California Driver License: Getting a License

22 questions with the correct answer and an explanation for each. Topic: Getting a License. Free, no account needed.

1. Starting in May 2025, what must a driver's license or ID card comply with in order to board a domestic flight?

An Enhanced Driver's License endorsement
TSA PreCheck enrollment
A separate federal ID card
REAL ID requirements

Answer: D — REAL ID requirements

From May 2025, a REAL ID-compliant license or ID card is needed to board a domestic flight, enter a military base, or enter most federal facilities.

2. A California resident without lawful immigration status wants to apply for a driver's license. Are they eligible to apply?

No, proof of legal status is required
Yes, California issues licenses regardless of immigration status
Only if they apply for an ID card instead
Only with a work visa

Answer: B — Yes, California issues licenses regardless of immigration status

California issues driver's licenses to all residents regardless of immigration status.

3. What is the main difference between a California ID card and a driver's license?

The ID card does not authorize the holder to drive
The ID card cannot be used to prove identity
The ID card is only available to seniors
The ID card requires a driving test

Answer: A — The ID card does not authorize the holder to drive

An ID card is for identification only and does not allow driving.

4. An applicant pays the fee for an instruction permit application but then fails the knowledge test. Can they get the fee back?

Yes, half is refunded
Only refunded after three failed attempts
Yes, it is fully refunded
No, the fee is non-refundable

Answer: D — No, the fee is non-refundable

The instruction permit application fee is non-refundable.

5. A 15-year-old who just turned 15 wants to apply for an instruction permit. Do they meet the minimum age requirement?

Yes, there is no minimum age with parental consent
No, the minimum age is 16
Yes, 15 is old enough
No, applicants under 18 must be at least 15½

Answer: D — No, applicants under 18 must be at least 15½

Applicants under 18 must be at least 15½ to apply for an instruction permit.

6. A minor applicant's parents share joint custody. How many of them must sign to approve the instruction permit application and accept financial responsibility?

Only the parent the minor lives with
Only one parent, either one
Neither; a guardian ad litem must sign
Both parents

Answer: D — Both parents

When parents share joint custody, both must sign to approve the application and accept financial responsibility.

7. A 17-year-old permit holder practices driving with a supervising licensed driver. What is the minimum age required for that supervising driver?

Answer: D — 25

Minors must practice with a licensed driver at least 25 years old, unlike the general minimum of 18.

8. A minor has held an instruction permit for four months and wants to take the drive test now. Do they meet the holding-period requirement?

Yes, there is no minimum holding period
Yes, four months is enough
No, minors must hold the permit at least six months or turn 18
No, the requirement is one year

Answer: C — No, minors must hold the permit at least six months or turn 18

Minors must have held a permit for at least six months, or have turned 18, before taking the drive test.

9. A minor applicant is logging supervised practice hours before the drive test. How many total hours are required, and how many of those must be at night?

50 hours total, 10 at night
50 hours total, none required at night
30 hours total, 5 at night
100 hours total, 20 at night

Answer: A — 50 hours total, 10 at night

Minors must log at least 50 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night.

10. A provisional driver has held their license for three months. Can they legally drive alone at 1 a.m.?

Yes, as long as they hold a valid license
Yes, the curfew only applies after the first 12 months
No, provisional drivers cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months
No, the restricted hours are 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Answer: C — No, provisional drivers cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the first 12 months

During the first 12 months, a provisional driver may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

11. A provisional driver, five months into their license, wants to drive a 17-year-old friend with no adult in the car. Is this allowed?

No, provisional drivers may never carry any passengers
Yes, one friend is always allowed
Yes, as long as the friend also has a license
No, unless a parent, guardian, or licensed driver at least 25 rides along

Answer: D — No, unless a parent, guardian, or licensed driver at least 25 rides along

A provisional driver may not carry passengers under 20 unless a parent, guardian, or licensed driver at least 25 rides along.

12. A provisional driver needs to drive during restricted hours to get to a job. What kind of note allows this exception?

A note from the DMV field office
A note from a friend or coworker
No exception exists for work travel
An employer's note confirming employment for work driving

Answer: D — An employer's note confirming employment for work driving

An employer's note confirming employment for work driving allows an exception to the provisional restrictions.

13. Who can cancel a teen's provisional license before it would otherwise expire?

The DMV, on its own initiative
A police officer
The teen's driving school
A parent or guardian, using a request form

Answer: D — A parent or guardian, using a request form

A parent or guardian may cancel a teen's license with a request form.

14. An applicant passes the vision test but only while wearing glasses. What happens to their license?

A corrective lenses restriction is added
They automatically fail the exam
No restriction is noted since they still passed
They must get a doctor's note regardless

Answer: A — A corrective lenses restriction is added

Passing the vision test with glasses or contacts adds a corrective lenses restriction to the license.

15. An applicant has failed the knowledge test twice. How many attempts total do they get before having to reapply?

Unlimited attempts
Three
Five
Two

Answer: B — Three

An applicant gets three attempts at the knowledge test before having to reapply.

16. A 16-year-old fails the knowledge test. How soon can they retake it?

After waiting seven days, not counting the day of the failure
Immediately, the next day
After waiting 14 days
After waiting 30 days

Answer: A — After waiting seven days, not counting the day of the failure

A minor who fails the knowledge test must wait seven days, not counting the day of the failure, to retake it.

17. A driver renewing their license is offered an alternative to the standard knowledge test. What is it?

An oral interview with a DMV examiner
eLearning, a self-paced course with quizzes after each module
An automatic waiver of the knowledge test
A shortened ten-question quiz at the counter

Answer: B — eLearning, a self-paced course with quizzes after each module

Drivers renewing may be offered eLearning, a no-fail self-paced course with quizzes after each module, instead of the standard knowledge test.

18. Before a drive test begins, the examiner finds a donut spare tire mounted on the car. What happens?

It's allowed only on renewal drive tests
It's fine as long as tread depth is at least 1/32 inch
The vehicle fails the equipment check and the test is rescheduled
It's allowed only for automatic-transmission vehicles

Answer: C — The vehicle fails the equipment check and the test is rescheduled

A donut spare is not allowed during the pre-drive equipment check, and a vehicle that fails the check gets the test rescheduled.

19. During the drive test, can an applicant rely on the car's automated parallel-parking system?

No, driver assistance systems like automated parking are not allowed
Only allowed for applicants over 18
Yes, but only for parallel parking maneuvers
Yes, if the car came with it built in

Answer: A — No, driver assistance systems like automated parking are not allowed

Driver assistance systems such as automated parallel parking, lane departure, and adaptive cruise control are not allowed during the drive test.

20. A minor fails the behind-the-wheel drive test. How soon can they retake it?

After waiting 30 days
After waiting seven days
After waiting 14 days
Immediately

Answer: C — After waiting 14 days

A minor who fails the drive test must wait 14 days to retake it.

21. A driver moves to a new address. Within how many days must they report the change to the DMV?

Thirty days
Ten days
Five days
There is no reporting requirement

Answer: B — Ten days

A change of address must be reported within ten days, online or by mail.

22. A driver is out of state when their California license is about to expire and cannot renew there. What can they request?

An extension of a limited-term license
A permanent waiver while living out of state
An automatic five-year renewal by mail
A one-year extension requested before the license expires

Answer: D — A one-year extension requested before the license expires

A driver who is out of state and cannot renew may request a one-year extension by sending their name, license number, birth date, and California and out-of-state addresses to DMV before the license expires; limited-term licenses are not eligible.