CA Permit Practice Test 11

All 20 questions in test 11

Every question below comes from the California question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. If animals or livestock are near the roadway, what should you do?

   1. Slow down or stop and continue only when safe
   2. Honk repeatedly so the animals scatter
   3. Drive between the animals before they move
   4. Speed up because animals usually avoid vehicles
   Show answer

   Slow down or stop and continue only when safe. California instructs drivers who see animals or livestock near the road to slow down or stop and proceed only when safe. Honking is a poor choice because sudden noise can scare animals and make them harder to predict. The cue is an animal warning sign, rider, herd, or handler near the shoulder, where your job is to reduce speed and follow the directions of the person in charge.

2. 2. How can you identify vehicles that are part of a funeral procession?

   1. They have windshield markers and headlights on
   2. They all flash red emergency lights
   3. They drive only in the far-left lane
   4. They are marked by orange slow vehicle triangles
   Show answer

   They have windshield markers and headlights on. California describes a funeral procession as led by a traffic officer, with participating vehicles identified by windshield markers and headlights. The red emergency lights choice confuses processions with emergency vehicles; funeral traffic has the right-of-way but is not using ambulance or fire signals. The cue is a continuous line of vehicles with lights on and visible markers, especially behind an escort, which you should not interrupt.

3. 3. At a California T intersection with no STOP or YIELD signs, who has the right-of-way?

   1. Vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road
   2. Whoever reaches the intersection first
   3. The driver turning from the dead-end street
   4. The vehicle on the right in every case
   Show answer

   Vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road. At a T intersection without STOP or YIELD signs, the handbook gives the right-of-way to vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians on the through road, meaning the road that continues straight. A driver coming from the road that ends must wait for a safe gap. Arrival order and the vehicle-on-the-right rule apply at ordinary four-way uncontrolled intersections, not here. Look for the shape of the junction: if your road ends at the cross street, you yield to everything already moving along it.

4. 4. What do large broken lines usually mean on a freeway or street lane?

   1. The lane is ending or becoming an exit lane
   2. The lane is only for bicycles
   3. Drivers may ignore all merge signs
   4. Traffic in the lane must stop immediately
   Show answer

   The lane is ending or becoming an exit lane. Large broken lines tell drivers that a freeway or street lane is usually ending or marked for an exit. The bicycle lane choice confuses this marking with a bike lane, which is typically marked by a solid white line and signs. The cue is seeing noticeably longer broken lane lines ahead; begin checking signs, mirrors, and gaps so you can exit or merge without a last second movement.

5. 5. If your vehicle becomes disabled on a freeway and you can pull over safely, where should you go first?

   1. Safely onto the right shoulder
   2. Into the left lane nearest the divider
   3. To a stop in the current travel lane
   4. Across all lanes to the nearest median opening
   Show answer

   Safely onto the right shoulder. For a disabled vehicle on the freeway, California's first listed step is to safely pull over to the right shoulder. Stopping in the current travel lane leaves you exposed to fast traffic unless there is no workable alternative. The cue is losing power, a flat tire, or warning lights while on a freeway; signal, steer smoothly right when there is a gap, and get as far from moving traffic as practical.

6. 6. Besides darkness and bad weather, where does the California handbook say headlights must be on even on a sunny day?

   1. On all freeways
   2. On mountain roads and in tunnels
   3. In parking structures
   4. Within 500 feet of a school
   Show answer

   On mountain roads and in tunnels. The headlight rules go beyond nighttime. You must turn on your headlights when conditions such as clouds, dust, smoke or fog prevent you from seeing other vehicles, on mountain roads and tunnels even on sunny days, when a road sign states that headlights must be on, and to help other drivers see your vehicle when the sun is low. Freeways, parking structures and school zones carry no such blanket rule.

7. 7. What does a yellow and black circular or X-shaped sign warn you about?

   1. An approaching railroad crossing
   2. A lane reserved for carpools
   3. A hospital driveway ahead
   4. A mandatory detour around a work zone
   Show answer

   An approaching railroad crossing. California uses yellow and black circular or X-shaped signs to warn that you are approaching a railroad crossing. The carpool lane choice describes HOV signs and diamond pavement markings, not this rail warning. The cue is the round advance sign or crossbuck style X near tracks; begin looking and listening, reduce speed, and be ready to stop before the crossing if a train or warning device appears.

8. 8. What is the first listed action if your vehicle starts to skid?

   1. Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator
   2. Brake hard until the wheels lock
   3. Turn sharply away from the skid
   4. Shift immediately into park
   Show answer

   Slowly remove your foot from the accelerator. When a skid starts, California's first listed response is to slowly take your foot off the accelerator. Braking hard can make traction loss worse and reduce steering control. The cue is feeling the tires slide or the vehicle begin to drift sideways; ease off power, avoid abrupt inputs, and steer toward the direction you want the vehicle to travel as traction returns.

9. 9. What should you do first if you have a tire blowout?

   1. Hold the steering wheel with both hands
   2. Brake suddenly to stop the vehicle immediately
   3. Abruptly lift off the accelerator
   4. Turn sharply toward the shoulder
   Show answer

   Hold the steering wheel with both hands. For a tire blowout, California first lists holding the steering wheel with both hands so you can keep the vehicle stable. Sudden braking is a dangerous choice because the handbook warns that abrupt braking or quick accelerator release can cause loss of control. The cue is a loud pop, vibration, or strong pull; grip firmly, stabilize the car, release speed gradually, and steer toward a safe place after control returns.

10. 10. At an uncontrolled intersection, you arrive at the same time as a bicyclist on your right. Who should go first?

