DMV permit test · California
As of October 25, 2026, the California DMV knowledge test for an instruction permit is multiple choice, based on the California Driver's Handbook, and the passing score is 80%.
California issues a provisional instruction permit to applicants at least 15½ and under 18 who have a driver education certificate and a parent or guardian's signature.
The California DMV application fee for an original Class C driver's license is $46 (per dmv.ca.gov, checked on Oct 25, 2026).
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OneTryPass wrote these questions from the California Driver's Handbook. Pick an answer to see if you got it; each explanation names the part of the handbook it comes from.
California drivers should signal at least 100 feet before a turn, even when no other vehicle is in sight. On a freeway, signal at least five seconds before changing lanes.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 5: An Introduction to Driving
Dim to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following. Driving with only parking lights on is illegal in California.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 5: An Introduction to Driving
The school zone limit is 25 mph within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing. Some school zones post limits as low as 15 mph.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (continued)
An intersection without stop signs at any corner counts as blind, and its limit is 15 mph. If your view is blocked, creep forward until you can see cross traffic.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (continued)
Following within 300 feet of a fire engine, police car, ambulance or other emergency vehicle with its siren or flashing lights on is against California law.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (continued)
Leave at least three feet between your vehicle and the bicyclist. If three feet is not possible, stay behind the bicyclist until it is.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (continued)
The limit for drivers under 21 is 0.01%. The 0.08% limit applies to drivers 21 and older, and commercial drivers are held to 0.04%.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 9: Alcohol and Drugs
Never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway. Near a crosswalk the distance is 20 feet, or 15 feet where the curb is extended.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 6: Navigating the Roads (continued)
The center left turn lane is only for setting up a left turn or U-turn, and you may drive in it for no more than 200 feet. It is never a passing lane.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 6: Navigating the Roads
Stop at least 15 feet from the nearest track and stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing, even if the gate goes up.
From California Driver's Handbook · Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road (continued)
The California DMV sets the passing score for the instruction permit knowledge test at 80%. Every question is multiple choice and is drawn from the California Driver's Handbook.
The DMV permit pages do not say how many questions the test has, so OneTryPass does not quote a number here. Study by topic, not toward a fixed count.
Sources: Instruction and Learner's Permits · Prepare for Knowledge and Drive Tests
A California provisional instruction permit is for applicants who are at least 15½ and under 18. A teen needs a certificate showing completion of, or enrollment in, driver education, and a parent or guardian signs the application.
At 18 and older the DMV issues a regular instruction permit instead of a provisional one.
Sources: Instruction and Learner's Permits · Driver's Licenses
One application covers three tries at each required knowledge test. A third failure on the same test voids the application, and the applicant starts over with a new one.
Applicants under 18 wait seven days after a failed knowledge test before trying again; the day of the failure does not count.
Sources: Driver's Licenses · Section 3: The Testing Process
A teen must keep the permit at least 6 months, or turn 18, before booking the drive test, and must be at least 16. Practice adds up to at least 50 hours with a licensed driver 25 or older, with 10 of those hours after dark.
For the first 12 months of a provisional license, a driver under 18 cannot drive from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. or carry passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian or licensed driver 25 or older rides along.
Source: Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License
Each line is one rule from an official California Department of Motor Vehicles page, with the date we read it.
The free questions above are a sample. The pack is the whole question bank, practiced the way the app below shows.
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A California permit applicant files the driver's license application and pays its nonrefundable fee, which is $46 for an original Class C license. The application and fee stay valid for 12 months. Source: official pages "Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's License", "Licensing Fees" and "Driver's Licenses", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
No. The California DMV does not allow testing aids such as the California Driver's Handbook or a cell phone during knowledge tests. Source: official page "Section 3: The Testing Process", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
No. OneTryPass writes its own practice questions from the rules in the California Driver's Handbook, and each question names the part of the handbook it comes from so you can check the rule.
No. OneTryPass is an independent practice site and is not part of the California Department of Motor Vehicles. The California Driver's Handbook is free at dmv.ca.gov.
Every rule on this page comes from the California Department of Motor Vehicles' own website or handbook. OneTryPass reads the page, writes the rule in plain English and records the date. A rule that passes its re-check date leaves this page on its own until it is read again.
How often each kind of rule is read again: knowledge test, 120 days; minimum age, 365 days; fees, 90 days; if you fail, 180 days; permit rules, 365 days; what to bring, 180 days; test appointments, 60 days; official handbook, 180 days.
Something wrong on this page? Tell us at [email protected] and include the link to the official page that changed.