permit practice

Question 1

It is illegal for a person 21 years of age or older to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that is ____ or higher.

Answer 1

> 0.08%

Eight-hundredths of one percent For drivers age 21 or older, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. Driving while under the influence of alcohol is not only illegal, but dangerous.

Question 2

California’s “Basic Speed Law” says you must:

Answer 2

Never drive faster than is safe for current conditions.

The “Basic Speed Law” states that you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. For example, if you drive at 45 mph in a 55 mph zone during a dense fog, even though you are below the posted limit, you may be cited for driving “too fast for conditions.”

Question 3

Driving under the influence of any medication which impairs your driving is permitted:

Answer 3

Under no circumstances.

It is illegal to drive under the influence of any substance that impairs your ability to drive safely. This includes alcohol, prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and illegal drugs.

Question 4

You may drive a motor vehicle in a bike lane:

Answer 4

No more than 200 feet before making a right turn.

If making a right turn, you may enter the bicycle lane no more than 200 feet before the corner or driveway. Drivers of motor vehicles should not enter a bicycle lane at any other time.

Question 5

If your cell phone rings while you are driving and you do not have a hands-free device, you should:

Answer 5

Let the call go to voicemail

Drivers should not use a cell phone without a hands-free device. For minors, it is illegal to use any cell phone while driving, except in an emergency. Even if you do have a hands-free device, it is recommended that you let calls go to voicemail while driving in order to avoid distractions.

Question 6

A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line means that vehicles:

Answer 6

Next to the broken line may pass.

Yellow lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. A broken yellow line next to your driving lane means that you may pass.

Question 7

You want to park uphill on a two-way road and there is no curb. Which direction do you turn your front wheels?

Answer 7

Right, toward the side of the road

When parking either uphill or downhill on a road that has no curb, you should turn your wheels so that the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Question 8

You are involved in a minor collision at an intersection. There are no injuries and there is very little vehicle damage. You should:

Answer 8

Move your vehicle out of the traffic lane, if possible.

After a collision, if no one has been injured or killed and you can safely do so, you should move your vehicle out of the traffic lane.

Question 9

Smoking inside a vehicle with a person younger than 18 years of age

Answer 9

illegal at all times

Smoking inside a vehicle with a person younger than 18 years of age

Question 10

If there is no crosswalk and you see a pedestrian crossing your lane, you should:

Answer 10

Stop and let the pedestrian finish crossing.

Drivers must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the roadway, even if there is not a marked crosswalk.

Question 11

You are driving on the freeway behind a large truck. You should drive:

Answer 11

Farther behind the truck than you would if following a passenger vehicle.

It is necessary to follow farther behind a large truck than you would if following a passenger vehicle because trucks have larger blind spots.

Question 11

You must yield to a pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog:

Answer 11

At all times

Pedestrians who use guide dogs or white canes (with or without a red tip) must be given the right-of-way at all times.

Question 12

To see vehicles in your blind spots, you should check:

Answer 12

Over your shoulders.

By definition, blind spots are areas that cannot be seen using your mirrors. To check your blind spots, you should look over your shoulders.

Question 13

You are on the freeway and traffic is merging into your lane. You should:

Answer 13

Make room for the merging traffic, if possible.

When traffic permits, you should make room to allow vehicles to merge into your lane.

Question 14

If a traffic signal light is not working, you must:

Answer 14

Stop, then proceed when safe.

If a traffic signal is not working and no lights are showing, you should proceed cautiously as if the intersection is controlled by stop signs in all directions.

Question 15

Extra space in front of a large truck is needed for:

Answer 15

The truck driver to stop the vehicle.

Because they are larger, trucks take longer to stop than cars traveling at the same speed. Other drivers should not pull in front of a truck and then slow down or stop.

Question 16

When passing another vehicle, it is safe to return to your lane if you:

Answer 16

See the vehicle’s headlights in your rearview mirror.

Before returning to your original lane after passing, you must make sure you are not dangerously close to the vehicle you have just passed. When you can see both of the vehicle’s headlights in your rearview mirror, you may have enough room to return to the lane.

Question 17

You consent to take a chemical test for the alcohol content of your blood, breath, or urine:

Answer 17

Whenever you drive in California.

