Learner's Permit

When driving in fog, you should use your:

Fog lights only

High beams

Low beams

Low beams

(It is best to postpone driving until a fog clears. However, if you must drive in the fog, you should do so slowly and use your windshield wipers and low beam headlights.)

(Low beams aim downward → they light up the road more effectively and reduce reflection. Rule of thumb: Fog, rain, snow = low beams.)

A curb painted blue means parking is:

Allowed for no longer than 15 minutes.

Only allowed when picking up or dropping off passengers.

For disabled persons with a special placard or plate.

For disabled persons with a special placard or plate.

(A blue curb indicates an area where parking is permitted only for a disabled person, or driver of a disabled person, who displays a placard or special license plate for disabled persons or disabled veterans.)

When approaching an intersection controlled by a flashing yellow light, you must:

Come to a complete stop at the intersection.

Maintain your normal speed.

Slow down and proceed with caution.

Slow down and proceed with caution.

(A traffic signal displaying a flashing yellow light indicates that you should be alert and proceed with caution. Slow down when approaching a flashing yellow traffic signal.)

This sign means:

Railroad ahead.

No passing zone.

School zone.

Railroad ahead.

(A round yellow sign indicates that there is a railroad crossing ahead.)

This sign indicates that the road ahead:

Turns sharply right, then left.

Curves right, then left.

Curves right.

Curves right, then left.

(This sign warns of a reverse curve in which the road curves to the right, then to the left.)

You should signal at least how many feet before you turn?

50

75

100

100

(You should signal at least 100 feet before you turn, before every lane change, at least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway, before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb, even when you do not see other vehicles around you, and when you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn shortly after crossing the intersection. Remember to turn off your signal when you no longer need it.)

If you want to pass a pedestrian who is walking along the roadway and an oncoming vehicle is approaching, you should:

Slow down and let the oncoming vehicle pass before you pass the pedestrian.

Keep driving at a steady speed. The oncoming vehicle must stop for you.

Honk your horn to get the pedestrian to move over.

Slow down and let the oncoming vehicle pass before you pass the pedestrian.

(If possible, try to only deal with one roadway hazard at a time. If you want to pass a pedestrian but an oncoming vehicle is approaching, slow down and let the vehicle pass. You may then pass the pedestrian if it is safe to do so.)

While driving at night, a vehicle coming toward you has its high beams on, making it hard for you to see the road ahead. You should:

Look ahead toward the left edge of your lane.

Look ahead toward the right edge of your lane.

Look straight ahead in your lane.

Look ahead toward the right edge of your lane.

(If an oncoming driver fails to dim their high beams, you should avoid looking directly at the headlights. Instead, look toward the right edge of your lane and watch the oncoming vehicle out of the corner of your eye.)

Increase your following distance when driving behind a large vehicle:

To better see around the sides of the vehicle.

Because other drivers tend to pull behind large vehicles before trying to pass them.

Because following too closely will get you caught in the vehicle's slipstream.

To better see around the sides of the vehicle.

(Drivers of trucks, buses, vans, and any vehicles pulling campers or trailers may not be able to see you if you are driving directly behind them. Increase your following distance when driving behind one of these vehicles. Additionally, large vehicles can block your view of the road, so increase your following distance to look around the sides of the vehicle and see the road ahead.)

To avoid hydroplaning while driving in rainy conditions, you should:

Drive at a speed appropriate for ideal conditions.

Apply your brakes as soon as your car starts to skid.

Slow down.

Slow down.

(When driving too quickly in wet conditions, your tires may lose all contact with the road surface. Loss of traction will cause the vehicle to ride on top of the water, which is called "hydroplaning." The best way to prevent this from happening is to drive more slowly in rainy or wet conditions than you would when driving during ideal weather conditions.)

Signs with orange backgrounds are:

General warning signs.

Construction and maintenance warning signs.

Regulatory signs.

Construction and maintenance warning signs.

(The color orange is used only for construction and maintenance warning signs.)

Roadways are the most slippery:

During a heavy downpour.

After it has been raining for a while.

During the first rain after a dry spell.

During the first rain after a dry spell.

(Many roads are most slippery during the first rain after a dry spell because oil and dust on the road have not previously been washed away.)

When turning left from a two-way street onto a one-way street, you should:

Turn into any lane.

Turn into first lane.

Turn into second lane.

Turn into first lane.

(When making any turn, turn from the lane closest to the direction you wish to travel into the first available legal lane. On a turn from a two-way to a one-way street, this means you should turn into the first lane.)

When you want to change lanes, you should never:

Move into another lane while within an intersection.

