California Car / Permit practice question · Penalties & Licensing
If you hit a legally parked car and cannot find the owner, the law requires you to:
Answer choices
- Leave a note with your name and contact information— Correct answer
- Drive away if the damage looks minor
- Wait five minutes and then leave
- Report it only if a witness saw you
Why this is the answer
If you hit a parked car and cannot find its owner, leave a note giving your name, phone number, and address, securely attached to the vehicle, and report the collision to law enforcement. Driving off is hit-and-run, which carries a severe punishment, even if the damage looks small and nobody saw you.
Source: California Driver Handbook — Duties After a Collision
Content reviewed against official driver handbooks · August 12, 2026
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