California driver knowledge tests
Every California course, the agency that gives the test, the manual it is drawn from, and the shape of each test.
- Licensing agency
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- Driver manual
- California driver manual
- Learner's permit test
- 36 questions, 30 correct to pass, built to the official blueprint — 9 signs and signals; 27 rules of the road.
- Motorcycle test
- 25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
- CDL general knowledge
- 50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
Learner's Permit
The rules of the road plus California's own licensing rules, permit conditions and penalties, each taken from the state's driver manual.
Motorcycle
The motorcycle knowledge test for California: gear, controls, curves, traffic, hazards, passengers, and alcohol. Every answer is proven by a line of the state manual.
CDL General Knowledge
The commercial licence general knowledge test, written from the federal regulations themselves — 49 CFR Parts 383, 392, 393, 395 and 396 — which set the standard every state CDL programme follows.
CDL Hazardous Materials (H)
The CDL Hazardous Materials (H) knowledge test, written from 49 CFR Parts 172, 173, 177, 383, 390, 392, 393 and 397.
CDL Air Brakes
The CDL Air Brakes knowledge test, written from 49 CFR Parts 383, 393 and 396.
CDL Passenger (P)
The CDL Passenger (P) knowledge test, written from 49 CFR Parts 177, 383, 390, 392, 393, 395 and 396.
CDL School Bus (S)
The CDL School Bus (S) knowledge test, written from 49 CFR Parts 383, 390, 392, 393 and 396.
CDL Tank Vehicle (N)
The CDL Tank Vehicle (N) knowledge test, written from 49 CFR Parts 172, 173, 177, 383, 392, 393 and 397.
CDL Doubles/Triples (T)
The CDL Doubles/Triples (T) knowledge test, written from 49 CFR Parts 172, 177, 383, 393 and 396.
Official links
- California DMV — home page
- California DMV — licensing
- California DMV — locations
- California driver manual — the book the test is drawn from
Questions
Common questions
Who gives the driver knowledge test in California?
The California Department of Motor Vehicles. Check its website for fees, documents and whether you need an appointment.
How many questions are on the California permit test?
36 questions, 30 correct to pass, built to the official blueprint — 9 signs and signals; 27 rules of the road.
Which manual is the California test based on?
The California driver manual. Every permit and motorcycle question in these courses is written from it.
Does California have a motorcycle knowledge test?
Yes: 25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
Which CDL tests can I practise for California?
CDL General Knowledge and the CDL Hazardous Materials (H), CDL Air Brakes, CDL Passenger (P), CDL School Bus (S), CDL Tank Vehicle (N), CDL Doubles/Triples (T). The CDL tests are federal, so the questions are the same in every state.