CA Permit Practice Test 2

All 20 questions in test 2

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. May a child in a rear-facing child restraint ride in the front seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle?

   1. Yes, if the child is at least one year old
   2. No, the handbook prohibits that seating position
   3. Yes, if the restraint is federally approved
   4. Yes, if the vehicle has no rear seat
   Show answer

   No, the handbook prohibits that seating position. A child in a rear-facing child passenger restraint may not ride in the front seat of an airbag-equipped vehicle. The handbook states this restriction separately from the general child-restraint rules and exceptions for front-seat use. Do not treat an approved restraint or the absence of a rear seat as permission to ignore this specific restriction. The combination to recognize is a rear-facing child restraint in the front of an airbag-equipped vehicle.

   Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and cell phones

2. 2. When may a child graduate to a regular safety belt?

   1. They must use a rear-facing seat
   2. They must sit in the front seat
   3. They may use a properly secured safety belt meeting federal standards
   4. They need no restraint at all
   Show answer

   They may use a properly secured safety belt meeting federal standards. Eight years or 4-foot-9 marks the graduation from child restraints to adult belts, provided the belt fits properly across the hips and shoulder. Until then, most children must ride in federally approved child seats in the back. Fit matters more than pride: a poorly fitting belt can injure in a crash. Belt fit across hips and shoulder matters more than the child's pride.

   Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and cell phones

3. 3. During a traffic stop, what documents must a California driver produce?

   1. A driver license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration.
   2. Only a driver license and current address.
   3. A passport, registration, and smog certificate.
   4. Insurance information only after a citation is issued.
   Show answer

   A driver license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration.. During a law enforcement stop, the driver must produce a driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle registration. The current-address-only option leaves out registration and insurance, which the handbook specifically includes. Officers may conduct a limited search for those documents if the driver does not produce them. The cue is a stopped vehicle contact with law enforcement: have the three required records available and provide them when requested.

4. 4. How may an adult driver use a cell phone while driving?

   1. Only in hands-free mode when necessary
   2. By holding it for a brief call at a red light
   3. By reading texts if traffic is stopped
   4. Only with both hands on the steering wheel and speaker off
   Show answer

   Only in hands-free mode when necessary. Adult drivers should use a cell phone only in hands-free mode when necessary, with the phone mounted and operated by a single swipe or touch if used. The red-light handheld choice still involves holding the phone while driving. The cue is whether the device is in your hand; if a call cannot wait, pull safely off the road instead of handling the phone in traffic.

   Study this in the handbook: School buses and railroad crossings

5. 5. A firefighter gives you directions that conflict with a posted sign. What should you do?

   1. Follow the posted sign because it is permanent
   2. Proceed only if the traffic signal is green
   3. Wait until another driver chooses a direction
   4. Follow the firefighter's order
   Show answer

   Follow the firefighter's order. You must obey directions from a firefighter or law enforcement officer even when they conflict with signs, signals, or laws. The posted-sign choice is wrong because the manual gives the officer or firefighter's direction priority in that moment. The cue is a person officially directing traffic at a fire, collision, work zone, or emergency scene; follow the order calmly and watch for unexpected movement nearby.

   Study this in the handbook: Trucks, emergency vehicles, bicycles and work zones

6. 6. Cargo on a California passenger vehicle sticks out past the right side fenders. What is the most it may extend?

   1. 6 inches
   2. 12 inches
   3. 4 feet
   4. It may not extend at all
   Show answer

   6 inches. On a passenger vehicle, cargo may not extend beyond the fenders on the left side at all, and no more than 6 inches beyond the fenders on the right side. Twelve inches doubles the right side limit. Four feet is the rear overhang that triggers a 12 inch red or orange flag, not a side limit. The no extension rule is for the left side so it is the wrong answer for the right side.

   Study this in the handbook: School buses and railroad crossings

7. 7. A blind pedestrian pulls in their cane and steps away from the intersection. What does it mean?

   1. The pedestrian is asking for directions
   2. You must honk to acknowledge them
   3. The gesture usually means you may go
   4. You must exit and guide them across
   Show answer

   The gesture usually means you may go. Blind pedestrians communicate with cane signals: pulling the cane in and stepping back tells waiting drivers the crossing is off. The handbook pairs this with two cautions: never honk at a blind person, since the blast can startle them into traffic, and stay extra alert around quiet hybrid and electric cars they cannot hear. When in doubt, wait until their intent is unmistakable.

