Could You Pass the California State Driving Test?

By: Talin Vartanian
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Could You Pass the California State Driving Test?
Image: AleksandarNakic / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Whether you're a veteran of the road or a brand new driver who is about to ace the real DMV test, we want to sharpen your skills with this CA state driving quiz! Because the sunny state of California isn't just about hiking mountains or swimming in an ocean, it's also about following certain road rules, such as HOV lanes on a freeway and crosswalks in the middle of a street (not necessarily at an intersection).

But for the most part, many of the US states share the same types of rules. You'll still have to know all about those white regulatory signs, warning signs and traffic signs. And let's not forget about roundabouts, mountain roads near Big Bear Lake and speed limits during congested traffic (because if there's anything that Los Angeles is known for, it's the traffic). You probably won't have to worry about bad weather here too much, either, but just in case it rains once or twice a year, be sure to know the rules for bad weather conditions. And above all, be safe when driving out here! So if you're ready to put your driving skills to the test, then it's time for you to take this CA driving quiz now!

10-Wildlife
photo by Pam Susemiehl / Moment / Getty Images
What should you do if you see an animal crossing the street?
Call 911
Swerve around the animal.
Get as close as possible to scare the animal away.
Stop completely or slow down.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sometimes, you'll see a yellow, diamond-shaped sign with an animal on it. This means that there may be animals in the area that drivers should watch out for. If you do see an animal, stop completely or slow down for them.

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19-Bus Lane
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True or false: Drivers are allowed to temporarily park in a public transit bus lane.
False
True
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Drivers are not allowed to park, even temporarily, in a public transit bus lane. You're also not allowed to drive through one, unless you're going to make a turn at an intersection.

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29-Passing
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What should you do if a vehicle is trying to pass you on a road?
Slow down and stop completely
Drive faster
Maintain my speed and lane position
Honk your car horn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When a vehicle is trying to pass you, it's important to maintain your current speed and lane position. If you try to drive faster, you could cause an accident or unsafe driving conditions.

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4-School Zone
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What would you do if you saw a 5-sided sign while driving?
Stop, because this is a STOP sign.
Slow down, because this is a railroad sign.
Slow down, because there's a school nearby.
Uh oh, I guess I must be going the wrong way.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Slow your speed down when you see a 5-sided sign, because that means that a school is nearby. It's also important to pay attention to any crosswalks, as well as parents, teachers and children who may be crossing.

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21-Cars PArked
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If you're parking on a road that's facing downhill, you should turn your wheels ...
Don't turn the wheels at all.
Away from the curb
Toward the curb
None of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you're parking downhill, always turn your wheels toward the curb. This will allow the vehicle to roll toward the curb if something happens (such as a car hitting you from behind).

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6-Crosswalk
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When is it OK to stop in a crosswalk?
When there are no pedestrians around.
It's never OK.
When another vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk
If the car in front of me is stopped in a crosswalk as well
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It's never OK to stop in a crosswalk, because it's unsafe for pedestrians. Always stop carefully at the designated line (at the crosswalk) and wait until all pedestrians have safely made their way across.

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24-Turn Signal
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Which of the following is not true when it comes to signaling while driving?
Before you change lanes
When you're starting to drive away from a curb
Turning at an intersection
You don't have to signal if there aren't any other drivers around.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Even if you don't think other vehicles are around you, it's still important to turn your signal on when you're changing lanes or turning at an intersection. For instance, a vehicle could be in your blind spot.

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3-Distracted Driver
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Which of the following are considered to be "distractions" while driving?
Using a cellphone
Daydreaming
Eating a snack
All the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All three of these things are considered distractions, as they prevent you from driving in a safe manner. Other types of distractions include looking for an item in your car and removing your hands from the steering wheel.

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14-Fast Lane
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Some lanes are considered "slow," while others are nicknamed as the "fast lane." Which of these is the fast lane?
Right lane
None of these
Left lane
Middle lane
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you like to drive in the fast lane, then perhaps the left lane is for you. The right lane is for slower traffic, while the middle lane is just an additional travel lane on the freeway.

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8-Speedsign
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What does California's "Basic Speed Law" entail?
Never go faster than 75 mph on a freeway.
This has to do with driving at the correct speed for certain types of driving conditions.
Drivers should never go faster than 30 mph in traffic.
Drivers should always be at least one foot away from the car in front.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Drivers should adjust their speed depending on what the weather or traffic condition is like. For example, drivers should slow down when it's rainy or foggy outside, as well as when the road is graveled.

