California Car / Permit: Traffic Laws Practice Test

Question 1

Under California's hands-free law, a driver may operate a cell phone mounted to the dash or windshield only by:

Accepted Answer

Using a single tap or swipe of a finger — A phone mounted on the windshield, dashboard, or center console must not block your view, and you may operate it only with a single swipe or touch. Typing a full address, holding it, or watching video takes your eyes and attention off the road. Adults should use phones only in hands-free mode, and only when necessary.

Answer

Holding it as long as it shows only maps

Answer

Typing a full address while driving slowly

Answer

Watching video while stopped at a red light

Question 2

What is the speed limit when crossing a blind intersection where you cannot see clearly in each direction?

Accepted Answer

15 mph — A blind intersection is one with no stop sign on any corner. When something blocks your view, creep forward until you can see, and keep your speed at or below 15 mph. Treating it like an ordinary street, where 25 mph might apply, is wrong, since a blind intersection has its own lower limit.

Answer

10 mph

Answer

25 mph

Answer

30 mph

Question 3

Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit when passing a school while children are present is:

Accepted Answer

25 mph — Near a school, the limit is 25 mph if you are within 500 feet of the school and kids are outside or crossing. Some school zones post limits as low as 15 mph. You should not assume a higher speed, such as 35 mph, because the presence of children is what triggers the lower limit.

Answer

35 mph

Answer

40 mph

Answer

The same as the road you are on

Question 4

What does California's "Basic Speed Law" require of drivers?

Accepted Answer

You must never drive faster than is safe for current conditions — California's Basic Speed Law says you may never drive faster than is safe for current road conditions. That holds whatever the posted limit says. Weather, traffic, the road surface, and pedestrians can all make a lower speed the safe one, so staying at the limit is not always enough, and the law applies on every road, not just freeways.

Answer

You may never exceed the posted limit under any circumstances

Answer

You may drive up to 10 mph over the limit while passing

Answer

Speed limits apply only on freeways

Question 5

California law limits how far cargo may extend past your vehicle's fenders. Beyond the right fenders, cargo may extend no more than:

Accepted Answer

6 inches — A load may not extend past the fenders on the left side at all, and no more than 6 inches past the fenders on the right side. Cargo sticking out more than 4 feet from the rear bumper must display a 12-inch red or fluorescent orange flag. Securing the load does not remove these limits on how far it can stick out.

Answer

6 inches on either side equally

Answer

2 feet

Answer

There is no limit as long as it is secured

Question 6

Operating a vehicle with a license plate that is illegible or has been altered is:

Accepted Answer

Illegal — You may not drive a vehicle with an illegible license plate, and you may not alter a license plate in any way. Either one makes driving the vehicle illegal in California, so the idea that it is allowed in some cases is wrong. Keep your plate readable and unchanged.

Answer

Allowed if the plate is only slightly dirty

Answer

Allowed for the first 30 days after a collision

Answer

A civil matter with no traffic penalty

Question 7

Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in a residential or business district?

Accepted Answer

25 mph — In a business or residential district, the speed limit is 25 mph unless a sign says otherwise. That is the default, so you do not need a posted sign to be bound by it. Slower limits such as 15 mph apply only in specific places like alleys or blind intersections, not district streets in general.

Answer

15 mph

Answer

20 mph

Answer

35 mph

Question 8

At a red light, a right turn is:

Accepted Answer

Allowed after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it — You may turn right on a red light after a complete stop at the limit line, as long as no NO TURN ON RED sign is posted. Yield to pedestrians and turn only when it is safe. Rolling through without stopping is not allowed. Also remember that a red arrow is different: you may not turn right on one.

Answer

Never allowed

Answer

Allowed without stopping if the way is clear

Answer

Allowed only between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Question 9

An alley is defined as a road no wider than 25 feet used to reach the side or rear of buildings. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in an alley is:

Accepted Answer

15 mph — An alley is a road no more than 25 feet wide that gives access to the back or side of buildings. Its speed limit is 15 mph. Do not confuse the 25-foot width of the alley with its limit: the handbook gives 25 mph to business and residential districts, not to alleys.

Answer

10 mph

Answer

20 mph

Answer

25 mph

Question 10

Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit on most two-lane undivided highways in California?

Accepted Answer

55 mph — Unless a different limit is posted, the maximum speed on a two-lane undivided highway is 55 mph. The same 55 mph limit applies to vehicles towing trailers. The ideal maximum on most other California highways is 65 mph, so that figure does not fit a two-lane undivided road, and 45 mph is not the default anywhere here.

Answer

45 mph

Answer

65 mph

Answer

70 mph

Question 11

Before turning, you must signal continuously during the last:

Accepted Answer

100 feet before the turn — Signal at least 100 feet before you turn, so other drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians have time to react. Starting your signal only as you begin the turn gives them too little warning. You should also signal before every lane change, and keep the signal on until you finish, then turn it off once it is no longer needed.

Answer

50 feet before the turn

Answer

200 feet before the turn

Answer

Only as you begin the turn

Question 12

In a highway construction or maintenance zone where workers are present, fines for traffic violations are generally:

Accepted Answer

Doubled — Traffic fines are doubled in highway construction or maintenance zones whenever workers are there, and also in designated Safety Enhanced-Double Fine Zones. Fines in a work zone can reach $1,000 or more. So fines are not reduced or waived, and they are not the same as elsewhere. Slow down and obey the signs and flaggers.

Answer

Reduced by half

Answer

Waived for a first offense

Answer

The same as anywhere else

California Car / Permit: Traffic Laws practice test

Study questions with answers

1. Under California's hands-free law, a driver may operate a cell phone mounted to the dash or windshield only by:

2. What is the speed limit when crossing a blind intersection where you cannot see clearly in each direction?

3. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit when passing a school while children are present is:

4. What does California's "Basic Speed Law" require of drivers?

5. California law limits how far cargo may extend past your vehicle's fenders. Beyond the right fenders, cargo may extend no more than:

6. Operating a vehicle with a license plate that is illegible or has been altered is:

7. Unless otherwise posted, what is the speed limit in a residential or business district?

8. At a red light, a right turn is:

9. An alley is defined as a road no wider than 25 feet used to reach the side or rear of buildings. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in an alley is:

10. Unless otherwise posted, what is the maximum speed limit on most two-lane undivided highways in California?

11. Before turning, you must signal continuously during the last:

12. In a highway construction or maintenance zone where workers are present, fines for traffic violations are generally:

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