Check your blind spot by looking over your shoulder.

Check for other drivers moving into the same lane.

Move into another lane while within an intersection.

(You should never change lanes within an intersection. Before changing lanes, always look over your shoulder to check your blind spot. Be alert to other drivers moving into the same lane.)

When you are merging onto the freeway, you should be driving:

At or near the speed of traffic on the freeway.

Five to 10 mph slower than the speed of traffic on the freeway.

The posted speed limit for freeway traffic.

At or near the speed of traffic on the freeway.

(When merging onto a freeway, you should enter at or near the speed of traffic.)

You are approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and are unable to see 400 feet down the tracks in one direction. The speed limit is:

15 mph.

20 mph.

25 mph.

15 mph.

(Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing where you cannot see 400 feet down the tracks in both directions, the speed limit is 15 mph. However, you may drive faster if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagger.)

When making a right turn from a highway with two lanes traveling in your direction, you may turn from:

The lane closest to the center of the road.

The lane nearest the curb or edge of the roadway.

Either lane, depending on oncoming traffic.

The lane nearest the curb or edge of the roadway.

(Begin and end the turn in the lane nearest the right-hand curb. Do not swing wide into another lane of traffic.)

You reach an intersection with stop signs on all four corners at the same time as the driver on your left. Who has the right-of-way?

The driver on your left has the right-of-way.

You have the right-of-way.

Whoever is signaling to make a turn has the right-of-way.

You have the right-of-way.

(If two vehicles arrive at the same time to an intersection that has stop signs on all corners, the vehicle to the right has the right-of-way.)

To turn left from a multilane one-way street onto a one-way street, you should start your turn from:

Any lane.

The lane closest to the left curb.

The lane in the center of the road.

The lane closest to the left curb.

(When turning left from a one-way street onto another one-way street, you should begin the turn from the far left lane.)

This road sign means:

You must travel through the intersection at the posted speed limit.

The maximum speed limit under ideal conditions is 55 mph.

You must not travel below the speed indicated.

The maximum speed limit under ideal conditions is 55 mph.

(Regulatory signs provide notice to road users of traffic laws that must be obeyed. This particular sign tells you the maximum speed limit for the stretch of highway where it is posted. You may drive more slowly than the posted speed limit, based on road conditions, but it is illegal to drive any faster than the posted speed limit.)

If your vehicle starts to lose traction because of water on the road, you should:

Drive at a constant speed to gain better traction.

Apply the brakes firmly to prevent your vehicle from sliding.

Slow down gradually and not apply the brakes.

Slow down gradually and not apply the brakes.

(When driving in heavy rain at speeds as low as 30 mph, your tires may lose all contact with the road and instead ride up on a layer of water above the surface of the road. This is called "hydroplaning." If your vehicle starts to hydroplane, slow down gradually and do not apply the brakes.)

You must show proof of insurance to law enforcement:

Only if you are involved in a collision.

If you are involved in a collision or stopped for a citation.

Only if you are stopped and cited.

If you are involved in a collision or stopped for a citation.

(You must have evidence of financial responsibility, such as proof of insurance, with you whenever you drive. You must always show proof of insurance and your license to an officer upon request after a traffic stop or collision.)

A sign with this shape means:

No passing zone.

Right turn permitted on red.

Yield right-of-way.

No passing zone.

(A pennant-shaped sign marks the beginning of a no passing zone.)

You are driving in the far right lane of a four-lane freeway and notice thick broken white lines on the left side of your lane. You are driving in:

The carpool lane and must merge into the next lane.

A special lane for slow-moving vehicles.

An exit lane.

An exit lane.

(Freeway lanes that are ending will usually be marked by large broken lines painted on the pavement. If you are driving in a lane marked with these broken lines, be prepared to exit the freeway or for the lane to end.)

When you see this black and yellow sign, it means:

The road to the right is for one-way traffic only.

There is a detour to the right due to road construction.

The road ahead changes direction at an extreme angle.

The road ahead changes direction at an extreme angle.

(Warning signs are usually yellow with black markings. They alert you to conditions that are immediately ahead. This sign tells drivers to slow down and prepare for an abrupt change in direction at an extreme angle.)

Trucks' blind spots are:

Directly behind the body.

On the immediate left of the cab.

Both on the immediate left of the cab and directly behind the body.

Both on the immediate left of the cab and directly behind the body.

(A truck's blind spots are much larger than a smaller car’s blind spots. The driver cannot see your car behind their vehicle and you can't see what’s happening in traffic ahead if you're driving too closely behind the truck. Whether you are driving behind or to the side of the truck, if you can’t see the driver’s face in their side view mirror, then they can’t see you.)

