DrivingExamPrep
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California · DMV

California DMV Permit Test practice

Written knowledge test for a learner's permit or driver's license. The California DMV Permit Test is run by the DMV. It has 46 questions and you need 38 correct (83%) to pass.

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DMV Permit Test at a glance

83%to pass
46
Questions
38
Correct to pass
15½
Minimum age

Good to know

Three attempts per application; minors wait 7 days after a failure. Office tests must start before 4:30 p.m.

Source: dmv.ca.gov. Rules change, so check before your test.

What you'll study

The app's roadmap for this test: 71 short lessons and 562 practice questions, in 6 steps.

  1. 1

    Read the Road

    Free30 lessons

    Signs, signals, and lane markings

    • Lane lines 1
    • Lane lines 2
    • Traffic lights 1
    • Traffic lights 2
    • Traffic lights 3
    • Flashing signals 1
    • Flashing signals 2
    • Turn arrows 1
    • +22 more
  2. 2

    Make the Move

    8 lessons

    Turns, lane changes, parking, and highways

    • Turning safely
    • U-turn rules
    • Lane changes 1
    • Lane changes 2
    • Lane changes 3
    • Passing safely 1
    • Passing safely 2
    • Parking maneuvers
  3. 3

    Drive Safely

    17 lessons

    Hazards, weather, distractions, and shared roads

    • Distractions 1
    • Distractions 2
    • Impaired driving 1
    • Impaired driving 2
    • Alcohol rules 1
    • Alcohol rules 2
    • Bad weather 1
    • Bad weather 2
    • +9 more
  4. 4

    Handle Trouble

    4 lessons

    Breakdowns, emergency vehicles, and equipment

    • Crash response 1
    • Crash response 2
    • Emergency vehicles 1
    • Emergency vehicles 2
  5. 5

    Know Who Goes First

    4 lessons

    Right-of-way, intersections, and yielding

    • Intersections 1
    • Intersections 2
    • Yielding to others 1
    • Yielding to others 2
  6. 6

    Rules That Matter

    8 lessons

    Key laws, penalties, and exam-day requirements

    • Laws & penalties 1
    • Laws & penalties 2
    • Laws & penalties 3
    • Laws & penalties 4
    • Laws & penalties 5
    • License rules 1
    • License rules 2
    • Mixed rules

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Questions people ask

How many questions are on the California DMV Permit Test?

The DMV Permit Test has 46 questions.

What score do you need to pass the California DMV Permit Test?

You need 38 out of 46 correct (83%).

How old do you have to be to take the California DMV Permit Test?

You can take it from age 15½. Three attempts per application; minors wait 7 days after a failure. Office tests must start before 4:30 p.m.

What's the best way to practice for the California DMV Permit Test?

Study the official handbook, then practice with questions written for your test. Driving Exam Prep gives you short lessons, an explanation for every answer, a mistakes review and a readiness score against the real pass mark.

Official sources

Our questions are written from these official sources. Always study your official handbook too: rules change, and our practice questions may differ from your real test.

Other tests in California

California Motorcycle Permit TestWritten knowledge test for a motorcycle permit or license.California CDL Knowledge TestGeneral knowledge and endorsement tests for a commercial driver's license.

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