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California DMV Practice Test

Original questions from the current handbook, scored against the 80% pass mark

This California DMV practice test checks you on the rules the knowledge test covers: signals, right-of-way, speed limits, lanes, parking, safe driving and the law. Every question is written from the current California Driver’s Handbook and explains the answer, so each miss shows you exactly what to reread.

By California DMV Appointments Editorial TeamUpdated November 2026Source: California DMV (dmv.ca.gov)

Start the Full Test ↓ DMV Sample Tests ↗

How this practice test works

  • 42Questions in the bank
  • 7Topics to drill
  • 3Choices per question
  • 80%Score to aim for

Quick Warm-Up

Three quick questions to see where you stand before the full test.

1 of 3

A person starts crossing the street at a corner with no crosswalk lines. Who has the right-of-way?

Tap an answer to check it.A corner without painted lines is still an unmarked crosswalk, and pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked or unmarked crosswalks.

Main tool · Practice test

Take the Free California DMV Practice Test

Choose a full 30-question test or drill one topic. In practice mode you see each answer right away; exam mode holds the answers until the end. Every explanation links to the handbook section it comes from.

Test
Mode
Read your score

What Does Your Practice Test Score Mean?

DMV sets the knowledge test pass mark at 80%. Use your practice score as a guide to your next step, not a guarantee. The real test uses DMV’s own questions.

Under 70%

Go back to the book

Reread the handbook sections in your missed list before you try again. Our handbook study planner spreads them over the days you have left.

70–79%

Close, not there yet

Drill your weakest topic until you score 5 of 6 or better, then take a fresh full test.

80%+

Ready to book

Score this on two or three fresh full tests, then schedule your knowledge test visit. Once you’ve practiced with your permit, plan your driving test appointment.

From DMV itself

Does DMV Have Its Own Practice Tests?

Yes. DMV posts free sample knowledge tests on dmv.ca.gov, and they’re worth taking alongside ours. The chart shows what’s on offer for each license class.

  • Car drivers get sample tests in English, Spanish, several other languages and American Sign Language.
  • Motorcycle and commercial applicants have their own sample tests, next to the matching handbook.
  • DMV adds new questions to its samples from time to time, so they’re worth another try later.

Open DMV’s sample tests ↗

Poster of DMV's free sample knowledge tests by license class and a four-step practice loop: test, review misses, reread the handbook section, retest

Tap the poster to open it full size.

Illustrated right-of-way scenarios from the California handbook: uncontrolled intersection, all-way stop, T-intersection, roundabout and steep mountain road

Tap the chart to open it full size.

Picture it

How Do You Get Right-of-Way Questions Right?

Right-of-way questions describe a scene in words, and it’s easy to lose track of who arrived first. Sketch the scene in your head, then apply one rule at a time.

Drill this topic on its own: choose “Right-of-way” in the test above for six questions in a row.

Before test day

What’s True About the Real DMV Knowledge Test?

Practice-test sites repeat claims that DMV’s own pages don’t support. Here’s what DMV actually says. For the full rules, see our written test pass mark and retake guide.

The real test always has a set number of questions.

FactDMV’s pages state the pass mark as 80% and don’t publish a question count.

You can take your first permit test online at home.

FactFirst-time applicants test at a DMV office. DMV’s online eLearning option is for eligible Class C renewals.

The test is full of trick questions.

FactDMV says the questions are based on the California Driver’s Handbook, so studying it is the best way to prepare.

If you fail, you can keep retaking it the same day.

FactYou get three attempts per application, and applicants under 18 wait seven days between tries.

Need a nearby office that gives the test? Use our DMV locations finder, and see the full license roadmap for what comes after the permit.

Quick answers

California DMV Practice Test FAQs

Is this practice test the same as the real DMV test?

No. These are original questions written from the California Driver’s Handbook. DMV doesn’t publish its live test questions, but it does post free sample tests on dmv.ca.gov.

How many questions do I need right to pass?

DMV sets the pass mark at 80%. On our 30-question full test, that means 24 correct answers.

How many questions are on the California DMV knowledge test?

DMV’s pages don’t give a question count. They state only that the passing score is 80%.

Are DMV’s official sample tests free?

Yes. DMV posts free sample tests for car, motorcycle and commercial licenses on dmv.ca.gov.

Is there a California DMV practice test in Spanish?

Yes. DMV’s Class C sample tests come in Spanish and several other languages, plus American Sign Language.

Can I take the real knowledge test online?

Not for a first permit or license. Original applicants test at a DMV office, and the online eLearning option is for eligible Class C renewals.

What should I study if I keep missing questions?

Reread the handbook section linked in each explanation, drill that topic here, and take a fresh full test once you score well on the drill.

How many times can I take the real DMV knowledge test?

You get three attempts per application. Applicants under 18 must wait seven days to retake a failed test, not counting the day they failed.