California DMV Permit Practice Test 3: 50 Questions
Practice Test 3 has 50 multiple-choice questions on California driving rules, including sign shapes & their meanings, curb color rules, construction zone rules and seat belt 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 3 Covers
The questions in this test ask about:
- Sign Shapes & Their Meanings
- Curb Color Rules
- Construction Zone Rules
- Seat Belt Laws
- DUI & BAC Laws
- Pedestrian Right-of-Way
- Bicyclist Passing Distance
- Intersection Right-of-Way
- Freeway Merging
Try 5 Questions from This Test
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When you see a solid yellow line on your side of the center line, it means:
Show answer
B. Passing is not allowed
A solid yellow line on your side means you cannot legally pass because of limited visibility or unsafe conditions.
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A yellow, five-sided sign indicates:
Show answer
C. School zone or school crossing
A pentagon-shaped sign warns of a school zone or school crossing ahead.
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What does a red painted curb mean?
Show answer
C. No stopping, standing, or parking
Red curbs indicate no stopping or parking at any time, except for buses where posted.
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A yellow curb means:
Show answer
C. Loading zone for freight or passengers
Yellow curbs are typically for loading or unloading passengers or freight, with time limits posted.
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When passing a bicyclist, you must leave at least:
Show answer
A. 3 feet of space
California law requires a minimum of three feet when passing a bicyclist.
Complete Study Guide: All 50 Questions with Answers
Every question in Practice Test 3, with the correct answer and an explanation for each.
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Q1. When you see a solid yellow line on your side of the center line, it means:
Correct answer: Passing is not allowed
Why: A solid yellow line on your side means you cannot legally pass because of limited visibility or unsafe conditions.
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Q2. At an intersection with no stop or yield signs, you must:
Correct answer: Yield to the vehicle on your right
Why: At an uncontrolled intersection, you must yield to vehicles approaching from your right.
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Q3. If you are involved in a minor collision with no injuries, you should:
Correct answer: Stop, exchange information, and move the vehicles out of traffic
Why: The law requires you to stop, exchange information, and move vehicles if it is safe to do so.
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Q4. When parking uphill with a curb, you should turn your front wheels:
Correct answer: Away from the curb
Why: Turning the wheels away from the curb allows the vehicle to roll back gently into the curb if the brakes fail.
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Q5. You must turn on your headlights:
Correct answer: When you cannot see clearly 1,000 feet ahead
Why: California law requires headlights when visibility is poor, such as when you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead.
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Q6. What is the safest hand position on the steering wheel for most driving situations?
Correct answer: 9 and 3 o’clock
Why: 9 and 3 o’clock allows better control and reduces injury risk from airbag deployment.
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Q7. A flashing red traffic light means:
Correct answer: Stop, then proceed when safe
Why: A flashing red light is treated the same as a stop sign — stop completely, then go when it’s safe.
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Q8. Before changing lanes, you should:
Correct answer: Check mirrors and blind spots
Why: Always check mirrors and over your shoulder to ensure the lane is clear before moving over.
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Q9. In California, you must wear a seat belt:
Correct answer: At all times while in the vehicle
Why: The law requires all occupants to wear seat belts whenever the vehicle is in operation.
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Q10. A solid white line between lanes means:
Correct answer: Lane changes are discouraged
Why: A solid white line discourages lane changes, but they are not strictly prohibited unless otherwise posted.
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Q11. What does a yellow diamond-shaped sign with a black cross mean?
Correct answer: Crossroad ahead
Why: This sign warns that another road crosses the one you are on — slow down and be prepared to yield.
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Q12. You are approaching a school bus stopped with flashing red lights. You must:
Correct answer: Stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing
Why: In California, you must stop in both directions when a school bus has flashing red lights, unless on a divided highway.
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Q13. When driving in rain on a highway, you should:
Correct answer: Slow down and increase following distance
Why: Wet roads reduce traction, so slowing down and leaving more space helps prevent skidding.
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Q14. When two vehicles meet on a steep road where neither can pass, the vehicle facing downhill:
Correct answer: Must yield and back up
Why: The downhill vehicle must yield because it is harder for an uphill vehicle to restart.
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Q15. If your accelerator sticks, you should:
Correct answer: Shift to neutral and apply brakes
Why: Shifting to neutral disconnects the engine power, allowing you to slow down and stop safely.
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Q16. When driving at night, you should dim your high-beam headlights when you are within:
Correct answer: 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle
Why: High beams must be dimmed when you are within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle to avoid blinding the driver.
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Q17. What is the speed limit in a residential area unless otherwise posted?
Correct answer: 25 mph
Why: In most California residential areas, the speed limit is 25 mph unless posted otherwise.
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Q18. You are required to report a traffic collision to the DMV within 10 days if there is:
Correct answer: Any injury or property damage over $1,000
Why: California law requires a DMV report when injuries occur or property damage exceeds $1,000.
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Q19. What does a white painted curb mean?
Correct answer: Passenger loading only
Why: A white curb allows stopping briefly for passengers to get in or out.
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Q20. If you miss your exit on the freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Continue to the next exit
Why: Never back up on a freeway — proceed to the next exit and re-enter safely.
