California DMV Practice Test 2026: Practice test 2

1. Question 1 of 25

   What is the center lane shown here used for?

   • ADriving for long distances in heavy traffic
   • BLeft turns by drivers from both directions
   • CPassing slower vehicles
   • DParking and loading
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Left turns by drivers from both directions

   A two-way left-turn lane is shared by drivers from both directions to make left turns. It is not a travel lane or passing lane.

2. Question 2 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • ARoad work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment
   • BWorkers have finished for the day
   • CTake the detour ahead
   • DThe road is closed ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Road work is ahead; slow down and watch for workers and equipment

   Slow down, stay alert, and follow work zone signs and flaggers.

3. Question 3 of 25

   What should you do when you see this sign?

   • ASlow down before you reach the curve
   • BBrake hard in the middle of the curve
   • CMove to the left lane
   • DSpeed up to get through the curve
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Slow down before you reach the curve

   Slow down before the curve, not in it. Braking hard in a curve can make you skid.

4. Question 4 of 25

   You park facing uphill next to a curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

   • AToward the curb
   • BAway from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back
   • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
   • DStraight ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Away from the curb, so the tire rests against the curb if the car rolls back

   Uphill with a curb, turn your wheels toward the center of the road and let the front tire gently touch the curb.

5. Question 5 of 25

   When is it safe to pull back in front of a large truck you have passed?

   • AAs soon as you pass the cab
   • BWhen the truck driver honks
   • CWhen you can see the whole truck in your rearview mirror
   • DRight after your rear bumper passes its front bumper
   Show answer

   Answer: C. When you can see the whole truck in your rearview mirror

   Cutting in too soon puts you in the truck's front blind spot, where it cannot stop in time. Wait until you see it in your mirror.

6. Question 6 of 25

   Marking 4 is a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line. When may you pass?

   • AOnly when the broken line is on your side
   • BWhenever the road ahead looks clear
   • CNever, from either side
   • DOnly when the solid line is on your side
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Only when the broken line is on your side

   With a solid and a broken line together, drivers on the broken-line side may pass when safe. Drivers on the solid side may not.

7. Question 7 of 25

   Why should you never try to beat a train to a crossing?

   • AA train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more
   • BTrains must yield to cars at crossings
   • CTrain engineers can steer around cars
   • DTrains always slow down at crossings
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A train cannot stop quickly; at 60 mph it may need a mile or more

   Trains are very heavy and need a long distance to stop. A train at 60 mph may take a mile or more.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AHeavy vehicles must keep right
   • BThe lane is closed
   • COnly vehicles with two or more people may use this lane
   • DTrucks only
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Only vehicles with two or more people may use this lane

   HOV means high-occupancy vehicle. 2+ means at least two people, counting the driver.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AThe bridge ahead is narrower than the road
   • BThe bridge ahead is closed
   • CA drawbridge is ahead
   • DThe road ends at a river
   Show answer

   Answer: A. The bridge ahead is narrower than the road

   There is less room on the bridge. Slow down, keep right and watch for oncoming traffic.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Orange signs like this one are used for:

    • AParks and recreation areas
    • BSchool zones
    • CWork zones and other temporary traffic control
    • DMotorist services
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Work zones and other temporary traffic control

    Orange is the color for work zones. Expect lane changes, lower speeds and workers on or near the road.

11. Question 11 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AAlways come to a full stop
    • BThe road narrows ahead
    • CMerge without slowing down
    • DSlow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Slow down and let traffic and pedestrians go first; stop if needed

    A triangle pointing down means yield. Slow down, give the right-of-way, and stop only if you must.

12. Question 12 of 25

    A driver is tailgating you. What is the safest thing to do?

    • ABrake suddenly to warn the driver
    • BStop on the shoulder right away
    • CKeep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass
    • DSpeed up to get away
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Keep a steady speed, leave extra space ahead, and let the driver pass

    Do not react with sudden braking. Keep extra space in front of you so you can stop gently, and let the tailgater pass when possible.

13. Question 13 of 25

    Car A wants to turn left on a green light. Car B is coming from the other direction, going straight. Which car should go first?

