CA Permit Practice Test 3

All 20 questions in test 3

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. At a STOP sign, where must you make a full stop?

   1. Before the crosswalk or at the limit line
   2. Past the crosswalk where cross traffic is visible
   3. Only after the front wheels enter the intersection
   4. Beside the sign post, regardless of pavement markings
   Show answer

   Before the crosswalk or at the limit line. A STOP sign requires a full stop before entering the crosswalk or at the limit line. Rolling forward past the crosswalk before stopping can place the vehicle where pedestrians may be crossing. If there is no limit line or crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. The cue is the first legal stopping point: limit line first, then crosswalk, then the edge of the intersection.

2. 2. What does a red YIELD sign tell a driver to do?

   1. Slow down and be ready to stop for traffic, bicyclists, or pedestrians
   2. Stop every time for at least three seconds
   3. Accelerate before merging into cross traffic
   4. Proceed first because cross traffic must stop
   Show answer

   Slow down and be ready to stop for traffic, bicyclists, or pedestrians. A red YIELD sign tells you to slow and be ready to stop so other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians can pass before you proceed. It is not the same as a STOP sign, so a mandatory full stop every time is not the rule. The cue is the red triangular sign at an approach or merge. Enter only after judging that yielding road users have cleared and the gap is safe.

3. 3. What do highway construction and maintenance signs warn drivers about?

   1. Workers, slow-moving equipment, and closed lanes ahead
   2. Only permanent lane-number changes
   3. Parking time limits near stores
   4. Railroad crossings without signals
   Show answer

   Workers, slow-moving equipment, and closed lanes ahead. Construction and maintenance warning signs tell drivers to expect workers, slow-moving equipment, and closed lanes. A permanent lane-number change is not the main meaning of these work-zone signs. The cue is the work-zone message board or warning sign ahead. Slow down, allow more room, expect sudden stops, and obey flaggers or special instructions as cones and barriers guide the path.

4. 4. What does a yellow and black circular or X-shaped railroad sign mean?

   1. A railroad crossing is ahead, so look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop
   2. A divided highway begins after the tracks
   3. A train has already cleared every track
   4. You must stop only if gates are lowered
   Show answer

   A railroad crossing is ahead, so look, listen, slow down, and prepare to stop. A yellow and black circular or X-shaped sign warns that a railroad crossing is ahead. Gates lowered is only one possible active warning; the sign itself calls for looking, listening, slowing, and preparing to stop before any train appears. The cue is the round yellow advance sign or X marking. Reduce speed, scan both directions, and let any trains pass before crossing the tracks.

5. 5. What does a five-sided school sign mean?

   1. You are near a school and should drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk
   2. A work zone speed limit begins
   3. A railroad crossing is immediately ahead
   4. Parking is reserved for disabled drivers
   Show answer

   You are near a school and should drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk. A five-sided sign means you are near a school. California tells drivers to go slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk. The work-zone choice points to construction signs, while railroad crossings use yellow circular or X-shaped signs. The cue is the school-area shape, usually pentagon style. Watch for children, crosswalks, crossing guards, and school buses before deciding that the road is clear.

6. 6. What does a diamond-shaped warning sign tell you?

   1. Specific road conditions or dangers are ahead
   2. Only public transit buses may use the lane
   3. You have reached a rest area
   4. Traffic may pass a stopped school bus
   Show answer

   Specific road conditions or dangers are ahead. A diamond-shaped sign warns of specific road conditions and dangers ahead. Bus-only rules are shown by posted lane signs, and guide signs provide destination or service information instead of hazard warnings. The cue is the diamond shape on the roadside before a condition changes. Prepare for the particular hazard shown nearby, such as curves, merging traffic, divided highways, or pedestrians.

7. 7. A diamond-shaped warning sign is posted ahead. What should you expect?

   1. A service or route guide for drivers
   2. A rule that applies only to trucks
   3. A specific road condition or danger ahead
   4. A parking restriction that starts at the sign
   Show answer

   A specific road condition or danger ahead. Diamond warning signs prepare you for a hazard or road condition before you reach it. A driver should reduce speed as needed, scan the road edges and lanes, and be ready to adjust. The guide-sign choice is tempting because some signs also give information, but guide signs point to routes or services. A diamond sign is about advance warning, such as a curve, crossing, merge, or other condition ahead.

