California Parking and Roadside Rules Practice Questions

Parking and Roadside Rules questions

1. 1. When parking facing downhill with a kerb, which way should the front wheels point?

   1. A. Toward the kerb
   2. B. Away from the kerb
   3. C. Straight ahead

   Answer: A — Toward the kerb

   Wheels turned toward the kerb let it stop the vehicle if the brakes release.

2. 2. When parking facing uphill with a kerb, which way should the front wheels point?

   1. A. Toward the kerb
   2. B. Straight ahead
   3. C. Away from the kerb

   Answer: C — Away from the kerb

   Turning away means a rolling vehicle backs into the kerb rather than into the road.

3. 3. When parking on a hill with no kerb, which way should the front wheels point?

   1. A. Straight ahead
   2. B. Toward the edge of the road
   3. C. Toward the centre of the road

   Answer: B — Toward the edge of the road

   With nothing to stop it, the vehicle should be aimed off the roadway rather than into it.

4. 4. What should you do after parking on any hill?

   1. A. Set the parking brake and leave it in gear
   2. B. Rely on the transmission alone
   3. C. Leave the wheels straight and the brake off

   Answer: A — Set the parking brake and leave it in gear

   The parking brake plus a locked transmission is the redundancy that keeps a parked vehicle in place.

5. 5. What must you do when leaving a vehicle unattended?

   1. A. Leave the engine running for cooling
   2. B. Leave the key in the ignition
   3. C. Stop the engine and set the brake

   Answer: C — Stop the engine and set the brake

   An unattended vehicle with the engine running is both a theft and a rollaway risk.

6. 6. How far from the kerb should a parked vehicle be?

   1. A. Far enough out to open the door safely
   2. B. Close enough not to obstruct the travel lane
   3. C. At least three feet out from the kerb

   Answer: B — Close enough not to obstruct the travel lane

   A vehicle protruding into the lane forces traffic around it and into oncoming lanes.

7. 7. At what age may a Californian obtain an instruction permit?

   1. A. 15 and a half
   2. B. 15 exactly
   3. C. 16 exactly

   Answer: A — 15 and a half

   California issues an instruction permit at 15½ with driver education and a parent or guardian signature.

8. 8. When does a California instruction permit become valid to drive on?

   1. A. Immediately on issue, with no further step needed
   2. B. After 30 days have passed since it was issued
   3. C. Only after a behind-the-wheel instructor validates it

   Answer: C — Only after a behind-the-wheel instructor validates it

   The permit must be validated by a behind-the-wheel instructor before it authorises driving.

9. 9. At what age may a Californian obtain a provisional driver licence?

   1. A. 17, after holding a permit for three months
   2. B. 16, after holding a permit for six months
   3. C. 16, with no permit requirement at all

   Answer: B — 16, after holding a permit for six months

   A provisional licence requires being 16, holding the permit six months, and completing driver education and training.

10. 10. How many hours of supervised practice must a California provisional applicant complete?

    1. A. 50 hours, including 10 at night
    2. B. 30 hours, including 5 at night
    3. C. 20 hours

    Answer: A — 50 hours, including 10 at night

    California requires 50 hours of supervised practice with 10 of them after dark.

11. 11. Who may supervise a California permit holder's practice driving?

    1. A. Any licensed driver who is over 18 years old
    2. B. A parent or legal guardian, and no one else
    3. C. A California-licensed driver aged 25 or older

    Answer: C — A California-licensed driver aged 25 or older

    The supervising driver must be California-licensed and at least 25 years old.

12. 12. During which hours may a California provisional driver not drive in their first 12 months?

    1. A. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
    2. B. Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
    3. C. Between midnight and 6 a.m.

    Answer: B — Between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

    The provisional night restriction runs from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the first year.

13. 13. Which passengers may a California provisional driver not carry in their first 12 months?

    1. A. Passengers under 20 years old, unless accompanied by a qualifying adult
    2. B. Passengers under 21 years old, unless the drive is to or from school
    3. C. Any passenger at all, whatever their age or relationship to the driver

    Answer: A — Passengers under 20 years old, unless accompanied by a qualifying adult

    The restriction covers passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian, or California-licensed driver at least 25 rides along.

14. 14. How does a California provisional driver claim an exception to the night or passenger restriction?

    1. A. By notifying the DMV in advance and receiving its written approval before making each such trip
    2. B. No documentation is needed at all, because the exceptions apply automatically whenever they fit
    3. C. By carrying a signed note in the vehicle from the physician, school principal, employer, or parent

    Answer: C — By carrying a signed note in the vehicle from the physician, school principal, employer, or parent

    Each exception category requires its own signed note carried in the vehicle.

15. 15. Does turning 18 remove an existing California restriction or suspension?

    1. A. Only the passenger restriction ends; the rest continue
    2. B. No, existing restrictions, suspensions, and probation continue
    3. C. Yes, every restriction ends automatically on the birthday

    Answer: B — No, existing restrictions, suspensions, and probation continue

    The handbook states that turning 18 does not erase or end an existing restriction, suspension, or probation.

