California DMV Permit Test 2025 – Key Points

A comprehensive set of Q&A-style flashcards covering the essential rules, laws, signs, and safe-driving practices for the California DMV Permit Test 2025. Use them to quiz yourself on speed limits, right-of-way, alcohol laws, signaling, parking rules, lane markings, defensive driving, and more.

How does fatigue or drowsiness affect driving?

It harms your vision and slows reaction time to hazards.

When should hand-over-hand steering be used?

During low-speed turns, parking, or recovering from a skid.

Name the two situations that justify one-hand steering.

Backing up while turning or operating a control that requires the other hand.

What should you do if your signal lights fail or bright sun makes them hard to see?

Use hand-and-arm signals.

How may bicyclists signal a turn?

By pointing their arm straight out in the direction they intend to turn.

How far in advance must you signal before turning?

At least 100 feet.

How long must you signal before changing lanes on a freeway?

At least five seconds.

When must you signal besides turns and lane changes?

Before pulling next to or away from a curb.

Legal BAC limit for drivers 21 and over in CA?

0.08% or higher is illegal.

What does California’s Basic Speed Law require?

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

Can you drive after taking medication that impairs you?

No—under no circumstances.

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

No more than 200 feet.

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

Let the call go to voicemail.

Meaning of a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line?

Passing allowed only from the side with the broken line.

Parking uphill with no curb: wheel direction?

Turn wheels right toward the side of the road.

After a minor, non-injury crash in traffic, what should you do?

Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane if possible.

Is it legal to smoke in a car with someone under 18 present?

No—illegal at all times.

If a pedestrian is crossing where there’s no crosswalk, you must:

Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing.

Following a large truck on the freeway, you should:

Stay farther back than when following a passenger car.

Pedestrians using a white cane or guide dog have right-of-way when?

At all times.

Best way to check blind spots before a lane change?

Look over your shoulder.

Traffic merging into your lane on the freeway—what’s courteous?

Make room if possible.

What to do at an inoperative traffic signal?

Stop, then proceed when safe—treat like a stop sign.

Why does a large truck need extra space in front?

So the driver has room to stop.

How do you know it’s safe to return to your lane after passing?

You can see the passed vehicle’s headlights in your rear-view mirror.

What is ‘implied consent’?

By driving in CA you agree to chemical BAC testing if requested.

Night driving on a dim street—safe speed rule?

Drive slowly enough to stop within your headlight range.

May you drive off-road to pass another vehicle?

No—never.

Speed limit near an uncontrolled railroad crossing with limited view (<400 ft)?

15 mph.

How close must parallel-parked wheels be to the curb?

Within 18 inches.

Proper speed when entering a freeway?

At or near the speed of freeway traffic.

Look ahead how far to avoid last-minute moves?

About 10–15 seconds down the road.

Residential area speed limit unless posted otherwise?

25 mph.

When must a crash be reported to DMV?

If injuries occur or property damage exceeds $1,000.

Where is parking always illegal?

Next to a red painted curb.

Meaning of two solid double yellow lines two feet apart?

A barrier—never cross them for any reason.

Freeway has 65-mph limit but traffic at 70 mph. Maximum legal speed?

65 mph.

If you intend to pass, should you assume others will let you back in?

No—never assume they will make space.

Why may large trucks swing wide right?

To complete the right turn safely.

Crossing railroad tracks—when MUST you stop first?

If there isn’t room on the far side to completely clear the tracks.

When should you use your horn?

When it may help prevent a collision.

Driving much slower than traffic can lead to:

Interfering with flow and a possible ticket.

Freeway lane change signals must be on for how long?

At least five seconds.

Which vehicles need extra following distance?

Motorcycles.

When must you show proof of insurance?

If involved in a collision or stopped for a citation.

Can you be ticketed for 55 mph in a 55-mph zone?

Yes, if road or weather conditions warrant slower speed.

Where may an opened alcohol container be carried legally?

Only in the trunk.

