CALIFORNIA DMV PERMIT TEST STUDY
GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE STUDY PACK
WITH QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Hand-Over-Hand Steering. Answer: Use this steering wheel method
when you turn at low speeds, park, or need to recover from a skid. To
use this method:
1. Start with vour hands at 8 and 4 o'clock.
2. Reach across the steering wheel to grasp the opposite side.
3. Let go of the steering wheel with your other hand.
4. Reach across the arm still holding the wheel, grip the wheel, and pull
up
⩥ One-Hand Steering. Answer: There are only two situations that may
require steering with one hand:
• When you are turning while backing up to see where you are going
behind you. Place your hand at the 12 oclock position on the steering
wheel.
•When you are operating vehicle controls that require you to remove a
hand from the steering wheel.
⩥ Signaling left hand out. Answer: Signaling left turn
,⩥ Signaling right hand towards the sky. Answer: Signaling right turn
⩥ Signaling left hand towards the floor. Answer: Signaling slow or stop
⩥ You should signal. Answer: At least 100 feet before you turn.
• Before every lane change.
• At least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway.
• Before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb.
• Even when you do not see other vehicles around you.
• When you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn
shortly after crossing the intersection.
Remember to turn off your signal when you no longer need it.
⩥ Using a horn. Answer: Avoid collisions.
• Alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see
at least 200 feet ahead.
⩥ Using your headlights. Answer: Dim your high-beam headlights to
low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300
feet of a vehicle you are following. It is illegal to drive using only
parking lights.
⩥ Use your headlights when:. Answer: When it is too dark to see from
1,000 feet away.
,• Beginning 30 minutes after sunset.
• Until 30 minutes before sunrise.
• In adverse weather. If you need to use your windshield wipers due to
fog, rain, or snow, you must turn on your low-beam headlights.
• When conditions (such as clouds, dust, smoke, or fog) prevent you
from seeing other vehicles.
• On mountain roads and tunnels (even on sunny days).
• When a road sign states that headlights must be on.
• To help other drivers see your vehicle, especially when the sun is low
on the horizon.
⩥ Emergency lights. Answer: Turn on vour emergency flashers.
• Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times.
• Use a hand signal when slowing and stopping.
⩥ Emergency lights for your car problems. Answer: Turn on your
emergency flashers. If your vehicle does not have emergency flashers,
use your turn signals.
• If possible, pull off the road away from all traffic.
• If you cannot get completely off the road, stop where people can see
you and your vehicle from behind.
• Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve. Other drivers may
not see your vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
, • Call for emergency roadside assistance and stay in your vehicle until
help arrives
⩥ Traffic lanes. Answer: A traffic lane is a section of road for a single
line of traffic.
⩥ Single solid yellow line. Answer: marks the center of a road with two-
way traffic. Do not cross over this line into oncoming traffic. Do not
pass a vehicle in front of you if there is only one lane of traffic going
your direction and a solid yellow line on your side of the road
⩥ Double Soild Yellow Lines. Answer: Do not pass over double solid
yellow lines. Stay to the right of these lines unless you are:
TEND
DIVIDED
ROAD
• In a high-occupancy vehicle
U-TURN
(HOV) carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left.
• Instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of
the road because your side is closed or blocked.
• Turning left across a single set of double yellow lines to enter or exit a
driveway or private road or make a U-turn.
GUIDE 2026 COMPLETE STUDY PACK
WITH QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
⩥ Hand-Over-Hand Steering. Answer: Use this steering wheel method
when you turn at low speeds, park, or need to recover from a skid. To
use this method:
1. Start with vour hands at 8 and 4 o'clock.
2. Reach across the steering wheel to grasp the opposite side.
3. Let go of the steering wheel with your other hand.
4. Reach across the arm still holding the wheel, grip the wheel, and pull
up
⩥ One-Hand Steering. Answer: There are only two situations that may
require steering with one hand:
• When you are turning while backing up to see where you are going
behind you. Place your hand at the 12 oclock position on the steering
wheel.
•When you are operating vehicle controls that require you to remove a
hand from the steering wheel.
⩥ Signaling left hand out. Answer: Signaling left turn
,⩥ Signaling right hand towards the sky. Answer: Signaling right turn
⩥ Signaling left hand towards the floor. Answer: Signaling slow or stop
⩥ You should signal. Answer: At least 100 feet before you turn.
• Before every lane change.
• At least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway.
• Before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb.
• Even when you do not see other vehicles around you.
• When you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn
shortly after crossing the intersection.
Remember to turn off your signal when you no longer need it.
⩥ Using a horn. Answer: Avoid collisions.
• Alert oncoming traffic on narrow mountain roads where you cannot see
at least 200 feet ahead.
⩥ Using your headlights. Answer: Dim your high-beam headlights to
low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300
feet of a vehicle you are following. It is illegal to drive using only
parking lights.
⩥ Use your headlights when:. Answer: When it is too dark to see from
1,000 feet away.
,• Beginning 30 minutes after sunset.
• Until 30 minutes before sunrise.
• In adverse weather. If you need to use your windshield wipers due to
fog, rain, or snow, you must turn on your low-beam headlights.
• When conditions (such as clouds, dust, smoke, or fog) prevent you
from seeing other vehicles.
• On mountain roads and tunnels (even on sunny days).
• When a road sign states that headlights must be on.
• To help other drivers see your vehicle, especially when the sun is low
on the horizon.
⩥ Emergency lights. Answer: Turn on vour emergency flashers.
• Lightly tap your brake pedal three or four times.
• Use a hand signal when slowing and stopping.
⩥ Emergency lights for your car problems. Answer: Turn on your
emergency flashers. If your vehicle does not have emergency flashers,
use your turn signals.
• If possible, pull off the road away from all traffic.
• If you cannot get completely off the road, stop where people can see
you and your vehicle from behind.
• Do not stop just over a hill or just around a curve. Other drivers may
not see your vehicle in time to avoid a collision.
, • Call for emergency roadside assistance and stay in your vehicle until
help arrives
⩥ Traffic lanes. Answer: A traffic lane is a section of road for a single
line of traffic.
⩥ Single solid yellow line. Answer: marks the center of a road with two-
way traffic. Do not cross over this line into oncoming traffic. Do not
pass a vehicle in front of you if there is only one lane of traffic going
your direction and a solid yellow line on your side of the road
⩥ Double Soild Yellow Lines. Answer: Do not pass over double solid
yellow lines. Stay to the right of these lines unless you are:
TEND
DIVIDED
ROAD
• In a high-occupancy vehicle
U-TURN
(HOV) carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left.
• Instructed by construction or other signs to drive on the other side of
the road because your side is closed or blocked.
• Turning left across a single set of double yellow lines to enter or exit a
driveway or private road or make a U-turn.
