A freeway lane is marked with a white diamond symbol and HOV signs. Who may drive in it?

Vehicles carrying the posted number of people

Only police and emergency vehicles on a call

Only trucks and other large commercial vehicles

Any driver who wants to pass slow traffic

Traffic is backed up just past a railroad crossing. When should you start across the tracks?

Only when there is room to get fully past the tracks

Right away, since no train is in sight now

Whenever the crossing lights are not flashing

When the car ahead of you has started to cross

What does a red traffic light mean?

Stop completely before the intersection

Stop, then go straight if the way is clear

Slow down and yield to cross traffic

Prepare to stop - the light will change soon

Free California DMV Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 1 2026

25 questions80% to passExplanations includedFree

—Real test questions

80%Pass score

This Practice Test 1 is modeled on the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; to pass you need 80% correct. These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the DMV tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.

Question 1 of 25

What does a sign in the shape of an octagon always mean?

Tip: Press 1-4 to select, Enter to submit, F to flag

Inside this test

What's on the California Practice Test 1

The DMV does not publish how many questions are on the real California knowledge test, and to pass you need 80% correct. Practice Test 1 is a 25-question set drawn from 58 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.

Topics in this test's question pool

Traffic laws 20
Road signs 20
Safe driving 6
Right of way 5
Alcohol & drugs 2
Speed limits 2
Parking 2
Emergencies 1

58 questions in the pool, 16 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. What is California's 'Basic Speed Law'?
- A. You must always drive at exactly the posted limit
- B. Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions (correct)
- C. You may go 10 mph over the limit to pass
- D. Speed limits apply only during daylight hours
Why: California's Basic Speed Law states you must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. Even if the speed limit is 65 mph, if conditions are poor (rain, fog, heavy traffic), you must drive slower.
Source: official California driver handbook, PDF p.73 (printed p.67), Manage Your Speed
2. In California, what is the farthest you may drive in a two-way center left turn lane?
- A. 100 feet
- B. 150 feet
- C. 200 feet (correct)
- D. 300 feet
Why: A center left turn lane is only for getting ready to make a left turn or U-turn. California lets you travel in it for no more than 200 feet, and it is never a passing lane.
Source: official California driver handbook, p.16 (PDF p.22), Center Left Turn Lanes
3. A diamond-shaped orange sign indicates:
- A. A school zone
- B. A work zone ahead (correct)
- C. A slow-moving vehicle ahead
- D. A yield ahead
Why: Orange diamond-shaped signs indicate construction or work zones. Speed limits are often reduced and fines are doubled in work zones. Slow down and stay alert.
Source: official California driver handbook
4. What does the 'basic speed law' require?
- A. You may always drive at the posted limit, whatever the conditions
- B. Drive no faster than is safe for current conditions (correct)
- C. Keep up with the flow of traffic, even above the limit
- D. Never drive more than 10 mph below the posted limit
Why: Every state has a basic speed rule: never drive faster than is reasonable and safe for traffic, weather, visibility and road conditions. You can be cited for driving too fast for conditions even while under the posted limit.
Source: official California driver handbook
5. What is the safest way to check your blind spot before changing lanes?
- A. Check your rearview mirror, then signal and go
- B. Check both side mirrors only
- C. Glance over your shoulder toward the new lane (correct)
- D. Trust your car's blind-spot warning light
Why: Mirrors have blind spots. Always glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move before changing lanes, in addition to checking your mirrors.
Source: official California driver handbook
6. What does a triangular sign with a red border mean?
- A. Stop for all cross traffic
- B. Yield the right of way (correct)
- C. No entry
- D. Merging traffic ahead
Why: A yield sign is triangular with a red border and white background. It means slow down and give the right of way to traffic or pedestrians. Only stop if necessary.
Source: official California driver handbook

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

California DMV Test Info

Questions on real test: Not published by the DMV
Passing score: 80%
Correct needed: 80% correct
Minimum age: 15½ years old
Testing agency: Department of Motor Vehicles

Official CA DMV Website ↗

More California Tests

Study Tip

Don't just aim to pass this California Practice Test 1 once - keep taking it until you score 80% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your DMV exam.