Test your basic knowledge |

California DMV Exam

Instructions:

Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. At intersections - crosswalks - and railroad crossings - you should always...
Next to a red painted curb.
An exit lane
Look to the sides of your vehicle to see What is coming.
Need at least a 4-second gap in traffic.

2. You are driving on a freeway posted for 65 MPH. The traffic is traveling at 70 MPH. You may legally drive...
No faster than 65 mph.
Tank trucks marked with hazardous materials placards.
5
Your driving privilege will be revoked for one year.

3. Give extra space to drivers backing out of parking spaces because...
They may not see you
Traffic on the street moves to the left.
Listening to music through headphones that cover both ears.
Solid red lights - flashing red lights - and blacked-out traffic lights.

4. Should you always drive slower than other traffic?
Your driving privilege will be revoked for one year.
Use hands-free devices so you can keep both hands on the steering wheel.
If there is property damage in excess of $750 or if there are any injuries.
No - you can block traffic when you drive too slowly

5. When looking ahead while driving - you should...
Look to the sides of your vehicle to see What is coming.
Scan from side to side
The vehicle on the through road
You don't have room on the other side to completely cross the tracks.

6. You drive defensively when you...
Pull off the road and rest
0.01%- one hundredth of one percent
Keep your eyes moving to look for possible hazards.
15 MPH

7. If you want to pass a bicyclist in a narrow traffic lane when an oncoming car is approaching...
Children under age one should not ride in the front seat in air bag-equiped vechicles.
Should make room for the merging vehicles - if possible.
The vehicle on the through road
Slow down and let the car pass - then pass the bicyclist.

8. The safest precaution that you can take regarding the use of cellular phones and driving is...
Loading zone for passengers or mail only.
Let the call go to voicemail.
Look to the sides of your vehicle to see What is coming.
Use hands-free devices so you can keep both hands on the steering wheel.

9. Your wheels should be pointed straight ahead - unless you are...
Next to the broken line may pass.
The vehicle on the through road
Imprisonment and/or fine of at least $2000.
Parked on a hill or sloping driveway

10. You may not park your vehicle...
Must be marked with a red flag or lights.
Next to a red painted curb.
When you are within 200 feet of a cross street where you plan to turn right.
Increase your chances of an accident.

11. You are getting ready to make a right turn. You should...
Slow down or stop - if necessary - and then make the turn.
Signal for 100 feet before turning
You don't have room on the other side to completely cross the tracks.
Come to a complete stop - then proceed when it is safe.

12. You are driving on the freeway. The vehicle in front of you is a large truck. You should drive...
Farther behind the truck than you would for a passenger vehicle.
At all times
Check traffic in all directions before proceeding.
You are approaching a railroad crossing

13. California's 'Basic Speed Law' says...
Drive to the right edge of the road and stop
You should never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.
The first rain after a dry spell.
Solid red lights - flashing red lights - and blacked-out traffic lights.

14. You must notify the DMV within 5 days if you...
Look over your shoulder in the lane you want to enter
Signal for 100 feet before turning
May have to swing wide to complete the right turn
Sell or transfer your vehicle

15. Check your rear-view mirrors...
Often to see how traffic is moving behind you
Come to a complete stop - then proceed when it is safe.
Your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb.
In a bicycle lane if there is no sign forbidding it

16. You should stop before crossing railroad tracks...
Your side of the road is a broken line.
Signal during the last 100 feet beore you turn.
Any time a train may be approaching - whether or not you can see it.
Before you start driving

17. What blocks the smooth flow of traffic?
Slowing down to look at an accident scene
Give the right of way to traffic on the road you are entering or crossing
May not be crossed for any reason.
Slow down and let the car pass - then pass the bicyclist.

18. A white painted curb means...
Most cold medications can make a person drowsy
Loading zone for passengers or mail only.
Low beams.
In a bicycle lane if there is no sign forbidding it

19. It is illegal to park your vehicle...
Pull up to the crosswalk so the person can hear your engine
Steer your vehicle around the way - if possible.
Often to see how traffic is moving behind you
In an unmarked crosswalk.

20. You are on a two-way road and the vehicle ahead of you is turning left into a driveway. You may legally pass the vehicle on the right...
Come to a complete stop - then proceed when it is safe.
If there is enough road between the curb and the vehicle to do so
Sell or transfer your vehicle
Drive to the right edge of the road and stop

21. It is illegal for a person under 21 years of age to drive with a blood alcohol concentration that is __ or more.
0.01%- one hundredth of one percent
You are approaching a railroad crossing
25 MPH
Drive between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. unaccompanied

22. Instructions from school crossing guards must be obeyed...
Stop and let him/her finish crossing the street.
Listening to music through headphones that cover both ears.
At or near the same speed as the freeway traffic
At all times

23. You see a signal person at a road construction site ahead. You should obey his or her instructions...
The vehicle on the through road
At all times
No faster than 65 mph
You are approaching a railroad crossing

24. If you have a green light - but traffic is blocking the intersection...
Stay out of the intersection until traffic clears.
An exit lane
Parked on a hill or sloping driveway
Give the right of way to traffic on the road you are entering or crossing