    1. The bicyclist on your right
    2. You, because bicycles are not motor vehicles
    3. The larger vehicle
    4. Whoever signals first
    Show answer

    The bicyclist on your right. At intersections without stop or yield signs, California says to yield to a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist on your right when you arrive at the same time. The larger vehicle choice ignores that right-of-way does not come from size. The cue is reaching an uncontrolled corner together; pause, check right and left, and let the road user on your right move before you enter.

11. 11. At a four-way stop, who has the right-of-way when vehicles arrive at different times?

    1. The vehicle that arrives first
    2. The vehicle on the widest road
    3. The driver making a right turn
    4. The vehicle with the brightest headlights
    Show answer

    The vehicle that arrives first. California's right-of-way rule begins with the vehicle that arrives at the intersection first. The right turn choice is not the first rule for different arrival times; direction matters after timing and right-side conflicts are considered. The cue is watching stop order at all four corners, then proceeding when it is your turn while still yielding if a pedestrian or unsafe conflict appears.

12. 12. A California bicyclist is riding slower than traffic. When may the rider move away from the right curb?

    1. When passing, preparing to turn left, or avoiding a hazard or road condition
    2. Never, the rider must stay at the curb
    3. Only when riding in a group
    4. Only on roads posted under 25 mph
    Show answer

    When passing, preparing to turn left, or avoiding a hazard or road condition. Bicyclists traveling slower than the flow of traffic must ride as close as possible to the right curb or edge of the road, unless they are passing a vehicle or another bicycle in the same direction, preparing to make a left turn, avoiding a hazard or road condition, or the lane is too narrow to share. Drivers should expect a bicycle to move left for those reasons and leave three feet when passing. Group riding and low speed limits are not exceptions.

13. 13. When turning left, which road users must you yield to?

    1. Pedestrians and approaching vehicles close enough to be dangerous
    2. Only vehicles that are already stopped
    3. Only traffic approaching from behind
    4. No one if your turn signal is on
    Show answer

    Pedestrians and approaching vehicles close enough to be dangerous. For a left turn, California says to check for pedestrians and yield to any pedestrian or approaching vehicle close enough to be dangerous. Having a turn signal on communicates intent, but it does not give priority over people or vehicles in the conflict path. The cue is waiting in the left turn position while oncoming traffic or pedestrians approach; turn only after the gap is safe.

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

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

15. 15. May a California bicyclist ride on the sidewalk?

    1. Not unless the city allows it
    2. Yes, anywhere
    3. Only at night
    4. Only when the road has no bike lane
    Show answer

    Not unless the city allows it. Among the rules for bicyclists, the handbook says a bicyclist must not ride on the sidewalk unless allowed by the city. Bicyclists make left and right turns the same way drivers do, using hand signals and turn lanes, and should use a bike lane whenever possible or a through traffic lane. Drivers turning across a sidewalk or driveway should still watch for riders, especially children, who may be on the sidewalk where a city permits it.

16. 16. When a school bus flashes red lights on an undivided road, how long must you remain stopped?

    1. Until children are safely across and the red lights stop flashing
    2. Only until the stop arm first comes out
    3. Until the bus driver waves at one vehicle
    4. Only while children are visible from your lane
    Show answer

    Until children are safely across and the red lights stop flashing. California says drivers from either direction must remain stopped for a school bus with flashing red lights until the children have crossed safely and the lights stop flashing. The visible children choice is too narrow because the red lights control the stop even when a child is hidden by the bus. The cue is the top red lights flashing on an undivided road; wait for both the children and the lights.

17. 17. A school bus is stopped on the other side of a divided or multilane highway. Must you stop?

    1. No, you do not need to stop
    2. Yes, unless you are more than 100 feet away
    3. Yes, but only until your lane clears
    4. No, but you must honk before passing
    Show answer

    No, you do not need to stop. California says you do not need to stop for a school bus on the other side of a divided or multilane highway with two or more lanes in each direction. The 100 foot choice invents a distance rule that is not used for this school bus exception. The cue is a median or multiple lanes each way separating you from the bus; continue carefully while watching for unexpected pedestrians.

18. 18. When a pedestrian is crossing the roadway outside a marked crosswalk, what should you do?

    1. Use caution, reduce speed, or stop so the pedestrian can finish crossing
    2. Continue at speed because only marked crosswalks count
    3. Pass in front of the pedestrian if your lane is open
    4. Stop only if the pedestrian makes eye contact
    Show answer

    Use caution, reduce speed, or stop so the pedestrian can finish crossing. California requires caution for a pedestrian crossing with or without a crosswalk, including reducing speed or stopping so the person can finish safely. The marked crosswalks only choice is wrong because unmarked crossings and pedestrians outside marked lines still require care. The cue is any person already in the roadway ahead; cover the brake, watch both sides, and leave enough time for a safe crossing.

19. 19. What should you do if another vehicle is stopped at a crosswalk?

    1. Do not pass it
    2. Pass only on the right side
    3. Pass if you cannot see a pedestrian
    4. Honk once and continue through
    Show answer

    Do not pass it. California tells drivers not to pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk because a pedestrian may be hidden from view. The pass if you cannot see a pedestrian choice is exactly the hazard: the stopped vehicle can block your sightline. The cue is brake lights or a stopped car at crosswalk markings or a corner; slow, wait, and confirm the crosswalk is clear before proceeding.

20. 20. How is a California center left turn lane marked?

    1. By a single solid white line on each side
    2. By double solid yellow lines on each side
    3. By a broken white line on each side
    4. By two painted lines on each side, the inner line broken and the outer line solid
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    By two painted lines on each side, the inner line broken and the outer line solid. A center left turn lane sits in the middle of a two-way street and is marked on both sides by two painted lines: the inner line is broken and the outer line is solid. The broken inner line lets vehicles from either direction enter to prepare for a left turn or U-turn, while the solid outer line separates it from the through lanes. Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart mean a barrier, not a turn lane.