What score do you need to pass the California DMV permit test?

80%. The test is multiple choice and based on the California Driver's Handbook.

How many times can you take the California permit test?

You have three attempts before you must reapply. If you are under 18, you must wait 7 days after a failed attempt.

How old do you have to be to get a permit in California?

15½ for teens, with proof of driver education enrollment or completion and a parent's signature. Adults can apply at 18.

How many practice hours do California teens need?

At least 50 hours, including 10 at night, with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25.

What are the California provisional license rules?

For the first 12 months: no driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian or licensed driver 25 or older is with you. Signed notes allow exceptions for school, work, medical needs or family needs.

California DMV Practice Test 2026

Pregunta 1 de 25

What is the minimum age for a California instruction permit for a teen?

14½
16
15
15½

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 15½

Teens must be at least 15½ to get a California instruction permit.

Pregunta 2 de 25

What must a California applicant under 17½ show to get an instruction permit?

A certificate of completion or enrollment in driver education
Proof of car insurance in their own name
A high school diploma
A letter from a teacher

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. A certificate of completion or enrollment in driver education

Minors need a Certificate of Completion or Enrollment in Driver Education. Those over 17½ but under 18 may skip the certificates.

Pregunta 3 de 25

Who must sign a California permit application for a minor when the parents share joint custody?

Only the parent who lives closest to the DMV
Either parent
A teacher or counselor
Both parents

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Both parents

A parent or guardian signs to approve the application and accept financial responsibility. With joint custody, both parents must sign.

Pregunta 4 de 25

When can a California teen start driving with a new instruction permit?

Only after turning 16
After a driving instructor validates it when behind-the-wheel training begins
Only after 30 days
As soon as the permit is issued

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. After a driving instructor validates it when behind-the-wheel training begins

A minor's permit cannot be used until behind-the-wheel training starts with an instructor who validates it.

Pregunta 5 de 25

How old must the licensed driver be who supervises a California teen with a permit?

At least 30
At least 21
At least 25
At least 18

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. At least 25

A teen with a permit must practice with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25 and close enough to take control.

Pregunta 6 de 25

How many hours of supervised practice must a California teen complete before the drive test?

30 hours, including 5 at night
40 hours, including 10 at night
60 hours, including 15 at night
50 hours, including 10 at night

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 50 hours, including 10 at night

Teens must practice at least 50 hours, with 10 of those hours at night.

Pregunta 7 de 25

How long must a California teen hold an instruction permit before taking the drive test?

At least 3 months
At least 9 months
At least 6 months
At least 12 months

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. At least 6 months

Minors must hold the permit for at least 6 months (or until they turn 18) before the drive test.

Pregunta 8 de 25

What is the minimum age for a California provisional driver's license?

16
18
17
15½

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. 16

You must be at least 16 and prove you finished both driver education and driver training.

Pregunta 9 de 25

During the first 12 months with a California provisional license, when may you NOT drive (without an approved exception)?

9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Midnight to 5 a.m.
11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Provisional drivers may not drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. during the first 12 months.

Pregunta 10 de 25

During the first 12 months, a California provisional driver may not carry passengers under what age unless a qualified adult rides along?

16
20
21
18

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. 20

No passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian, or California-licensed driver 25 or older is in the car.

Pregunta 11 de 25

A California provisional driver in their first year must drive to work at 4:30 a.m. What must they carry to use the work exception?

Their pay stub from last year
A note from a friend
Nothing, the exception is automatic
A signed note from their employer confirming the job

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. A signed note from their employer confirming the job

Exceptions to the provisional limits require a signed note, such as one from your employer confirming your employment.

Pregunta 12 de 25

Which of these is NOT allowed for a California provisional license holder?

Driving for pay
Driving with a parent at night
Driving to school in daylight
Driving alone at noon

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. Driving for pay

Provisional drivers may not drive for pay or operate commercial vehicles.

Pregunta 13 de 25

What score do you need to pass the California DMV knowledge test?

75%
70%
80%
85%

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. 80%

The California DMV requires a passing score of 80% on the knowledge test.

Pregunta 14 de 25

How many attempts do you get to pass the California knowledge test before you must reapply?

Two
Five
One
Three

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Three

Applicants for an original license have three attempts to pass before they must reapply.

Pregunta 15 de 25

If a California minor fails the knowledge test, how long must they wait before trying again?

30 days
24 hours
14 days
7 days, not counting the day of the failure

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 7 days, not counting the day of the failure

Minors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not counting the day they failed.

Pregunta 16 de 25

If a California minor fails the behind-the-wheel drive test, how long must they wait to retake it?

One day
30 days
7 days
14 days, not counting the day of the failure

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 14 days, not counting the day of the failure

Minors wait 14 days after a failed drive test, not counting the day of the failure.

Pregunta 17 de 25

Which items are NOT allowed while you take the California knowledge test?

Glasses or contact lenses
Handbooks and cell phones
Your appointment number
A pen provided by the DMV

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Handbooks and cell phones

Handbooks and cell phones are not allowed during knowledge tests.

Pregunta 18 de 25

After what time are knowledge tests not available at California DMV offices?

3:00 p.m.
Noon
5:00 p.m.
4:30 p.m.

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 4:30 p.m.

The DMV says knowledge tests are not available at its offices after 4:30 p.m., so arrive early.

Pregunta 19 de 25

An adult (18 or older) with a California permit may practice with a licensed driver of what minimum age?

16
21
25
18

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 18

Adults practice with a California-licensed driver who is at least 18. Teens need a supervisor who is at least 25.

Pregunta 20 de 25

For a minor's California drive test, how old must the licensed companion who comes with them be?

Any age with a license
At least 25
At least 18
At least 21

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. At least 25

The companion must hold a California license and be at least 25 for minors (18 for adults).

Pregunta 21 de 25

Which car feature may you NOT use during a California drive test?

The parking brake
Turn signals
Adaptive cruise control or automated parallel parking
Mirrors

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Adaptive cruise control or automated parallel parking

Advanced driver assistance features such as automated parking, lane departure and adaptive cruise control are not allowed during the drive test.

Pregunta 22 de 25

What phone use is allowed for a California driver under 18?

Texting at red lights
Hands-free calls only
None while driving, not even hands-free
Calls if a parent is in the car

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. None while driving, not even hands-free

California bans all cell phone use by drivers under 18, including hands-free.

Pregunta 23 de 25

What does California law say about adult drivers holding a phone while driving?

Handheld phone use is banned; hands-free use is allowed
Phones are allowed on rural roads
Handheld use is fine at low speeds
Only texting is banned

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. Handheld phone use is banned; hands-free use is allowed

California bans handheld phone use and texting for all drivers. Adults may use hands-free systems.

Pregunta 24 de 25

When may you turn right on a red light in California?

After stopping at the limit line and yielding, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted
Only at night
Never
Without stopping, if no cars are coming

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. After stopping at the limit line and yielding, unless a NO TURN ON RED sign is posted

Right on red is allowed unless a sign forbids it. Stop at the limit line, yield to pedestrians and traffic, and turn when safe.

Pregunta 25 de 25

On a steep, narrow California mountain road where two vehicles cannot pass, which vehicle has the right-of-way?

The vehicle facing uphill
The vehicle facing downhill
The larger vehicle
The vehicle that honks first

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. The vehicle facing uphill

The California handbook says the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way, because backing uphill is harder.

California DMV Practice Test 2026

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