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CALIFORNIA DMV PERMIT REAL TEST EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
CALIFORNIA DMV PERMIT REAL TEST 2026
Official Handbook Aligned Exam
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: TRAFFIC SIGNALS & SIGNS (Questions 1-50)
Question 1
You are approaching an intersection with a solid red traffic signal. You intend to
make a right turn. What must you do according to California law?
A) Stop completely, then turn right without yielding to anyone
B) Slow down, yield to pedestrians, and then turn right
C) Stop completely before the crosswalk or limit line, yield to pedestrians and vehicles,
then turn right if safe and no sign prohibits it
D) You may not turn right on a red signal under any circumstances
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A solid red signal requires a complete STOP. You
may turn right after stopping unless a "No Turn on Red" sign is posted. You must yield to
pedestrians and vehicles before proceeding.
Question 2
A flashing red traffic signal has the same meaning as which of the following?
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A) A green signal with caution
B) A yield sign
C) A stop sign
D) A warning sign for an upcoming hazard
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A flashing red signal means you must STOP
completely, then proceed when it is safe to do so. This is the same rule as a STOP sign.
Question 3
You approach a traffic signal displaying a solid yellow light. What action should you
take?
A) Speed up to clear the intersection before it turns red
B) Stop immediately regardless of your position
C) Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, cautiously proceed through the intersection
D) Proceed without slowing down
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A solid yellow light means CAUTION - the signal is
about to turn red. You must stop if you can do so safely. If you are already in the
intersection or cannot stop safely, you may cautiously proceed.
Question 4
What does a flashing yellow traffic signal indicate?
A) You must stop and wait for a green signal
B) You should proceed with caution and be alert for hazards
C) The signal is malfunctioning and you should treat it as a stop sign
D) You have the right-of-way and may proceed without stopping
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A flashing yellow signal means PROCEED WITH
CAUTION. You should slow down and be alert for other vehicles, pedestrians, or
hazards.
Question 5
A green arrow displayed with a red signal means:
A) You may turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding to oncoming traffic
B) You have a protected turn and oncoming traffic is stopped
C) You must stop and wait for a solid green signal
D) You may proceed straight through the intersection
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Rationale: The correct answer is B. A green arrow provides a protected turn, meaning
you may turn in the direction of the arrow while oncoming traffic is stopped by a red
light.
Question 6
A traffic signal is not working (all lights are dark). How should you treat this
intersection?
A) Proceed with caution without stopping
B) Treat it as a four-way stop
C) Treat it as a yield intersection
D) Turn around and find another route
Rationale: The correct answer is B. When traffic signals are not working, you must treat
the intersection as a four-way stop. Stop completely and proceed only when safe.
Question 7
What is the shape of a STOP sign?
A) Diamond-shaped
B) Circular
C) Octagonal
D) Triangular
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A STOP sign is octagonal (eight-sided). This
distinctive shape makes it recognizable even when visibility is poor or the sign is
covered with snow.
Question 8
You see a red YIELD sign. What must you do?
A) Stop completely and wait for all traffic to clear
B) Slow down, be ready to stop, and yield to vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians
C) Yield only to emergency vehicles
D) Proceed without slowing down
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A YIELD sign requires you to slow down and be
prepared to stop for any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian. You must yield the right-of-way
to others and proceed only when safe.
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Question 9
A five-sided sign indicates which of the following?
A) A railroad crossing ahead
B) A school zone or school crossing
C) A warning for road conditions
D) A regulatory sign
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Five-sided signs (shaped like a pentagon) indicate
school zones or school crossings. You must drive slowly and stop for children in
crosswalks.
Question 10
What type of sign is diamond-shaped?
A) Regulatory sign
B) Warning sign
C) Guide sign
D) School zone sign
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Diamond-shaped signs are WARNING signs. They
alert drivers to specific road conditions and dangers ahead (curves, intersections,
pedestrian crossings, etc.).
Question 11
A circular or X-shaped yellow/black sign indicates:
A) A school zone ahead
B) A railroad crossing ahead
C) A stop sign ahead
D) A hospital ahead
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Circular or X-shaped yellow/black signs indicate a
railroad crossing ahead. You should look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop for
approaching trains.
Question 12
If you see red road reflectors shining back at you at night, what does this indicate?
