California DMV Top 150 Questions Review

150 question-and-answer flashcards covering key California DMV rules, safety laws, signs, and driving practices.

What BAC is illegal for drivers age 21+ in California?

0.08% or higher

What does California’s Basic Speed Law state?

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

When is it legal to drive under the influence of impairing medication?

Under no circumstances.

How far may you drive in a bike lane before turning right?

No more than 200 feet.

If your cell phone rings and you lack hands-free capability, what should you do?

Let the call go to voicemail.

With a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line, who may pass?

Vehicles next to the broken line may pass.

Parking uphill with no curb: which way turn wheels?

Right, toward the side of the road.

After a minor, non-injury collision, what should you do with your vehicle?

Move it out of the traffic lane if possible.

Smoking in a car with someone under 18 present is .

Illegal at all times.

No crosswalk but pedestrian crossing: what must you do?

Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing.

Following a large truck on the freeway: how close?

Farther back than when following a passenger car.

You must yield to a pedestrian with a white cane or guide dog .

At all times.

How do you check your blind spots?

Look over your shoulders.

Traffic is merging into your freeway lane; you should .

Make room for the merging traffic if possible.

Traffic signal not working at an intersection: what do you do?

Stop, then proceed when safe (treat as all-way stop).

Extra space in front of a large truck is needed for what reason?

To allow the truck driver enough stopping distance.

After passing, when is it safe to return to your lane?

When you can see both headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

When do you consent to chemical testing for alcohol/drugs in CA?

Whenever you drive in California (implied consent).

Night driving on a dim street: how fast?

Slow enough to stop within the area illuminated by your headlights.

May you drive off the paved roadway to pass another vehicle?

Under no circumstances.

Approaching an uncontrolled RR crossing with limited view: speed limit?

15 mph within 100 feet of the crossing.

Parallel parking on a level street: wheel distance from curb?

Within 18 inches of the curb.

Proper speed when merging onto a freeway?

At or near the speed of freeway traffic.

Look ahead down the road about how far to avoid last-minute moves?

10 to 15 seconds ahead.

How many feet before a turn must you signal?

At least 100 feet.

Default speed limit in a residential area (unless posted)?

25 mph.

DMV collision report required when?

Injuries or property damage over $1,000.

Where may you NOT park your vehicle?

Next to a red painted curb.

Two sets of solid double yellow lines ≥2 ft apart may be crossed when?

They may not be crossed for any reason (they are a barrier).

Freeway limit 65 mph but traffic is 70 mph; max legal speed?

65 mph (posted limit).

When planning to pass, what must you NOT assume?

That the other driver will make space for you to return.

Large truck turning right on a multi-lane street may need to .

Swing wide to complete the turn.

Always stop before railroad tracks when .

There isn’t room to completely cross and clear the tracks.

Appropriate horn use?

Only when it may help prevent a collision.

Driving slower than traffic flow can result in .

Interfering with traffic and receiving a ticket.

Lane change on a freeway: minimum signal time?

At least five seconds.

When following a motorcycle you should .

Allow extra space in front of your vehicle.

You must show proof of insurance when?

If involved in a collision or stopped for a citation.

Can you get a speeding ticket for 55 mph in a 55 zone?

Yes, if road or weather conditions require a slower speed.

Where may an opened alcoholic beverage be legally kept in a car?

In the trunk.

Turning left at a corner: you must yield to .

All approaching vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

Vehicle on shoulder with hazard lights: you should .

Slow down and pass very carefully.

Before changing lanes you should check mirrors and .

Glance over your shoulder.

Parking downhill on road with no curb: wheel direction?

Right, toward the side of the road.

Passing a bicyclist in a narrow lane with oncoming traffic: action?

Slow down, let oncoming vehicle pass, then pass bicyclist.

Why look carefully for motorcycles before changing lanes?

Their small size makes them hard to see in blind spots.

Seat belt use is and failure results in .

Mandatory; a traffic ticket.

Entering an intersection you can’t clear before red: allowed?

No, never enter if you will block the intersection.

