US Permit Test

Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

California Permit Test (2026)

Study for the official DMV knowledge test with free practice tests written from the state's own rules — plus the verified facts below: how many questions, the passing score, and what it costs.

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Free California practice tests

California Practice Test 1

30 questions — signs, rules, and state law

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California Practice Test 2

30 fresh questions, no repeats from Test 1

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California Practice Test 3

30 more questions, no repeats from Tests 1 or 2

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California Practice Test 4

30 more questions, no repeats from Tests 1–3

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California Road Signs Test

25 questions on signs, shapes, and signals

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California study guide

Every California bank item with answers — open handbook extras testers reuse, then cite them.

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California handbook pages

Jump to an official California handbook page and highlight the passage a question cites.

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California official statutes

Jump to an official California statute page and highlight the passage a leftover extra cites.

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How it works

  1. Step 1

    Take Practice Test 1 like the real thing — no notes, one question at a time.

  2. Step 2

    Read every explanation, especially for questions you missed. That's where the learning happens.

  3. Step 3

    Repeat with Tests 2–4 and the road signs test until you pass comfortably every time.

New-driver rules in California

Drivers under 18 must hold an instruction permit for at least six months, complete driver education plus behind-the-wheel training, and log 50 hours of supervised practice (10 at night) before the driving test. For the first 12 months, the provisional license bars driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and carrying passengers under 20, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older.

Verified 2026-09-25 · Source: DMV

California permit test FAQ

What score do you need to pass the California permit test?

You must score at least 80% to pass the California knowledge test, according to the DMV (verified 2026-09-26).

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in California?

You can apply for a learner's permit in California at 15½, according to the DMV (verified 2026-09-26).

How much does the California permit cost?

$46 application fee (original Class C, valid for 12 months) — as listed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), verified 2026-09-21. Always confirm current fees on the official site.

What happens if you fail the California permit test?

You get three attempts per application; minors must wait 7 days (not counting the failure day) before retaking a failed knowledge test. (per the DMV, verified 2026-09-26).

Can you take the California permit test online?

Yes, in some cases. The DMV offers an online option for the knowledge test — check eligibility on the official site (verified 2026-09-26).

What languages is the California permit test offered in?

Class C sample knowledge tests in English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and American Sign Language. The official knowledge test is also offered in additional languages online and in offices. (per the DMV, verified 2026-09-22).

Who runs the permit test in California?

Driver licensing in California is handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The official site is https://www.dmv.ca.gov/.

Where can I read the official California driver handbook?

The official California driver handbook is published by the DMV at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/. Practice questions on this site are original and grounded in that handbook and California traffic law — quote the official handbook for the legal text.

Need the full citable set? See verified California permit-test answers or the California state-question study guide.

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