California DMV Permit Test Practice

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards based on official California DMV permit test questions and traffic regulations.

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

$0.08\%$ or higher ($8$ hundredths of a percent).

California's "Basic Speed Law" says you must:

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

Driving under the influence of any medication which impairs your driving is permitted: ___________

Permitted under no circumstances.

You may drive a motor vehicle in a bike lane:

No more than $200\,\text{feet}$ before making a right turn.

If your cell phone rings while you are driving and you do not have a hands-free device you should:

Let the call go to voicemail.

A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means that vehicles:

Vehicles next to the broken line may pass.

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

Turn front wheels right, toward the side of the road.

You are involved in a minor collision at an intersection. There are no injuries and there is very little vehicle damage. You should:

Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible.

Smoking with a passenger younger than $18\,\text{years}$

Illegal at all times.

Pedestrian crossing lane with no crosswalk

Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing.

Following a large truck on the freeway

Drive farther behind the truck than you would if following a passenger vehicle.

White cane or guide dog usage

Must yield to the pedestrian at all times.

Checking blind spots

Check over your shoulders.

Freeway traffic merging into your lane

Make room for the merging traffic, if possible.

Non-working traffic signal light

Stop, then proceed when safe.

Extra space in front of a large truck

Needed for the truck driver to stop the vehicle.

Safe return to lane after passing

When you see the vehicle's headlights in your rearview mirror.

Chemical test consent (blood, breath, or urine)

Agreed to whenever you drive in California.

Night driving on dimly lit streets

Drive slowly enough to stop within the area illuminated by your headlights.

Passing another vehicle using the unpaved roadway

Under no circumstances.

Railroad crossing speed limit (obstructed view, no warning devices)

$15\,\text{mph}$.

Parallel parking distance from curb

Wheels must be within $18\,\text{inches}$ of the curb.

Freeway merging speed

At or near the speed of traffic on the freeway.

Looking ahead to avoid last-minute moves

$10\text{ to }15\,\text{seconds}$ down the road.

Signaling before a left turn

Signal continuously during the last $100\,\text{feet}$.

Residential area speed limit

$25\,\text{mph}$ unless otherwise posted.

Written report to DMV requirement

If there is property damage in excess of $\$1,000$ or any injuries.

Red painted curb

You may not park your vehicle.

Double solid yellow lines ($2\,\text{feet}$ or more apart)

May not be crossed for any reason.

Freeway speed limit compliance (traffic at $70\,\text{mph}$ in $65\,\text{mph}$ zone)

Legally drive no faster than $65\,\text{mph}$.

Planning to pass another vehicle

Do not assume the other driver will make space for you to return to your lane.

Large truck right turns

May have to swing wide to complete the turn.

Stopping before railroad tracks

Required if there isn't room on the other side to completely cross.

Horn usage

When it may help prevent a collision.

Driving slower than the flow of traffic

Will most likely interfere with traffic and result in a ticket.

Freeway lane change signal

Signal for at least $5\,\text{seconds}$.

Following a motorcycle

Allow extra space in front of your vehicle.

Showing proof of insurance

Required when involved in a collision or stopped for a citation.

Speeding ticket in a $55\,\text{mph}$ zone while driving $55\,\text{mph}$

Possible if road or weather conditions require a slower speed.

Opened alcoholic beverage container

Legal to drive with only if the container is in the trunk.

Upcoming left turn yield

Yield the right-of-way to all approaching vehicles.

Vehicle on right shoulder with hazard lights

Slow down and pass very carefully.

Pre-lane change checks

Check mirrors and glance over your shoulder.

Parking downhill on a two-way road with no curb

Turn front wheels right, toward the side of the road.

Passing a bicyclist in a narrow lane with oncoming traffic

Slow down and let the vehicle pass before passing the bicyclist.

Motorcycle observation for lane changes

Small size can make them hard to see.

Seat belt usage

Drivers must use them; failure results in a traffic ticket.

Blocking an intersection at a red light

Prohibited under any circumstances.

Pedestrian in street when signal changes to green

Wait until the pedestrian crosses before proceeding.

Sudden vehicle cut-in

First, take your foot off the gas pedal.

Safety zone

Marked area for passengers; driving through is prohibited at any time for any reason.

Red arrow (right-facing)

May not turn in that direction until the light turns green.

Orange and red triangular sign

Slow-moving vehicle.

Emergency vehicle yield procedure

Drive as closely to the right edge of the road as possible and stop.

Stopped school bus with flashing red lights

Complete stop until red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn.

Bicyclists in motor vehicle lanes

Are entitled to share the road with motor vehicles.

Left turn on a red light

Only from a one-way street onto a one-way street.

Yielding legal right-of-way

Whenever it helps prevent collisions.

Railroad crossing gate navigation

Never drive around or under a gate.

Excessive BAC conviction punishment

Up to $6\,\text{months}$ in jail.

Slower driving in the left lane

Move into the right lane when safe if vehicles are passing on the right.

Handling oncoming high beams at night

Look ahead toward the right edge of your lane.

Tailgating mitigation

Increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead.

Rearview mirror checks

Often, to see how traffic is moving behind you.

Blind uncontrolled intersection speed limit

$15\,\text{mph}$.

Hydroplaning (loss of traction from water)

Slow down gradually and do not apply the brakes.

Emergency vehicle approaching while in an intersection

Continue through the intersection, pull to the right, and stop.

Fleeing a peace officer

Misdemeanor; punishable by up to $1\,\text{year}$ in county jail.

School zone speed limit (children present)

$25\,\text{mph}$ unless otherwise posted.

Child age for vehicle supervision

Illegal to leave a child age $6$ or younger alone in a vehicle.

Roundabout approach

Always decrease your speed.

Roundabout right-of-way

Yield to traffic already in the roundabout.

Fine for passing a stopped school bus (red lights flashing)

Up to $\$1,000$.

Placard abuse consequences

Placard revocation, a fine, and/or jail time.

Construction zone fines

Doubled.

California Move Over law

Vehicles must vacate the lane closest to an emergency vehicle stopped with flashing lights.

Highway animal collision

Call the humane society.

Highway animal abandonment

May result in jail time.

Three-second rule

Used by drivers to prevent tailgating.

Livestock on the roadway

Slow down and stop.

Headlight activation

$0.5\,\text{hour}$ after sunset.

Locked wheel skid cause

Braking too hard at a fast speed.

Green arrow transition to solid green

May still turn, but must yield to oncoming traffic.

Right turn on green light

Must yield to pedestrians.

Driving near children playing

Expect them to run out in front of you without looking.

Multi-track railroad crossing stop

Wait to proceed until you have a clear view of all tracks.

Backing a vehicle

Turn your head and look through the rear window.

Crash prevention

Communicate with other road users.

Feeling tired while driving

The best thing to do is to stop driving.

Highway breakdown warning

Use your four-way flashers to warn other drivers.

Passing on a two-lane road

Use the lane that belongs to oncoming traffic.

Curve speed management

Slow down before you enter the curve.

Stop sign intersection protocol

Stop and look left first, then right, then left again.

Space cushion placement

Best kept on all sides of the vehicle.

Incline stop space cushion

Allow a larger space cushion than usual.

Speed during a turn

Must be reduced.

Slick road turns

Take turns more slowly than usual.

Slippery road following distance

Should be increased.

Shaded roads

Freeze quickly.

Waiting for a left turn in an intersection

Signal and keep your wheels straight.