CALIFORNIA DMV WRITTEN TEST
2026 REAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS PERMIT TEST STUDY
GUIDE PASS FIRST TRY
2026 California DMV Written Practice Test
1. When you are approaching a railroad crossing that has no controls
and you cannot see for 400 feet in both directions, what is the
speed limit within 100 feet of the crossing?
A. 25 mph
B. 20 mph
C. 15 mph
D. 10 mph
Rationale: According to the California DMV, the speed limit is 15
mph at blind railroad crossings to ensure you have enough time
to stop if a train is approaching.
2. Under what condition is it legal to drive off the paved or main-
traveled portion of the road to pass another vehicle?
A. If the vehicle ahead is turning left.
B. If there are two or more one-way lanes.
C. If the shoulder is wide enough to accommodate your vehicle.
D. It is not legal under any conditions.
Rationale: It is illegal to drive off the road or on the shoulder to
pass another vehicle; passing must always occur within
designated lanes.
3. When entering a highway from an entrance ramp, what speed
should you be driving?
A. At or near the speed of traffic on the highway.
B. Slower than the speed of traffic to allow for merging.
C. Exactly the posted speed limit, regardless of traffic flow.
D. Faster than the speed of traffic to get ahead of other cars.
Rationale: Safe merging requires matching the speed of highway
traffic to blend in without causing others to brake suddenly.
4. You are approaching an intersection where the traffic light is
flashing yellow. What should you do?
, A. Stop and wait for the light to turn green.
B. Maintain your speed and proceed with caution.
C. Slow down and proceed with caution.
D. Speed up to clear the intersection quickly.
Rationale: A flashing yellow light is a warning to be alert and
slow down, but you do not need to stop unless it is unsafe to
proceed.
5. When you see a signal person at a road construction site, when
should you obey their instructions?
A. Only if you see orange cones on the road ahead.
B. Unless they conflict with existing signs or signals.
C. At all times.
D. Only during daylight hours.
Rationale: Construction flaggers have the authority to direct
traffic for the safety of workers and drivers; their instructions
must always be followed.
6. What is the proper procedure for parallel parking between two
vehicles?
A. Drive forward into the space without stopping.
B. Stop next to the vehicle behind the open space and drive
forward.
C. Stop next to the vehicle in front of the open space and
back into it.
D. Pull in front-first and then straighten out.
Rationale: Standard parallel parking involves pulling alongside
the lead car and backing into the spot at a 45-degree angle.
7. If you are involved in a traffic collision and someone is injured,
what is the first legal requirement?
A. Leave the scene to find a telephone or help.
B. Stay at the scene, call for help, and assist the injured if
safe.
C. Wait for other witnesses to call for emergency services.
D. Move the injured person immediately to your vehicle.
Rationale: California law requires you to remain at the scene of
an accident involving injury or death and provide reasonable
assistance.
8. When must you switch from high beam to low beam headlights
when approaching an oncoming vehicle?
, A. 300 feet
B. 500 feet
C. 700 feet
D. 1,000 feet
Rationale: To avoid blinding oncoming drivers, you must dim
your high beams when they are within 500 feet.
9. A curb painted blue indicates what specific parking regulation?
A. Parking is for limited time only.
B. Parking is for loading or unloading passengers.
C. Parking is only for disabled persons with a special
placard or plate.
D. Parking is for emergency vehicles only.
Rationale: Blue zones are strictly reserved for individuals with
disabilities who display the proper DMV-issued placard.
10. What should you do when reaching an intersection where a
person in a motorized wheelchair has entered the crosswalk?
A. Remain stopped behind the crosswalk line until they
have finished crossing.
B. Honk your horn to let them know you are waiting.
C. Drive around them if there is enough room in the intersection.
D. Follow closely behind them as they cross.
Rationale: Pedestrians, including those in wheelchairs, have the
right-of-way in crosswalks; drivers must wait until the path is
entirely clear.
11. Which statement is true regarding large trucks and their blind
spots?