Extra space in front of a large truck is needed for:

Other drivers to merge onto the freeway.

The truck driver to stop the vehicle.

Other drivers when they want to slow down.

The truck driver to stop the vehicle.

(Because they are larger, trucks take longer to stop than cars traveling at the same speed. Other drivers should not pull in front of a truck and then slow down or stop.)

On freezing, wet days, which of the following roadways is most likely to hide spots of ice?

Roadways near the tops of hills

Roadways on bridges and overpasses

Roadways paved with asphalt

Roadways on bridges and overpasses

(Bridges and overpasses tend to freeze before the rest of the road does. They can hide spots of ice.)

When parking your vehicle parallel to the curb on a level street:

Your front wheels must be turned toward the street.

Your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb.

One of your rear wheels must touch the curb.

Your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb.

(When parking alongside the curb on a level street, the front and back wheels of your vehicle must be parallel with and within 18 inches of the curb.)

If the rear of your vehicle is skidding to the left, you should:

Not turn your steering wheel.

Turn your steering wheel to the left to correct the skid.

Turn your steering wheel to the right to correct the skid.

Turn your steering wheel to the left to correct the skid.

(If you begin to skid on a wet or icy road, take your foot off the accelerator, stay off the brakes, and turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. However, if you have anti-lock brakes, you should apply your brakes firmly and steer straight ahead.)

You want to park downhill on a two-way road and there is no curb. Which way do you turn your front wheels?

Straight ahead

Right, toward the side of the road

Left, toward the center of the road

Right, toward the side of the road

(When parking facing downhill on a road with or without a curb, or when facing uphill on a road without a curb, turn your front wheels toward the edge of the road so your vehicle will roll away from traffic if the brakes fail. However, when parking uphill on a road with a curb, turn your wheels toward the center of the road so the vehicle will roll into the curb if the brakes fail.)

A sign with this shape means:

Railroad crossing.

Warning.

Signal ahead.

Warning.

(A diamond-shaped yellow sign warns of possible danger ahead. Orange signs, which are mostly diamond-shaped, are used to warn of possible dangers in or near work areas.)

If your car's suspension is bad, it can cause:

Vehicle control problems.

Squealing brakes.

Slack in the steering.

Vehicle control problems.

(Your suspension helps you control your vehicle and provides a comfortable ride over varying road surfaces. If your vehicle bounces a lot after driving over a bump, or is generally hard to control, you may need new suspension parts.)

An orange and red triangular sign on a vehicle always means:

The vehicle has the right-of-way.

Slow-moving vehicle.

Shoulder work ahead.

Slow-moving vehicle.

(Slow-moving vehicles, such as farm tractors, road maintenance vehicles, and animal-drawn carts, display an orange and red triangle on the back.)

A white painted curb indicates a:

Loading zone for freight or passengers.

Loading zone for passengers or mail only.

Loading zone for passengers or mail only.

You should signal at least 100 feet before you turn…

Before every lane change.

At least 5 seconds before you change lanes on a freeway.

None of the above

Both A and B

Both A and B

Dim your high beam headlights to low beams within:

200 feet when a vehicle is coming towards you

300 feet when a vehicle coming towards you

500 feet when a vehicle is coming towards you

500 feet when a vehicle is coming towards you

(Dim your high-beam headlights to low beams within 500 feet of a vehicle coming toward you or within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.)

Treat lines as a barrier. When

Two sets of double white lines are spaced 2 feet apart

Two sets of double yellow lines are spaced 2 feet or more apart

Two sets of broken yellow lines are spaced 1 foot apart

Two sets of double yellow lines are spaced 2 feet or more apart

You may make a left turn on a red light only from a:

One way street onto a two way street

One way street onto a one way street

Two way street onto a one way street

One way street onto a one way street

(You may turn left against a red light when you are turning from a one-way street onto a one-way street. Make sure there is no sign prohibiting the turn. Yield to other vehicles, pedestrians, or bicyclists who have a green light. Look both ways and turn when it is safe.)

You want to pass a vehicle on the road. You should:

Wait until you can see the entire vehicle in your rearview mirror before merging back into your lane

Use your horn to alert the other driver of your intention to pass

Pass only if there is enough space in the lane ahead of the vehicle

None of the above

Pass only if there is enough space in the lane ahead of the vehicle

If you are being passed in a no passing zone, you should:

Pull off the road

Maintain your speed and position

Slow down and let the other driver safely return to the driver lane

Maintain your speed and position

(If a vehicle is passing you or signals that they plan on passing, allow the vehicle to pass. Maintain your lane position and your speed.)

