California DMV permit test practice

Practice in the real California test format, learn the rules California tests, and know when you're ready to book.

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The California knowledge test at a glance

Questions: 36
To pass: 30
You can miss: 6
Answer choices: 3

Sign section: No separate section
Under 18 (original permit): 46 questions, pass with 38
18 and older: 36 questions, pass with 30
Format source: Published by the state

Your California study kit

835: practice questions for California
275: written only for California's own rules
65: lessons with California's numbers filled in
17: rules where California differs from most states

Where California is different

Most handbooks look alike. These are the rules where California does its own thing, and they show up on the test.

Rule	California	Most states
Night-driving restriction for a new intermediate licensee (first stage)	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	Midnight to 5 a.m. (11/50)
Passenger limit for a new intermediate licensee (first stage)	No passengers under 20	No more than one passenger under 21 (8/51)
Minimum age for a learner's permit	15 years, 6 months	15 years (26/51)
Minimum distance when following a responding fire truck or emergency vehicle	300 feet	500 feet (17/20)
No U-turn where approaching drivers cannot see your vehicle within this distance	200 feet	500 feet (12/14)
Maximum speed limit on urban interstates	65 mph	70 mph (15/51)
Default school-zone speed limit	25 mph	20 mph (9/20)
Opposite-direction traffic and a stopped school bus	Oncoming traffic need not stop on a divided road or one with four or more lanes	Oncoming traffic may go on only when a median or barrier divides the road (28/40)

Sample California questions

Three questions from the California pool. Pick an answer to see the explanation.

1 / 3

A curb painted blue next to a parking space with a wheelchair symbol

In California, a curb painted blue means:

2 / 3

A 16-year-old in California fails the knowledge test. When may they take it again?

3 / 3

As an adult in California, which point total on your record can lead to a license suspension?

California test FAQ

How many questions are on the California knowledge test?

The California test has 36 questions.

How many can I get wrong on the California permit test?

You need 30 correct to pass, so you can miss up to 6.

What's the best way to study for the California test?

Read the California Driver's Handbook, then practice in the real format until your readiness is above 90%. Steerivo's lessons follow the handbook's topics and fill in California's numbers.

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