California Driver Handbook
Official driver handbook content, organized by chapter.
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
6 chapters
Driving Safely
Safe driving requires full attention to the road at all times. California bans all handheld cell phone use while driving, and drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all — even hands-free.
California law requires every occupant to wear a seatbelt. Seatbelts reduce the risk of death in a crash by about 45%.
Keep both hands on the wheel and scan 10–15 seconds ahead so you have time to react to hazards.