California DMV Practice Test 2026: Practice test 5

1. Question 1 of 25

   Which of these makes your stopping distance longer?

   • AA wet or icy road
   • BDriving more slowly
   • CTires with deep tread
   • DPaying full attention
   Show answer

   Answer: A. A wet or icy road

   Wet, snowy and icy roads give your tires less grip, so it takes longer to stop. Slow down and leave more space.

2. Question 2 of 25

   You are entering a freeway from an on-ramp, as shown. What should you do in the acceleration lane?

   • AMerge right away without checking traffic
   • BDrive slowly so freeway drivers notice you
   • CSpeed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap
   • DStop at the end of the ramp and wait for a big gap
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Speed up to match freeway traffic, then merge into a safe gap

   Use the acceleration lane to reach the speed of traffic, check mirrors and your blind spot, signal, and merge into a gap.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Where are a large truck's blind spots, or No-Zones?

   • AIn front, behind and along both sides
   • BTrucks have no blind spots because the driver sits up high
   • COnly on the left side
   • DOnly directly behind it
   Show answer

   Answer: A. In front, behind and along both sides

   Large trucks and buses have big blind spots on all four sides. Do not stay in them.

4. Question 4 of 25

   Your car goes into deep water and starts to sink. What should you do?

   • AStay buckled and wait for help
   • BUnbuckle and escape through a window
   • COpen a door right away
   • DTurn the engine off and on again
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Unbuckle and escape through a window

   Get out through a window. Opening a door can let water rush in and roll the car over.

5. Question 5 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AOne sharp curve to the right is ahead
   • BA series of curves is ahead
   • CThe road is slippery ahead
   • DLanes shift ahead
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A series of curves is ahead

   The road has three or more curves in a row. Slow down and stay in your lane.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How can you check that you are not following another vehicle too closely?

   • AWatch for the brake lights of the vehicle ahead
   • BLook at your speedometer
   • CCount how many car lengths you see
   • DWhen the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it
   Show answer

   Answer: D. When the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count the seconds until you reach it

   Pick a fixed object such as a sign. Start counting when the car ahead passes it; if you reach it before you finish the count, you are too close.

7. Question 7 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AA four-way intersection
   • BA railroad crossing; yield to any train
   • CYou must always stop here, even when no train is near
   • DA hospital is nearby
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A railroad crossing; yield to any train

   Treat a crossbuck like a yield sign. Slow down, look and listen both ways, and stop if a train is coming. Trains always have the right-of-way.

8. Question 8 of 25

   If you double your speed, about how much longer does it take to stop once you brake?

   • AAbout the same distance
   • BAbout half as far
   • CAbout four times as far
   • DAbout twice as far
   Show answer

   Answer: C. About four times as far

   Braking distance grows with the square of speed, so doubling your speed makes it about four times longer.

9. Question 9 of 25

   What does this sign mean?

   • AYou must not drive into this road from where you are
   • BThe road is closed to trucks only
   • CStop, then enter when the way is clear
   • DOne-way street; turn here
   Show answer

   Answer: A. You must not drive into this road from where you are

   This sign is posted where you would be going the wrong way, such as a freeway exit ramp or the end of a one-way street. Do not enter.

10. Question 10 of 25

    What usually happens if you refuse a chemical test after an arrest for impaired driving?

    • AYou get a written warning
    • BNothing happens
    • CYour driver license is suspended or revoked
    • DYou must retake the written test only
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your driver license is suspended or revoked

    Refusing a test brings its own penalties, including losing your license, even if you are not convicted of impaired driving.

11. Question 11 of 25

    When is it right to use your high-beam headlights?

    • AOn dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you
    • BIn fog
    • CIn busy city traffic
    • DWhen following another car closely
    Show answer

    Answer: A. On dark, open roads when no vehicles are close ahead or coming toward you

    High beams help you see farther on dark roads, but dim them for oncoming traffic and when following another vehicle.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Two cars meet on a steep, narrow mountain road where neither can pass. Which car has the right-of-way?

    • AThe car that is larger
    • BThe car with more passengers
    • CThe car facing uphill
    • DThe car facing downhill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The car facing uphill

    The vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill should back up until the other car can pass.

13. Question 13 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AA passing lane is ahead
    • BTraffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road
    • CTwo lanes go your way
    • DA divided highway begins
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Traffic ahead travels in both directions on the same road

    You are leaving a one-way road or divided highway. Oncoming traffic will be beside you, so keep right.

