California License & Insurance Practice Test

This free test has 30 new questions on California permit, license and insurance rules: getting an instruction permit, provisional license limits for drivers under 18, what your car needs for the drive test, insurance and collision reports, and how points work. You need 24 correct (80%) to pass, and every answer links to the California Driver’s Handbook section it comes from.

Unofficial practice test 30 questions · pass at 80% (24 correct)

0 / 30 answered · 0 correct

Before California will issue you a driver’s license, which tests does the handbook say you must pass?
Only a written knowledge test A knowledge test and a behind-the-wheel test Only a behind-the-wheel driving test A driving test and a first aid exam
You have never held a driver’s license in California or any other state. What must you get before you can take the behind-the-wheel drive test?
A California instruction permit A California ID card first A vehicle registered in your name A traffic school certificate
When you apply for a Class C instruction permit, which other test must you pass along with the knowledge test?
A behind-the-wheel drive test A hearing test A physical fitness test A vision test
A 15½-year-old is applying for an instruction permit, and a parent has signed the application. What else must the teen have completed?
A traffic violator school course 50 hours of supervised driving A driver education program A behind-the-wheel drive test
If you are under 18, what is the youngest age at which you can get a California driver’s license (not an instruction permit)?
15 years old 15½ years old 16 years old 17 years old
You are practicing with your instruction permit. Where must the licensed driver supervising you be?
Seated close enough to take control of the car if needed Anywhere in the vehicle, including the back seat In a second car that follows close behind you Nearby and reachable by cell phone if you need help
A 16-year-old permit holder is logging the practice hours required for a license. How old must the California-licensed driver supervising this practice be, at minimum?
18 years old 21 years old 25 years old 30 years old
Which of these is one of the restrictions on a provisional license held by a driver under 18?
No driving on freeways at any time No driving for pay or in vehicles needing a commercial license No driving more than 50 miles from home No driving in rain, fog, or snow
A provisional driver has a medical need to drive during restricted hours and has no reasonable alternative way to get there. What must the note they carry show?
A parent’s signature and the name of the nearest clinic A DMV stamp and the address of the hospital The school principal’s signature and a class schedule The physician’s signature, the condition, and recovery date
A provisional driver must drive an immediate family member during hours when the teen would normally be restricted. Who must sign the note the teen carries?
The teen’s parent or legal guardian The family member’s doctor A DMV driver safety officer A local law enforcement officer
A provisional driver wants to give a 16-year-old friend a ride, and no exception note applies. Who could ride along so that carrying the friend is allowed?
Another licensed friend who is 19 years old A California-licensed driver who is 25 or older Any passenger who is at least 18 years old A 21-year-old who holds only a permit
According to the handbook, what can a parent or guardian do if they want their teen to stop driving?
Mail the teen’s license back to the school Require the teen to retake the knowledge test Nothing; only a court can end a teen’s license Ask DMV to cancel the teen’s driver’s license
You wear contact lenses when you take the DMV vision test. What does this mean for your driver’s license?
You must retake the vision test every year You may drive only during daylight hours It will carry a corrective lenses restriction You will be given a limited-term license
You are applying for an original driver’s license. How many tries do you get to pass the knowledge test before you must reapply?
One Two Three Five
A 16-year-old fails the knowledge test. How long must the teen wait before retaking it?
One day, counting the day of the failure Seven days, not counting the day of the failure Fourteen days, counting the day of the failure Thirty days, not counting the day of the failure
A 17-year-old fails the behind-the-wheel drive test. How long must the teen wait before retaking it, not counting the day of the failure?
7 days 14 days 30 days 6 months
What does the handbook require for rearview mirrors on the vehicle you use for your behind-the-wheel drive test?
At least two, and one must be on the left side Only one, mounted inside on the windshield At least two, and both must be on the right side Mirrors are not checked before a drive test
The day before your drive test, you get a flat tire and put on a donut spare. What does the handbook say about using that car for the test?
It is fine if the donut has 1/32 inch of tread It is fine if you warn the examiner beforehand It is fine if the donut is on a rear wheel Donut spare tires may not be used on a drive test
Your car has a feature that parks it automatically. May you use this feature during your behind-the-wheel drive test?
No; driver assistance features like this are not allowed Yes, if you show the examiner how it works first Yes, but only for the parallel parking part Yes, as long as you keep both hands on the wheel
Your car has a built-in camera that records video and audio, and it cannot be switched off. What must you do for your behind-the-wheel drive test?
Let it record, but tell the examiner first Give the examiner a copy of the recording Block it so nothing is recorded during the test Switch it to record only audio, not video
You plan to take your behind-the-wheel drive test in a rental car. What does the handbook require?
A rental company employee must ride along The car must be rented for at least a week Rental cars can never be used for a drive test You must be named on the rental contract
You moved and notified DMV of your new address. What happens with your driver’s license card?
DMV automatically mails you a new card No new card comes automatically; you may request one Your current card becomes invalid right away You must retake the knowledge test for a new card
You live in California, and your driver’s license expired last week. You have not renewed it yet. What does the handbook say about driving?
You may keep driving for 30 days after it expires Driving with an expired license is against the law You may drive if you carry your renewal notice You may drive only within your home county
Before you buy car insurance, what does the handbook tell you to make sure of?
The seller holds a California Department of Insurance license The agent is approved by your local police department The company is registered with DMV’s driver safety office The agent has an office in the county where you live
Your license was suspended because you were in a collision without proper insurance. How can you regain your license for the final three years of the suspension?
Pay for the other driver’s vehicle repairs Complete a traffic violator school course Retake the vision and knowledge tests File an SR 22/SR 1P and keep it in effect
You are in a collision in which someone suffers a minor injury. The other driver clearly caused it. Do you need to file an SR 1 report with DMV?
No, only the driver who caused it must file No, because the injuries were only minor Yes, each driver must file whether at fault or not Only if the other driver fails to file one
You are required to file an SR 1 collision report with DMV but never do. What does the handbook say will happen?
Your driving privilege will be suspended Law enforcement will file it for you instead You will receive a written warning only One point is added, with no other action
Can traffic convictions reported by another state or by a juvenile court be added to your California driver's record?
No, only California adult court convictions are added Only out-of-state convictions, never juvenile court ones Only juvenile court convictions, never out-of-state ones Yes, convictions from both of those sources are added
According to the handbook, what are you considered if your driver’s record shows too many points?
A provisional driver A limited-term driver A negligent driver A commercial-class driver
A conviction for which of these will lead DMV to revoke your driving privilege, according to the handbook?
Failing to signal a single lane change One ticket for an expired parking meter A single one-point speeding violation Reckless driving that resulted in injury

