California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV) • 2026 CVC

California DMV Permit Practice Test 2026 (Class C Knowledge Exam)

Q: How many questions are on the California DMV permit test in 2026?

Applicants under 18 take a 46-question test and must get at least 38 right (maximum 8 errors). Applicants 18 and older take a 36-question test and must get at least 30 right (maximum 6 errors).

Q: What happens if I fail the California DMV written knowledge test?

Your $45 California DL/permit application fee gives you 3 chances to pass the knowledge test within 12 months. If you are under 18, you must wait 7 days (1 week) before retaking a failed knowledge exam.

Preparing for your California instructional permit or Class C license? Applicants under 18 must answer 38 out of 46 questions correctly (82.6% — max 8 errors), while applicants 18+ must score 30 out of 36 (83.3% — max 6 errors).

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CA OFFICIAL 2026 SPEC Official .gov Handbook →

Total Questions 46 Qs (<18) / 36 (18+)

Passing Score 38/46 (82.6%)

Max Allowed Errors 8 (<18) / 6 (18+)

Min Permit Age / Fee 15.5 yrs • $45 Fee

Statutory Citation: California Vehicle Code (CVC) & 2026 California Driver Handbook. Includes 3 attempts per $45 application fee.

California Vehicle Code Focus

4 High-Failure California Exam Rules You Must Memorize

CVC §22350 • SPEED LIMITS

Basic Speed Law & 15 MPH Blind Intersections

California’s Basic Speed Law states you may never drive faster than is safe for current conditions. Unposted residential/business streets are 25 mph, while blind intersections (visibility < 100 ft) and alleys are strictly 15 mph (CVC §22352).

CVC §21717 • BICYCLE LANES

200-Foot Bike Lane Merge Before Right Turns

One of the most failed CA DMV questions: when making a right turn across a bicycle lane, you MUST merge into the bike lane no more than 200 feet before the corner after checking for cyclists.

CVC §22108 • TURN SIGNALS

100-Foot Turn Signal & 5-Second Freeway Signal

You must signal continuously during the last 100 feet before turning at an intersection, and for at least 5 seconds before changing lanes on a California freeway.

CVC §21458 • CURB COLORS

California Painted Curb Color Meanings

Red = No stopping/standing/parking; White = Passenger/mail pickup & drop-off only; Yellow = Commercial/passenger loading; Green = Short timed parking; Blue = Disabled placard/plate only.

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5 Real California Permit Trap Questions

Select an answer on each question below for instant statutory feedback.

QUESTION 1 OF 5 CVC §22352

In California, what is the maximum speed limit when approaching within 100 feet of a blind intersection where you cannot see cross traffic for 100 feet?

QUESTION 2 OF 5 CVC §21717

Before making a right turn at an intersection with a bicycle lane, California law requires you to merge into the bicycle lane within:

QUESTION 3 OF 5 CVC §21458

What does a white painted curb indicate in California?

QUESTION 4 OF 5 CVC §22108

For how many feet before turning must you continuously signal in California?

QUESTION 5 OF 5 CVC §12814.6

Under California provisional permit rules, for the first 12 months after licensing (under age 18), you may not drive between:

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California DMV Permit Test FAQs (2026)

How many questions are on the California DMV permit test in 2026?

Applicants under 18 take a 46-question test and must get at least 38 right (maximum 8 errors). Applicants 18 and older take a 36-question test and must get at least 30 right (maximum 6 errors).

What happens if I fail the California DMV written knowledge test?

Your $45 California DL/permit application fee gives you 3 chances to pass the knowledge test within 12 months. If you are under 18, you must wait 7 days (1 week) before retaking a failed knowledge exam.