DMV Learning / California drivingIndependent practice

SUPPLEMENTAL PRACTICE

Original unofficial supplemental practice for adult California Class C learners. Not an official DMV test, complete exam coverage, or a prediction of readiness or results.

Cumulative practice

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Study all 20 questions, answers and sources

Source retrieval dates are observations, not rule-effective dates. Mechanical emergency guidance includes a teen-driver guide applied to adult Class C study; this supplemental material is not a complete statement of law.

A signal is dark at an intersection after a power outage. What should you do?

  • Treat the intersection as an all-way stop and proceed only when safe. (correct): Correct: treat the dark signal as a stop sign, then proceed safely.
  • Continue through because a dark signal gives your direction priority.: A dark signal does not grant priority to any approach.
  • Wait for a traffic officer even if none is present.: The cited rule does not require waiting indefinitely for an officer.

A nonworking signal is treated as a stop sign at each approach. Stop, then proceed cautiously under right-of-way rules.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Section 7, Traffic Control / Traffic Signal Lights / Nonworking Signals (retrieved 2026-11-01)

A red signal is a solid circle, with no sign prohibiting a right turn. What must happen before a right turn?

  • Slow down and turn if no vehicle is close.: Slowing without stopping is insufficient.
  • Wait for green because right turns on red are never allowed.: The handbook permits a right turn on a solid red circle when conditions allow.
  • Come to a complete stop, yield, then turn only when safe. (correct): Correct: stop fully, yield, and turn only if safe.

California permits a right turn at a solid red circle unless prohibited, but the driver must first stop and yield to pedestrians and conflicting traffic.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Section 7, Traffic Control / Traffic Signals / Solid Red Light (retrieved 2026-11-01)

At an uncontrolled intersection, your vehicle arrives before the vehicle from the cross street. Who should go first?

  • The vehicle on your right always goes first, even if it arrives later.: The right-side rule applies when arrival is at the same time.
  • You may proceed first after checking that it is safe. (correct): Correct: first arrival has priority, subject to safe operation.
  • The larger vehicle goes first.: Vehicle size does not determine right-of-way.

At an intersection without stop or yield signs, the first road user to arrive has priority. Continue to watch for others.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Section 7, Right-of-Way Rules / Intersections / Without STOP or YIELD signs (retrieved 2026-11-01)

You are stopped and want to turn left. An oncoming vehicle is close enough to be a hazard. What should you do?

  • Begin the turn because left-turning traffic has priority after stopping.: Stopping first does not give a left turn priority over close oncoming traffic.
  • Wait and yield until the oncoming vehicle has passed or turned. (correct): Correct: wait until the conflict clears.
  • Move into the intersection and expect the oncoming driver to stop.: Do not assume another driver will yield or force a conflict.

A left-turning driver must yield to an approaching vehicle close enough to be dangerous, as well as pedestrians.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Section 7, Right-of-Way Rules / Intersections / Turning left (retrieved 2026-11-01)

You need to turn right at the next street. A bike lane reaches the intersection and no separate turn lane is available. When may you enter the bike lane?

  • At any point once you signal.: Signaling alone does not authorize earlier use.
  • Only after crossing the intersection.: The lane is used before the turn when needed; waiting until after misses the turn.
  • Within 200 feet of the turn, after checking for bicyclists. (correct): Correct: enter within the specified approach distance and check carefully.

The handbook permits using a bike lane within 200 feet before a right turn. Check blind spots for bicyclists.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6, Turns / Right Turns / bicycle lane (retrieved 2026-11-02)

You are entering a freeway from an on-ramp. A solid line still separates you from the freeway lane. What should you do?

  • Cross the line because freeway traffic must make room.: Freeway traffic has priority and the solid-line restriction remains.
  • Continue in the ramp lane until you can merge without crossing the solid line. (correct): Correct: wait for a permitted opening and merge safely.
  • Stop on the ramp until a driver waves you in.: Stopping is only necessary if absolutely required; a wave is not the rule.

Merge when safe, but do not cross a solid line. Highway traffic has right-of-way; do not depend on a wave.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6, Merging / solid lines and yielding (retrieved 2026-11-02)

The posted limit is 45 mph, but heavy rain reduces traction and visibility. How fast should you travel?