By driving in California, you consent to have your breath, blood, or urine tested if you are arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Question 18

When driving at night on a dimly lit street, you should:

Answer 18

Drive slowly enough that you can stop within the area illuminated by your headlights.

You should drive more slowly at night than during the day because it is not possible to see as far ahead at night. You should make sure that you can stop within the area illuminated by your headlights.

Question 19

You may drive off of the paved roadway to pass another vehicle:

Answer 19

Under no circumstances.

You may never drive off the paved or main-traveled portion of the road and onto the shoulder to pass another vehicle.

Question 20

You are approaching a railroad crossing with no warning devices and are unable to see 400 feet down the tracks in one direction. The speed limit is:

Answer 20

15 mph

Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing where you cannot see 400 feet down the tracks in both directions, the speed limit is 15 mph. However, you may drive faster if the crossing is controlled by gates, a warning signal, or a flagger.

Question 21

When you are merging onto the freeway, you should be driving:

Answer 21

At or near the speed of traffic on the freeway.

When merging onto a freeway, you should enter at or near the speed of traffic.

Question 22

When parking your vehicle parallel to the curb on a level street:

Answer 22

Your wheels must be within 18 inches of the curb.

When parking alongside the curb on a level street, the front and back wheels of your vehicle must be parallel with and within 18 inches of the curb.

Question 23

To avoid last-minute moves, you should be looking down the road to where your vehicle will be in about:

Answer 23

10 to 15 seconds.

To avoid last-minute moves, you should scan the road 10 to 15 seconds ahead of your vehicle. This allows you to see hazards before meeting them.

Question 24

You should signal at least how many feet before you turn?

Answer 24

100 ## Footnote You should signal at least 100 feet before you turn, before every lane change, at least five seconds before you change lanes on a freeway, before pulling next to the curb or away from the curb, even when you do not see other vehicles around you, and when you are almost through the intersection if you plan to turn shortly after crossing the intersection. Remember to turn off your signal when you no longer need it.

Question 25

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a residential area is:

Answer 25

25 mph ## Footnote Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in business and residential districts is 25 mph.

Question 26

If you are involved in a traffic collision, you are required to complete and submit a written report to the DMV:

Answer 26

If there is property damage in excess of $1,000 or if there are any injuries. ## Footnote If a collision results in death, any minor or major injury, or more than $1,000 in damage to anyone's property, each driver involved must file a report with the DMV within 10 days. In some cases, the driver's insurance agent, broker, or legal representative may file the report to represent the driver.

Question 27

You may not park your vehicle:

Answer 27

Next to a red painted curb. ## Footnote No stopping, standing, or parking is permitted next to a red painted curb. However, buses may stop in a red curb zone marked for buses.

Question 28

Two sets of solid double yellow lines that are two or more feet apart:

Answer 28

May not be crossed for any reason. ## Footnote Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart are considered a barrier. You may not drive on or over this barrier, or make a left turn or U-turn across it, except at designated openings.

Question 29

You are driving on a freeway with a posted speed limit of 65 mph. Traffic is traveling at 70 mph. You may legally drive

Answer 29

no faster than 65 mph ## Footnote On most California highways, the maximum speed limit is 65 mph. You may drive at 70 mph only if the speed limit is posted as such.

Question 30

If you plan to pass another vehicle, you should:

Answer 30

Not assume the other driver will make space for you to return to your lane. ## Footnote Even when you signal, you should not assume that the space you want to occupy is free or that other drivers will give you the right-of-way.

Question 31

A large truck is ahead of you and is turning right onto a street with two lanes in each direction. The truck:

Answer 31

May have to swing wide to complete the right turn. ## Footnote When a vehicle makes a turn, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle, the bigger the difference between the paths of the front and rear wheels. Therefore, long trucks often have to swing wide to complete a right turn.

Question 32

Always stop before crossing railroad tracks when:

Answer 32

There isn't room on the other side for you to completely cross the tracks. ## Footnote Expect a train on any track, at any time, traveling in either direction. If you need to stop after crossing the tracks, wait until you can completely cross the tracks before proceeding. Make sure your vehicle clears the tracks before you stop.

Question 33

You should use your horn when:

Answer 33

It may help prevent a collision. ## Footnote Only use your horn when it is necessary to avoid collisions. Do not use your horn if a driver or bicyclist is moving slowly and you want him or her to drive faster or get out of your way.

