PermitoCalifornia permit test
You need 80% correct to pass the California knowledge test. We have not yet confirmed the California question count with the agency. Source: dmv.ca.gov, checked October 20, 2026.
Test facts
| What | Number | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Questions on the test | Not yet confirmed with the agency | dmv.ca.gov | |
| Pass mark | 80% | dmv.ca.gov |
Some practice sites list a pass mark of 83% or 83.3%. The agency’s published pass mark is 80%. Source: dmv.ca.gov, checked October 20, 2026.
California laws and handbook points
Points from California law and the California driver handbook, each taken from one of our California practice questions with its source. Practice material, not the state test.
Permits and graduated licensing
You have a provisional license, and a school activity ends after 11 p.m. What lets you drive yourself home in California?
Answer: A signed note from the school. A provisional driver may drive at night for school if carrying a signed note from the school. Without it, the late-night limit applies.
Other choices: Nothing, because the limit ends at midnight. The night limit starts at 11 p.m., so a late activity needs a signed note from the school. Any licensed driver aged 18 riding with you. An 18-year-old driver does not meet the rule.
Sources: CVC 12814.6; Driver handbook, Section 2.
Alcohol and drugs
You have a partly used package of cannabis in your car. Where may an opened container be kept?
Answer: In the trunk. An opened cannabis package or loose flower is allowed only in the trunk. Anywhere within reach of the people in the car counts as the passenger area.
Other choices: On the back seat. The back seat is a place passengers sit. In a cup holder. A cup holder is within reach of the driver and passengers.
Sources: CVC 23222; Driver handbook, Section 9.
Insurance
A 17-year-old driver causes a crash. Who accepts financial responsibility for the damage?
Answer: A parent or guardian. A parent or guardian signs a teen's license application and agrees to pay for damage. That is why the adult is responsible for money when a driver under 18 causes a crash.
Other choices: The other driver involved. The other driver is not the one responsible for the damage. The school district office. A school district has no role in a teen's driving; the parent or guardian who signs is responsible.
Sources: CVC 17701; Driver handbook, Section 10.
Speed and following distance
What is the highest speed limit on most California highways, unless a higher one is posted?
Answer: 65 mph. The top limit is 65 mph on most highways unless a higher one is posted. Some roads are posted at 70 mph, so check the sign instead of assuming.
Other choices: 55 mph. Fifty-five mph is the two-lane highway limit. 60 mph. Sixty mph is not the California top limit.
Sources: CVC 22349; Driver handbook, Section 8.
Parking
What does a green curb mean?
Answer: Parking for a limited time. A green curb allows parking for a limited time. The time limit is posted on a sign or painted on the curb, so read it before you leave your car.
Other choices: Loading freight only, by trucks. Truck loading is marked with a yellow curb, which is a different color than green. No parking at any time. A red curb bans parking at any time.
Sources: CVC 21458; Driver handbook, Section 6.
Right of way
You turn left across oncoming lanes. Who must you yield to?
Answer: Close oncoming vehicles. A driver turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles close enough to be a hazard. Your turn crosses their lane, so they have the right of way.
Other choices: Cars behind you in your lane. Cars behind you are moving in your direction, so your turn does not cross their path. Only vehicles turning right. Vehicles turning right are not the only traffic you must watch.
Sources: CVC 21801; Driver handbook, Section 7.
Sharing the road
What is the fine for a move-over violation under CVC 21809?
Answer: Up to $50. A move-over violation is an infraction with a fine of not more than $50. It is an infraction, which is less serious than a crime.
Other choices: Up to $500. Five hundred dollars is more than the maximum. Up to $5,000. Five thousand dollars is more than the maximum.
Sources: CVC 21809; Driver handbook, Section 7.
Emergencies
Someone is hurt in your collision. By when must the report to law enforcement be made?
Answer: Within 24 hours. The report goes to law enforcement within 24 hours. The DMV report has a different deadline.
