Full DMV Practice Test - DRIVING INSTRUCTOR CA

Practice Test #1

Test your complete DMV knowledge with one full-length practice exam covering signs, laws, and safety — all in a single comprehensive quiz. The test includes 36 questions, and you must answer 30 correctly to pass.

1 / 36

When making a U-turn in a residential district, how far must approaching vehicles be before it’s legal to turn?

At least 250 feet away

At least 150 feet away

At least 200 feet away

At least 100 feet away

2 / 36

You see a white square sign with a red circle and slash over the image of a U-turn. What must you do?

Make the U-turn only when no other vehicles are visible.

Stop before starting the U-turn, then proceed carefully.

Continue the U-turn if it looks safe.

You are prohibited from making a U-turn at this location.

3 / 36

Under California law, when may a minor legally use a cell phone while driving?

Only to respond to texts from a parent

Only when using hands-free mode

Only for emergency assistance

Anytime if the phone is mounted

4 / 36

You and another driver approach a four-way stop from opposite directions at the same time. You plan to turn left, and the other driver plans to go straight. Who should go first?

Either driver, since it’s a four-way stop

The other driver, because vehicles going straight have the right-of-way

You, because left-turning traffic always moves first at stop signs

You, because you signaled first

5 / 36

According to California Vehicle Code §22454, when are you not legally required to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?

When the bus driver waves you through

When the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway or a multi-lane road with two or more lanes in each direction

When driving under 25 mph near a school zone

When no children are visible near the bus

6 / 36

You see livestock or horses near the road and a person signaling you to slow down. What should you do?

Flash your headlights to warn the animals

Honk to make the animals move away

Maintain your speed unless they block your lane

Slow down or stop and follow the person’s directions

7 / 36

Which of the following individuals is eligible for a no-fee Senior ID card from the California DMV?

Any driver 55 or older who completes the Mature Driver Program

Only individuals receiving government assistance

Only seniors who surrender their driver’s license due to a medical condition

Any California resident age 62 or older

8 / 36

What is the default speed limit in a California business or residential district when no signs are posted?

15 mph

20 mph

25 mph

30 mph

9 / 36

When are you allowed to pass another vehicle on a two-way road with a broken yellow line?

Only when the broken yellow line is next to your lane and it’s safe to do so

When both sides of the road have solid lines

Whenever traffic ahead is slower

Only on hills or curves

10 / 36

When exiting a highway, what should you do if you realize you’re in the wrong lane?

Continue to the next exit safely

Cross solid lines quickly to make your exit

Slow down sharply and try to merge anyway

Stop on the shoulder and back up to the exit

11 / 36

What does California’s “three-second rule” help drivers maintain?

Correct braking pressure

A safe following distance behind the vehicle ahead

Adequate space for merging traffic

Proper lane position

12 / 36

In California, when are traffic fines automatically doubled?

During heavy traffic on major freeways

Only in city street construction areas

Only at night in active maintenance areas

In Safety Enhanced-Double Fine Zones and highway work zones when workers are present

13 / 36

Under California law, when must a physician report a patient to the DMV?

When the patient requests a driving clearance

When the patient has a medical condition that may cause loss of consciousness or unsafe driving

Only if the patient has a contagious illness

When the patient fails a routine vision test

14 / 36

When driving near motorcycles, what is the safest way to share the road?

Follow closely to discourage sudden lane changes

Drive in the center of your lane to prevent motorcycles from passing

Pass a motorcycle in the same lane if there’s enough room

Allow at least a three-second following distance and never pass in the same lane

15 / 36

Where should you stop your vehicle before making a right turn at an intersection with no limit line?

Before entering the crosswalk

At the edge of the intersection

Directly in the crosswalk

In the middle of the intersection

16 / 36

When is it legal for a driver to enter or drive in a bicycle lane?

To pass slower traffic

Only when no bicyclists are present

When parking (if permitted), entering or leaving the roadway, or turning within 200 feet of an intersection

When traffic in other lanes is congested

17 / 36

When parking uphill or downhill on a road without a curb, how should you position your front wheels?

Always turn them toward the center of the road.

Keep them parallel to the edge of the road.

Keep them straight to avoid tire wear.

Always away from the road — turn them toward the shoulder.

18 / 36

A 16-year-old with a provisional license needs to drive their 12-year-old sister home at 7:30 p.m. because the parent is working and no other ride is available. What must the teen carry to make this trip allowed under the family exception?