8. 8. What does a flashing red traffic signal require at an intersection?

   1. Stop first, then continue only when it is safe
   2. Slow to a crawl without stopping if cross traffic is clear
   3. Wait for a green light before moving again
   4. Treat the signal as a warning that cross traffic must stop
   Show answer

   Stop first, then continue only when it is safe. A flashing red signal is handled like a stop control. Come to a complete stop, check for pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles, then proceed only when the way is clear. The green-light choice goes too far because the handbook lets you go after stopping when it is safe. A practical cue is the color: flashing red still means stop first, even though it is not a steady red light.

9. 9. You face a steady red right arrow. When may you turn right?

   1. After a complete stop if no pedestrians are present
   2. Only after the signal changes to green or a green arrow
   3. After yielding, unless a sign says no turn on red
   4. When cross traffic has a yellow signal
   Show answer

   Only after the signal changes to green or a green arrow. A steady red arrow does not allow the same turn as a circular red signal. Stay stopped until a green light or green arrow appears for your movement. The choice about stopping and yielding sounds like the right-turn-on-red rule, but that rule applies to a red light, not a red arrow. Use the arrow shape as the cue: it controls the direction shown and keeps that turn stopped.

10. 10. A broken yellow line is next to your lane on a two-way road. What does it allow?

    1. Passing when the oncoming lane is clear and the maneuver is lawful
    2. Driving left of the line as a regular travel lane
    3. Passing only on the right shoulder
    4. Crossing only for emergency vehicles
    Show answer

    Passing when the oncoming lane is clear and the maneuver is lawful. A broken yellow line separates opposite directions and can permit a left-side pass when traffic, sight distance, and signs make it lawful. You still need a clear oncoming lane and enough room to return safely. The regular-travel-lane choice is wrong because the line does not create an extra lane for cruising. The cue is the break in the yellow center marking, which allows a temporary crossing for a pass.

11. 11. What is the purpose of a center left-turn lane?

    1. To pass slow traffic before a driveway
    2. To wait before entering a freeway ramp
    3. To begin or finish a left turn or permitted U-turn
    4. To travel continuously when both through lanes are crowded
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    To begin or finish a left turn or permitted U-turn. A center left-turn lane is a shared lane for vehicles preparing to turn left, turning from a side street or driveway, or making a legal U-turn. It is not a passing lane or a way to bypass congestion. The continuous-travel choice is especially risky because opposing drivers may enter the same lane for their own left turns. Look for the yellow lines on both sides and use the lane only for the turn movement.

12. 12. Unless a sign posts a different limit, how fast may you drive in an alley?

    1. No faster than 10 mph
    2. No faster than 15 mph
    3. No faster than 20 mph
    4. No faster than 25 mph
    Show answer

    No faster than 15 mph. California sets the default alley speed at 15 mph. Alleys are narrow routes used for rear or side access, so pedestrians, vehicles backing out, trash bins, and blocked sight lines are common. The 25 mph choice may sound familiar because it applies in many business or residential districts, but an alley has its own lower limit. A cue is the narrow access road behind buildings or properties.

13. 13. What is the speed limit at a blind intersection when your view is blocked?

    1. 10 mph until you see both directions
    2. 15 mph unless posted otherwise
    3. 25 mph because it is still an intersection
    4. 35 mph if no stop signs are posted
    Show answer

    15 mph unless posted otherwise. A blind intersection with blocked sight lines has a 15 mph limit. The lower speed gives you time to edge forward, find cross traffic and pedestrians, and stop if needed. The 25 mph option confuses this situation with the broader business or residential default. Use the cue from the handbook: if the corner has no stop signs and buildings, bushes, or parked vehicles block your view, move slowly and obey 15 mph.

14. 14. On a freeway in heavy traffic, what can happen if you drive much slower than normal traffic flow?

