
Q44. When parking facing uphill with a curb, you should:
Correct answer: Turn wheels away from the curb
Why: Turning wheels away from the curb lets your car roll into the curb if brakes fail.
-
Q45. What do double solid white lines between lanes mean?
Correct answer: Never change lanes across them
Why: Double solid white lines are a lane barrier, often next to a carpool (HOV) lane or near freeway ramps. Never change lanes over them; wait for a broken white line.
-
Q46. What should you do when merging onto the freeway?
Correct answer: Match the speed of traffic
Why: Adjusting to freeway traffic speed helps merge smoothly and reduces collision risk.
-
Q47. If an intersection has no stop or yield signs, you should:
Correct answer: Yield to traffic on the right
Why: Vehicles on your right have the right-of-way at uncontrolled intersections.
-
Q48. When a school bus flashes yellow lights, you should:
Correct answer: Prepare to stop
Why: Yellow flashing lights on a school bus warn drivers to slow down and prepare to stop.
-
Q49. If a tire blows out while driving, you should:
Correct answer: Grip the wheel and slow gradually
Why: Holding the wheel steady and slowing gradually keeps the vehicle stable during a blowout.
-
Q50. What does a flashing red traffic light mean?
Correct answer: Stop, then proceed when safe
Why: A flashing red light requires a complete stop before proceeding when it is safe to do so.