RoadQuizzer is not affiliated with any state DMV or government agency.

Getting your permit and license

Step	What to know	Practice
Permit age	At least 15½, with a parent’s signature (both parents if they share joint custody).	Test 3, Test 4
Before the permit	Finish a driver education program and pass the knowledge test and a vision test.	this test
Knowledge test tries	Three attempts before you must reapply. Under 18, wait 7 days after a fail (not counting that day).	this test
Using the permit	Under 18, you may drive with it only once behind-the-wheel training has started.	Test 3
Who rides with you	A California-licensed driver close enough to take control: at least 25 for teens, at least 18 for adults.	this test, Test 5
Practice	50 hours with a licensed driver 25 or older, 10 of them at night.	Test 1, this test
License age	At least 16, after holding the permit for 6 months.	this test, Test 1
Failed drive test	Under 18, wait 14 days to retake it (not counting the day you failed).	this test

Provisional license rules (under 18)

Rule	What to know	Practice
Night driving	Not between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months.	Test 1
Passengers	No one under 20 unless a parent, guardian or California-licensed driver 25 or older rides along.	Test 3, this test
Work	No driving for pay, and no vehicles that need a commercial Class A, B or C license.	this test
Exception notes	Medical: signed by your physician, with the condition and recovery date. School: principal, dean or designee. Job: your employer. Driving a family member: your parent or guardian.	this test, Test 5, Test 3
Parents	A parent or guardian may ask DMV to cancel a teen’s license.	this test

Your car for the drive test

Item	Requirement	Practice
Mirrors	At least two rearview mirrors, one of them on the left side.	this test
Tires	No donut spare tire.	this test
Driver assistance	Features such as automated parking may not be used.	this test
Recording devices	If one cannot be turned off, block it so nothing is recorded.	this test
Rental car	Your name must be on the rental contract.	this test
Insurance	Bring proof of insurance, as you must whenever you drive.	Test 4

Insurance and collision reports

Topic	What to know	Practice
Minimum liability insurance	$30,000 for injury or death of one person, $60,000 for more than one, $15,000 for property damage.	Test 3, Test 4, Test 1
Buying insurance	Use an agent, broker or company licensed by the California Department of Insurance.	this test
SR 1 report	Every driver involved files within 10 days if anyone was hurt or killed or damage is over $1,000, at fault or not. Not filing means suspension.	Test 1, this test
Driving uninsured	A collision without insurance can cost your license for up to 4 years. Filing an SR 22/SR 1P can get it back for the last 3.	Test 3, this test

Points and your driving record

Topic	What to know	Practice
What goes on your record	Convictions from California courts, plus those reported by other states and juvenile court.	this test
Too many points	You are treated as a negligent driver. For adults, 8 points in 36 months is one total that can lead to suspension.	this test, Test 2
Revocation	A conviction for hit-and-run or for reckless driving that injured someone.	this test
Teen drivers	Two at-fault collisions or convictions in the first year: 30 days driving only with a licensed adult 25 or older. Three: a 6-month suspension.	Test 2, Test 3
Expired license	Driving with one is against the law.	this test

These rules come from Sections 1 to 4, 7, 10 and 12 of the California Driver’s Handbook. Fees, documents and DMV office procedures change often, so check dmv.ca.gov before your appointment.

Keep studying

Try the safe driving test and the alcohol and DUI test, or read how many questions are on the California permit test.

California Permit, License and Insurance Practice Test