   Study this in the handbook: Right of way: who goes first

8. 8. What speed habit should you avoid in extreme heat?

   1. Driving at a controlled steady pace
   2. Driving at high speed for long periods
   3. Reducing speed for congestion
   4. Slowing before a tight turn
   Show answer

   Driving at high speed for long periods. Extended high-speed driving is one of the habits the handbook says to avoid in extreme heat. The advice concerns sustained operation in hot conditions, not avoiding every change in speed. Plan a pace that fits the road while watching the vehicle for overheating. Slowing for congestion or a tight turn remains appropriate; neither is a reason to maintain a high speed when the vehicle and conditions call for more care.

   Study this in the handbook: Blowouts, breakdowns and brake failure

9. 9. A bicyclist is ahead on your right and an oncoming car is approaching on your left. What should you do before passing the bicyclist?

   1. Honk until the bicyclist leaves the roadway
   2. Squeeze between both at the same time
   3. Accelerate to reach both hazards together
   4. Slow and let the oncoming car pass first
   Show answer

   Slow and let the oncoming car pass first. Handle the two hazards separately by slowing and allowing the oncoming vehicle to pass before overtaking the bicyclist. Trying to fit between both leaves less room for an unexpected movement from either side. Look ahead early enough to choose a sequence instead of arriving beside both at once. After the opposing vehicle clears, reassess whether there is enough safe space to pass the rider.

   Study this in the handbook: Blowouts, breakdowns and brake failure

10. 10. What do the numbers on a pedestrian countdown signal show?

    1. The seconds left to cross the street
    2. The seconds until vehicles must stop
    3. The number of pedestrians allowed across
    4. The speed drivers should maintain
    Show answer

    The seconds left to cross the street. A pedestrian countdown displays the remaining crossing time in seconds. It does not set a vehicle speed or count the people who may cross. Read the number together with the pedestrian symbol rather than using it as permission by itself. For example, a person already crossing can see how much time remains, while someone at the curb still needs to follow the WALK or raised-hand indication.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights and pedestrian signals

11. 11. During a traffic stop, a state or local officer asks about your immigration status. What does California law allow?

    1. Only passengers are required to answer
    2. You must answer any question an officer asks
    3. You can decline to answer the question
    4. You must answer once you have shown your license
    Show answer

    You can decline to answer the question. California bars state and local officers from asking drivers or passengers about immigration status, and a driver who is asked may decline to answer. Showing your license does not change that, and the rule covers passengers just as it covers the driver. Questions about immigration status are reserved to federal officers. Declining is not the same as refusing to identify yourself, so provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance when asked, stay courteous, and if you believe your rights were disregarded, raise it later through a complaint rather than an argument at the roadside.

12. 12. Where may you mount a cell phone in a California vehicle?

    1. On the windshield, dashboard, or center console, without blocking your view
    2. Anywhere on the windshield, including the center of your sight line
    3. Only clipped to the sun visor
    4. In the driver's hand if the screen faces down
    Show answer

    On the windshield, dashboard, or center console, without blocking your view. Hands-free only works if the phone has a legal home, and California names three: mounted on the windshield, the dashboard, or the center console, positioned so it cannot block your view of the road. A mount that plants the screen in the middle of your sight line fails the second half of that rule even in an approved location, because a navigation glance should cost a flick of the eyes, not a blind spot. Sun visor clips are not on the approved list, and a hand, face down or not, is precisely the handheld grip the law prohibits.

    Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and cell phones

13. 13. When may you cross a single set of double yellow lines?

    1. To pass a slow vehicle on a hill.
    2. To use the shoulder as a temporary lane.
    3. To drive in a bicycle lane for more than 200 feet.
    4. To enter or exit a driveway or private road when turning left.
    Show answer

    To enter or exit a driveway or private road when turning left.. Double solid yellow lines normally mean do not pass over them, but California allows crossing a single set to turn left into or out of a driveway or private road, or to make a U-turn where legal. The passing-on-a-hill option is wrong because the line still prohibits passing. Your cue is purpose: crossing for a left-turn movement to access a driveway is different from crossing to overtake traffic.

    Study this in the handbook: Lane markings and special lanes

14. 14. A yellow curved-arrow sign warns you about what ahead?