    • ACar B
    • BCar A, if its turn signal is on
    • CCar A
    • DWhichever car is faster
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Car B

    When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a danger.

14. Question 14 of 25

    In a state where marijuana is legal, may you drive after using it?

    • AYes, if you have a medical card
    • BYes, but only during the day
    • CNo, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal
    • DYes, as long as you feel fine
    Show answer

    Answer: C. No, driving while impaired by any drug is illegal

    Impairment from marijuana is treated like impairment from any other drug. Do not use it before driving.

15. Question 15 of 25

    In almost every state, an adult driver age 21 or older is breaking the law if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is at or above what level?

    • A0.12%
    • B0.15%
    • C0.20%
    • D0.08%
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 0.08%

    It is illegal in every state except Utah to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Utah's limit is 0.05%, and stricter limits apply to younger and commercial drivers.

16. Question 16 of 25

    An emergency vehicle (1) is stopped on the shoulder with its lights flashing. What should you do in Car 2?

    • AKeep your speed and lane
    • BStop behind the police car
    • CSpeed up to get past quickly
    • DMove over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Move over one lane if it is safe; if not, slow down

    Move Over laws require you to change to a lane away from a stopped emergency vehicle when safe, or slow down if you cannot.

17. Question 17 of 25

    You are passing a car. When is it safe to return to your lane?

    • AAs soon as your rear bumper passes its front bumper
    • BWhen the two cars are side by side
    • CWhen the other driver flashes the headlights
    • DWhen you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror
    Show answer

    Answer: D. When you can see the front of the car you passed in your rearview mirror

    Return to your lane only when you can see the whole front of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AThe road is closed ahead
    • BA railroad crossing is ahead
    • CA radar speed check is ahead
    • DA rest area is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A railroad crossing is ahead

    This round yellow sign is placed before a railroad crossing. Slow down, look and listen, and be ready to stop.

19. Question 19 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATrucks cross the road ahead
    • BAn uphill passing lane is ahead
    • CA steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear
    • DA truck stop is ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A steep downhill grade is ahead; slow down and use a lower gear

    On a steep downgrade, slow down before the hill and shift to a lower gear so your brakes do not overheat.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What information should drivers exchange after a crash?

    • ANothing, because the police handle it
    • BOnly phone numbers
    • CNames, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration and insurance
    • DOnly the names of their insurance companies
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Names, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration and insurance

    Give and get names, addresses, license numbers, registration and insurance details from the other drivers involved.

21. Question 21 of 25

    What does the red circle with a slash on this sign mean?

    • AThe action shown inside it is not allowed
    • BThe rule applies only at night
    • CThere is danger ahead
    • DThe action shown is allowed
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The action shown inside it is not allowed

    On US regulatory signs, red is used for STOP, YIELD and the circle and slash that ban an action.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AYou may not turn while the light is red; wait for green
    • BNo turns are allowed at any time
    • CThere is a red-light camera ahead
    • DYou may turn right on red after stopping
    Show answer

    Answer: A. You may not turn while the light is red; wait for green

    In most places you may turn right on red after a full stop. This sign takes that choice away, so wait for a green light.

23. Question 23 of 25

    You are driving out of a driveway or parking lot onto a street. Who must you yield to?

    • AOnly pedestrians
    • BNo one, if you use your turn signal
    • CPedestrians on the sidewalk and all traffic on the street
    • DOnly cars coming from your left
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pedestrians on the sidewalk and all traffic on the street

    A driver entering a road from a driveway or private road must stop and yield to pedestrians and to traffic on the road.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What does a steady yellow light mean?

    • ASpeed up to get through before it turns red
    • BThe light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely
    • COnly pedestrians may move now
    • DThe intersection is clear, so go
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do it safely

    A steady yellow light warns that the green is ending and red is coming. Stop if you can do so safely.

25. Question 25 of 25

    You park on a hill where there is no curb. Which way should you turn your front wheels?

    • AStraight ahead
    • BToward the center of the road
    • CLeft if uphill, straight if downhill
    • DToward the side of the road (to the right)
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Toward the side of the road (to the right)

    With no curb, uphill or downhill, turn your wheels to the right so the car will roll away from traffic if the brakes fail.

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The real test: 80%