California Driver Knowledge Tests
Every California course, the agency that gives the test, and the shape of each test.
- Licensing Agency
- California Department of Motor Vehicles
- Learner's Permit Test
- 36 questions, 30 correct to pass, scored as one total — 9 signs and signals; 27 rules of the road.
- Motorcycle Test
- 30 questions, 24 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.
479 questions36 questions, 30 correct to pass, scored as one total — 9 signs and signals; 27 rules of the road.
Motorcycle
The motorcycle knowledge test for California: gear, controls, curves, traffic, hazards, passengers, and alcohol.
88 questions30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
CDL General Knowledge
The commercial license general knowledge test: the federal rules for commercial driving that every CDL program follows, in every state and DC.
282 questions50 questions, 40 correct to pass.
CDL Hazardous Materials (H)
The CDL Hazardous Materials (H) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
180 questions30 questions, 24 correct to pass.
CDL Air Brakes
The CDL Air Brakes knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
64 questions25 questions, 20 correct to pass.
CDL Passenger (P)
The CDL Passenger (P) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
60 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL School Bus (S)
The CDL School Bus (S) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
49 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL Tank Vehicle (N)
The CDL Tank Vehicle (N) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
50 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
CDL Doubles/Triples (T)
The CDL Doubles/Triples (T) knowledge test, on the federal rules that apply in every state and DC.
45 questions20 questions, 16 correct to pass.
California Permit Test Facts
| Test | Questions | Passing Score | Who Gives It | Agency Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learner's Permit (18+) | 36 | 30 correct | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| Motorcycle | 30. These numbers are widely reported; California does not publish them.30. DetailsThese numbers are widely reported; California does not publish them. | 24 correct. These numbers are widely reported; California does not publish them.24 correct. DetailsThese numbers are widely reported; California does not publish them. | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| CDL General Knowledge | 50. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.50. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 40 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).40 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| CDL Hazardous Materials (H) | 30. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.30. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 24 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).24 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| CDL Air Brakes | 25. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.25. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 20 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).20 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| CDL Passenger (P) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| CDL School Bus (S) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| CDL Tank Vehicle (N) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
| CDL Doubles/Triples (T) | 20. No federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ.20. DetailsNo federal rule sets the question count: 49 CFR 383.133 sends the states to AAMVA's test system, which is not public. The count here is the one used by the states that publish theirs, so your state may differ. | 16 correct. 80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135).16 correct. Details80 percent is the federal pass mark for every CDL knowledge test (49 CFR 383.135). | California Department of Motor Vehicles | California DMV |
Permit Tests in Other States
ALAlabama Permit TestAKAlaska Permit TestAZArizona Permit TestARArkansas Permit TestCOColorado Permit TestCTConnecticut Permit TestDEDelaware Permit TestDCDistrict of Columbia Permit TestFLFlorida Permit TestGAGeorgia Permit TestHIHawaii Permit TestIDIdaho Permit TestILIllinois Permit TestINIndiana Permit TestIAIowa Permit TestKSKansas Permit TestKYKentucky Permit TestLALouisiana Permit TestMEMaine Permit TestMDMaryland Permit TestMAMassachusetts Permit TestMIMichigan Permit TestMNMinnesota Permit TestMSMississippi Permit TestMOMissouri Permit TestMTMontana Permit TestNENebraska Permit TestNVNevada Permit TestNHNew Hampshire Permit TestNJNew Jersey Permit TestNMNew Mexico Permit TestNYNew York Permit TestNCNorth Carolina Permit TestNDNorth Dakota Permit TestOHOhio Permit TestOKOklahoma Permit TestOROregon Permit TestPAPennsylvania Permit TestRIRhode Island Permit TestSCSouth Carolina Permit TestSDSouth Dakota Permit TestTNTennessee Permit TestTXTexas Permit TestUTUtah Permit TestVTVermont Permit TestVAVirginia Permit TestWAWashington Permit TestWVWest Virginia Permit TestWIWisconsin Permit TestWYWyoming Permit Test
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
What is the passing score on the California permit test?
30 correct
Does California have a motorcycle knowledge test?
Yes. California's motorcycle knowledge test: 30 questions, 24 to pass. These numbers are widely reported; California does not publish them.
Which CDL tests can I practice 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 and DC.