CALIFORNIA DMV PERMIT TEST 150 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2025”2026
1. A solid red traffic signal means:
☑ A. Stop and remain stopped until the light turns green
☐ B. Slow down and proceed
☐ C. Stop but you may turn without checking traffic
☐ D. Proceed with caution
Rationale: Solid red means a full stop until the signal changes or a legal turn is allowed.
2. A flashing red light means:
☑ A. Stop, then proceed when safe
☐ B. Slow down only
☐ C. Treat as a green light
☐ D. No stopping allowed
Rationale: Flashing red is treated like a stop sign.
3. When driving in fog, you should use:
☑ A. Low-beam headlights
☐ B. High-beam headlights
☐ C. Parking lights only
☐ D. Hazard lights
Rationale: High beams reflect moisture and reduce visibility.
4. A broken yellow center line means:
☑ A. Passing is allowed if safe
☐ B. No passing allowed anytime
☐ C. Traffic is one-way
,☐ D. Road is closed
Rationale: Broken yellow lines indicate permitted passing.
5. When two vehicles arrive at a 4-way stop at the same time:
☑ A. The vehicle on the right goes first
☐ B. The larger vehicle goes first
☐ C. The left vehicle goes first
☐ D. Both go together
Rationale: Right-of-way goes to the driver on the right.
6. California law requires drivers to turn on headlights:
☑ A. When wipers are on
☐ B. Only at night
☐ C. Only on freeways
☐ D. Only in rural areas
Rationale: Headlights must be on in rain or low visibility.
7. A flashing yellow light means:
☑ A. Proceed with caution
☐ B. Stop completely
☐ C. Speed up
☐ D. Protected left turn
Rationale: Flashing yellow signals warn to slow and proceed carefully.
8. When merging onto a freeway, you should:
☑ A. Match the speed of traffic
☐ B. Stop before merging
☐ C. Drive slowly
☐ D. Enter at any speed
Rationale: Matching speed ensures safe merging.
,9. Children under 8 years old must:
☑ A. Be secured in a car seat or booster seat
☐ B. Sit in the front seat
☐ C. Wear only a seatbelt
☐ D. Stand in the backseat
Rationale: California requires age-appropriate child restraints.
10. If you miss your freeway exit:
☑ A. Continue to the next exit
☐ B. Stop and back up
☐ C. Cross the median
☐ D. Reverse on shoulder
Rationale: Reversing or backing is extremely dangerous.
11. On a two-lane road, a solid yellow line on your side means:
☑ A. No passing allowed
☐ B. Passing allowed
☐ C. Traffic merging
☐ D. Road ending
Rationale: Solid line on your side restricts passing.
12. At 55 mph, your total stopping distance is approximately:
☑ A. 400 feet
☐ B. 50 feet
☐ C. 100 feet
☐ D. 600 feet
Rationale: Includes reaction + braking distance.
13. When parking uphill with a curb, turn wheels:
, ☑ A. Away from the curb
☐ B. Toward the curb
☐ C. Straight ahead
☐ D. To the right only
Rationale: Wheels turned away allow vehicle to roll into curb safely.
14. A school bus with flashing red lights means:
☑ A. Stop in both directions until lights stop
☐ B. Pass slowly
☐ C. Only stop if children present
☐ D. Only stop if oncoming
Rationale: Red lights require a full stop.
15. A diamond-shaped sign indicates:
☑ A. Warning
☐ B. Route marker
☐ C. Services
☐ D. Recreation
Rationale: Diamond = hazard or caution warning.
16. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as:
☑ A. 35 mph
☐ B. 55 mph
☐ C. 20 mph
☐ D. 75 mph
Rationale: Even moderate speeds can cause water lifting tires.
17. If your accelerator sticks, you should:
☑ A. Shift to neutral
☐ B. Turn off headlights
☐ C. Drive faster
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES 2025”2026
1. A solid red traffic signal means:
☑ A. Stop and remain stopped until the light turns green
☐ B. Slow down and proceed
☐ C. Stop but you may turn without checking traffic
☐ D. Proceed with caution
Rationale: Solid red means a full stop until the signal changes or a legal turn is allowed.
2. A flashing red light means:
☑ A. Stop, then proceed when safe
☐ B. Slow down only
☐ C. Treat as a green light
☐ D. No stopping allowed
Rationale: Flashing red is treated like a stop sign.
3. When driving in fog, you should use:
☑ A. Low-beam headlights
☐ B. High-beam headlights
☐ C. Parking lights only
☐ D. Hazard lights
Rationale: High beams reflect moisture and reduce visibility.
4. A broken yellow center line means:
☑ A. Passing is allowed if safe
☐ B. No passing allowed anytime
☐ C. Traffic is one-way
,☐ D. Road is closed
Rationale: Broken yellow lines indicate permitted passing.
5. When two vehicles arrive at a 4-way stop at the same time:
☑ A. The vehicle on the right goes first
☐ B. The larger vehicle goes first
☐ C. The left vehicle goes first
☐ D. Both go together
Rationale: Right-of-way goes to the driver on the right.
6. California law requires drivers to turn on headlights:
☑ A. When wipers are on
☐ B. Only at night
☐ C. Only on freeways
☐ D. Only in rural areas
Rationale: Headlights must be on in rain or low visibility.
7. A flashing yellow light means:
☑ A. Proceed with caution
☐ B. Stop completely
☐ C. Speed up
☐ D. Protected left turn
Rationale: Flashing yellow signals warn to slow and proceed carefully.
8. When merging onto a freeway, you should:
☑ A. Match the speed of traffic
☐ B. Stop before merging
☐ C. Drive slowly
☐ D. Enter at any speed
Rationale: Matching speed ensures safe merging.
,9. Children under 8 years old must:
☑ A. Be secured in a car seat or booster seat
☐ B. Sit in the front seat
☐ C. Wear only a seatbelt
☐ D. Stand in the backseat
Rationale: California requires age-appropriate child restraints.
10. If you miss your freeway exit:
☑ A. Continue to the next exit
☐ B. Stop and back up
☐ C. Cross the median
☐ D. Reverse on shoulder
Rationale: Reversing or backing is extremely dangerous.
11. On a two-lane road, a solid yellow line on your side means:
☑ A. No passing allowed
☐ B. Passing allowed
☐ C. Traffic merging
☐ D. Road ending
Rationale: Solid line on your side restricts passing.
12. At 55 mph, your total stopping distance is approximately:
☑ A. 400 feet
☐ B. 50 feet
☐ C. 100 feet
☐ D. 600 feet
Rationale: Includes reaction + braking distance.
13. When parking uphill with a curb, turn wheels:
, ☑ A. Away from the curb
☐ B. Toward the curb
☐ C. Straight ahead
☐ D. To the right only
Rationale: Wheels turned away allow vehicle to roll into curb safely.
14. A school bus with flashing red lights means:
☑ A. Stop in both directions until lights stop
☐ B. Pass slowly
☐ C. Only stop if children present
☐ D. Only stop if oncoming
Rationale: Red lights require a full stop.
15. A diamond-shaped sign indicates:
☑ A. Warning
☐ B. Route marker
☐ C. Services
☐ D. Recreation
Rationale: Diamond = hazard or caution warning.
16. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as:
☑ A. 35 mph
☐ B. 55 mph
☐ C. 20 mph
☐ D. 75 mph
Rationale: Even moderate speeds can cause water lifting tires.
17. If your accelerator sticks, you should:
☑ A. Shift to neutral
☐ B. Turn off headlights
☐ C. Drive faster
