California permit & license practice test
Pass the California DMV written test on the first try.
Teens getting a permit and adults getting a license take the same DMV written test. Try 10 free questions now, each written from the official California Driver's Handbook with the rule explained.
Licenses, DUI & insurance
If a driver under 21 is caught illegally carrying alcohol, law enforcement can impound the vehicle for up to:
- 300+practice questions across every handbook topic
- EN / ESSwitch between English and Spanish on any question
- WhyA plain-language explanation after every answer
Updated November 2026 to match the current California Driver's Handbook
DMVWise is an independent study tool. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the California DMV.
- 300+ questions from the official handbook
- Every answer fact-checked
- Every question in English & Spanish
- Free 10-question test, no sign-up
- $9.99 once. Pass guarantee.
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Under 18? Please have a parent send it with you.
How it works
Three steps to test day
Take the free test
Ten questions, no sign-up. See your score and learn from every explanation.
Practice your weak spots
Drill one topic at a time, from right-of-way to DUI rules, until it sticks.
Run the practice exam
Take a full-length exam. When you score 90% or better consistently, you're ready.
What's covered
Every topic in the handbook
Questions are grouped the way the California Driver's Handbook is organized, so you can study it section by section.
Signs, signals & road markings
Traffic lights, sign shapes and colors, lane lines and curb colors.
Right-of-way, turns & lanes
Intersections, roundabouts, U-turns, lane changes, passing and freeways.
Speed, parking & conditions
Speed limits, following distance, parking, night, fog, rain and emergencies.
Sharing the road & safety
Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, trucks, emergency vehicles, seat belts and phones.
Licenses, DUI & insurance
Permits, provisional license rules, alcohol and drugs, insurance and collisions.
Pricing
One price. Everything included.
No subscription, no auto-renew, no ads.
| Free | Full | |
|---|---|---|
| Practice questions | 10 per test | All 300+ |
| English and Spanish | ✓ | ✓ |
| Explanations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Practice by topic | — | ✓ |
| Full practice exam | — | ✓ |
| Missed-question review | — | ✓ |
$9.99one time, no subscription
- All 300+ questions in English and Spanish
- Practice by topic and see where you're weak
- Full-length 40-question practice exam
- Review every question you missed
- Explanations for every answer
- Instant access
- No account needed
- Works on your phone
Secure card checkout by Stripe
Covered by our Pass Guarantee. How it works
One-time payment. No subscription.
Pass guarantee
Pass your test, or get your money back.
Study with the full version, then take your DMV knowledge test. If you don't pass, we'll refund your $9.99.
- Practice with DMVWiseUnlock the full version and work through the questions and practice exam.
- Take your DMV testTake the California DMV knowledge test, online or at a DMV office.
- Didn't pass? Email usWithin 60 days of purchase, send support@dmvwise.com a photo or screenshot of your result, dated after your purchase. Cover your birth date, address and ID numbers.
Your DMV test must be taken after your DMVWise purchase, and the result must show the test date. One refund per purchase, to your original payment method. See the full guarantee terms.
Resource Center
Guides for parents and new drivers
- Test prepCalifornia Permit Test Questions and Answers: 25 Free Practice Questions25 free California permit test practice questions with answers and explanations, written from the official California Driver's Handbook.Read the guide →8 min read
- Test prepHow Many Questions Are on the California Permit Test?The California DMV doesn't publish the question count. Here's what it does say: 80% to pass, three attempts, retake rules, and online vs. in-office testing.Read the guide →5 min read
- Test prepCalifornia DMV Written Test (2026): What's on It and How to PassThe California DMV written test is the knowledge test. See who takes it, online vs. in-office rules, the 80% passing score, retakes and how to study.Read the guide →5 min read
- Test prep50 California DMV Practice Questions and Answers (2026)50 free California DMV practice questions with answers and explanations for the permit and written license test, written from the official handbook.Read the guide →16 min read
- Test prepHow to Pass the California Permit Test: A Simple Study PlanA practical plan to study for and pass the California permit test: what to read in the handbook, numbers to memorize, practice tests, and test-day tips.Read the guide →5 min read
- Test prepCalifornia Driver's Handbook: Where to Get It Free and How to Study ItGet the official California Driver's Handbook free in English or Spanish, see what each section covers, and follow a simple 7-day plan for the permit test.Read the guide →5 min read
- Test prepCan You Take the California Permit Test Online?Yes, many applicants can take the California permit knowledge test online. See who's eligible, what you need, how many tries you get, and the steps.Read the guide →4 min read
- Permits and licensesHow to Get Your Permit in California: Step-by-Step GuideHow to get your drivers permit in California, step by step: driver ed, online application, documents, fees, vision and knowledge tests, and validation.Read the guide →5 min read
- Permits and licensesHow to Get a California Driver's License as an Adult (18+): Step by StepHow to get a California driver's license as an adult: the application, documents, $46 fee, vision and knowledge tests, instruction permit and drive test.Read the guide →6 min read
- Permits and licensesMoving to California? How to Transfer Your Driver's License (and Whether You Need the Written Test)Moving to California? Learn the 10-day rule, the steps to transfer an out-of-state driver's license, the fee, and whether you need the written test.Read the guide →6 min read
- Permits and licensesCalifornia REAL ID: Requirements, Documents and How to ApplyCA DMV REAL ID requirements: the identity, residency and name change documents, the online application and office visit, the cost, and alternatives for flying.Read the guide →5 min read
