California Permit Practice Test 5 (46 Questions)

You want to bring your dog along in the open back of your pickup truck. When does the handbook allow this?

Never, under any circumstances Whenever the tailgate is fully closed Only if the dog is properly secured Only on streets with low speed limits

Why does the handbook warn drivers not to stop in the middle of a crosswalk?

It makes the pedestrian countdown timer stop running A blind pedestrian could be forced to walk into traffic It activates the pedestrian push button by mistake It wears away the paint that marks the crosswalk lines

You lose your license, get a replacement, and later find the old card. What should you do with the old card?

Carry both cards whenever you drive Keep it in the car as a backup license Destroy it, because it is no longer valid Use it until the new card's expiration date

In the lane next to yours, a car has stopped at a crosswalk. You do not see anyone crossing. What should you do?

Tap your horn, then pass it if nobody steps out in front Pass it slowly, since the crosswalk looks empty to you Do not pass it; someone may be crossing out of your view Pass it if the crosswalk has no white lines painted on it

A law enforcement officer signals you to pull over while you are driving in the carpool (HOV) lane. What does the handbook tell you to do?

Signal right and move fully onto the right shoulder Stop right where you are, inside the carpool lane Signal left and pull onto the left shoulder Stop, then step out and walk back to the officer

A road maintenance vehicle ahead has an orange and red triangle on its back. What does this tell you?

It is carrying a load that may be dangerous It is slow-moving, usually 25 mph or less It is about to swing wide to make a turn It is an emergency vehicle you must yield to

As you near an intersection, the circular signal light for your direction is flashing yellow (not an arrow). What should you do?

You must make a full stop before going on Stop and wait until the signal turns green Slow down, stay alert, and continue with care Speed up so you clear it before it turns red

A driver has a physical or mental condition that may affect safe driving. Who can refer this driver to DMV for reexamination?

Only a judge, after a traffic conviction Only the driver, by asking DMV directly Only a DMV examiner during a drive test A physician, law enforcement, or a family member

A center left turn lane runs down the middle of a two-way street, with two painted lines on each side. How are those two lines marked?

Inner line solid, outer line solid Inner line broken, outer line solid Inner line solid, outer line broken Inner line broken, outer line broken

The road is covered with packed snow. How much does the handbook say to reduce your speed?

Cut it by about 2 mph Cut it by about half Cut it by about 10 percent No cut if your tires are new

You are approaching a crosswalk that has built-in flashing lights, but the lights are not flashing right now. What should you do?

Drive through normally, because no one is crossing Speed up so you pass before the lights start flashing Look for pedestrians only when the lights are flashing Still watch for pedestrians and be prepared to stop

An unlicensed person is caught driving your car. According to the handbook, what may happen to the car?

It may be impounded for 24 hours Nothing, since you were not driving It may be impounded for one full year It may be impounded for 30 days

You are in a dedicated right turn lane that does not merge into another lane. The light for traffic going straight is red, no signal or sign is posted at the right-hand curb of your turn lane, and no pedestrians are in the crosswalk. What may you do?

Make your turn even though the through light is red Wait until the light for through traffic turns green Stop fully, then turn only on a green arrow Turn only if a sign says right on red is allowed

You are driving on a highway in strong, gusty winds. What does the handbook say about cruise control?

Use it to hold a steady speed through the gusts Use it only if you are pulling a trailer Do not use it, so you keep full control of the gas Set it a bit above the limit to push against the wind

You are driving in extreme heat. What does the handbook suggest to help keep your engine from overheating?

Run the air conditioner on its highest setting all trip Drive at high speeds to push more air through the engine Turn off the air conditioner and watch the temperature gauge Stop checking the temperature gauge once the engine warms up

You just bought a used car. How long do you have to transfer ownership into your name?

10 days 5 days 20 days 30 days

At night, a vehicle showing only one light is coming toward you. What should you do?

Switch to high beams so you can see it more clearly Move as far to the right as you safely can Drift toward the center line to get a better look Speed up so you get past it as soon as possible

Your car stops working on the freeway. You pull onto a wide right shoulder that has no guardrail and no safe area to wait away from the traffic lanes. Where should you wait for help?

Standing behind the car to warn other drivers Inside the car with your seat belt fastened Walking along the shoulder toward the next exit Beside the driver's door, on the side facing traffic

You have no other route and must drive slowly through a flooded road. What should you do once you are through the water?

Speed up so the air dries your tires Switch off your headlights until they dry Drive on as usual, since water can't harm a car Test your brakes to be sure they work properly

A vehicle does not meet California requirements, such as its emission controls. What does the handbook say about registering it in California?

It may be registered for one year only It can be registered with a higher fee It is fine if another state registered it DMV cannot register it in California

Your vehicle stops working on the freeway and you pull over to the right shoulder. If you have to get out, how should you do it?

Through the door that faces the freeway travel lanes Through whichever door is closest to the call box From the left side, so you can watch oncoming cars From the right side, away from the passing traffic

You spot a collision ahead and want to warn the drivers behind you. Along with flashers or a hand signal, what does the handbook suggest?

Turn your headlights off and on a few times Tap the brake pedal lightly three or four times Stop suddenly so they notice your brake lights Switch from headlights to parking lights only

You are waiting to turn left at an intersection. An oncoming car is close enough that turning now would be dangerous. What should you do?