  • At a speed safe for the wet conditions, which may be below 45 mph. (correct): Correct: reduce speed as conditions require.
  • At exactly 45 mph because the sign controls in all conditions.: The posted limit does not override the Basic Speed Law.
  • At the speed of the fastest nearby driver.: Other drivers’ speed does not determine what is safe for you.

California’s Basic Speed Law prohibits driving faster than is safe for current conditions; a posted limit is not a requirement to maintain that speed.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8 continued: Safe Driving — Section 8 continued / Manage Your Speed / Basic Speed Law (retrieved 2026-11-01)

A clear road is ahead and the speedometer shows a lawful pace. What following-distance method does the handbook recommend to help prevent tailgating?

  • Stay one car length behind at every speed.: A fixed car length does not account for speed.
  • Keep at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead. (correct): Correct: use at least three seconds as the basic following-space guide.
  • Follow close enough that no vehicle can merge in front.: Closing the gap removes reaction space and is unsafe.

The handbook recommends the three-second rule to allow time to react and reduce tailgating risk.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving — Section 8, Tailgating / three-second rule (retrieved 2026-11-02)

A motorcycle is ahead of you on a metal bridge surface. What following adjustment is recommended?

  • Increase following space because the surface can reduce traction. (correct): Correct: leave added space on the slippery surface.
  • Follow closer so you can pass before the bridge ends.: Close following leaves too little room to react.
  • Drive alongside the motorcycle across the bridge.: Driving alongside reduces maneuvering room.

The handbook advises creating more space when following motorcyclists on metal surfaces and gravel.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving — Section 8, Tailgating / following motorcyclists on metal or gravel (retrieved 2026-11-02)

A large truck is traveling ahead in the next lane. Which position should you avoid?

  • Leaving room and passing only when there is a clear opportunity.: Leaving space and waiting for a safe chance to pass reduces time alongside the truck; this is not the position to avoid.
  • Checking mirrors and blind spots before a lane change.: Checking before a maneuver is a safe practice, not the risky position.
  • Staying alongside in the truck driver’s blind spot. (correct): Correct: do not linger beside the truck.

Large vehicles have blind areas; avoid remaining beside them and pass only when it can be done safely.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 8: Safe Driving — Section 8, Know What is At Your Side / blind spots (retrieved 2026-11-02)

You park facing uphill beside a curb. Which way should the front wheels point?

  • Toward the curb.: This is the downhill-with-curb direction.
  • Straight ahead in every case.: Wheel direction depends on slope and curb, not one universal straight position.
  • Away from the curb. (correct): Correct: point away from the curb when facing uphill beside one.

When parked uphill beside a curb, turn the wheels away from the curb so the vehicle would roll toward it if it moved.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6 continued: Navigating the Roads — Section 6 continued / Parking on a Hill / uphill with curb (retrieved 2026-11-02)

You stop behind another vehicle at a limit line. What position leaves a useful safety margin?

  • Roll over the line so the next driver can see you.: Crossing the line intrudes into the protected area.
  • Stop before the line and leave enough room to see the vehicle’s rear wheels. (correct): Correct: remain behind the line and preserve space.
  • Stop so close that your bumper touches the vehicle ahead.: Contact distance gives no room to maneuver.

Do not cross a limit line; when stopping behind a vehicle, leave enough distance to see its rear wheels.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6, Braking / stopping at a limit line and behind a vehicle (retrieved 2026-11-02)

On a steep, narrow mountain road, your car and an oncoming car meet at a point where neither can pass. You are traveling downhill; the other driver is traveling uphill. Under the California handbook rule, what should happen?

  • The uphill driver has the right-of-way; the downhill driver should back up the hill until the uphill driver can pass. (correct): Correct. This applies the handbook’s specific rule for two vehicles meeting on a steep narrow road when neither can pass.
  • The downhill driver has the right-of-way because it is easier to keep moving downhill.: Incorrect. The handbook assigns right-of-way to the uphill vehicle; it does not give priority to the downhill vehicle.
  • The driver in the larger vehicle has the right-of-way, regardless of direction.: Incorrect. Vehicle size is not the criterion in the handbook rule; direction on the specified steep narrow road controls.