    1. You may be cited for blocking reasonable traffic movement
    2. You gain legal priority over faster vehicles
    3. You must move to the far-left lane
    4. You are protected from citation if hazard lights are on
    Show answer

    You may be cited for blocking reasonable traffic movement. Driving too slowly can be unlawful when it blocks normal and reasonable traffic flow. Heavy traffic and weather may require slower speeds, but a driver should not create a moving obstruction. The far-left-lane choice reverses the handbook guidance because slower drivers should move right when another driver wants to go faster. Watch your mirrors: if traffic stacks up behind you and conditions allow, use the right lane.

15. 15. What does a green curb permit?

    1. Stopping only for passenger loading
    2. Parking for a limited time
    3. Parking only with a disabled placard
    4. No stopping, standing, or parking
    Show answer

    Parking for a limited time. A green curb allows parking, but only for the limited time shown by a sign or curb marking. It is not the same as a white curb, which is for brief passenger loading, or a blue curb, which is reserved for disabled parking privileges. The cue is the color plus a posted or painted time limit. Before leaving the vehicle, read the nearby sign so you know how long the space may be used.

16. 16. Where is parking prohibited near a marked or unmarked crosswalk?

    1. Within 20 feet, or within 15 feet when a curb extension is present
    2. Within 5 feet, unless the vehicle faces traffic
    3. Within 30 feet, but only at school crossings
    4. Within 100 feet whenever the road has two lanes
    Show answer

    Within 20 feet, or within 15 feet when a curb extension is present. California prohibits parking close to crosswalks because a parked vehicle can hide pedestrians from approaching drivers. The ordinary distance is within 20 feet of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, reduced to within 15 feet when a curb extension is present. The 30-foot school-only option invents a different condition. A useful cue is any corner crossing area: leave the approach clear so drivers can see people entering the roadway.

17. 17. During the first 12 months of a California provisional license, when may the holder drive with passengers under 20?

    1. Any time between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
    2. Only if the passengers are wearing seat belts
    3. Only when a parent or guardian, or another California-licensed driver at least 25 years old, rides along
    4. Only on trips to school or work
    Show answer

    Only when a parent or guardian, or another California-licensed driver at least 25 years old, rides along. A provisional license carries two first-year restrictions. The holder may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., and may not drive with passengers under 20 years old unless a parent or guardian or another California-licensed driver who is at least 25 rides with them. Seat belts are always required but do not lift the passenger rule, and the daytime window does not either. Exceptions exist for documented necessity, such as medical or school needs.

18. 18. What can DMV do if you refuse a requested blood or urine test during a DUI investigation?

    1. Require a new knowledge test only
    2. Suspend or revoke your driving privilege for one year
    3. Issue a warning if your BAC is unknown
    4. Delay action until a second refusal
    Show answer

    Suspend or revoke your driving privilege for one year. When an officer has reason to believe you are driving under the influence and requests a blood or urine test, refusing carries a one-year DMV suspension or revocation. The warning choice understates the consequence; the handbook ties refusal itself to the licensing penalty. A concrete cue is the request for a chemical test during a DUI stop, not whether a BAC number has already been measured.

19. 19. Where must an open alcohol container be kept in an ordinary passenger vehicle?

    1. In the trunk or another area where passengers do not sit
    2. In the glove box if the driver is sober
    3. On the rear floor as long as the cap is attached
    4. Anywhere outside the driver's reach
    Show answer

    In the trunk or another area where passengers do not sit. An opened alcohol container cannot be kept in the passenger area of an ordinary vehicle. It must go in the trunk or another place where passengers do not sit. The glove-box choice is specifically wrong because the handbook says an open alcohol container may not be kept there. A clear cue is the broken seal: once the container is open, move it out of the seating area before driving.

20. 20. How long must a California minor hold an instruction permit before scheduling the behind-the-wheel drive test?

    1. At least 30 days
    2. At least 1 year
    3. At least 6 months, or until turning 18
    4. At least 3 months
    Show answer

    At least 6 months, or until turning 18. An applicant under 18 must have an instruction permit from California or another state for at least 6 months, or turn 18, before scheduling the behind-the-wheel drive test. During that time the minor must complete driver education and driver training and practice for at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25, ten of those hours at night. Thirty days, three months, and a full year are not the handbook's figure.