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28-Cars Driving
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Which of the following situations is considered to be dangerous for drivers?
Driving near a delivery driver
A driver who frequently (and randomly) slows down in front of you
Drivers who are talking on their phone
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All of the above situations are considered dangerous for drivers. These situations involve drivers who are distracted by something, and you should take extra care and caution to prevent a collision.

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15-HOV Lane
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Can you guess what "HOV" stands for on a freeway?
"High-occupancy vehicles"
"Hazardous-occupancy vehicles"
"High-order vehicles"
"How-organized vehicles"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

HOV lanes, or "high-occupancy vehicle" lanes, are designed for cars that are carrying at least two passengers. These are often faster lanes as well, and are great for buses and carpool drivers.

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1-Flashing Light
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What does a flashing red light mean?
It means to proceed with caution.
It should be treated as a "STOP" sign.
It should be treated as a "YIELD" sign.
It should be treated as a normal red light.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you see a red light that is flashing, that means it should be treated as a regular "STOP" sign. Stop completely and carefully on the designated line at the intersection and proceed following the "right-of-way" rules.

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17-Bike Lane
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Which of the following is not a type of bike lane?
HOV bike lane
Buffered bike lane
Bicycle boulevard
Separated bikeway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The term "HOV" only refers to vehicles that are carrying two or more passengers, typically on a freeway. There are no "HOV" bike lanes, but there are shared roadway bicycle markings and regular bike lanes on the street.

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27-Car Horn
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When is it OK to use your car horn?
To avoid an accident
When you're mad at another driver
When you want someone else to move faster
To point out the mistakes of other drivers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Car horns are pretty loud, and they should only be used during important situations, such as avoiding an accident. You may also use your horn on mountain roads that aren't very visible.

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20-U-Turn
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When are you allowed to make a U-turn while driving?
On a railroad crossing
At a green light in an intersection
On a one-way street
In a business district
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You're allowed to make a U-turn at an intersection with a green light (or a green arrow), but watch out for any "No U-turn" signs, as they indicate that you can't make a U-turn at all.

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33-Sleepy Driving
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You shouldn't drive if you're tired, but which of the following helps with this?
None of these
Turning on the A/C
Drinking caffeine
Playing loud music
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Never drive if you're feeling tired, as none of these options will actually help with it. A fatigued driver should either pull into a rest stop or switch with another driver.

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32-Car Stranded
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If your car is stuck on a freeway, the CHP Freeway Service Patrol will offer all of the following except ...
Gallon of gas (if the cause is low or no fuel)
New or spare tire (if the cause is a flat tire)
"Jump start" the battery (if it's dead)
Tow your car to a home address
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The CHP Freeway Service Patrol offers a variety of services for those who are having car troubles on a freeway. But one of the things they can't do is tow your car to your home address.

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23-White Curb
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Which of these colored curbs is for loading/unloading goods and/or passengers?
White
Green
Blue
Red
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

White-colored curbs are only for dropping off or picking up passengers/goods. Green-colored curbs are for limited-time parking, red-colored curbs aren't meant for parking at all and blue-colored curbs are for disabled drivers/passengers.

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13-Yellow Line
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If you see a ____________ on the road, that means that it's safe for you to pass another car.
Solid yellow line
Broken yellow line
Two solid yellow lines
Solid white lines
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

As a driver, you may only pass another vehicle if the line on the road is a "broken yellow." The broken yellow line must also be on your side of the road, and above all, pass with caution.

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2-Mature Driver
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How old do you have to be to enroll in the mature driver program?
55
60
65
70
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You have to be at least 55 years old to enroll in the Mature Driver Program. This 8-hour class discusses many different safety rules, and may earn a driver a reduced insurance package.

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22-Backing Up
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When backing into an empty space for parallel parking, you should position your vehicle at a _____-degree angle.
45
60
90
30
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Aim for a 45-degree angle when backing into a parking space (for parallel parking). It's also important to be on the lookout for any hazards, and drivers should check their rearview mirror and surroundings.

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31-Accelerate
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If your accelerator becomes stuck, what's the first thing you should do?
Turn off the ignition
Shift to neutral
Park the car somewhere
Brake the vehicle
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Don't panic when your accelerator becomes stuck, because the first thing you should do is shift to neutral. Afterward, slowly apply the brakes and try to get off the road as soon as you can.

