- Updated for May 2025
- Based on official California Driver's manual
Free California DMV Permit Practice Test 2025
To get your California DMV instruction (aka provisional or learner’s) permit, you must be at least 15 1⁄2 years old, complete a driver education program if you’re under 18, and pass a vision screening and the written permit knowledge test. The permit test consists of 46 multiple-choice questions covering information outlined in the state’s California DMV 2025 Driver’s Manual. To pass, you must score at least 83% (38 out of 46 questions). If you fail, you must wait seven days to take it again. Using our practice tests helps you pass on your first attempt.
Prepare with our free online California DMV Permit Practice Test, updated for May 2025 to ensure accuracy based on the state manual. By mimicking the official California knowledge test and providing immediate feedback on missed questions, our tests speed the learning experience.
The Instruction Permit is the first phase of California’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program for drivers under 18. At age 15½, teens can apply for it after completing a driver education course and at least 6 hours of professional driver training. During this stage, teens are allowed to drive when accompanied by a parent or guardian, a licensed driver 25 years old or older, or a certified driving instructor. At age 16, after holding the provisional permit for at least 6 months and completing 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 hours at night), teens can take the driving test to get a provisional license. This license comes with drive time and passenger restrictions for the first 12 months. After the 12-month period has passed, or they turn 18, they can obtain an unrestricted license.
If you’re 18 or older, the GDL phases do not apply. You must apply for your instruction permit as detailed above, but you can take the road skills test whenever you feel ready. Upon passing, you will obtain your unrestricted license.
Once you’re ready to apply for the permit, go to the DMV with proof of identity (birth certificate, passport), Social Security card, two proofs of residence (utility bill, bank statement), any legal name change documents, and completed application. If under 18, you’ll need signed consent (in person) from a parent or legal guardian and a certificate of driver’s education completion. Submit the documents, pass a vision screening, pay the fee, and pass the official written test.
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What you need to know
What to expect on the actual CA DMV exam
questions
correct answers to pass
passing score
minimum age to apply
List of questions (classic view)
- Which of the following signs represents two-way traffic?
- This sign warns you about
- The broken white lines on the pavement mean that
- What type of sign is this?
- What does this sign mean?
- What does this regulatory sign mean?
- This sign represents
- This warning sign represents
- What does this warning sign mean?
- When you approach an intersection with a through road but without stop signs or yield signs, you must
- A steady red arrow signal means
- At an unmarked crosswalk, you must
- If all the rear seats are already occupied by children under 7 years of age, a child under 8 years of age may
- A traffic signal with a flashing yellow arrow means that you should
- If you are ready to turn right at an intersection, and if there is a bicycle next to you on your right, who has the right-of-way when the light turns green?
- In a roundabout, you must drive in
- When two vehicles meet on a steep mountain road where neither can pass, which vehicle has the right-of-way?
- On a two-lane undivided highway, the maximum speed limit for vehicles towing trailers is ______ unless otherwise posted.
- When you see livestock near the roadway, you should
- Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart indicate
How can we help you pass in 2025?
The permit test in California is made up of 46 questions. You will need to answer 38 of them correctly to pass.
You can study for the permit test by reading the California Driver Handbook and taking practice tests. It is important to make sure you are familiar with the material before you take the test. A lot of people fail the test because they do not study properly.
The only way to be sure you will pass the permit test is to study and practice as much as possible before you take it. The passing score for the permit test in California is 83 percent. This means you need to answer 38 out of the 46 questions correctly to pass. This practice test is your first step toward getting your permit, but it is not the only thing you need to do. You will also need to take other practice tests available on Driving-Tests.org.
The permit test covers a variety of topics, including the rules of the road, traffic signs, and driving laws. The questions are designed to test your knowledge of these topics. You will need to answer 38 of the 46 questions correctly to pass.
No, this permit practice test does not contain the same DMV test questions as the real exam. DMVs do not release the questions on their exams to the public, so don't be fooled by other websites that claim to have the "real" questions. This permit practice test contains questions that are similar to those you will find on the real exam, but they are not the same.
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