Turn now, since oncoming traffic must stop for you Turn quickly, since turning drivers have the right-of-way Sound your horn to warn the car, then make your turn Let the oncoming car go by before you make your turn

Six months into holding a provisional license, a 17-year-old must drive alone at 11:30 p.m. to get home from a school activity. To use this exception, the driver must carry a note signed by whom?

The teen's family doctor A school principal, dean, or designee A local police officer Any licensed adult over 25

A 15-year-old is riding in your car and the windows are rolled down. What does the handbook say about smoking while you drive?

It is allowed because the windows are open You must not smoke, and you can be fined It is allowed if the teen sits in the back seat It is allowed if the teen's parent says it is okay

While you are driving, your right wheels drift off the edge of the pavement. What should you do?

Ease off the gas, brake gently, and steer back carefully Brake hard right away and jerk the wheel back to the road Speed up and turn sharply to climb back onto the road Hold your speed and swerve back onto the pavement fast

Traffic lanes are often identified by number. Which lane is the Number 1 Lane?

The far-right lane, next to the shoulder The second lane from the left side The far-left lane, also called the fast lane The lane reserved for slower vehicles

Your car has four-wheel antilock brakes (ABS) and goes into a locked wheel skid. What should you do?

Lift your foot fully off the brake pedal Pump the brake pedal quickly Shift to neutral and pull the emergency brake Keep firm pressure on the brake pedal

You are driving at night with your high beams on and catch up to a car traveling ahead of you in your lane. Within what distance of that car must you dim to low beams?

100 feet 1,000 feet 300 feet 500 feet

Your car breaks down on the freeway and you pull onto the right shoulder. Besides using a call box, what number does the handbook say you can dial from your cell phone for help?

311 411 611 511

On a bright afternoon, the sun makes your turn signal lights hard for others to see. What does the handbook tell you to do?

Use hand-and-arm signals Skip signaling for now Tap your horn before turns Turn on emergency flashers

An officer suspects you of DUI, and you agree to take a preliminary alcohol screening (PAS) breath test. Can you still be required to take another test?

No, the breath test fully satisfies your duty to test Yes, a blood or urine test to check for drugs Only if you are under 21 years of age Only if your breath result was 0.08% or higher

You are in a minor collision on a busy street, and no one is hurt. What should you do?

Leave both cars where they stopped Drive away, since no one needs help Move your car out of traffic, then call 911 Stay in your car in the traffic lane

A 22-year-old with an instruction permit wants to practice driving. The California-licensed driver riding along must be at least how old?

18 years old 21 years old 25 years old 16 years old

You want to get past a large truck on a multilane highway. What does the handbook advise?

Pass on its right side and merge in quickly Stay beside it until the driver waves you by Pass on either side as long as you signal Pass on its left side, then move on ahead of it

You would like to hang an air freshener from your rearview mirror. What does the handbook say?

It is fine if it is smaller than 5 inches across You should not hang objects on the mirror It is fine as long as you can see around it It is fine if it is made of clear plastic

What does the handbook say about bridges and overpasses in cold weather?

They tend to ice over before the rest of the road They are usually the last part of the road to freeze They stay warmer than the road due to traffic below They only get icy when snow is actually falling

Your car stalls on railroad tracks. No train is in sight and the crossing's warning lights are not flashing. After you get out, whom should you call first?

The phone number shown on the crossing post or control box A private towing company to pull the car off the tracks Your auto insurance company to report the stalled car The DMV office closest to the railroad crossing

You are waiting to turn left. An oncoming car has its right turn signal blinking. What should you do?

Wait until it actually starts turning before you turn Turn now, since it will turn before reaching you Flash your headlights, then begin your left turn Turn quickly so you clear its lane before it arrives

When you finish parallel parking, how close to the curb should your vehicle be?

No more than 5 feet away No more than 4 feet away No more than 6 feet away No more than 18 inches away

You are loading items onto a passenger car. How far may the load stick out past the fenders on each side?

Up to 6 inches on the left side, none on the right Up to 12 inches on either side of the car None on the left side, up to 6 inches on the right Up to 4 feet on either side if it carries a flag

You are on a narrow mountain road. When does the handbook say to use your horn to alert oncoming traffic?

Only after an oncoming car comes into view Each time you pass a turnout or road sign Never, because honking is not allowed there When your view ahead is under 200 feet

Your doctor prescribes a medicine that affects your ability to drive safely. How does California's DUI law treat driving after taking it?

Like an illegal drug; driving impaired by it is illegal Always legal, because a doctor prescribed the medicine Illegal only if you also drank some alcohol that day Legal as long as you take only the dose on the label

Your car is equipped with air bags. Which statement about a rear-facing child passenger restraint system is correct?

It may ride up front if a parent sits in back It may ride up front if the trip is short It must not be placed in this car's front seat It must ride up front so the driver can watch

You are coming to a stop behind another vehicle. How much space should you leave?

As little as possible, to leave room behind you Enough room to see the rear tires of the car ahead About one foot, so no one can cut in front None; stop when the bumpers almost touch

It is the middle of the day, and rain makes you turn on your windshield wipers. What does the handbook require you to do with your lights?

Turn on your low-beam headlights Wait until 30 minutes after sunset Turn on only your parking lights Switch on your emergency flashers