California · Practice Test
Free California DMV Practice Test
California permit-test facts: Questions: Not stated on the cited official page; To pass: 80% (California DMV does not state a question total on the cited permit page); Minimum age: 15½; driver-education documentation or qualifying integrated program is required for some applicants under 18; Fee: $46 Class C original application fee; Re-takes: 3 attempts for each required knowledge test; reapply after failing the same test 3 times; Official handbook: California Driver’s Handbook.
Studying for the California permit test — also called the driver's license written test, the learner's permit test, or simply the driving exam? You're in the right place. This page gives you free practice questions written to match the California Driver’s Handbook, the same source the real DMV exam is built from.
No sign-up required. Try the 3 sample questions below, then pick up unlimited practice from your dashboard.
Direct answer
California permit-test facts: Questions: Not stated on the cited official page; To pass: 80% (California DMV does not state a question total on the cited permit page); Minimum age: 15½; driver-education documentation or qualifying integrated program is required for some applicants under 18; Fee: $46 Class C original application fee; Re-takes: 3 attempts for each required knowledge test; reapply after failing the same test 3 times; Official handbook: California Driver’s Handbook.
The cited California instruction-permit page says the knowledge test is multiple choice and requires 80%, but it does not state one statewide question total. Age requirements are conditional for applicants under 18. The $46 value is the Class C original application fee shown on the cited fee schedule; confirm fees at application time.
| Fact | Answer | Evidence status |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | Not stated on the cited official page | Not stated on the cited official page |
| To pass | 80% (California DMV does not state a question total on the cited permit page) | Verified against cited official source |
| Minimum age | 15½; driver-education documentation or qualifying integrated program is required for some applicants under 18 | Verified against cited official source |
| Fee | $46 Class C original application fee | Verified against cited official source |
| Re-takes | 3 attempts for each required knowledge test; reapply after failing the same test 3 times | Verified against cited official source |
| Official handbook | California Driver’s Handbook | Verified against cited official source |
Official source
Official-source access attempted: 2026-09-14 (retrieved)
- California DMV — Instruction permits
- California DMV — Licensing fees — Source date shown by authority: 2026-08-07
- California DMV — California Driver’s Handbook — Source date shown by authority: 2025-09-18
- California DMV — Driver’s licenses
Sample questions for California
Three sample questions from our practice bank. Read the explanation after each.
Question 1 · Traffic signals
What should you do when you see a yellow traffic light?
- Speed up to get through the intersection
- Slow down and prepare to stop
- Stop immediately wherever you are
- Honk your horn to warn others
See the explanation
Correct answer: Slow down and prepare to stop
Yellow means slow down and prepare to stop — don’t speed up to beat the light.
Question 2 · Right of way
When must you yield the right of way to a pedestrian?
- Only at marked crosswalks with signals
- Only when a school crossing guard is present
- At all crosswalks, marked or unmarked
- Never — the driver always has right of way
See the explanation
Correct answer: At all crosswalks, marked or unmarked
Always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks — marked or not.
Question 3 · Safe driving distance
What is the minimum following distance you should keep behind the vehicle ahead?
- 1 second
- 2 seconds
- 3 seconds
- 5 seconds
See the explanation
Correct answer: 3 seconds
Keep at least 3 seconds of space between you and the car ahead.
Your first full mock exam is free.
Is the California permit test the same as the driving test?
What this practice test covers
How to use this practice test to actually pass
California DMV test tips that actually move the needle
Frequently asked questions
Is this California DMV practice test free?
Yes. The 6-question demo on this page and your first full mock exam are completely free — no card, no sign-up. For unlimited practice and AI tutoring, the State Pass is one $24.99 payment for 6 months of access to California, or the Complete Pass is $39.99 for 12 months of access.
Is the California permit test the same as the driving test?
No. The permit test — also called the driver's license written test or learner's permit test — is the written knowledge exam you take on a computer, and that's what this practice covers. The driving test (road test) is the separate behind-the-wheel exam you take later with an examiner. You must pass the written test first.
Are the questions the same as the real California DMV test?
No — and any site claiming to give you the "real" questions is misleading you. Our questions are written to match the California Driver’s Handbook in style, difficulty, and topic distribution, so studying with us prepares you for the actual exam without violating DMV testing rules.
How many questions are on the real California permit test?
an undisclosed number of multiple-choice questions. You need 80% (California DMV does not state a question total on the cited permit page) to pass.
What if I fail the California DMV test?
3 attempts for each required knowledge test; reapply after failing the same test 3 times. We strongly recommend taking 2–3 full mock exams (and reading the AI explanation for every wrong answer) before retesting.
How long should I study before taking the California permit test?
Plan on 1–2 weeks at about 30 minutes a day. The reliable signal that you're ready isn't days studied — it's scoring 90%+ on three full-length mock exams in a row.
Is the practice test available in Spanish?
Yes. Toggle the language switch in the top-right of any page — every question, explanation, and the AI tutor work in both English and Spanish.
Ready to pass your California DMV test?
Start with a free practice exam. No card, no commitment.
More California resources
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Free California DMV study guide for the 2026 permit test — road signs, right of way, speed limits, and alcohol laws explained topic by topic.
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California Permit Test: The Complete Guide
The complete California permit test guide: an undisclosed number of questions, 80% (California DMV does not state a question total on the cited permit page) to pass, who qualifies, the mistakes that fail most people, free practice questions, and an AI tutor in 5 languages.
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California permit test answers explained. Every practice question comes with an AI explanation that breaks down the rule, not just the answer.
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California DMV cheat sheet for. Quick-reference key facts, signs, and rules from the California Driver’s Handbook, plus free practice questions.
How to Get a Permit
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How to get your California learner's permit in. Step-by-step: age requirements, documents, knowledge test, fees, and what to bring to the DMV.
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California learner's permit requirements for. Minimum age, required documents, knowledge test details, fees, and holding period — all in one place.
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Free California road signs practice test for. Learn every sign shape, color, and meaning from the California Driver’s Handbook, then drill sign questions with AI explanations.
Right-of-Way Practice
California Right-of-Way Practice Test
Master right-of-way for the California permit test. Intersections, 4-way stops, left turns, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles — with free practice questions.
Written Test Questions
California DMV Written Test Questions
Free California DMV written test questions for, written from the California Driver’s Handbook. Practice real exam-style questions with AI explanations in 5 languages.
DMV Test in Spanish
California DMV Permit Test in Spanish
Study for the California DMV permit test in Spanish. Native-quality Spanish practice questions, explanations, and an AI tutor — plus what to expect on the official exam.
DMV Test in Chinese
California DMV Permit Test in Chinese
Study for the California DMV permit test in Chinese. Native-quality Chinese practice questions, explanations, and an AI tutor — plus what to expect on the official exam.
DMV Test in Korean
California DMV Permit Test in Korean
Study for the California DMV permit test in Korean. Native-quality Korean practice questions, explanations, and an AI tutor — plus what to expect on the official exam.
DMV Test in Russian
California DMV Permit Test in Russian
Study for the California DMV permit test in Russian. Native-quality Russian practice questions, explanations, and an AI tutor — plus what to expect on the official exam.
Related guides from our blog
State Guide · 7 min
California Permit Test Guide (2026)
California’s written test covers signs, right-of-way, and speed limits. Here is what to expect and how to prepare.
How-To · 6 min
How to Pass Your Permit Test on the First Try
Most people fail because they cram the night before. Here is a calmer, smarter way to prepare in about a week.
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The handbook builds understanding; practice tests reveal gaps. Use both, in the right order.