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5-Road Signs
Simon McGill / Moment / Getty Images
Which of the following is not an example of a regulatory sign?
"Shoulder Work Ahead"
"Slower Traffic Keep Right"
"Do Not Stop On Tracks"
"Emergency Parking Only"
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Shoulder Work Ahead" is actually a highway construction and maintenance sign, and can also be observed as a yellow, diamond-shaped sign. It's also important to look for signs that say "Road Closed Ahead" and "Thru Traffic Merge Left."

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34-Drunk Driving
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If you're 21 years old (or older), then you're not allowed to drive with a BAC of ______ or higher.
.01%
.08%
.04%
.05%
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The BAC limit for anyone 21 years old or older is .08%. If you're under a DUI probation, that limit becomes .01%. And if you're under 21 years old, you also can't drive with a BAC of .01% or higher.

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30-Semi Truck
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True or false: Unlike cars, trucks have "no zone" blind spots where they can't see you at all.
False
True
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Trucks have better vision when it comes to their forward view of the road, but because of their size, they have "no zone" blind spots. This means that they are unable to see other drivers in these blind spots, so drive around trucks with caution.

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35-Warning Sign
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Which of the following is not considered to be a "warning sign?"
Two Way Traffic
Lane Ends
Sharp Turn
Stop sign
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A Stop sign is a traffic sign, not a warning sign. You may also be familiar with the Yield sign and the Do Not Enter sign, which are both traffic signs as well. Warning signs are typically yellow with a diamond shape.

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26-Car Steering
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All of the following are proper steering methods, except for ...
Hand-to-hand steering
Abrupt steering
Hand-over-hand steering
One-hand steering
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While there is no such thing as "abrupt steering," the other three options are correct steering methods. For one-hand steering, use this method for cars with a manual transmission.

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18-Turn Signal
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When should you start signaling before you make a turn on the road?
75 feet beforehand
50 feet beforehand
200 feet beforehand
100 feet beforehand
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Before making a turn, drivers should turn on their signal 100 feet beforehand. If you turn it on too late, you're not giving other drivers enough time to react. If you turn it on too earlier, then drivers may be confused as to when/where you're turning.

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12-Traffic
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What does the "3-second rule" mean?
Drivers should check their rear view mirror every three seconds.
All vehicles should be at least three seconds apart from each other.
This should actually be the "3-foot rule."
You have three seconds to pass a yellow light before it changes to red.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In this context, "three seconds" has to do with distance on the road. All vehicles should be at least three seconds apart from each other, and that includes the cars behind you as well. It has nothing to do with food dropped on the floor of your car, which should probably just go in the trash.

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25-Steering wheel
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Where should you correctly place your hands on a steering wheel?
Nine and 3 o'clock position.
Eight and 4 o'clock position.
Both A and B.
Seven and 2 o'clock position.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Imagine that the steering wheel looks like a clock. The eight or nine positions would be on the left side of the wheel (toward the middle), while the three or four positions would be on the right side (again, towards the middle).

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7-Roundabout
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Which of the following is false about roundabouts?
Vehicles should always yield to pedestrians.
There are no bike lanes on roundabouts.
There is a central island within roundabouts.
Vehicles travel in a clockwise direction.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cars and bikes actually travel in a counter-clockwise direction with regard to roundabouts. Other important safety tips include adhering to pavement markings/signs and slowing down before you come to the roundabout.

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11-Person Driving
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In order to be aware of hazards on the road, drivers should scan ________ seconds ahead of them.
15-20
10-15
5-10
20-25
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

10-15 seconds is the sweet spot when scanning ahead of your car. For example, if the scan count is too low, like 5 seconds, then you could miss out on a hazard that's in the distance.

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16-Shark Teeth
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"Shark's teeth" is another (scary) way of saying ...
End-of-lane markings
Bicycle lanes
Yield lines
Turnout area
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Why are yield lane markings called "shark's teeth?" Because they're made up of many small white triangles that look like sharp teeth! But more importantly, these lines will tell a driver where they must stop and yield to other cars.

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9-School Sign
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If there is no speed limit sign around a school area, you should drive no faster than ...
15 mph
20 mph
30 mph
25 mph
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The speed limit around school areas is 25 mph, assuming that there's no other speed limit sign in the area. It's also important to be on the lookout for pedestrians, crossing guards and stopped school buses.

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You Got:
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