After passing, when can you safely return to your original lane?

When you see headlights in your rearview mirror

When you see the driver's face in your mirror

This hand signal indicates that

the driver is slowing or stopping.

the driver is making a left turn.

the driver is making a right turn.

Car B has entered an intersection to turn right on a red signal. Car A then arrives at a green signal. Which of the following is correct?

Car B should stop and let car A through.

Car A should speed up to pass car B.

When merging into freeway traffic, who has the right-of-way?

Whichever vehicle is driving the fastest

When sharing a road with a light-rail vehicle,

never turn in front of an approaching light-rail vehicle.

never drive in the lane next to a light-rail vehicle.

follow the light-rail vehicle very closely.

If you need to cross multiple freeway lanes, you should

cross two lanes at once if there is room.

Can this car legally park in front of a fire hydrant?

No, you cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

Yes, as long as it is moved in 10 minutes.

Why should you increase following distance behind large vehicles?

Because they may stop unexpectedly

When you want to enter a freeway, you should

enter the freeway at or near the speed of freeway traffic.

stop before merging into freeway traffic.

stop and yield to the traffic on the freeway.

When making a left turn, you must yield to

any approaching traffic that is close enough.

When waiting to make a left turn at an intersection,

keep your wheels turned toward the left.

When is one hand steering appropriate?

When you are making most turning maneuvers

If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot get it completely off the road, where should you stop?

Where your vehicle can be seen from behind

You are turning at an intersection, and you cannot see any other vehicles around. Do you still have to signal?

Yes, for 100 feet before you turn.

No, you only have to signal when other vehicles are present.

Yes, for 3 to 5 seconds before you turn.

Free
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20 questions
Pass mark 83%

California DMV Permit: Driving Maneuvers Practice Test

20 driving maneuvers questions for the California DMV Permit Test, out of 80 in the app. Answer each to see whether you got it right and why. The real California test has 46 questions and you need 38 correct (83%) to pass.

Facts updated Oct 26, 2026
Official source: dmv.ca.gov
Independent, not affiliated with the DMV. How we write our questions

How it works

1Pick an answer20 questions, one tap each.
2See the ruleRight or wrong, every answer is explained.
3Get your scoreCompared with the real 83% pass mark.

