California driver fitness practice questions
3 questions below test California’s own driver fitness law, each with the statute or California Department of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on driver fitness rules that apply in every state.
The California permit knowledge test has 46 questions in total and needs 38 correct (83%) to pass.
California law
3 questions on California’s own driver fitness rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. In California, it is unlawful for a person under 21 to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of:
- A0.08% or greater
- B0.05% or greater
- 0.01% or greater
- D0.04% or greater
Answer: 0.01% or greater. California Vehicle Code §23136 sets a near-zero threshold: under-21 drivers may not have a BAC of 0.01% or greater.
Source: California Vehicle Code — §23136(a)
2. For a California driver 21 or older, it is unlawful to drive with a BAC of:
- 0.08% or more
- B0.10% or more
- C0.02% or more
- D0.05% or more
Answer: 0.08% or more. Vehicle Code §23152(b) makes it unlawful to drive with 0.08% or more alcohol by weight in the blood.
Source: California Vehicle Code — §23152(b)
3. While driving in California, wearing a headset or earplugs in both ears is:
- AAllowed on freeways only
- Illegal
- CRequired with loud music
- DAllowed if the volume is low
Answer: Illegal. Vehicle Code §27400 and the California Driver's Handbook both prohibit operating a motor vehicle while wearing a headset or earplugs covering both ears.
Source: California Vehicle Code — §27400
Sources for the California items above
Applies everywhere
Driver fitness rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national driver fitness bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the California items above for 13 questions in total.
1. What actually reduces the alcohol level in a person's body?
- AA cold shower
- Time
- CStrong coffee
- DExercise
Answer: Time. The body removes alcohol at a steady rate. Nothing speeds it up, so only waiting long enough restores sober judgment.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Driver fitness — alcohol
2. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines can affect driving by:
- Causing drowsiness, blurred vision, or slowed reactions
- BHaving no effect if legally prescribed
- COnly affecting drivers over 65
- DImproving concentration
Answer: Causing drowsiness, blurred vision, or slowed reactions. Legality does not mean safety. Check labels and pharmacist advice for warnings about operating machinery.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Driver fitness — medication
3. What is the only reliable remedy for driver fatigue?
- AOpening the windows
- BTurning up the radio
- CCoffee or an energy drink
- Sleep
Answer: Sleep. Caffeine, cold air, and music mask drowsiness briefly. Only real sleep restores alertness, so stop somewhere safe and rest.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Driver fitness — fatigue
More California topics
Other California rules with their own questions
Driver fitness elsewhere
Driver fitness rules in other states
Driver fitness law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current California rules
Statutes and handbooks change. California Department of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for California driver fitness rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit California Department of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About California driver fitness rules and this practice set.