A signed note from a parent or guardian that explains the reason, names the family member, and states when this need will end

A note from the school coach approving the ride

A letter from the DMV appointment system

A text message from the parent saying “OK”

19 / 36

Which type of driver’s license do most California drivers need to operate a regular car for personal use?

Motorcycle Class M license

Temporary learner’s permit

Noncommercial Class C license

Commercial Class A license

20 / 36

When facing a solid red traffic light, when are you allowed to turn right?

Only if the intersection is clear and there are no pedestrians, even without stopping.

Anytime, as long as traffic is light.

After stopping completely, yielding to pedestrians and traffic, and if there is no “NO TURN ON RED” sign posted.

Only when a police officer waves you through.

21 / 36

After driving through deep water, your brakes feel weak or spongy. What can you do to restore normal braking?

Continue driving and wait for them to dry naturally

Stop immediately and call for assistance

Apply the emergency brake repeatedly to dry them

Lightly press the accelerator and brake pedals at the same time until normal braking returns

22 / 36

How should bicyclists make left or right turns?

By dismounting and walking the bicycle across the intersection

They may turn any way that feels safest

By signaling only when a vehicle is directly behind them

By using hand signals and following the same turning rules as drivers

23 / 36

On a two-lane road, when is it safe to pass while approaching a hill or curve?

As soon as oncoming traffic appears far in the distance

Whenever the vehicle ahead is 10 mph under the speed limit

Only if you can see at least one-third of a mile of clear roadway ahead

When the center line is broken and no headlights are visible

24 / 36

What is required if your vehicle strikes a parked car and you cannot locate the owner?

Call your insurance company and take no further action

Drive home and report it later if the damage is serious

Leave a note with your contact information and report the collision to law enforcement

Leave immediately since no one was injured

25 / 36

When you sell a vehicle in California, what must you do within 5 days?

Notify DMV by submitting a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability

Remove the license plates and return them to DMV

Transfer the title into the buyer’s name yourself

Submit the vehicle for a smog inspection

26 / 36

When merging onto a California highway, who has the right-of-way?

The vehicle entering from the on-ramp

The larger or faster vehicle

The vehicles already traveling on the highway

Whichever driver signals first

27 / 36

Parking on the wrong side of the street or on a freeway is generally illegal. In which situations is it allowed in California?

During an emergency.

All options are correct.

Where a stop is specifically permitted by signs.

When a law enforcement officer requires a stop.

28 / 36

You are driving on the freeway at 55 mph and decide to move in front of a large truck. What should you keep in mind before merging?

Large trucks take much longer to stop, so avoid cutting in front of them

Trucks slow down faster because of their weight

The truck driver can see your car clearly even if you merge closely

The truck can stop just as quickly as a car if it has new brakes

29 / 36

Who can be cited if a 15-year-old passenger is not wearing a seat belt?

Only the passenger

Only the driver

No one, if the car is moving slowly

Both the passenger and the driver

30 / 36

Another driver signals and begins to pass you. What should you do?

Slow down sharply to give a speed advantage to the other car.

Stay in your lane and keep a steady speed until they have passed.

Speed up to give them more space.

Move slightly into the right lane to give them more space.

31 / 36

You approach a T-intersection without any stop or yield signs. Who has the right-of-way?

The vehicle on the road that ends

The vehicle on the right

The vehicle on the through road

The vehicle that arrives first

32 / 36

What does a diagonal crossing signal allow pedestrians to do?

Cross diagonally at any time if the road is clear.

Cross only straight across the street, not diagonally.

Cross only to the opposite corner and wait for the next WALK signal before proceeding further.

Cross in any direction — including diagonally — when the WALK signal appears.

33 / 36

What does a flashing yellow arrow indicate?

The protected left turn has started — you have the right-of-way.

You may not turn until the light turns green.

You may turn left, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Stop completely before turning left.

34 / 36

Your brake lights just failed. How do you signal that you’re slowing or stopping?

Raise your left arm upward at a right angle

Extend your right arm downward toward the road

Extend your left arm out and bend it downward at a right angle, palm facing toward the rear

Extend your left arm straight out horizontally

35 / 36

Which of the following statements about headlight use is true?

You don’t need headlights when the sun is low on the horizon

High beams should always be used in fog for better visibility

You should use headlights on mountain roads and in tunnels, even during the day

It’s okay to drive using only parking lights during dawn or dusk

36 / 36

What should you do if you realize too late that you are about to miss your turn or exit?

Keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around

Turn sharply into the exit lane before reaching the sign

Make a quick lane change if there is a small gap

Stop immediately and back up carefully

Your score is

The average score is 82%

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