Blue traffic signs offer information on:

Motorist services

Construction and maintenance

Mileage information

Motorist services

A safety zone is a specially marked area for passengers to get on or off buses or trolleys. You may not drive through a safety zone:

Only when a bus or trolley is present

Only when a bus or trolley is unloading passengers

At any time or for any reason

At any time or for any reason

Large trucks turning onto a street with two lanes in each direction:

May complete the turn in either of the two lanes

Often have to use the left lane to complete the turn

Must stay in the right lane at all times while turning

Often have to use the left lane to complete the turn

('When a vehicle turns, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle, the greater the difference in the length of the turning path. This is why large vehicles and truck drivers must often swing wide to complete a turn.')

The speed limit in any alley is:

25 MPH

20 MPH

15 MPH

15 MPH

A peace officer is signaling for you to drive to the edge of the roadway. You decide to ignore the officer's warning and flee the scene. You are guilty of a misdemeanor and can be punished by being:

Fined up to $1,000

Jailed in the county jail for not more than one year

Given a warning and a citation

Jailed in the county jail for not more than one year

To see vehicles in your blind spots, you should check:

The inside rearview mirror

The outside rearview mirror

Over your shoulders

Over your shoulders

(To check your blind spots, look over your right and left shoulders out of your side windows. Only turn your head when you look. Do not turn your whole body or steering wheel.)

You are on the freeway and traffic is merging into your lane. You should:

Make room for the merging traffic

Assert your right-of-way by driving faster

Always maintain your position

Make room for the merging traffic

(Highway traffic has the right-of-way. 'Make space for vehicles entering freeways, even if you have the right-of-way. Be ready for rapid changes and watch for signals from other drivers.')

When driving at night with no other vehicles ahead, a driver should use:

High beam lights

Low beam lights

Parking lights

High beam lights

(When driving at night with no other vehicles ahead, a driver should use high-beam headlights. 'When driving at night, use your high-beam headlights on open country roads or dark city streets.')

What is the maximum speed limit on two-lane undivided highways, unless otherwise posted?

45 MPH

65 MPH

55 MPH

55 MPH

(The DMV handbook states that the ideal maximum speed limit on most California highways is 65 mph. It is 55 mph on a two-lane undivided highway and for vehicles towing trailers.)

You are driving on a freeway with a posted speed limit of 65 mph. Traffic is traveling at 70 mph. You may legally drive:

70 MPH or faster to keep up with the speed of traffic

Between 65 MPH and 70 MPH

No faster than 65 MPH

No faster than 65 MPH

(In California, you may never drive faster than is safe for the current road conditions. This is known as the Basic Speed Law. Make sure you manage your speed and slow down when conditions call for it. Regardless of the posted speed limit, your speed should depend on: The number of vehicles on the road. The speed of other vehicles on the road. The road surface: smooth, rough, graveled, wet, dry, wide, or narrow. Bicyclists or pedestrians on or crossing the road. Weather: rain, fog, snow, wind, or dust. Traffic congestion: small changes in your driving habits can help reduce congestion. Avoid weaving in and out of freeway lanes.)

If your wheels drop off the roadway or pavement edge, you should:

Wait until it is safe to do so

Turn back onto the roadway immediately

Stop

Turn back onto the roadway immediately

(If your wheels drift off the pavement, you should: 1. Grip the steering wheel firmly. 2. Remove your foot from the accelerator. 3. Brake gently. 4. Check for traffic behind you. 5. Carefully steer back onto the pavement. Do not pull or turn your steering wheel with too much force. This may cause you to drive into oncoming traffic.)

If your car becomes disabled while on the highway, you should:

Stop in the right lane

Park with all four wheels off the traveled highway

Stop where you are

Park with all four wheels off the traveled highway

(According to the DMV handbook, 'If your vehicle stops working on the freeway: 1. Safely pull over to the right shoulder. 2. Exit on the right side so you are away from traffic if you must get out of the vehicle.')

It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is ____ or higher.

0.08%

0.10%

0.05%

0.08%

If you are convicted of driving with an excessive blood alcohol concentration (BAC), you may be sentenced to serve:

Up to six months in jail

Up to 12 months in jail

No jail time

Up to six months in jail

What should you do when there is a school bus ahead that starts flashing yellow warning lights?

Slow down and prepare to stop.

Stop immediately and remain stopped.

Cautiously pass the school bus on the left.

Slow down and prepare to stop.

Which of the following is a requirement of California’s Basic Speed Law?

Always drive the speed limit, regardless of conditions.

Match your speed to that of your surrounding traffic.

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.