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Q21. Before entering an intersection from a complete stop, you should:
Correct answer: Look left, right, then left again
Why: Looking left, right, then left again helps ensure the path is clear of traffic or pedestrians.
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Q22. When driving in fog, you should use:
Correct answer: Low-beam headlights
Why: Low beams reduce glare and improve visibility in foggy conditions.
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Q23. A yellow, five-sided sign indicates:
Correct answer: School zone or school crossing
Why: A pentagon-shaped sign warns of a school zone or school crossing ahead.
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Q24. What is the minimum following distance you should keep under normal conditions?
Correct answer: 3 seconds
Why: The three-second rule helps maintain a safe distance for reaction time in most driving situations.
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Q25. When a traffic signal turns green, you should:
Correct answer: Look left and right before proceeding
Why: Even with a green light, you must yield to vehicles or pedestrians still in the intersection.
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Q26. When are road surfaces most slippery?
Correct answer: Just after it starts raining
Why: Oil and dirt mix with the first rain, creating slippery conditions at the start of rainfall.
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Q27. If you are being tailgated, you should:
Correct answer: Keep your speed, then move right when safe to let them pass
Why: Do not brake suddenly or speed up. Keep your course and speed, then change to the right lane when it is safe so the tailgater can pass.
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Q28. When turning left from a two-way street onto a one-way street, you should start your turn from:
Correct answer: The lane closest to the center line
Why: Always turn from the lane closest to the center line when making a left turn onto a one-way street.
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Q29. If you see orange construction signs and cones on a freeway, you should:
Correct answer: Be prepared for workers and slow down
Why: Orange signs indicate construction zones, and drivers must reduce speed for worker safety.
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Q30. Which of the following is true about safety belts?
Correct answer: They increase your chance of survival in most collisions
Why: Safety belts are proven to reduce injury and save lives in most collisions.
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Q31. You must use your turn signal at least how many feet before turning?
Correct answer: 100 feet
Why: California law requires signaling at least 100 feet before making a turn to alert other drivers.
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Q32. When approaching a stop sign, you must stop:
Correct answer: Before the crosswalk or limit line
Why: Always stop before the crosswalk or limit line to ensure pedestrian safety and compliance with the law.
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Q33. Which of the following increases your chances of having an accident?
Correct answer: Driving faster than surrounding traffic
Why: Driving faster than surrounding vehicles can lead to collisions and reduces reaction time.
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Q34. What does a red painted curb mean?
Correct answer: No stopping, standing, or parking
Why: Red curbs indicate no stopping or parking at any time, except for buses where posted.
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Q35. What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?
Correct answer: Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go
Why: Steering toward your intended path helps regain control during a skid.
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Q36. When is it legal to turn right on a red light?
Correct answer: After making a full stop and ensuring it’s safe
Why: You may turn right on red after stopping and yielding to all traffic and pedestrians.
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Q37. When entering a freeway from an on-ramp, you should:
Correct answer: Adjust your speed to match freeway traffic
Why: Matching the flow of traffic allows for a smooth and safe merge.
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Q38. A yellow curb means:
Correct answer: Loading zone for freight or passengers
Why: Yellow curbs are typically for loading or unloading passengers or freight, with time limits posted.
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Q39. When passing a bicyclist, you must leave at least:
Correct answer: 3 feet of space
Why: California law requires a minimum of three feet when passing a bicyclist.
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Q40. What should you do if you see a “Road Closed” sign?
Correct answer: Follow the posted detour
Why: A “Road Closed” sign means you must take the detour or another route.
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Q41. When driving near road construction, you should:
Correct answer: Be prepared for sudden stops
Why: Construction zones often have changing conditions, so be alert and ready to stop.
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Q42. If you are in an intersection and the light turns yellow, you should:
Correct answer: Continue through if you cannot stop safely
Why: If you are too close to stop safely, continue through the intersection cautiously.
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Q43. When driving in windy conditions, especially with a high-profile vehicle, you should:
Correct answer: Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel
Why: A firm grip helps maintain control when gusts push against your vehicle.
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Q44. If you are under 21, you can be charged with DUI if your BAC is:
Correct answer: 0.01% or higher
Why: California’s zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21 sets the limit at 0.01% BAC.
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Q45. When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time, the right-of-way goes to:
Correct answer: The driver on the right
Why: At a four-way stop, the driver to the right has the right-of-way when vehicles arrive at the same time.
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Q46. What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?
Correct answer: Shift to a lower gear and use the parking brake
Why: Downshifting and carefully applying the parking brake help slow the vehicle safely.
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Q47. You must yield to pedestrians:
Correct answer: In both marked and unmarked crosswalks
Why: Pedestrians have the right-of-way in all crosswalks, marked or unmarked, at intersections.
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Q48. What is the penalty for failing to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
Correct answer: A fine and possible license suspension
Why: California law imposes fines and possible suspension for not stopping for a school bus with flashing red lights.
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Q49. When driving on a wet road, you should:
Correct answer: Reduce your speed
Why: Wet roads reduce traction, and slowing down helps prevent loss of control.
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Q50. When merging onto a freeway, you should be driving:
Correct answer: At or near the same speed as traffic on the freeway
Why: Matching the speed of traffic allows for a smoother and safer merge onto the freeway.