- Permits and licensesWhat to Bring to the DMV for Your California Permit TestWhat to bring to the DMV permit test in California: proof of identity and residency, Social Security number, forms, parent, fee, and glasses. Full checklist.Read the guide →4 min read
- Permits and licensesWhat Age Can You Get Your Permit in California?What age can you get your permit in California? The minimum is 15½. See what changes at 15½, 16, 17½ and 18, per the California DMV.Read the guide →4 min read
- Permits and licensesCalifornia Learner's Permit Rules: Can You Drive Alone?Can you drive alone with a permit in California? No. See who must ride with you, adult vs. minor permit rules, and how long you must hold your permit.Read the guide →4 min read
- Permits and licensesCalifornia Provisional License Rules for Teen DriversCalifornia provisional license rules: no driving 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. and no passengers under 20 for 12 months, plus the exceptions and penalties for teens.Read the guide →4 min read
- Road rules and signsDMV Road Signs and Meanings: A California Cheat SheetDMV road signs and meanings cheat sheet: what every sign shape and color means, plus what to do at common California signs for the road signs test.Read the guide →6 min read
- Road rules and signsNew California Driving Laws for 2026: What ChangedCalifornia DMV new laws for 2026: move-over rules, speed limits, e-bikes, duplicate licenses and more, with bill numbers and effective dates.Read the guide →6 min read
- Appointments, drive test and renewalsCalifornia DMV Appointment: How to Book Your Knowledge or Drive TestHow to make a California DMV appointment for the knowledge or drive test: online or by phone, drive test rules, cancelling, the 4:30 p.m. cutoff, what to bring.Read the guide →6 min read
- Appointments, drive test and renewalsCalifornia Behind-the-Wheel Test: How Many Mistakes Are Allowed?How many mistakes are allowed on the California driving test? See DMV scoring, critical errors that fail you, what to bring, and vehicle requirements.Read the guide →5 min read
- Appointments, drive test and renewalsCalifornia DMV Senior Written Test: Do You Still Need It to Renew?Do you have to take a written test to renew your license in California? See current DMV rules for drivers 70+, the no-fail eLearning option, and how to prepare.Read the guide →5 min read
- Appointments, drive test and renewalsCalifornia Driver's License Renewal: Online, Mail, Fees and Tests (2026)California driver's license renewal: when it expires, who can renew online or by mail, the $46 fee, when to visit an office and whether you need a test.Read the guide →6 min read
- En español ESExamen de manejo de California 2026 en español: guía completaCómo tomar el examen de manejo del DMV de California en español: manual y exámenes de muestra oficiales, calificación, intentos y examen en línea.Leer la guía →5 min de lectura
- En español ESCómo sacar el permiso de manejo en California: paso a pasoRequisitos, documentos, costo y exámenes para sacar el permiso de instrucción en California, para menores y adultos, con recursos del DMV en español.Leer la guía →4 min de lectura
- En español ESPreguntas del examen de manejo de California con respuestas (2026)40 preguntas de práctica gratis del examen de manejo del DMV de California, con respuestas y explicaciones en español, basadas en el manual oficial.Leer la guía →14 min de lectura
- En español ESExamen escrito del DMV de California (2026): qué incluye y cómo aprobarloQué es el examen escrito o teórico del DMV de California, quién lo toma, calificación para aprobar, intentos, examen en línea y cómo estudiar en español.Leer la guía →5 min de lectura
- En español ESLicencia de manejo en California para adultos: requisitos y pasos (2026)Qué necesita para sacar su licencia de conducir en California si tiene 18 años o más: documentos, costo, exámenes, AB 60, REAL ID y licencias de otro país.Leer la guía →6 min de lectura
- En español ESExamen práctico de manejo en California: qué evalúan, errores críticos y cómo sacar citaCómo es el examen práctico de manejo del DMV de California: cita, qué llevar, requisitos del vehículo, cuántos errores se permiten y los errores críticos.Leer la guía →6 min de lectura
FAQ
Questions parents and new drivers ask
Is the practice test really free?
Yes. The 10-question practice test is free with no sign-up, and you can take it as many times as you like. The full version unlocks every question, topic practice and the full-length practice exam for a one-time $9.99, backed by our Pass Guarantee.
What is the Pass Guarantee?
If you buy the full version and don't pass your California DMV knowledge test, email support@dmvwise.com within 60 days of purchase with a photo or screenshot of your result showing a test date after your purchase (cover your birth date, address and ID numbers). We'll refund your $9.99 to your original payment method. One refund per purchase.
Is this the same as the California written driver's license test?
Yes. The DMV calls it the knowledge test, and most people call it the written test. Teens take it to get an instruction permit, and first-time applicants of any age take it to get a license, so the same practice questions cover both.
Are these the real DMV questions?
No one outside the DMV has the real test questions, and sites that claim to are guessing. Our questions are written from the official California Driver's Handbook, which is what the real test is based on, and each one explains the rule.
Can I practice in Spanish?
Yes. Every question, answer and explanation is available in English and Spanish, and you can switch at any time. The California DMV says its online knowledge test is offered in 35 languages, and it publishes a Spanish edition of the driver's handbook.
How do I know when I'm ready?
When you score 90% or better on the full practice exam several times in a row, you know the material. Review your missed questions until that list is empty.
Is this an official DMV site?
No. DMVWise is an independent study tool and isn't affiliated with the California DMV. To book your test or apply for a permit, go to dmv.ca.gov.