Knowledge test, drive test and vehicle check

Key points

1. You are allowed three attempts to pass the knowledge test before you must reapply.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “You are allowed three attempts to pass before you must reapply.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 5

2. Minors must wait 7 days to retake a failed knowledge test, not counting the day they failed.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “Minors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not including the day of the failure.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 5

3. Minors must wait 14 days to retake a failed behind-the-wheel test, not counting the day they failed.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “Minors must wait 14 days to retake a failed behind-the-wheel drive test, not including the day of the failure.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 6

4. No testing aids are allowed during the knowledge test, not even the handbook or a cell phone.

   Source: Handbook p. 5

   “You are not allowed to use any testing aids during knowledge tests, such as a California Driver’s Handbook or cell phone.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 5

5. Tires on the test vehicle need at least 1/32 inch of even tread depth.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “The tires must have at least 1/32-inch of uniformed tread depth.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 6

6. The brake pedal needs at least one inch of clearance above the floorboard when pressed.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “There must be at least one inch of clearance between the bottom of the brake pedal and the floorboard when depressed.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 6

7. The horn must be loud enough to be heard from at least 200 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “loud enough to be heard from a distance of at least 200 feet.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 6

8. If your vehicle does not meet the requirements, your drive test will be rescheduled.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “If your vehicle does not meet the requirements, your drive test will be rescheduled.”
   California Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 6

Numbers to know

3 questions from the California practice test

1. 1. With a California instruction permit, who must practice driving with you before your license test?

   1. Any licensed driver who has held a license for 6 months.
   2. A parent or guardian only.
   3. A California-licensed driver who is at least 18, or 25 for minors.
   4. A licensed passenger of any age if the route avoids freeways.
   Show answer

   A California-licensed driver who is at least 18, or 25 for minors.. To get a license after an instruction permit, the handbook says to practice with a California-licensed driver at least 18 years old, with the supervising age rising to 25 for minors. The parent-only choice is too narrow; a qualified licensed adult can supervise, and for minors that adult must meet the higher age requirement. The cue is the permit holder's age. Adults use the 18-year threshold, while minors need the 25-year supervising driver.

2. 2. What insurance proof must you have when you drive and during a drive test?

   1. A dealership sales contract
   2. Proof of financial responsibility
   3. A DMV knowledge test receipt
   4. A maintenance log for the vehicle
   Show answer

   Proof of financial responsibility. California requires proof of financial responsibility, commonly insurance, when you drive and for a drive test. A sales contract or maintenance record does not show liability coverage. The cue is any time you operate the vehicle or arrive for the behind-the-wheel test: be ready to show valid insurance proof. After a collision, the same proof must be shown to other involved drivers.

3. 3. How many practice driving hours must a California minor complete before the drive test, and how many at night?

   1. At least 50 hours, with 10 at night
   2. At least 40 hours, with none required at night
   3. At least 100 hours, with 20 at night
   4. At least 30 hours, with 5 at night
   Show answer

   At least 50 hours, with 10 at night. Applicants under 18 must practice driving for at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25 years old, and ten of those hours must be at night. The practice comes on top of driver education and driver training and the six month permit holding period. The other totals belong to other states or to nothing at all. The Parent Teen Driving Contract and full requirements are on the DMV teen driver page.

Source: the California Driver's Handbook, Section 3: The Testing Process. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.