California Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The California rules and numbers to know for the DMV knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official California driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The California test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- Not published by the DMV
- To pass
- 80% correct
- Time limit
- We found no published time limit for the California knowledge test.
- Minimum permit age
- 15½ years old
- Hold the permit for
- 6 months (or until age 18)
- Alcohol limit under 21
- 0.01% BAC
California rules and numbers
From the official California handbook (DL 600 English (REV. 6/2025)); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Rules of the road
- California: most freeways have a 65 mph maximum speed limit. [p.73]
- California: signal during the last 100 feet before you turn. [p.17]
- California Basic Speed Law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions. [p.73]
- California steady yellow light: stop if you can do so safely; red is coming. [source]
- California: 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are present. [p.56]
- California: right turn on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it. [p.24]
- California: adults may use a phone only hands-free; under 18, no phone use at all. [p.76]
- California: the speed limit in any alley is 15 mph. [p.57]
- California littering from a vehicle: $100-$1,000 fine and court-ordered litter pickup. [source]
- California: bicyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers; pass with 3+ feet. [p.52]
- California: slower vehicles keep right; left-lane blockers can be cited. [p.56]
- California white curb: stop only to pick up or drop off passengers. [p.34]
- California: kids under 8 (unless 4'9"+) ride in a car seat or booster in the back. [p.72]
- California: no U-turn where you cannot see clearly 200 feet each way. [p.26]
- California: a DUI within 10 years of 3 or more prior DUIs can be a felony. [source]
- California center left turn lane: drive in it for no more than 200 feet. [p.22]
- California: use a turnout when 5 or more vehicles are stuck behind you. [p.22]
- California: never follow within 300 feet of an emergency vehicle using lights or siren. [p.51]
- California: pass a bus or streetcar stopped at a safety zone at 10 mph or less. [p.49]
- California railroad crossing: stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track. [p.57]
- California: 15 mph near a rail crossing if you cannot see 400 feet both ways. [p.57]
- California blind intersection speed limit: 15 mph. [p.57]
- California: 55 mph max on two-lane undivided highways and when towing. [p.73]
- California: no parking within 3 feet of a disabled-access sidewalk ramp. [p.34]
- California green curb: limited-time parking; the limit is on a sign or the curb. [p.34]
- California: no stop needed for a school bus across a divided or multilane highway. [p.57]
- California: not stopping for a school bus can cost up to $1,000 and a 1-year suspension. [p.57]
- California: traffic fines are doubled in work zones when workers are present. [p.55]
- California hill parking with no curb: turn the wheels right, toward the shoulder. [p.33]
- California steep narrow road: the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. [p.48]
- California provisional license: no driving 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the first 12 months. [p.10]
- California: report a crash to DMV (SR 1) within 10 days if over $1,000 damage or injury. [p.84]
Safe driving & emergencies
- California: the driver must make sure passengers under 16 are buckled up. [p.71]
- California: yield to funeral processions; never drive through or join one. [p.59]
- California handheld phone ticket: $20 base fine first offense, $50 after. [source]
- California work zone: merge early when safe; never cross the cones or drums. [p.55]
- California: if you cannot see beyond 100 feet, do not drive over 30 mph. [p.68]
- Stalled on tracks with a train coming: get out, run diagonally toward the train, call 911. [p.76]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- Most states: no parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (a few use 10 feet).
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.