Before turning left you must yield to:

All approaching vehicles.

Vehicle on shoulder with hazard lights—what do you do?

Slow down and pass carefully.

Proper shoulder check before lane change?

Glance over your shoulder after checking mirrors.

Parking downhill with no curb: wheel direction?

Turn wheels right toward the road edge.

Narrow lane, oncoming car, and bicyclist ahead—what’s safest?

Slow down, let the car pass, then pass the bicyclist.

Why double-check for motorcycles before lane changes?

Their small size makes them harder to see.

Seat-belt use in CA is:

Mandatory; violations result in a ticket.

May you enter an intersection if you’ll block it on red?

No—never block an intersection.

Light turns green but pedestrian is still in crosswalk—what now?

Wait until the pedestrian has completely crossed.

First action if a car cuts in front creating a hazard?

Lift your foot off the accelerator.

What is a safety zone?

A marked area for bus/trolley passengers; never drive through it.

Red arrow pointing right means:

No right turn until the light turns green.

Orange-red triangle on a vehicle indicates:

Slow-moving vehicle.

Correct response to emergency vehicle with siren/lights?

Pull as far right as possible and stop.

Rule when a school bus flashes red lights?

Stop until lights stop and stop arm is withdrawn.

Why must you look for bicyclists in traffic lanes?

They are entitled to share the road.

Only legal left turn on red in CA?

From a one-way street onto another one-way street.

When should you voluntarily yield right-of-way?

Whenever it helps prevent collisions.

Is it ever legal to drive around a lowered railroad gate?

No—never.

Max jail time for first excessive-BAC conviction?

Up to 6 months.

If vehicles pass you on the right while you occupy left lane, you should:

Move to the right lane when safe.

At night, oncoming high beams blind you. Where should you look?

Toward the right edge of your lane.

Tailgated by another driver—what to do?

Increase following distance ahead of you.

How often should you check rear-view mirrors?

Frequently to monitor traffic behind.

Speed limit at an uncontrolled blind intersection?

15 mph.

Vehicle hydroplaning on water—first action?

Ease off the accelerator; don’t brake suddenly.

In an intersection when emergency vehicle approaches—you should:

Proceed through, then pull right and stop.

Penalty for fleeing police after signal to pull over?

Up to one year in county jail (misdemeanor).

School zone default speed where children present?

25 mph unless otherwise posted.

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

Age 6 or younger.

Roundabout approach speed?

Decrease speed and yield to traffic in the roundabout.

Fine for passing a stopped school bus with red lights?

Up to $1,000.

What can placard abuse cost you?

Revocation, a fine, and/or jail time.

Construction-zone fines are usually:

Doubled.

California Move Over Law requires:

Vacate lane closest to stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights.

If you hit an animal on a highway, you should:

Call the humane society or law enforcement.

Penalty for abandoning an animal on a highway:

Possible jail time.

Rule of thumb to avoid tailgating?

Use the three-second following rule.

Encounter livestock on roadway—you must:

Slow down and stop if necessary.

When must headlights be on?

From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.

Main cause of a locked-wheel skid?

Braking too hard at high speed.

Green arrow changes to solid green—can you still turn?

Yes, after yielding to oncoming traffic.

Right turn on green—who gets priority?

Pedestrians crossing the street.

Driving past parked cars—what’s wise?

Expect a door or person to enter your lane unexpectedly.

Before driving in winter, you should clear snow/ice from:

All windows.

Four-way stop rule for right-of-way?

Driver who arrives first proceeds; if tie, driver on the right.

Crossbuck (X) sign means:

Railroad crossing.

Round yellow sign means:

Railroad crossing ahead.

Downward-pointing triangle sign means:

Yield.

“End School Zone” sign signifies:

End of reduced speed requirement.

If a crossing guard directs you, you must:

Follow the guard’s directions.

Steady green arrow at signal means:

Turn in arrow direction after yielding to traffic/pedestrians in intersection.

Steady yellow arrow means:

Prepare to stop if safe.