Pedestrian still crossing on flashing “Don’t Walk” as your light turns green: what do you do?

Wait until the pedestrian finishes crossing.

Vehicle suddenly cuts in front of you; first reaction?

Take your foot off the gas pedal.

May you drive through a safety zone marked for trolleys/buses?

Never.

Red arrow pointing right means .

No right turn until the light turns green.

Orange-red triangle on a vehicle means .

Slow-moving vehicle.

How must you yield to an emergency vehicle with lights and siren?

Drive to the right edge of the road and stop.

Stopping for a school bus with red lights flashing: you must .

Stop and remain until the lights stop and stop arm is withdrawn.

Why must you watch for bicyclists in vehicle lanes?

They are entitled to share the road with motor vehicles.

Left turn on a red light is only legal from .

A one-way street onto a one-way street.

When should you yield your legal right-of-way?

Whenever it helps prevent collisions.

Driving around/under a lowered RR gate is legal when?

Never.

First-offense DUI with excessive BAC may result in jail time.

Up to six months.

Many vehicles pass you on the right while you’re in left lane; driver behind wants faster speed: what do you do?

Move into the right lane when safe.

Oncoming car keeps high beams on at night; you should .

Look toward the right edge of your lane.

Increase following distance when you .

Are being tailgated.

Rearview mirrors should be checked .

Often, to monitor traffic behind you.

Blind intersection (uncontrolled, limited view) speed limit?

15 mph.

Hydroplaning occurs; what should you do?

Slow down gradually, don’t brake.

Emergency vehicle approaches while you’re in an intersection: action?

Proceed through, then pull right and stop.

Ignoring a peace officer’s stop signal and fleeing is punishable by .

Up to one year in county jail (misdemeanor).

School zone speed limit when children present (unless posted)?

25 mph.

Illegal to leave a child of what age or younger alone in a vehicle?

Six or younger (unless supervised by someone 12+).

Approaching a roundabout: first action?

Decrease your speed.

Entering a roundabout: must yield to .

Traffic already in the roundabout.

Penalty for passing a stopped school bus with flashing red lights?

Fine up to $1,000 (and possible license suspension).

Penalty for disabled placard abuse?

Placard revocation, fine up to $1,000, and/or jail time.

Traffic fines in construction zones are .

Doubled.

California Move Over law requires you to .

Vacate the lane next to a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights or slow down if unable to move.

If you hit an animal on the highway, you should .

Call CHP or the humane society; do not leave or move the animal yourself.

Abandoning an animal on the highway may lead to .

Up to six months in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both.

Rule to prevent tailgating?

Three-second rule.

Encounter livestock on roadway: you should .

Slow down and stop if necessary.

Headlights must be on starting .

One-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise (and when visibility <1,000 ft).

Locked-wheel skid usually caused by .

Braking too hard at high speed.

Green arrow changes to solid green; may you still turn?

Yes, but yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Right turn on green light: what must you yield to?

Pedestrians.

Driving where children are playing: expect them to .

Run into the street without looking.

At RR crossing with multiple tracks: when to proceed?

After you have a clear view of all tracks.

Proper backing technique?

Turn your head and look through the rear window.

Main way to help prevent crashes?

Communicate with other road users (signals, horn, etc.).

Best action if you feel tired while driving?

Stop driving.

Vehicle breakdown on highway: first safety step?

Use four-way flashers (hazard lights).

To pass on a two-lane, two-way road you must use .

The oncoming traffic lane, when safe and legal.

Key to speed management on curves?

Slow down before entering the curve.

Stop-sign intersection: proper observation sequence?

Look left, right, then left again before proceeding.

Space cushion should be kept on .

All sides of your vehicle.

Allow larger space cushion than usual when stopped .

On an incline (uphill).

When making a turn you must your speed.

Reduce.

On slick roads you should take turns .

More slowly than usual.

On slippery roads you should following distance.

Increase.

Road sections freeze first when they are .

Shaded.

Waiting to turn left in intersection: wheels should be .

Straight, with signal on.