A. Trucks have smaller blind spots than passenger vehicles because
they are taller.
B. Trucks have large blind spots where your vehicle can
"disappear" from the driver's view.
C. Truck drivers can see everything because of their large side
mirrors.
D. If you can see the truck's mirrors, the driver can always see you.
Rationale: Large trucks have "No Zones" on the sides, rear, and
front where the driver cannot see smaller vehicles.
12.If you willfully flee or attempt to evade law enforcement and a
person is seriously injured, you are subject to:
A. Imprisonment in a state prison for up to seven years.
, B. A fine of no more than $500.
C. Mandatory attendance at an eight-hour traffic school.
D. A one-month suspension of your driver's license.
Rationale: Evading police that results in serious bodily injury is a
felony in California with severe prison time and fines.
13.When you see a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm
extended on an undivided road:
A. Stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the bus.
B. Slow down to 15 mph and pass cautiously.
C. Stop regardless of the direction you are traveling.
D. Stop only if children are currently crossing the street.
Rationale: On undivided roads, traffic in both directions must
stop for a school bus with flashing red lights to protect children.
14.You are driving on a five-lane highway and want to exit. You
should:
A. Cross all lanes at once if it is clear.
B. Change lanes one at a time until you are in the proper
lane.
C. Stay in the center lane until you are 100 feet from the exit.
D. Slow down significantly before starting your lane changes.
Rationale: Safe highway driving involves signaling and moving
one lane at a time to avoid cutting off other drivers.
15. What does a white sign with the text "Slower Traffic Keep Right"
mean?
A. You must always drive in the right lane regardless of speed.
B. You should slow down if you are in the right lane.
C. Stay in the right lane if you are driving slower than the
flow of traffic.
D. The right lane is reserved for trucks only.
Rationale: This regulatory sign helps maintain traffic flow by
keeping the left lanes open for passing and faster-moving
vehicles.
16.How many feet before a turn should you start signaling in a
residential area?
A. 50 feet
B. 100 feet
C. 150 feet
D. 200 feet
2026 REAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS PERMIT TEST STUDY
GUIDE PASS FIRST TRY
2026 California DMV Written Practice Test
1. When you are approaching a railroad crossing that has no controls
and you cannot see for 400 feet in both directions, what is the
speed limit within 100 feet of the crossing?
A. 25 mph
B. 20 mph
C. 15 mph
D. 10 mph
Rationale: According to the California DMV, the speed limit is 15
mph at blind railroad crossings to ensure you have enough time
to stop if a train is approaching.
2. Under what condition is it legal to drive off the paved or main-
traveled portion of the road to pass another vehicle?
A. If the vehicle ahead is turning left.
B. If there are two or more one-way lanes.
C. If the shoulder is wide enough to accommodate your vehicle.
D. It is not legal under any conditions.
Rationale: It is illegal to drive off the road or on the shoulder to
pass another vehicle; passing must always occur within
designated lanes.
3. When entering a highway from an entrance ramp, what speed
should you be driving?
A. At or near the speed of traffic on the highway.
B. Slower than the speed of traffic to allow for merging.
C. Exactly the posted speed limit, regardless of traffic flow.
D. Faster than the speed of traffic to get ahead of other cars.
Rationale: Safe merging requires matching the speed of highway
traffic to blend in without causing others to brake suddenly.
4. You are approaching an intersection where the traffic light is
flashing yellow. What should you do?
, A. Stop and wait for the light to turn green.
B. Maintain your speed and proceed with caution.
C. Slow down and proceed with caution.
D. Speed up to clear the intersection quickly.
Rationale: A flashing yellow light is a warning to be alert and
slow down, but you do not need to stop unless it is unsafe to
proceed.
5. When you see a signal person at a road construction site, when
should you obey their instructions?
A. Only if you see orange cones on the road ahead.
B. Unless they conflict with existing signs or signals.
C. At all times.
D. Only during daylight hours.
Rationale: Construction flaggers have the authority to direct
traffic for the safety of workers and drivers; their instructions
must always be followed.