    
    1. A required right turn at the next intersection
    2. A gradual curve where you should reduce speed before entering
    3. A T intersection with cross traffic only from one side
    4. A detour route marked for construction equipment
    Show answer

    A gradual curve where you should reduce speed before entering. A curve warning tells you the road bends ahead, so set a safe speed before reaching the curve and keep steady control through it. The required-turn choice confuses a warning with a regulatory direction; this sign alerts you to roadway shape rather than ordering a turn. The cue is the smooth curved arrow on yellow, which means look through the bend and avoid hard braking in the middle.

    Study this in the handbook: Scanning, following distance and skids

15. 15. Two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road where neither can pass. Which driver should back up?

    1. The uphill-facing driver because gravity helps them stop
    2. The downhill-facing driver until the uphill vehicle can pass
    3. The driver closest to the centerline
    4. The larger vehicle, regardless of direction
    Show answer

    The downhill-facing driver until the uphill vehicle can pass. On a steep narrow road where only one vehicle can pass, the vehicle facing uphill has the right-of-way. The vehicle facing downhill should back up because it has more control backing uphill. The larger-vehicle choice ignores the direction rule. A cue is the grade: if your vehicle is facing downhill and there is no passing room, back carefully until the uphill vehicle can get through.

    Study this in the handbook: Right of way: who goes first

16. 16. This red-slash sign with a right-turn arrow means:

    
    1. Right turns are allowed only from the bus lane
    2. Right turns are allowed after a complete stop
    3. Right turns are prohibited at this location
    4. Right turns must be made from the left lane
    Show answer

    Right turns are prohibited at this location. A regulatory sign with a red circle and slash forbids the movement pictured. Here the pictured movement is a right turn, so a driver must not turn right where the sign applies. The after-stop choice confuses this with a red traffic light rule; a no-right-turn sign remains a prohibition even if you stop. A cue is the arrow under the slash: it names the turn you may not make.

17. 17. How far and how close to the curb should you back in a straight line?

    1. One car length, hugging the curb exactly
    2. Ten car lengths at highway speed
    3. Any distance without looking back
    4. Three vehicle lengths, staying within three feet of the curb
    Show answer

    Three vehicle lengths, staying within three feet of the curb. The test-standard maneuver keeps the car tracking straight and tight to the curb so it never wanders into traffic. Before rolling, run the full setup: traffic check with blind spots, signal on before pulling to the curb, mirror plus over-shoulder check, then back smoothly while watching behind. Stay aware of everything behind you the whole way, since backing has the worst visibility of any maneuver.

    Study this in the handbook: Parallel parking, hills and colored curbs

18. 18. During a traffic break, when may you resume your normal speed?

    1. As soon as the patrol car changes lanes
    2. After the officer turns off emergency lights and traffic conditions allow it
    3. Whenever your exit is close
    4. After sounding your horn at the officer
    Show answer

    After the officer turns off emergency lights and traffic conditions allow it. Wait for both conditions before returning to normal speed: the officer’s emergency lights must be off, and traffic conditions must permit it. A lane movement by the patrol car alone is not the release signal. Keep watching the road beyond the officer because congestion or a remaining hazard may still require a slower pace. An approaching exit does not justify accelerating through the traffic break.

19. 19. Can a single alcoholic drink affect your ability to drive safely?

    1. No, a single drink is too small to matter
    2. Only if mixed with medication
    3. Yes, even one drink can affect safe driving
    4. No, not if the driver has eaten a full meal
    Show answer

    Yes, even one drink can affect safe driving. Impairment begins with the very first drink, well before any legal limit comes into play: judgment, reaction time, and coordination all degrade early while confidence stays deceptively high. The handbook's warning exists because drivers routinely overestimate their own sobriety after just one drink. Legally under the limit never means actually safe, and the only reliably safe choice is not to drive after drinking anything.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, drugs and DUI

20. 20. At a DMV hearing concerning a DUI action, may you present relevant evidence and witnesses?

    1. Yes, but testifying yourself is not allowed
    2. No, only the arresting officer may speak
    3. Yes, you may present them on your behalf
    4. Yes, but the witnesses must be chosen by DMV
    Show answer

    Yes, you may present them on your behalf. A DMV administrative hearing gives you the right to present relevant evidence and witnesses on your behalf. The proceeding is not limited to listening to the arresting officer. Prepare information that relates to the action being considered instead of assuming you cannot contribute to the record. You may also testify yourself or be represented by an attorney at your own expense, and DMV does not pick your witnesses for you.