Question 34

If you drive more slowly than the flow of traffic, you will most likely:

Answer 34

Interfere with traffic and receive a ticket. ## Footnote You must drive more slowly than usual when there is heavy traffic or bad weather. However, if you block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic by driving too slowly, you may be cited. You should match the speed of traffic, unless the speed of traffic exceeds the legal speed limit.

Question 35

When changing lanes on a freeway, you should:

Answer 35

Signal for at least five seconds. ## Footnote Signal at least five seconds prior to a changing lanes on a freeway. Always signal when turning left or right, changing lanes, slowing down, or stopping to let other drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians know your intentions.

Question 36

Allow extra space in front of your vehicle when following a:

Answer 36

motorcycle ## Footnote Allow for extra space when driving behind a motorcycle. Motorcycles can stop more quickly than other vehicles can and you must have adequate room to stop if the motorcyclist brakes or falls off. Also, remember that motorcycles are difficult to see at night because they only have one tail light.

Question 37

You must show proof of insurance to law enforcement:

Answer 37

If you are involved in a collision or stopped for a citation. ## Footnote You must have evidence of financial responsibility, such as proof of insurance, with you whenever you drive. You must always show proof of insurance and your license to an officer upon request after a traffic stop or collision.

Question 38

If you drive 55 mph in a 55 mph zone, you can be given a speeding ticket:

Answer 38

If the road or weather conditions require a slower speed. ## Footnote California has a "Basic Speed Law," which means that you may never drive faster than would be safe in current conditions. Even if your speed is slower than the posted limit, you may still be cited if you are going too fast for conditions. When deciding how quickly to drive, drivers should take multiple factors into account, such as the speed of surrounding vehicles, the condition of the road surface, the presence of bicyclists and pedestrians, and weather conditions.

Question 39

It is legal to drive with an alcoholic beverage container that has been opened only if the container is:

Answer 39

In the trunk. ## Footnote Any opened alcoholic beverage container must be kept in the trunk of the vehicle, or in another place where passengers do not sit. Keeping an opened alcoholic drink in the glove compartment is specifically prohibited. However, in a bus, taxi, camper, or motor home, these restrictions do not apply to non-driving passengers.

Question 40

You want to turn left at an upcoming corner. Yield the right-of-way to:

Answer 40

All approaching vehicles. ## Footnote When making a left turn, you must yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, or other vehicles moving on their green light.

Question 41

There is a vehicle stopped on the right shoulder of the road with its hazard lights on. You should:

Answer 41

Slow down and pass very carefully. ## Footnote If you see a vehicle’s hazard lights ahead, slow down. There may be a collision or other road emergency ahead. Stop and give assistance if asked by anyone, or pass very carefully.

Question 42

Before you change lanes, you should check your mirrors and:

Answer 42

Glance over your shoulder. ## Footnote Before changing lanes, it is very important to check behind you. You should look over your shoulder to ensure that you are not getting in the way of vehicles in the lane you want to enter. Before changing lanes, you should also ensure that no drivers are attempting to drive into the same spot from a different lane.

Question 43

You want to park downhill on a two-way road and there is no curb. Which way do you turn your front wheels?

Answer 43

Right, toward the side of the road ## Footnote When parking facing downhill on a road with or without a curb, or when facing uphill on a road without a curb, turn your front wheels toward the edge of the road so your vehicle will roll away from traffic if the brakes fail. However, when parking uphill on a road with a curb, turn your wheels toward the center of the road so the vehicle will roll into the curb if the brakes fail.

Question 44

You want to pass a bicyclist in a narrow traffic lane when an oncoming vehicle is approaching. You should:

Answer 44

Slow down and let the vehicle pass you before you pass the bicyclist. ## Footnote In this situation, you should take on one danger at a time. Rather than trying to squeeze between the bicyclist and the other vehicle, you should slow down to let the other vehicle pass, and then pass the bicyclist when it is safe to do so.

Question 45

Drivers must use their seat belt:

Answer 45

And failure to do so will result in a traffic ticket. ## Footnote Drivers must always wear seat belts and may be cited for failure to do so.

Question 46

You should not start across an intersection if you know you will block the intersection when the light turns red:

Answer 46

Under any circumstances. ## Footnote Even if the signal is green, you must not enter an intersection unless you can get completely across before the light turns red. If you block the intersection, you can be cited.