The handbook gives the uphill vehicle the right-of-way when two vehicles meet on a steep narrow road and cannot pass. It says the downhill vehicle should back up the hill until the uphill vehicle can pass. The scenario includes both required conditions: steep and narrow, with no room to pass.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 7: Laws and Rules of the Road — Section 7 → Mountain Roads; lines 291–293. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

You are driving slowly on a two-lane mountain road. Passing is unsafe, and five vehicles are following you. A marked turnout is available ahead. What does the California handbook require?

  • Use the turnout to let the vehicles behind you pass. (correct): Correct. The road has two lanes, you are driving slowly, passing is unsafe, and five vehicles are following.
  • Stay in the travel lane until there are at least six vehicles behind you.: Incorrect. The stated threshold is five or more vehicles, so six are not required.
  • Use the turnout only if a driver behind you honks.: Incorrect. A horn is not one of the stated conditions. The stated traffic and road conditions trigger the rule.

The handbook says a driver must use a turnout area or lane when driving slowly on a two-lane road, where passing is unsafe, and five or more vehicles are following. All those conditions are stated here.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6 → Turnout Areas or Lanes; lines 160–166. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

You are driving slowly on a two-lane mountain road where passing is unsafe. Four vehicles are following you, and a turnout is available. Based on the handbook’s stated mandatory-use rule, which statement is accurate?

  • The five-or-more-vehicles condition is not met, so this specific rule does not yet require you to use the turnout. (correct): Correct. The rule’s five-or-more threshold is not met. This is limited to the handbook’s stated mandatory-use condition.
  • You must use the turnout because any vehicle following on a two-lane road makes it mandatory.: Incorrect. The specific must-use rule requires five or more following vehicles, not simply one or more.
  • You must use the turnout because passing is unsafe, even without the required number of following vehicles.: Incorrect. Unsafe passing is one required condition, but the rule also requires slow driving on a two-lane road and five or more vehicles following.

The handbook’s specific must-use rule applies when a driver is going slowly on a two-lane road, passing is unsafe, and five or more vehicles are following. Four does not meet the stated numerical threshold. This answer addresses only that specific mandatory-use rule; it does not claim that other rules or conditions never apply, and the handbook separately describes turnouts as a way to let vehicles behind pass.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 6: Navigating the Roads — Section 6 → Turnout Areas or Lanes; general description at lines 160–162; mandatory-use conditions at lines 166. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

At a blind bend on a narrow mountain road, you can see only about 150 feet of roadway ahead. Which horn use matches California handbook guidance?

  • Sound it to alert oncoming traffic before entering the limited-visibility section. (correct): Correct. The narrow mountain road and approximately 150-foot sight distance meet the handbook’s condition for alerting oncoming traffic.
  • Do not use it; horns are only for warning pedestrians.: Incorrect. The handbook also says a horn can warn other drivers or hazards and specifically includes this mountain-road use.
  • Use it only after you see an oncoming vehicle.: Incorrect. The purpose is to alert oncoming traffic when visibility is limited; waiting until you see a vehicle would not apply that guidance.

The handbook lists alerting oncoming traffic on a narrow mountain road where sight distance is below 200 feet as a use of the horn. The view described here is about 150 feet.

Source: California Driver’s Handbook, Section 5: An Introduction to Driving — Section 5 → Signals, Horns, and Headlights → Using Your Horn; lines 129–135. (retrieved 2026-11-02)

As you brake on a California road, the car begins to skid and the pedal sinks to the floor. Your car has no ABS. Which immediate action matches the California Driver's Handbook guidance for this condition?

  • Quickly pump the pedal by gently applying and releasing pressure. (correct): Correct. This is the handbook's stated response for a sinking pedal in the no-ABS context described here.
  • Hold the pedal down continuously and switch off the ignition while the car is moving.: Incorrect. The cited guidance calls for pumping in this case; switching off while moving is not the recommended action and can affect steering in some vehicles.
  • Pump the accelerator and brake together to dry the brakes.: Incorrect. Pressing the accelerator and brake together is described for drying wet brakes, a different condition.

