A solid yellow line next to your lane means:

Passing is not allowed in your direction

When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights, you must:

Slow down and move to a non-adjacent lane if possible

California's hands-free law means drivers may use a cell phone only if it is:

Used briefly while stopped at a light

When entering a freeway from an on-ramp, you should:

Match the speed of freeway traffic and merge safely

Drive on the shoulder until safe

If your vehicle starts to skid, you should:

Ease off the accelerator and steer in the direction you want to go

Steer in the opposite direction

A flashing yellow traffic signal means:

Slow down and proceed with caution

The signal is broken; treat as a stop sign

It is illegal to drive a motor vehicle in California unless you have:

Liability insurance or another approved form of financial responsibility

Comprehensive collision coverage

When a school bus stops with its red lights flashing, drivers approaching from either direction must:

Stop until the lights stop flashing

Stop only if children are visible

The 'three-second rule' refers to:

Following distance behind the vehicle ahead

Reaction time at a yellow light

If you approach a railroad crossing with no signals or gates, you should:

Slow down, look, listen, and be prepared to stop

Speed up to clear the tracks quickly

Stop only if a train is visible

It is illegal to make a U-turn in California:

In a business district except at intersections

California's basic speed law says you must never drive:

Faster than is safe for current conditions

When you see a 'Yield' sign, you must:

Slow or stop if necessary and let cross traffic pass

Driving with a suspended license in California can result in:

Fines, jail time, and additional license suspension

If your brakes fail, you should first:

Pump the brake pedal to try to build pressure

Turn off the engine immediately

When you change lanes on a freeway, you should:

Signal, check mirrors, check blind spot, then merge

Slow down to half the freeway speed

HOV (carpool) lanes in California typically require at least:

One occupant with a clean-air sticker only

A red curb in California means:

No stopping, standing, or parking at any time

Loading zone for commercial vehicles

Parking for disabled drivers only

A blue curb in California means:

Parking only for vehicles displaying a disabled placard or plate

California drivers are required to use headlights:

30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is poor

Driving 'too fast for conditions' can include driving the posted limit when:

Roads are wet, foggy, or otherwise hazardous

California's 'Move Over' law requires you to:

Move over or slow down for stopped emergency or maintenance vehicles

Move to the right shoulder when an ambulance approaches

Pull over for any vehicle with hazard lights

A double solid white line separating lanes means:

Lane changes are allowed with caution

When approaching a yellow traffic signal, you should:

Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise proceed with caution

If you hit a parked vehicle and cannot find the owner, you must:

Leave a note with your name and contact information in a visible place

Wait at the scene for up to 30 minutes only

Pedestrians at crosswalks (marked or unmarked) generally have:

No right-of-way unless a signal says otherwise

Right-of-way only at marked crosswalks

Right-of-way only on green signals

If you are stopped by a peace officer, you should:

Pull to the right safely, stop, and stay in your vehicle with hands visible

Get out and approach the officer

Continue driving until you reach a lit area

Roll up all windows and lock the doors

California DMV Permit Practice Test (46 questions)

Reviewed by Stephen J. Ronan, MD

Last verified: Apr 26, 2026

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