25. You are about to make a left turn. You must signal continuously during the last ____ feet before the turn.
100
Before you start driving
Not assume the other driver will make space for you to return to your lane.
Low beams

26. You see a flashing yellow traffic signal at an upcoming intersection. The flashing yellow light means...
5
Slow down and cross the intersection carefully.
The far left lane.
25 MPH

27. You are approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and are unable to see 400 feet down the tracks in one direction. The speed limit is...
Check traffic in all directions before proceeding.
No - you can block traffic when you drive too slowly
Parked on a hill or sloping driveway
15 mph

28. The California driver handbook recommends several tips to help you keep alert on long drives. One of these tips is...
Let the call go to voicemail.
You don't have room on the other side to completely cross the tracks.
Pull off the road and rest
15 mph

29. There is no crosswalk and you see a pedestrian crossing your lane ahead. You should...
Signal for 100 feet before turning
Stop and let him/her finish crossing the street.
A 3-axle vehicle if the Gross Vehicle Weight is less than 6000 pounds.
When you are within 200 feet of a cross street where you plan to turn right.

30. Which of the following is true about large trucks?
Trucks often appear to travel slower because of their large size
15 mph
Keep your eyes moving to look for possible hazards.
No faster than 65 mph

31. When merging onto a freeway - you should be driving...
At or near the same speed as the freeway traffic
In a bicycle lane if there is no sign forbidding it
Before you start driving
May have to swing wide to complete the right turn

32. Which of these vehicles must always stop before crossing railroad tracks?
If there is property damage in excess of $750 or if there are any injuries.
Come to a complete stop - then proceed when it is safe.
You don't have room on the other side to completely cross the tracks.
Tank trucks marked with hazardous materials placards.

33. You just sold your vehicle. You must notify the DMV within ___ days.
5
Be prepared to stop if children are in the crosswalk.
Tank trucks marked with hazardous materials placards.
When you are within 200 feet of a cross street where you plan to turn right.

34. When driving in fog - you should use your...
Turned to the right (away from the street)
Slowing down to look at an accident scene
Large trucks have bigger blind spots than most passenger vehicles.
Low beams.

35. When can you drive in a bike lane?
When you are within 200 feet of a cross street where you plan to turn right.
Trucks often appear to travel slower because of their large size
Increase your chances of an accident.
You can frustrate the other drivers and make them angry.

36. If you are a minor and your cell phone rings while you are driving - you should...
Traffic on the street moves to the left.
Let the call go to voicemail.
Steer your vehicle around the way - if possible.
The first rain after a dry spell.

37. For Which of the following traffic lights must you always stop your vehicle?
Solid red lights - flashing red lights - and blacked-out traffic lights.
Next to a red painted curb.
Under no circumstances.
If there is enough road between the curb and the vehicle to do so

38. It is a very windy day. You are driving and a dust storm blows across the freeway reducing your visibility. You should drive slower and turn on your...
May not be crossed for any reason.
You don't have room on the other side to completely cross the tracks.
Headlights.
In a bicycle lane if there is no sign forbidding it

39. If you drive faster than other vehicles on a road with one lane in each direction and continually pass the other cars - you will...
They may not see you
Increase your chances of an accident.
Need at least a 4-second gap in traffic.
Keep your eyes moving to look for possible hazards.

40. You are getting ready to make a right turn. You should...
10 to 15 seconds.
Signal during the last 100 feet beore you turn.
At all times
Stop and let him/her finish crossing the street.

41. Which of the following statements about blind spots is true?
Signal during the last 100 feet beore you turn.
10 to 15 seconds.
At all times
Large trucks have bigger blind spots than most passenger vehicles.

42. Always stop before you cross railroad tracks when...

43. Which of these statements is true about driving and taking medications?
Most cold medications can make a person drowsy
Check traffic in all directions before proceeding.
Imprisonment and/or fine of at least $2000.
Children under age one should not ride in the front seat in air bag-equiped vechicles.

44. To turn left from a multilane one-way street onto a one-way street - you should start your turn from...
Parked on a hill or sloping driveway
The lane closest to the left curb
Before you start driving
No faster than 65 mph.

45. Unless otherwise posted the speed limit in a residential area is ____.
The far left lane.
Should make room for the merging vehicles - if possible.
No faster than 65 mph.
25 mph

46. You must obey instructions from school crossing guards...
At all times.
You can frustrate the other drivers and make them angry.
Your side of the road is a broken line.
Children under age one should not ride in the front seat in air bag-equiped vechicles.

47. All of the following practices are dangerous to do while driving. Which of these is also illegal?
They may not see you
Listening to music through headphones that cover both ears.
You should never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.
Slowing down to look at an accident scene

48. Cargo extending more than four feat from your rear bumper...
Must be marked with a red flag or lights.
Before you start driving
Check traffic in all directions before proceeding.
25 MPH

49. You must notify the DMV within 5 days if you...
Sell or transfer your vehicle
Before you start driving
Imprisonment and/or fine of at least $2000.
Drive between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. unaccompanied

50. If you plan to pass another vehicle - you should...
A 3-axle vehicle if the Gross Vehicle Weight is less than 6000 pounds.
15 MPH
Signal during the last 100 feet beore you turn.
Not assume the other driver will make space for you to return to your lane.