Practice test 1 of 10 — California permit test

The correct answer to each question above, why it is right, and where it comes from. Try the test first.

1. Question 1: B. At least three seconds

   Use the three-second rule to keep a safe following distance behind the vehicle in front.

   Handbook: Section 8: Safe Driving — Tailgating (Following Too Closely)

2. Question 2: B. Wait until there is room to clear the intersection

   Do not enter an intersection unless there is room to clear it, even on green. Blocking it holds up cross traffic.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signals and pavement markings — Traffic signals

3. Question 3: D. Use your signals and brake lights

   Signals, brake lights and eye contact tell other drivers and people walking what you plan to do.

   Handbook: Chapter: Safe driving and hazards — Defensive driving

4. Question 4: A. By the mile marker nearest the exit

   In most states, exit numbers match the nearest mile marker, so you can tell how far apart two exits are.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Guide and service signs

5. Question 5: C. High beams, until another car comes near

   High beams let you see farther on a dark, empty road; switch back to low beams when another car comes near.

   Handbook: Chapter: Safe driving and hazards — Night and weather

6. Question 6: C. Well before the intersection

   Move into the correct lane well before the intersection so you do not swerve at the last moment.

   Handbook: Chapter: Turning, passing and lane use — Turns

7. Question 7: A. Stop only to pick up or drop off riders

   At a white curb, stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.

   Handbook: Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Parking at Colored Curbs

8. Question 8: B. Within 24 hours

   You must report to law enforcement within 24 hours if anyone is injured or killed.

   Handbook: Section 10: Financial Responsibility, Insurance Requirements, and Collisions — What to Do if You Are in a Collision

9. Question 9: A. You may turn left after yielding

   A flashing yellow arrow means turns are allowed, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

   Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signals and pavement markings — Traffic signals

10. Question 10: B. You may go

    California's handbook says pulling in the cane and stepping away usually means you may go; still drive past with care.

    Handbook: Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Pedestrians Who Are Blind

11. Question 11: C. No, you are still impaired

    Energy drinks may make you feel alert, but you are still impaired by the alcohol in your body.

    Handbook: Chapter: Alcohol, drugs and penalties — How alcohol affects you

12. Question 12: D. Keep a steady gap and watch for brake lights

    In heavy traffic keep a steady gap and watch for brake lights ahead so you can slow down smoothly.

    Handbook: Chapter: Speed and following distance — Following distance

13. Question 13: B. Look through the gap and pull over

    Look through the gap under the hood or out the side window, slow down and pull off the road.

    Handbook: Chapter: Emergencies and vehicle equipment — Vehicle failures

14. Question 14: D. Stop

    Only the stop sign has eight sides, so you can know it by shape alone.

    Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Sign shapes and colors

15. Question 15: B. You cannot see as far or as clearly

    At night you cannot see as far or as clearly, so it is harder to spot hazards in time.

    Handbook: Chapter: Safe driving and hazards — Night and weather

16. Question 16: C. Shift to neutral and brake

    Shift to neutral to cut power to the wheels, brake, and pull off the road when safe.

    Handbook: Chapter: Emergencies and vehicle equipment — Stuck gas pedal

17. Question 17: B. The right lane

    Slower traffic should keep to the right lane so faster cars can pass on the left.

    Handbook: Chapter: Turning, passing and lane use — Lane use

18. Question 18: D. A 12-inch red or orange flag

    Cargo extending more than 4 feet from the rear bumper must display a 12-inch red or fluorescent orange square flag.

    Handbook: Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Other Important Roadway Information

19. Question 19: C. It is as illegal as driving drunk

    Driving under the influence of drugs is treated as seriously as driving under the influence of alcohol.

    Handbook: Chapter: Alcohol, drugs and penalties — Drugs and medicine

20. Question 20: D. Level with the back of your head

    Set the head restraint level with the back of your head to protect your neck in a crash.

    Handbook: Chapter: Emergencies and vehicle equipment — Vehicle equipment

21. Question 21: B. Treat it as an all-way stop

    In general, when signals are dark, treat the intersection as an all-way stop and take turns going.

    Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signals and pavement markings — Traffic signals

22. Question 22: A. Toward the edge of the road

    With no curb, turn the wheels toward the edge of the road so the car rolls off the road, not into traffic.

    Handbook: Chapter: Parking and stopping — Parking on hills

23. Question 23: D. Turn on hazards and pull off the road

    Try your hazard lights or high beams, then pull off the road as soon as you safely can.

    Handbook: Chapter: Emergencies and vehicle equipment — Lights failure

24. Question 24: A. The edge of the road

    A solid white edge line marks the right edge of the road and helps you stay on it at night and in fog.

    Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signals and pavement markings — Pavement markings

25. Question 25: D. The car on the through road

    At a T-intersection with no signs, traffic on the ending road yields to traffic on the through road.

    Handbook: Chapter: Right of way — Uncontrolled intersections

26. Question 26: A. 0.08 percent

    In nearly every state the limit for drivers 21 and over is 0.08 percent; a state may set it lower.

    Handbook: Chapter: Alcohol, drugs and penalties — Legal limits

27. Question 27: D. No passing from either side

    Two solid yellow lines down the center of the road mean no passing from either side.

    Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signals and pavement markings — Pavement markings

28. Question 28: D. In the trunk or where no passenger sits

    An open container must be kept in the trunk or a place where passengers do not sit; the glove box is not allowed.

    Handbook: Section 9: Alcohol and Drugs — Use or Possession of Alcohol or Cannabis Products in a Vehicle

29. Question 29: D. A work zone while workers are present

    Fines are doubled in Safety Enhanced-Double Fine Zones, and also in highway construction or maintenance zones when workers are present.

    Handbook: Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Fines and Double Fine Zones

30. Question 30: C. No, it is not allowed

    Disability spaces are only for vehicles with a valid placard or plate. Others may not park there.

    Handbook: Chapter: Parking and stopping — Where not to park

31. Question 31: C. Near schools, parks, and playgrounds

    Children near schools, parks and playgrounds may run into the road without looking.

    Handbook: Chapter: Sharing the road — Pedestrians

32. Question 32: B. It ends, and you must turn left or right

    The T-shaped symbol warns that your road ends at a crossing road, so you must turn left or right.

    Handbook: Chapter: Traffic signs — Warning signs

33. Question 33: D. Fire crews need to reach it quickly

    Fire crews need fast access to a hydrant, so do not park next to one; check your state for the exact distance.

    Handbook: Chapter: Parking and stopping — Where not to park

34. Question 34: B. No closer than 15 feet

    Never park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or a fire station driveway.

    Handbook: Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Illegal Parking

35. Question 35: B. Only the two lanes nearest the right edge

    When towing, use the far-right lane or a lane for slower vehicles; with four or more lanes and none marked, use only the two right lanes.

    Handbook: Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Towing

36. Question 36: B. It is a slow-moving vehicle

    An orange triangle with a red border marks a slow-moving vehicle, such as a tractor.

    Handbook: Chapter: Sharing the road — Slow-moving vehicles