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CALIFORNIA DMV · WRITTEN TEST (CLASS C)

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Road signs: California DMV written test practice

Rules to understand before practicing

Read the shape first, then the color and message. An octagon means stop; a downward triangle means yield. Warning signs help you prepare for a hazard, while regulatory signs tell you what is required or prohibited. A speed-limit sign does not make that speed safe in fog, rain or heavy traffic. Study sign meanings even if you practice in another language: the words printed on real road signs remain in English. A common mistake is recognizing the picture but overlooking an additional panel, time restriction or lane arrow.

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20 free practice questions on road signs for the California DMV written knowledge test, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Study them here, then check yourself in the interactive quiz or the exam simulator.

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How the California test works →

Sign shapes and colors

You can tell what a sign means by its shape and color before you can read it.

About the California written test

36questions on the real test for adults
30 / 36correct answers to pass (~83%)
3attempts before you must reapply

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1. What shape is the “Yield” sign?

  1. Octagon
  2. ✓ A triangle pointing downward at the apex
  3. Rhombus
  4. Circle

Explanation: "Yield" is the only sign shaped like a triangle pointing downward. It means: slow down and be prepared to stop for vehicles or pedestrians that are already in the intersection.

Official reading · set1-001

2. A diamond-shaped sign warns of:

  1. A mandatory rule that must be followed
  2. Nearby services—gas stations, food
  3. ✓ Dangers or unusual conditions ahead
  4. Route or highway number

Explanation: Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs: they indicate turns, lane merges, crossings, and other conditions that require extra caution.

Official reading · set1-002

3. A circular symbol almost always means:

  1. School zone ahead
  2. ✓ There is a railroad crossing ahead
  3. No Passing Zone
  4. The hospital is up ahead

Explanation: The circular shape is reserved exclusively for warning signs at railroad crossings—no other signs use it.

Official reading · set1-003

4. The pentagon symbol means:

  1. There is a "Stop" sign ahead
  2. ✓ A school zone or a crosswalk near a school
  3. Up next: “Give Way”
  4. The hospital is up ahead

Explanation: The pentagon shape is unique to school zone signs and crosswalks near schools—it is easily recognizable even when the sign is covered in dirt or snow.

Official reading · set1-004

5. Signs with an orange background are used for:

  1. ✓ Road Construction and Repair Work
  2. School Zones
  3. Recreational Areas and Parks
  4. Interstate Highway Numbers

Explanation: The color orange is reserved for temporary traffic control—roadwork and repair zones.

Official reading · set1-005

6. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:

  1. Overtaking is permitted if it is safe to do so
  2. ✓ You must not cross it to pass another vehicle
  3. This is a bike lane
  4. This is a parking lane

Explanation: A solid yellow line on your side of the road prohibits passing. If the line on your side is dashed, passing is permitted when it is safe to do so.

Official reading · set1-006

7. A red octagonal sign means:

  1. ✓ Stop completely before proceeding when safe
  2. You have priority over all traffic
  3. The sign applies only at night
  4. Proceed without checking the road

Explanation: Stop completely before proceeding when safe.

Official reading · sign-001 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

8. At a YIELD sign, you should:

  1. You have priority over all traffic
  2. The sign applies only at night
  3. Proceed without checking the road
  4. ✓ Slow down and stop if needed to give way

Explanation: Slow down and stop if needed to give way.

Official reading · sign-002 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

9. A DO NOT ENTER sign tells you:

  1. The sign applies only at night
  2. Proceed without checking the road
  3. ✓ Do not enter the roadway from this direction
  4. You have priority over all traffic

Explanation: Do not enter the roadway from this direction.

Official reading · sign-003 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

10. A ONE WAY arrow indicates:

  1. Proceed without checking the road
  2. ✓ Traffic is allowed only in the arrow’s direction
  3. You have priority over all traffic
  4. The sign applies only at night

Explanation: Traffic is allowed only in the arrow’s direction.

Official reading · sign-004 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

11. A pennant-shaped NO PASSING ZONE sign means:

  1. ✓ Do not start a passing maneuver here
  2. You have priority over all traffic
  3. The sign applies only at night
  4. Proceed without checking the road

Explanation: Do not start a passing maneuver here.

Official reading · sign-005 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

12. A SPEED LIMIT sign shows:

  1. You have priority over all traffic
  2. The sign applies only at night
  3. Proceed without checking the road
  4. ✓ The legal maximum under normal conditions, not a guaranteed safe speed

Explanation: The legal maximum under normal conditions, not a guaranteed safe speed.

Official reading · sign-006 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

13. A round yellow railroad warning sign tells you:

  1. The sign applies only at night
  2. Proceed without checking the road
  3. ✓ A railroad crossing is ahead; look and listen for trains
  4. You have priority over all traffic

Explanation: A railroad crossing is ahead; look and listen for trains.

Official reading · sign-007 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

14. A five-sided school warning sign calls for:

  1. Proceed without checking the road
  2. ✓ Extra attention for children and school crossings
  3. You have priority over all traffic
  4. The sign applies only at night

Explanation: Extra attention for children and school crossings.

Official reading · sign-008 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

15. Orange warning signs usually indicate:

  1. ✓ A work zone with changing traffic conditions
  2. You have priority over all traffic
  3. The sign applies only at night
  4. Proceed without checking the road

Explanation: A work zone with changing traffic conditions.

Official reading · sign-009 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

16. Green guide signs usually provide:

  1. You have priority over all traffic
  2. The sign applies only at night
  3. Proceed without checking the road
  4. ✓ Directions and distances to destinations

Explanation: Directions and distances to destinations.

Official reading · sign-010 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

17. Blue service signs usually identify:

  1. The sign applies only at night
  2. Proceed without checking the road
  3. ✓ Services such as fuel, food or a hospital
  4. You have priority over all traffic

Explanation: Services such as fuel, food or a hospital.

Official reading · sign-011 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

18. When you see a yellow diamond warning sign, you should:

  1. Proceed without checking the road
  2. ✓ Prepare for the hazard shown and adjust your driving
  3. You have priority over all traffic
  4. The sign applies only at night

Explanation: Prepare for the hazard shown and adjust your driving.

Official reading · sign-012 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

19. What does a red X over a lane mean?

  1. ✓ Do not drive in that lane
  2. You have priority over all traffic
  3. The sign applies only at night
  4. Proceed without checking the road

Explanation: Do not drive in that lane.

Official reading · sign-013 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

20. What should you do at a flashing yellow arrow for a left turn?

  1. You have priority over all traffic
  2. The sign applies only at night
  3. Proceed without checking the road
  4. ✓ Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning

Explanation: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning.

Official reading · sign-014 · Answer checked: 2026-10-04

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Content updated October 4, 2026 · How we review content