Free California DMV Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 2 2026

What's on the California Practice Test 2

The DMV does not publish how many questions are on the real California knowledge test, and to pass you need 80% correct. Practice Test 2 is a 25-question set drawn from 48 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.

Topics in this test's question pool

• Road signs 17
• Traffic laws 14
• Right of way 5
• Safe driving 5
• Parking 3
• Speed limits 1
• Alcohol & drugs 1
• Vehicle equipment 1
• Emergencies 1

48 questions in the pool, 11 of them written specifically for California. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.

Sample questions from this test, with answers

Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.

1. 1. In California, what does a curb painted white mean?

   • A. Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers (correct)
   • B. Park for a limited time shown on a sign or the curb
   • C. Parking only for a disabled person with a placard or special plate
   • D. No stopping, standing, or parking

   Why: A white curb means you may stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers. Green is limited-time parking, blue is disabled parking, and red means no stopping, standing, or parking.

   Source: official California driver handbook, PDF p.34 (printed p.28), Parking at Colored Curbs

2. 2. In California, you may not park within how many feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons?

   • A. 1 foot
   • B. 3 feet (correct)
   • C. 5 feet
   • D. 10 feet

   Why: Never park within 3 feet of a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons, or in front of a curb that gives wheelchair access to the sidewalk. A blocked ramp can leave a wheelchair user with no way on or off the sidewalk.

   Source: official California driver handbook, p.28 (PDF p.34), Illegal Parking

3. 3. When should you use your windshield wipers?

   • A. Only once rain is heavy, to save the blades
   • B. Whenever rain, snow or spray blurs your view (correct)
   • C. Only when the car's rain sensor turns them on
   • D. Only in rain, not for snow or road spray

   Why: Use your wipers whenever precipitation or road spray reduces your view. Many states also require your headlights to be on whenever your wipers are in use because of weather.

   Source: official California driver handbook

4. 4. A yellow diamond sign showing an arrow that curves back and forth several times warns of:

   • A. A winding road ahead (correct)
   • B. A slippery road
   • C. A single sharp curve
   • D. A steep hill ahead

   Why: The Winding Road sign (a single arrow that bends back and forth) warns of three or more curves in a row ahead. An S-shaped arrow with only two bends is the Reverse Curve sign. Reduce speed and stay alert through the curves.

   Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 2C.07 Paragraph 05

5. 5. What does this pentagon-shaped sign indicate?

   • A. A hospital zone ahead
   • B. A school zone or crossing (correct)
   • C. A park or picnic area
   • D. A no-passing zone begins ahead

   Why: This five-sided (pentagon) yellow-green sign marks a school zone or school crossing. Slow to the posted school-zone speed and watch carefully for children.

   Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 2A.05, Table 2A-1 Use of Sign Shapes

6. 6. A sign reading 'SPEED LIMIT 55' is what type of sign?

   • A. Warning
   • B. Regulatory (correct)
   • C. Guide
   • D. Informational

   Why: Speed limit signs are regulatory - they state the maximum legal speed under ideal conditions, which you are legally required to obey.

   Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 2B.21 Paragraph 13

More California facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the California permit practice test page.