California Permit Practice Test (2026)

Free California permit practice questions, each answer cited to the official California handbook. No sign-up, no ads.

The real test at a glance

Free 10-question sample test

Tap an answer to see if you are right, with the reason and the handbook page.

2. What must you do at this sign?

1. Make a full stop before the crosswalk or limit line
2. Slow down and go if the way is clear
3. Stop only if other traffic is present
4. Slow down and be ready to stop for others

Answer

A. Make a full stop, then check traffic in all directions before you go.

From the handbook: California Driver's Handbook, PDF p. 41

3. What does a solid red light mean?

1. Slow down and proceed with caution
2. Go if the way is clear both ways
3. Come to a complete stop
4. Stop only if cross traffic is present

Answer

C. Stop at the stop line or limit line and wait for the signal to change.

From the handbook: California Driver's Handbook, PDF p. 39

What's on the test

• Permit and license rules: If you are under 18, you must be at least 15½ years old to apply for an instruction permit.
• Road signs: At a STOP sign, make a full stop before the crosswalk or limit line.
• Signals and road markings: Red means stop.
• Right-of-way: At an intersection with no signs, the vehicle that arrives first goes first.
• Turns, lanes and merging: Signal at least 100 feet before a turn.
• Speed limits: Near a school, the limit is 25 mph within 500 feet while children are outside or crossing the street.
• Passing: Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, bridge, tunnel or railroad crossing.
• Parking: White curb: stop only to pick up or drop off passengers.
• Sharing the road: Leave at least three feet between your car and a bicyclist when you pass.
• Alcohol and drugs: It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher if you are over 21.
• Safe driving habits: Keep a three-second gap behind the vehicle ahead.
• Emergencies and weather: In a skid, ease off the accelerator, do not brake, and steer in the direction of the skid.
• California specifics and crashes: California requires insurance that covers $30,000 for one person, $60,000 for more than one person, and $15,000 for property damage.

Signs worth knowing

• 
  Stop sign
  You must come to a full stop here.
• 
  Yield sign
  You must let other traffic and pedestrians go first.
• 
  Do Not Enter sign
  You may not drive into this road or ramp because traffic comes toward you.
• 
  Wrong Way sign
  You are going the wrong way on a road where traffic comes toward you.
• 
  No U-turn sign
  You may not turn around to go back the way you came.
• 
  No Left Turn sign
  You may not turn left here.
• 
  No Right Turn sign
  You may not turn right here.
• 
  No Parking sign
  You may not park your vehicle here.
• 
  One Way sign
  Traffic on this road moves only in the direction of the arrow.
• 
  No Turn on Red sign
  You may not turn when the light is red.

Five things to remember

• Minors hold the permit at least 6 months and practice 50 hours before the drive test. Ten of those hours must be at night. Your supervisor must be 25 or older. (California Driver’s Handbook, PDF p. 9)
• At a YIELD sign, slow down and be ready to stop. Let any vehicle, bicyclist or pedestrian pass first. (California Driver’s Handbook, PDF p. 41)
• Yellow means the light is about to turn red. Stop if you can do so safely. If you cannot, cross the intersection with care. (California Driver’s Handbook, PDF p. 39)
• Pedestrians always have the right-of-way, in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk. (California Driver’s Handbook, PDF p. 47)
• For a right turn, start in the lane closest to the right edge and finish in the right lane. Do not swing wide. (California Driver’s Handbook, PDF p. 24)

Frequently asked questions

Turnlane is not affiliated with any state agency. Questions are written from the California Driver's Handbook 2025; the official test may differ. Always check the current handbook.