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California road test preparation

California behind-the-wheel test guide

A practical checklist for observation and vehicle control, grounded in the California Driver's Handbook. Read the rules, then rehearse them in the driver's seat.

01

Stop completely and scan the intersection

Stop before the crosswalk or limit line. Before entering, look left, right and ahead for vehicles, people walking and people cycling. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way.

California Driver's Handbook: STOP Sign (p. 41), Intersections (p. 45), Right-of-Way Rules (p. 45)

02

Yield on left turns and at crosswalks

For a left turn, yield to pedestrians and approaching vehicles close enough to be dangerous. Keep the wheels straight until it is safe to turn. People walking have the right-of-way in marked and unmarked crosswalks.

California Driver's Handbook: Right-of-Way Rules (p. 45), Left Turns (p. 25), Right-of-Way Rules (p. 47)

03

Check before changing lanes

Look over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move, and make sure there is enough room in the next lane. Before entering a bicycle lane, check your blind spots.

California Driver's Handbook: Changing Lanes (p. 21), Changing Lanes (p. 21), Bicycle Lanes (p. 23)

04

Control the car near the curb

When parallel parking, finish parallel to and within 18 inches of the curb. When backing, check the rearview mirror and over your shoulder for approaching traffic and pedestrians.

California Driver's Handbook: Parallel Parking (p. 32), Parallel Parking (p. 32)

05

Listen to the examiner

The examiner may give two or more directions together to see whether you can understand and follow both. Practice listening while continuing to check the road around you.

California Driver's Handbook: Behind-the-Wheel Drive Test (p. 11)

Test yourself: 10 questions

Every answer comes from the California Driver's Handbook. Answer all ten to see your score and the handbook quote behind each one.

Question 1

1. Where must you stop at a STOP sign with a limit line?

Question 2

2. At a four-way stop, who goes first?

Question 3

3. Before entering an intersection, which way should you look?

Question 4

4. While waiting to turn left, how should your wheels point?

Question 5

5. Who has the right-of-way in an unmarked crosswalk?

Question 6

6. Before changing lanes, what should you do?

Question 7

7. What should you check before entering a bike lane to turn?

Question 8

8. When parallel parked, how close to the curb must you be?

Question 9

9. What is the speed limit within 500 feet of a school while children are outside?

Question 10

10. Railroad lights flash red but the gate rises. What do you do?

Printable practice sheet

Take it on supervised practice drives. Your supervising driver ticks each check on three drives so you can see which habits still need work.

Download practice sheet (PDF)

Practice what you read

Drive 3D School has scored practice scenes for four-way stops, left turns, crosswalks, lane changes, parking and examiner directions. The simulation is a study tool, not a substitute for supervised driving or the real test.

Practice the scenarios