6. What is the proper procedure for parallel parking between two
vehicles?
A. Drive forward into the space without stopping.
B. Stop next to the vehicle behind the open space and drive
forward.
C. Stop next to the vehicle in front of the open space and
back into it.
D. Pull in front-first and then straighten out.
Rationale: Standard parallel parking involves pulling alongside
the lead car and backing into the spot at a 45-degree angle.
7. If you are involved in a traffic collision and someone is injured,
what is the first legal requirement?
A. Leave the scene to find a telephone or help.
B. Stay at the scene, call for help, and assist the injured if
safe.
C. Wait for other witnesses to call for emergency services.
D. Move the injured person immediately to your vehicle.
Rationale: California law requires you to remain at the scene of
an accident involving injury or death and provide reasonable
assistance.
8. When must you switch from high beam to low beam headlights
when approaching an oncoming vehicle?
, A. 300 feet
B. 500 feet
C. 700 feet
D. 1,000 feet
Rationale: To avoid blinding oncoming drivers, you must dim
your high beams when they are within 500 feet.
9. A curb painted blue indicates what specific parking regulation?
A. Parking is for limited time only.
B. Parking is for loading or unloading passengers.
C. Parking is only for disabled persons with a special
placard or plate.
D. Parking is for emergency vehicles only.
Rationale: Blue zones are strictly reserved for individuals with
disabilities who display the proper DMV-issued placard.
10. What should you do when reaching an intersection where a
person in a motorized wheelchair has entered the crosswalk?
A. Remain stopped behind the crosswalk line until they
have finished crossing.
B. Honk your horn to let them know you are waiting.
C. Drive around them if there is enough room in the intersection.
D. Follow closely behind them as they cross.
Rationale: Pedestrians, including those in wheelchairs, have the
right-of-way in crosswalks; drivers must wait until the path is
entirely clear.
11. Which statement is true regarding large trucks and their blind
spots?
A. Trucks have smaller blind spots than passenger vehicles because
they are taller.
B. Trucks have large blind spots where your vehicle can
"disappear" from the driver's view.
C. Truck drivers can see everything because of their large side
mirrors.
D. If you can see the truck's mirrors, the driver can always see you.
Rationale: Large trucks have "No Zones" on the sides, rear, and
front where the driver cannot see smaller vehicles.
12.If you willfully flee or attempt to evade law enforcement and a
person is seriously injured, you are subject to:
A. Imprisonment in a state prison for up to seven years.
, B. A fine of no more than $500.
C. Mandatory attendance at an eight-hour traffic school.
D. A one-month suspension of your driver's license.
Rationale: Evading police that results in serious bodily injury is a
felony in California with severe prison time and fines.
13.When you see a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm
extended on an undivided road:
A. Stop only if you are traveling in the same direction as the bus.
B. Slow down to 15 mph and pass cautiously.
C. Stop regardless of the direction you are traveling.
D. Stop only if children are currently crossing the street.
Rationale: On undivided roads, traffic in both directions must
stop for a school bus with flashing red lights to protect children.
14.You are driving on a five-lane highway and want to exit. You
should:
A. Cross all lanes at once if it is clear.
B. Change lanes one at a time until you are in the proper
lane.
C. Stay in the center lane until you are 100 feet from the exit.
D. Slow down significantly before starting your lane changes.
Rationale: Safe highway driving involves signaling and moving
one lane at a time to avoid cutting off other drivers.
15. What does a white sign with the text "Slower Traffic Keep Right"
mean?
A. You must always drive in the right lane regardless of speed.
B. You should slow down if you are in the right lane.
C. Stay in the right lane if you are driving slower than the
flow of traffic.
D. The right lane is reserved for trucks only.
Rationale: This regulatory sign helps maintain traffic flow by
keeping the left lanes open for passing and faster-moving
vehicles.
16.How many feet before a turn should you start signaling in a
residential area?
A. 50 feet
B. 100 feet
C. 150 feet
D. 200 feet