Start the test

0/20 answered0 correctPass mark 83%

1Question 1 of 20
What is the correct hand signal for indicating a right turn?
Not quite. The answer is Hand and arm extended upward
Be sure to make your intentions known to the other drivers. Continue signaling until you are ready to make the actual turn. The correct hand signal for making a right turn is to extend the hand and arm upward.
Source: Signaling; Safe Driving Practices; California Driver Handbook
2Question 2 of 20
After passing, when can you safely return to your original lane?
Not quite. The answer is When you see headlights in your rearview mirror
You can safely return to your lane after passing when the passed vehicle's headlights appear in your rearview mirror.
3Question 3 of 20
This hand signal indicates that
Not quite. The answer is the driver is slowing or stopping.
This hand signal indicates that the driver is slowing or stopping.
Source: Signaling; Safe Driving Practices; California Driver Handbook
4Question 4 of 20
Car B has entered an intersection to turn right on a red signal. Car A then arrives at a green signal. Which of the following is correct?
Not quite. The answer is Car A must yield to car B.
You must yield to cars that are already in the intersection, even if you have a green light. Therefore, Car A must yield to car B since car B has already entered the intersection.
Source: Traffic Signal Lights, Traffic Lights and Signs, California Driver Handbook
5Question 5 of 20
An __________ is the connection of a freeway to a road or another freeway by a series of ramps.
Not quite. The answer is interchange
An interchange is the connection of a freeway to a road or another freeway by a series of ramps. The connecting roadways allow you to leave one road and enter another safely without disrupting the flow of traffic.
Source: Know What is Ahead; Visual Search; California Driver Handbook
6Question 6 of 20
When merging into freeway traffic, who has the right-of-way?
Not quite. The answer is The freeway traffic
When merging into freeway traffic, the traffic already on the freeway has the right-of-way.
Source: Space to Merge; Merging In/Out of Traffic; Vehicle Positioning; California Driver Handbook
7Question 7 of 20
When sharing a road with a light-rail vehicle,
Not quite. The answer is never turn in front of an approaching light-rail vehicle.
Light-rail vehicles can have long stopping distances. Always maintain a safe distance from light-rail vehicles, and never try to turn directly in front of an approaching light-rail vehicle.
Source: Buses, Streetcars, Trolleys; Section 7. Laws and Rules of the Road; California Driver Handbook
8Question 8 of 20
What method helps maintain safe following distance to prevent tailgating?
Not quite. The answer is Three-second rule
The three-second rule ensures sufficient distance from the vehicle ahead, reducing tailgating risks.
9Question 9 of 20
If you need to cross multiple freeway lanes, you should
Not quite. The answer is cross them one at a time.
If you need to cross multiple freeway lanes, you should cross them one at a time.
Source: Space to Merge; Merging In/Out of Traffic; Vehicle Positioning; California Driver Handbook
10Question 10 of 20
Can this car legally park in front of a fire hydrant?
Not quite. The answer is No, you cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
In California, you cannot park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
Source: Illegal Parking, Parking, Laws and Rules of the Road, California Driver Handbook
11Question 11 of 20
A crosshatched area adjacent to a designated disabled parking space
Not quite. The answer is is a no parking area.
A crosshatched (diagonal lines) area adjacent to a designated disabled parking space is a no parking area.
Source: Parking at Colored Curbs; Parking; California Driver Handbook
12Question 12 of 20
Why should you increase following distance behind large vehicles?
Not quite. The answer is To avoid blocking your view
Maintaining extra distance helps you see better around large vehicles and react safely.
13Question 13 of 20
When you want to enter a freeway, you should
Not quite. The answer is enter the freeway at or near the speed of freeway traffic.
Enter the freeway at or near the speed of traffic. Remember that the speed limit is 65 mph on most freeways. Do not stop before merging into freeway traffic unless absolutely necessary. Freeway traffic has the right-of-way.
Source: Space to Merge; Merging In/Out of Traffic; California Driver Handbook
14Question 14 of 20
When making a left turn, you must yield to
Not quite. The answer is any approaching traffic that is close enough.
Before turning left, you must yield to pedestrians and oncoming vehicles.
Source: Left Turns, Section 6. Navigating the Roads, California Driver's Handbook
15Question 15 of 20
When waiting to make a left turn at an intersection,
Not quite. The answer is keep your wheels straight.
When waiting to make a left turn at an intersection, keep your wheels pointed straight ahead until it is safe to start your turn. If your wheels are pointed to the left and a vehicle hits you from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic.
Source: Turns, Section 6. Navigating the Roads, California Driver Handbook
16Question 16 of 20
A driver in front of you is signaling with his or her hand and arm pointing upward. This driver wants to
Not quite. The answer is turn right.
You may use your vehicle's signal lights or hand signals. If the signal lights are not working or if bright sunlight makes them hard to see, use hand signals. A driver in front of you who signals with his or her hand and arm pointing upward is about to turn right.
Source: Signaling; Safe Driving Practices; California Driver Handbook
17Question 17 of 20
When there are three lanes to choose from, choose _________ lane for the smoothest driving.
Not quite. The answer is the middle
When there are three or more lanes going in one direction, the middle lanes usually offer the smoothest flow of traffic. The left lane is for drivers who want to go faster, pass, or turn left. Slower vehicles and those turning right should use the right lane.
Source: Choosing a Lane; Lane Control; California Driver Handbook
18Question 18 of 20
When is one hand steering appropriate?
Not quite. The answer is When you are backing up
One hand steering is recommended only when you're backing up or you must take one hand off the steering wheel to operate the vehicle's controls.
Source: Steering; Safe Driving Practices; California Driver Handbook
19Question 19 of 20
If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot get it completely off the road, where should you stop?
Not quite. The answer is Where your vehicle can be seen from behind
If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot get it completely off the road, stop where your vehicle can be seen from behind.
Source: Use Your Emergency Signals; Safe Driving Practices; California Driver Handbook
20Question 20 of 20
You are turning at an intersection, and you cannot see any other vehicles around. Do you still have to signal?
Not quite. The answer is Yes, for 100 feet before you turn.
Whenever you intend to turn, communicate your intention well in advance. Under California law, if you intend to turn, you must start to signal at least 100 feet before you turn. You must signal even if you don't see any other vehicles around. The vehicle you don't see could end up being the most dangerous.
Source: Signaling, Safe Driving Practices, California Driver Handbook

Questions people ask

Is this California DMV Permit: Driving Maneuvers Practice Test like the real California DMV Permit Test?

The questions are written in the same style as the real test, from official sources, with an explanation for each answer. The real test has 46 questions; this free test has 20.

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.

Where can I practice more questions?

The Driving Exam Prep app has the full question bank for your test, a step-by-step roadmap, 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.

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