Other choices: Within 10 days. Ten days is the DMV report deadline for some crashes. Within 1 hour. One hour is shorter than the deadline.
Sources: CVC 20008; Driver handbook, Section 10.
Turns and lanes
On which side should you normally pass another vehicle?
Answer: On the left. Overtake on the left side, leaving a safe gap, unless the law allows passing on the right. Passing on the left keeps traffic moving in one predictable pattern.
Other choices: On the shoulder. Passing on the shoulder is not allowed because the shoulder is kept for stopped cars and emergencies. Either, as you like. Passing is not left to your choice of side.
Sources: CVC 21750; Driver handbook, Section 6.
Pavement markings
On a two-lane road, how many following vehicles require a slow driver to use a turnout?
Answer: Five or more. A slow driver with five or more vehicles behind must pull into a turnout where passing is unsafe.
Other choices: Three or more. Three vehicles is fewer than the rule. Two or more cars. Two cars is fewer than the rule.
Sources: CVC 21656; Driver handbook, Section 6.
- Questions in this list were last updated .
What the California question bank covers
Questions in Permito’s California bank, by topic. The counts describe the bank, not the state test.
| Topic | Questions in the bank |
|---|---|
| Road signs | 359 |
| Right of way | 61 |
| Speed and following distance | 60 |
| Safe driving | 52 |
| Alcohol and drugs | 48 |
| Sharing the road | 47 |
| Pavement markings | 43 |
| Turns and lanes | 41 |
| Traffic signals | 38 |
| Emergencies | 37 |
| Permits and graduated licensing | 34 |
| Parking | 22 |
| Insurance | 19 |
Where these numbers come from
Each number was read on the agency page linked beside it. Where the agency publishes none, we say so instead of guessing.
Practice
- Try the California practice questions. Questions with the answer, the explanation and the source.
- Compare all states
Road signs
Sign questions are part of the California bank too. The road sign reference shows every sign Permito teaches, with its name and what it means. See all road signs.
Common questions
How many questions are on the California permit test?
We have not yet confirmed the question count with the agency, so we do not list one. The agency’s page is dmv.ca.gov.
What score do I need to pass the California permit test?
You need 80% correct. Source: dmv.ca.gov, checked October 20, 2026.
Why do some websites show different numbers?
Some practice sites list a pass mark of 83% or 83.3%. The agency’s published pass mark is 80%. Source: dmv.ca.gov, checked October 20, 2026.
Where do these numbers come from?
From the agency page at dmv.ca.gov, which we checked on October 20, 2026. Permito is not part of any government agency.
Are the practice questions on Permito from the California test?
No. They are our own practice questions, written from the California driver handbook and vehicle code. Permito is not affiliated with any DMV or government agency.
You moved to a new home last week. How soon must you tell the DMV the new address?
Within 10 days. A driver who moves must tell the DMV the new address within 10 days. The DMV mails notices to the address on file, so keeping it current matters. Sources: CVC 14600; Driver handbook, Section 4.
Which California law lets the DMV suspend your license after a DUI arrest, before any court case?
The Administrative Per Se law. The Administrative Per Se law requires the DMV to suspend the driving privilege after a DUI arrest. The suspension is separate from the court case. Sources: CVC 13353.2; Driver handbook, Section 9.
What is the minimum property damage coverage California requires?
$15,000. The minimums are $30,000 for one person, $60,000 for more than one, and $15,000 for property. Sources: CVC 16056; Driver handbook, Section 10.
A SCHOOL warning sign can be placed how far from the school grounds?
Up to 500 feet. The sign may stand up to 500 feet away, so the school zone can begin before you see the school. Sources: CVC 22352; Driver handbook, Section 7.
You park facing downhill next to a curb. Which way do you turn your front wheels?
Toward the curb. When you park downhill next to a curb, turn the front wheels toward the curb. If the brakes fail, the curb stops the car from rolling into the street. Sources: CVC 22509; Driver handbook, Section 6.
Practice the rest in the app
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