14. Question 14 of 25

    At a T-intersection with no signs or signals, who has the right-of-way?

    • AThe vehicle turning left
    • BTraffic on the through road
    • CThe largest vehicle
    • DTraffic on the road that ends
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Traffic on the through road

    Drivers on the road that continues straight through have the right-of-way. Drivers on the road that ends must yield.

15. Question 15 of 25

    This yellow plate is posted under a curve sign. What does it tell you?

    • AThe legal speed limit for the whole road is 35 mph
    • BOnly trucks must slow to 35 mph
    • CThe minimum speed is 35 mph
    • DThe recommended speed for the curve is 35 mph
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The recommended speed for the curve is 35 mph

    Yellow speed plates give an advisory speed for a curve or hazard in good conditions. Drive slower if the road is wet or icy.

16. Question 16 of 25

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

    • AToward the curb
    • BAway from the curb
    • CIt does not matter if the parking brake is set
    • DStraight ahead
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Toward the curb

    When parking downhill, turn your wheels into the curb so the car rolls into it, not into the street.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What is hydroplaning?

    • AWhen a tire slowly loses air
    • BWhen water gets into your engine
    • CWhen your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road
    • DWhen your brakes overheat on a long hill
    Show answer

    Answer: C. When your tires ride on a layer of water and lose contact with the road

    At higher speeds on wet roads, tires can ride up on water. You then lose steering and braking control.

18. Question 18 of 25

    A flagger in a work zone holds up a STOP paddle. What must you do?

    • AStop and wait until the flagger signals you to go
    • BStop only if workers are in your lane
    • CHonk and keep going
    • DSlow down and drive around the flagger
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop and wait until the flagger signals you to go

    Work zone flaggers are allowed to direct traffic. Their signals must be obeyed like a traffic officer's.

19. Question 19 of 25

    Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor. What should you try first?

    • ATurn off the engine
    • BShift into park
    • COpen the door to drag your foot
    • DPump the brake pedal to build up pressure
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pump the brake pedal to build up pressure

    Pumping the pedal may build enough pressure to stop. If that fails, use the parking brake slowly and shift to a lower gear.

20. Question 20 of 25

    What does it mean to overdrive your headlights?

    • ADriving with only parking lights on
    • BDriving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show
    • CUsing high beams near other cars
    • DDriving with one headlight out
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Driving so fast that you cannot stop within the distance your headlights show

    At night, drive at a speed that lets you stop within the area your headlights light up.

21. Question 21 of 25

    You cannot see the truck driver's face in the truck's side mirror. What does that mean?

    • AYou are a safe distance away
    • BThe truck is about to stop
    • CThe truck driver probably cannot see you
    • DThe truck driver can see you clearly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. The truck driver probably cannot see you

    If you can't see the driver in the truck's side mirror, assume the driver can't see you.

22. Question 22 of 25

    What does implied consent mean?

    • APolice may search your home at any time
    • BYou may refuse a chemical test with no penalty
    • CBy driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police
    • DYour passengers must also be tested
    Show answer

    Answer: C. By driving, you have agreed to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if lawfully asked by police

    Under implied consent laws, getting a license and driving means you agree to be tested when an officer lawfully asks.

23. Question 23 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • ATraffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in
    • BTwo lanes become three
    • CYour lane ends and you must exit
    • DA divided highway begins
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Traffic from another road will join your lane; be ready to let it in

    Traffic is merging from the side shown. Adjust your speed, or change lanes if it is safe, so vehicles can merge smoothly.

24. Question 24 of 25

    What does this sign mean?

    • AHospital staff parking
    • BA wheelchair crossing is ahead
    • CLoading zone
    • DParking only for vehicles with a valid disability placard or license plate
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Parking only for vehicles with a valid disability placard or license plate

    Do not park in these spaces unless your vehicle displays a valid disability placard or plate. You can be fined.

25. Question 25 of 25

    Which of these is distracted driving?

    • AScanning the road ahead
    • BEating or changing the music while driving
    • CKeeping both hands on the wheel
    • DChecking your mirrors
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Eating or changing the music while driving

    Any activity that takes your attention from driving is a distraction, including eating, talking and adjusting the stereo or GPS.

Keyboard: 1–4 to answer, Enter for the next question.

The real test: 80%