A) You are driving in the correct direction
B) You are going the wrong way on a road or freeway
CALIFORNIA DMV PERMIT REAL TEST EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
RATIONALES LATEST VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026 EDITION
CALIFORNIA DMV PERMIT REAL TEST 2026
Official Handbook Aligned Exam
250 Questions with Rationales
SECTION 1: TRAFFIC SIGNALS & SIGNS (Questions 1-50)
Question 1
You are approaching an intersection with a solid red traffic signal. You intend to
make a right turn. What must you do according to California law?
A) Stop completely, then turn right without yielding to anyone
B) Slow down, yield to pedestrians, and then turn right
C) Stop completely before the crosswalk or limit line, yield to pedestrians and vehicles,
then turn right if safe and no sign prohibits it
D) You may not turn right on a red signal under any circumstances
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A solid red signal requires a complete STOP. You
may turn right after stopping unless a "No Turn on Red" sign is posted. You must yield to
pedestrians and vehicles before proceeding.
Question 2
A flashing red traffic signal has the same meaning as which of the following?
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A) A green signal with caution
B) A yield sign
C) A stop sign
D) A warning sign for an upcoming hazard
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A flashing red signal means you must STOP
completely, then proceed when it is safe to do so. This is the same rule as a STOP sign.
Question 3
You approach a traffic signal displaying a solid yellow light. What action should you
take?
A) Speed up to clear the intersection before it turns red
B) Stop immediately regardless of your position
C) Stop if you can do so safely; otherwise, cautiously proceed through the intersection
D) Proceed without slowing down
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A solid yellow light means CAUTION - the signal is
about to turn red. You must stop if you can do so safely. If you are already in the
intersection or cannot stop safely, you may cautiously proceed.
Question 4
What does a flashing yellow traffic signal indicate?
A) You must stop and wait for a green signal
B) You should proceed with caution and be alert for hazards
C) The signal is malfunctioning and you should treat it as a stop sign
D) You have the right-of-way and may proceed without stopping
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A flashing yellow signal means PROCEED WITH
CAUTION. You should slow down and be alert for other vehicles, pedestrians, or
hazards.
Question 5
A green arrow displayed with a red signal means:
A) You may turn in the direction of the arrow after yielding to oncoming traffic
B) You have a protected turn and oncoming traffic is stopped
C) You must stop and wait for a solid green signal
D) You may proceed straight through the intersection
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Rationale: The correct answer is B. A green arrow provides a protected turn, meaning
you may turn in the direction of the arrow while oncoming traffic is stopped by a red
light.
Question 6
A traffic signal is not working (all lights are dark). How should you treat this
intersection?
A) Proceed with caution without stopping
B) Treat it as a four-way stop
C) Treat it as a yield intersection
D) Turn around and find another route
Rationale: The correct answer is B. When traffic signals are not working, you must treat
the intersection as a four-way stop. Stop completely and proceed only when safe.
Question 7
What is the shape of a STOP sign?
A) Diamond-shaped
B) Circular
C) Octagonal
D) Triangular
Rationale: The correct answer is C. A STOP sign is octagonal (eight-sided). This
distinctive shape makes it recognizable even when visibility is poor or the sign is
covered with snow.
Question 8
You see a red YIELD sign. What must you do?
A) Stop completely and wait for all traffic to clear
B) Slow down, be ready to stop, and yield to vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians
C) Yield only to emergency vehicles
D) Proceed without slowing down
Rationale: The correct answer is B. A YIELD sign requires you to slow down and be
prepared to stop for any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian. You must yield the right-of-way
to others and proceed only when safe.
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Question 9
A five-sided sign indicates which of the following?
A) A railroad crossing ahead
B) A school zone or school crossing
C) A warning for road conditions
D) A regulatory sign
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Five-sided signs (shaped like a pentagon) indicate
school zones or school crossings. You must drive slowly and stop for children in
crosswalks.
Question 10
What type of sign is diamond-shaped?
A) Regulatory sign
B) Warning sign
C) Guide sign
D) School zone sign
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Diamond-shaped signs are WARNING signs. They
alert drivers to specific road conditions and dangers ahead (curves, intersections,
pedestrian crossings, etc.).
Question 11
A circular or X-shaped yellow/black sign indicates:
A) A school zone ahead
B) A railroad crossing ahead
C) A stop sign ahead
D) A hospital ahead
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Circular or X-shaped yellow/black signs indicate a
railroad crossing ahead. You should look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop for
approaching trains.
Question 12
If you see red road reflectors shining back at you at night, what does this indicate?
A) You are driving in the correct direction
B) You are going the wrong way on a road or freeway
