2023 California Permit Test 2

The following questions are from real DMV written tests. These are some of the actual permit questions you will face in California. Each permit practice test question has three answer.. Read More

The following questions are from real DMV written tests. These are some of the actual permit questions you will face in California. Each permit practice test question has three answer choices. Select one answer for each question and select "grade this section." You can find this button at the bottom of the drivers license quiz. For a complete list of questions and answers for California please visit https://cheat-sheets.dmv-written-test.com/en/california/car.

Number of Tests
Number of Question
Passing Score

1. Which child would require a child passenger restraint system?

Explanation
Children who are eight years old or older, or who have reached at least 4 feet 9 inches in height, may use a properly secured safety belt meeting federal standards. Other children must be seated in a child passenger restraint system.

2. When you tailgate other drivers (drive closely to their rear bumper):

Explanation
Most rear-end collisions are caused by tailgating. To avoid tailgating, use the “Three Second Rule.” When the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain point, such as a sign, count “one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, one-thousand-three.” If you pass the same point before you finish counting, you are following too closely.

3. If your cell phone rings while you are driving and you do not have a hands-free device, you should:

Explanation
Drivers should not use a cell phone without a hands-free device. For minors, it is illegal to use any cell phone while driving, except in an emergency. Even if you do have a hands-free device, it is recommended that you let calls go to voicemail while driving in order to avoid distractions.

4. Should you always drive more slowly than other traffic?

Explanation
You must drive more slowly than usual when there is heavy traffic or bad weather. However, if you block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic by driving too slowly, you may be cited.

5. If you must park your vehicle in an area not usually used for parking:

Explanation
Drivers are responsible for making sure their vehicles do not become hazards after they have been parked. Wherever you park, make sure your car is visible to drivers approaching from any direction.

6. This sign means:

illinois-construction
Explanation
Orange, diamond-shaped signs are used to mark construction, maintenance, survey, and utility work areas. These signs help direct drivers and pedestrians safely through dangerous zones. Fines for traffic convictions may double in areas marked by these signs.

DMV Practice Test California

Passing your California written permit test is a crucial step in getting your California Driver's License.  Getting a California Driver's Permit gives you the right to drive a vehicle while supervised.  It’s one of the biggest rights you can gain as a Californian and as a U.S. Citizen.  Because of the magnitude of the right, you gain bypassing, the California written permit test isn’t easy.  If you’re looking to pass the DMV written test on your first attempt in CA, it’s recommended that you prepare by taking a DMV practice test. 

Here at DMV-written-test, we pride ourselves on being able to assist thousands of students per day in getting their driving permits.  We’re good at helping our students pass their California permit test.  Our free permit practice test questions are from the real exam you will take in person.  We crowdsource real questions and answers from the exam.  Your fellow students and drivers submit these to us after they have passed the permit test. We fact-check these questions and then turn them into bit-sized quizzes that you can take for free.  These are the exact questions you will see on the permit test at the California DMV.

Want a faster alternative to taking a practice permit test?  Our permit DMV California Cheatsheet is built for learning the content you need to know and fast.  For a minimal price, you can get access to real questions and answers from the DMV written test all in pdf form.

Learners Permit Requirements in California

Anyone who drives in California knows that there are an alarming number of accidents on the roads.  Many of these accidents are known to be caused by inexperienced teen drivers.  As a result, California is one of many states that participate in a Graduated Drivers License (GDL) program.  Several things are required of you in order to get your California provisional permit (also referred to as a learner’s permit).  Here are the items you will need to make sure you have completed before you head to the DMV.

Learners Permit Age in California 

For someone to get a California learners permit, they must be at least 15.5 years of age.  If you are younger than 17.5 you will be required to take a Drivers Education course either in person or online with an approved provider.  