16. 16. What are California's minimum liability insurance limits for a policy issued or renewed on or after 1 January 2025?

    1. A. $30,000 per person, $60,000 per collision, $15,000 property damage
    2. B. $15,000 per person, $30,000 per collision, $5,000 property damage
    3. C. $25,000 per person, $50,000 per collision, $25,000 property damage

    Answer: A — $30,000 per person, $60,000 per collision, $15,000 property damage

    California's minimums rose to 30/60/15 for policies issued or renewed from 1 January 2025.

17. 17. Besides an insurance policy, how may a Californian meet the financial responsibility requirement?

    1. A. A signed statement of ability to pay, filed with the DMV every year
    2. B. A credit card kept on file with the DMV to cover any future claims
    3. C. A $75,000 cash deposit or surety bond, or a DMV self-insurance certificate

    Answer: C — A $75,000 cash deposit or surety bond, or a DMV self-insurance certificate

    The DMV accepts a $75,000 deposit or bond, or a self-insurance certificate, as alternatives to a policy.

18. 18. What is the consequence of a California collision while uninsured?

    1. A. Nothing at all happens, provided the other driver was the one at fault
    2. B. The driving privilege is suspended for up to four years, regardless of fault
    3. C. A fine is imposed, but the driving privilege itself is left untouched

    Answer: B — The driving privilege is suspended for up to four years, regardless of fault

    The suspension applies whether or not the uninsured driver caused the collision.

19. 19. How many points in 12 months can lead to a California adult licence suspension?

    1. A. 4 points
    2. B. 6 points
    3. C. 8 points

    Answer: A — 4 points

    The negligent operator thresholds are 4 points in 12 months, 6 in 24, and 8 in 36.

20. 20. How many points in 24 months can lead to a California adult licence suspension?

    1. A. 4 points
    2. B. 8 points
    3. C. 6 points

    Answer: C — 6 points

    Six points within 24 months meets the negligent operator threshold.

21. 21. How long do convictions and collisions stay on a California driving record?

    1. A. 6 months or longer
    2. B. 36 months or longer
    3. C. 12 months or longer

    Answer: B — 36 months or longer

    Entries remain for 36 months or longer depending on the offence.

22. 22. How often may a California driver use traffic violator school?

    1. A. Once in any 18-month period
    2. B. Once a year
    3. C. Once in five years

    Answer: A — Once in any 18-month period

    Traffic violator school may be used once per 18-month period.

23. 23. How is a California minor's driving record counted for suspension purposes?

    1. A. By points on the record, exactly as for an adult
    2. B. By the total number of miles the minor has driven
    3. C. By at-fault collisions and convictions, not by points

    Answer: C — By at-fault collisions and convictions, not by points

    Minors are assessed on the number of incidents rather than accumulated points.

24. 24. What happens after a California minor's second at-fault collision or conviction?

    1. A. Nothing at all happens until a third collision or conviction is recorded
    2. B. They may not drive for 30 days unless a licensed adult at least 25 rides along
    3. C. Their licence is revoked outright and they must apply for it again later

    Answer: B — They may not drive for 30 days unless a licensed adult at least 25 rides along

    A second incident brings a 30-day restriction requiring a supervising adult 25 or older.

25. 25. What happens after a California minor's third at-fault collision or conviction?

    1. A. A six-month suspension and one year of probation
    2. B. A 30-day driving restriction and nothing further
    3. C. A written warning placed on the driving record

    Answer: A — A six-month suspension and one year of probation

    The third incident brings a six-month suspension followed by a year of probation.

26. 26. How soon must a Californian notify the DMV after selling or transferring a vehicle?

    1. A. Within 10 days
    2. B. Within 30 days
    3. C. Within 5 days

    Answer: C — Within 5 days

    The seller has 5 days to notify the DMV of a transfer.

27. 27. How long does a buyer have to transfer a vehicle's title in California?

    1. A. 30 days
    2. B. 10 days
    3. C. 5 days

    Answer: B — 10 days

    The buyer has 10 days to complete the transfer.

28. 28. How long does a new California resident have to register their vehicle?

    1. A. 20 days after becoming a resident or taking a job in the state
    2. B. 30 days after becoming a resident or taking a job in the state
    3. C. 60 days after becoming a resident or taking a job in the state

    Answer: A — 20 days after becoming a resident or taking a job in the state

    Registration is due within 20 days of establishing residency or accepting employment in California.

29. 29. What does a white painted kerb mean in California?

    1. A. Park for a limited time, as posted on the nearby sign
    2. B. No stopping at any time, for any reason whatsoever
    3. C. Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers

    Answer: C — Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers

    White marks a passenger loading zone for brief stops only.

30. 30. What does a green painted kerb mean in California?

    1. A. A loading zone for freight, with no passenger pick-up
    2. B. Park for a limited time, as posted on the sign or the kerb
    3. C. Reserved for electric vehicles that are actively charging

    Answer: B — Park for a limited time, as posted on the sign or the kerb

    Green marks limited-duration parking, with the limit posted.