For the described no-ABS skid, the handbook says that when the pedal sinks to the floor, quickly pump the brakes by gently applying and releasing pedal pressure. Its nearby separate instruction about wet brakes is not the response to a sinking pedal. This item does not generalize the pumping advice to every ABS type or every braking problem.

Source: California Driver's Handbook — Section 8: Safe Driving — Locked Wheel Skids, paragraph beginning 'If your vehicle is not equipped with ABS and begins to skid'; bullet for brake pedal sinking to floor; adjacent downshift/emergency-brake guidance. Current rendered page lines 168-182. (retrieved 2026-11-02T07:24:40Z)

While driving through a commercial street, the accelerator pedal stays down and the car continues to gain speed. What should the driver do first according to California DMV emergency guidance?

  • Shift the transmission into neutral, then continue controlling the vehicle. (correct): Correct for the DMV procedure being taught: select neutral first, then keep attention on steering, braking, and the road.
  • Turn the ignition off immediately, before changing direction or stopping.: Incorrect. The guide says to turn off the ignition only once the vehicle has stopped and the driver no longer needs to change direction.
  • Look down and reach toward the pedal to free it while moving.: Incorrect. The guide emphasizes keeping eyes on the road; reaching toward the pedal while moving is not its recommended response.

The California DMV emergency guide lists shifting into neutral first, followed by braking while keeping eyes on the road and finding a safe way out of traffic. This is general emergency guidance in a teen-driver guide; the current full handbook PDF reviewed for this pack did not contain a stuck-accelerator procedure, so adult Class C applicability and currency need independent review.

Source: California DMV Teen Driver Tips — Handling Special Problems & Emergencies — Handling Special Problems & Emergencies, 'What should I do if my accelerator gets stuck?', lines 195-203 in current rendered page. (retrieved 2026-11-02T07:24:40Z)

After selecting neutral for a stuck accelerator, a driver is still rolling along a busy avenue. Which response best follows California DMV guidance?

  • Keep eyes on the road, brake, look for a way out of traffic, warn others with the horn and emergency lights, and guide the car safely off the road. (correct): Correct. It preserves road attention, braking, traffic awareness, warning, and a safe exit from traffic.
  • Focus on the dashboard, avoid braking, and wait for the car to stop in its lane.: Incorrect. It conflicts with the guide's directions to brake, watch the road, and look for a safe way out of traffic.
  • Turn off the ignition while rolling, then steer without checking the road.: Incorrect. The guide warns against turning off the ignition until the vehicle has stopped, because steering may lock on some vehicles.

The DMV guide's sequence after selecting neutral includes applying the brakes, keeping eyes on the road, looking for a way out of traffic, warning other drivers, and trying to drive safely off the road. The choices combine these closely related actions into one scenario decision; they do not add a repair step.

Source: California DMV Teen Driver Tips — Handling Special Problems & Emergencies — Handling Special Problems & Emergencies, 'What should I do if my accelerator gets stuck?', lines 195-203 in current rendered page. (retrieved 2026-11-02T07:24:40Z)

A driver has guided a car with a stuck accelerator completely off a busy road and brought it to a stop. The driver no longer needs to change direction. When does the DMV guide say to turn off the ignition?

  • Now that the vehicle is stopped and no direction change is needed. (correct): Correct. Both conditions in the prompt match the guide's stated timing: stopped and no longer needing to change direction.
  • As soon as the accelerator sticks, even if the car is still moving.: Incorrect. The guide expressly says not to turn off the ignition before a complete stop.
  • Before steering off the road, so the engine cannot run.: Incorrect. Steering off the road may still be needed; the guide places shutoff after stopping and completing direction changes.

The DMV guide places ignition shutoff after the vehicle has stopped and the driver no longer needs to change direction. It warns that turning off the key can lock steering on many vehicles, so this is not an in-motion step.

Source: California DMV Teen Driver Tips — Handling Special Problems & Emergencies — Handling Special Problems & Emergencies, 'What should I do if my accelerator gets stuck?', lines 195-203 in current rendered page. (retrieved 2026-11-02T07:24:40Z)

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