California Drivers Education

If you are under 17.5 years of age, it is required that you complete drivers education in order to get your learner's permit Make sure that your California Drivers Ed course consists of the following: 
  1. 25 hours of classroom instruction. This classroom instruction may be completed through:
    1. Classes at a California Secondary School
    2. A state-licensed and approved professional driving school and associated coursework.
    3. An online driver's education program like Aceable or DriversEd.coach, as long as it meets the requirement of 25 hours.
  2. You must complete 6 hours of hands-on driver training. This training is restricted to 2 hours per day behind the wheel. (If you're observing another driver in the car, that time does not count toward your requirement of 6 hours.)
*If you're at least 14 years old but less than 18 years old AND can prove a hardship of some sort, you can apply for a Junior Permit. For steps and restrictions, review the Application for Junior Permit (Form DL 120).

How to Get Your California Learners Permit

Once you’ve completed a Drivers Ed course in California, you’ll need to take your written test at the California DMV.  To apply for your California learner’s permit, you must arrive at the DMV in person.  Save time by booking your appointment at the California DMV ahead of time.  This can save you several hours.  If you are under the age of 18, you will need to bring your parent(s) or guardian(s).  They’ll be responsible for signing off on any paperwork you submit.

What Do I Need to Get My California Learners Permit

There are several items that you will need to bring with you to the California DMV in order to get your learner's permit.  You’ll need the following:
  1. Your completed Driver License or Identification Card Application.
    1. Double-check that your parents or legal guardian have signed the application!
  2. Proof of Social Security number. It will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are at the DMV.
  3. Your birth certificate, or a certified copy of your original birth certificate.
  4. Proof of identity and lawful U.S. presence (e.g. unexpired U.S. passport, Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, original or certified birth certificate).
  5. Proof of your California residency with:
    1. 2 documents for a REAL ID-compliant permit.
    2. 2 documents for a non-compliant permit.
  6. Certificates stating that you either have:
    1. Completed Driver's Ed.
    2. Completed driver education and driver training.
    3. Are enrolled and participating in an approved driver training program.
If you're over 17 1/2 years old, but not yet 18 years old, you do not have to provide certificates of completion for driver's education and driver training. However, you must wait until you're 18 years old to take the driving test.

Here's what you'll need to do:

  1. Pass a vision exam.
  2. Pass the written permit test.
  3. Have your picture taken.
  4. Provide a thumbprint.
  5. Pay the application fee.

California Permit Test Cost

The cost of your learner's permit at the California DMV is $38.  Once you pass your exam and the $38 fee is paid, you will be issued your provisional permit.  The $38 charge covers your provisional learner’s permit and the issuance of your driver’s license later in the GDL process.  If all of the requirements of your license are not met within a calendar year, your application will be null and void.  You’ll have to start all the way back at the beginning.  It’s not worth it.  

How Many Questions Are on the CA Written Permit Test?

The permit test at the California DMV consists of 46 multiple choice and true or false questions.  All of the questions on the California permit test cover topics of roadway safety and the California Driving Code.  Rules of the road, alcohol awareness, traffic safety, traffic violations and fines, road signs, and car preparedness are a few of the many topics you could face on your written exam.  To pass the exam you must get a score of at least 38 out of 46.  This is an accuracy rate of 82.6%.

One of the best ways to make sure you’re prepared for your California permit test is by taking a California written practice test.  All of the questions you see at DMV-written-test are questions you will see on your real exam in [year].  Having seen some of the questions on the test before you go in, you should have a much better chance at passing the exam.  Students who don’t have time for a California permit practice test should consider a California DMV cheat sheet.  With this you’ll get access to all of the questions and answers on the California DMV test in pdf form.  Students who take advantage of this method pass the permit test at a rate of 99.2%.

What Happens If I Fail My California Permit Test?

Not everyone needs our advice on preparedness.  Not everyone is able to pass their CA DMV permit exam on the first try.  If you fail your California permit test, it’s important to note that you have three attempts to pass as part of your $38 California DMV permit fee.  You must wait 7 days before you can retake your written permit test.  This does not include the day you took your initial test.

California Learner’s Permit Restrictions

Make sure to pay attention to all California learner’s permit restrictions.  Not doing so can result in the revocation of your California driver's permit and/or a fine.  It’s illegal for you to drive alone at any time with a California learner’s permit.  If you do drive, a parent, guardian, spouse, or adult 25 years or older with a valid CA driver's license must accompany you.  They must be seated in the front seat.  They also must be sober so they can take control of the vehicle if necessary.  
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