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Free California DMV practice tests

Free California driver's license practice questions from the official driver handbook, with every answer explained.

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  • FreeNo registration required
  • 80% to passThe real exam's passing score
  • Every answer explainedSee why each option is right or wrong

Driver's license tests

6 tests, 150 questions

California written test facts

Facts checked against official sources.

You need 80% to pass the written test. California Department of Motor Vehicles handles driver licensing in California. The minimum age for a permit is 15½. Our practice questions come from the California Driver's Handbook. We checked these facts against official sources on October 1, 2026.

Agency
California Department of Motor Vehicles
Minimum age for a permit
At least 15½ years old
Passing score
80%
Official handbook
California Driver's Handbook

Sources

Checked on October 1, 2026

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How to get a California driver's license

This is how the California DMV describes getting a first driver's license. Some requirements depend on your age, and the steps say when they apply. Check the DMV's pages for the latest rules before you go.

  1. Get your instruction permit

    Bring a completed driver's license application, proof of your identity, two proofs of California residency, a document showing your legal full name, and your Social Security number. You pay a non-refundable application fee, pass a vision test, and pass the knowledge test. You must be at least 15½. Applicants under 18 also complete a driver education program, and a parent or guardian signs the application.

  2. Practice with a licensed driver

    Use your permit to practice. For applicants under 18, the DMV requires holding the permit for at least six months and practicing at least 50 hours with a California-licensed driver who is 25 or older, including 10 hours at night. It also requires six hours of professional driver training.

  3. Schedule and pass the driving test

    You need an appointment to take the driving test, and you must show proof of insurance. You must be at least 16 for a provisional license. If you fail the driving test three times, your application is no longer valid.

  4. Get your license

    After you pass, the DMV issues a temporary license that is valid for 60 days. The DMV says your new license should arrive within three to four weeks.

Based on:California Driver's Handbook, Section 2: Getting an Instruction Permit and Driver's LicenseCalifornia DMV: Driver's licenses

Checked on October 1, 2026

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum age to get a California instruction permit?

If you are under 18, you must be at least 15½ years old. You also need a certificate of completion or enrollment in driver education, and a parent or guardian must sign your application.

What score do I need to pass the California knowledge test?

The California DMV says a passing score is 80%. The questions are multiple choice and based on the California Driver's Handbook.

How many answer choices does each question have on the real test?

The DMV says each question has one correct answer and two other choices that are either obviously wrong or not appropriate for the question. It also says there are no trick questions. Our practice questions use the same three-choice format.

How many times can I take the knowledge test?

For an original license, you have three attempts to pass before you must reapply. Minors must wait seven days to retake a failed test, not counting the day of the failure.

Can I use the handbook or my phone during the test?

No. You may not use testing aids such as the California Driver's Handbook or a cell phone during a knowledge test.

Where do the test questions come from?

The DMV says all of its test questions are taken from the California Driver's Handbook. Our practice questions are written from the same handbook, and each one links to the section it comes from.