California DMV practice test
36 questions marked at 30 to pass, which is the format California DMV publishes. Every answer cites the law behind it. No signup, no email.
36 questions, 55 minutes. The timer starts when you begin, and answers are shown at the end.
About the time limit
This paper allows 55 minutes, and that allowance is ours rather than California DMV's. We could not find a published time limit for this test, and in practice US knowledge tests are usually not run against a strict clock at a service center. The timer is here so the practice feels like a real sitting, not because the real one ends at 55 minutes.
What is specific to California
California is the only state to define lane splitting in its vehicle code, and it applies a universal helmet law to every rider and passenger at every age. It sets four separate alcohol thresholds rather than one, including 0.01 for anyone on DUI probation and 0.01 for drivers under 21. Minimum liability insurance rose to 30/60/15 on 1 January 2025. Daylighting rules now bar parking within 20 feet of any crosswalk, marked or not. Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all, hands-free included, and a slow driver must pull over once five vehicles have queued behind them. The painted kerb colours carry five specific legal meanings, which the test does ask about.
How many attempts do you get?
Three attempts per application, then you must reapply. Applicants under 18 must also wait seven days before retaking a failed knowledge test, not counting the day of the failure.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), the testing process, checked September 9, 2026.
Where these questions come from
This paper draws 27 California-specific questions written from that state's own statutes and official handbook, together with 70 on rules that do not vary between states. They are original questions written from the rules themselves, not the examination questions California DMV uses. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by California DMV.
More California practice: motorcycle and truck (cdl) and cdl air brakes and cdl combination, or the California test guide.