Driving Test Practice

California: Sharing the road — Part 4 Practice Test

Questions in this part include: “Which of these is a legal reason for a bicyclist to leave the right edge of the road and take more of the lane?” · “You are preparing to make a right turn across a bike lane. How far before the turn may you enter that bike lane?”

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17 questions · About 7 min

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Questions are original and based on the official manual "California Driver Handbook" (2025), California DMV.

All 17 questions in this practice test

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  1. A bicyclist who is moving more slowly than the flow of traffic must generally ride:

    A street with a double yellow line along it, a red car driving along, and a yellow diamond sign with a black bicycle symbol on a post by the sidewalk.
    • In the middle of the lane, to be more visible
    • As close as possible to the right curb or edge
    • On the left side of the lane
    • Wherever there is the most shade
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    Correct answer: As close as possible to the right curb or edge

    Slower bicyclists keep to the right curb or edge, with a short list of legal exceptions.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 47 · Open this page in the manual

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  2. Which of these is a legal reason for a bicyclist to leave the right edge of the road and take more of the lane?

    • The rider wants to go faster
    • The lane is too narrow to share side by side
    • The rider is not wearing a helmet
    • Traffic behind the rider is moving slowly
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    Correct answer: The lane is too narrow to share side by side

    A lane too narrow to share side by side is one of the listed exceptions, along with passing, avoiding a hazard, and preparing to turn.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 48 · Open this page in the manual

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  3. To safely pass a bicyclist who is riding in the travel lane, what may you need to do?

    A two-lane road with a broken yellow center line and an empty oncoming lane, where a car is coming up behind a bicyclist riding near the right edge.
    • Flash your headlights and drive through the gap
    • Stay in the lane and hug the bicycle to save time
    • Pass on the right shoulder
    • Change lanes, pass safely, then return to your lane
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    Correct answer: Change lanes, pass safely, then return to your lane

    You may need to change to another lane, pass safely, then return to your original lane, leaving space between your vehicle and the bicyclist.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 48 · Open this page in the manual

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  4. If you cannot change lanes to pass a bicyclist, how much space must you leave between your vehicle and the rider?

    A car passing a bicyclist within the same lane on a road with a double yellow center line, with open space between the side of the car and the bicycle.
    • At least one foot
    • At least two feet
    • At least three feet
    • At least ten feet
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    Correct answer: At least three feet

    A minimum of three feet of clearance is required when you pass a bicyclist without changing lanes.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 48 · Open this page in the manual

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  5. The road is too tight to give a bicyclist three feet of clearance and you cannot change lanes. What does the handbook require?

    A narrow two-lane street with a double yellow line: a bicyclist near the edge, a car following behind in the same lane, and an oncoming car in the other lane
    • Pass anyway at a slow, careful speed
    • Do not pass until you can give three feet
    • Pass using the shoulder
    • Signal the rider to stop and wait
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    Correct answer: Do not pass until you can give three feet

    If three feet is not available, you must wait to pass rather than squeeze by the bicyclist.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 48 · Open this page in the manual

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  6. You are preparing to make a right turn across a bike lane. How far before the turn may you enter that bike lane?

    • No more than 200 feet before the turn
    • At least 500 feet before the turn
    • Anywhere along the block
    • Only within 50 feet of the corner
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    Correct answer: No more than 200 feet before the turn

    Drivers may enter a bike lane no more than 200 feet before beginning the turn, and only when it is safe.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 48 · Open this page in the manual

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  7. A bicyclist is riding beside you and you want to turn right at the next corner. What is the correct move?

    An intersection where a car with its right turn signal on is beside a bicyclist riding straight in a green bike lane whose line becomes dashed before the corner.
    • Speed up and turn in front of the bicyclist
    • Merge safely behind the bicyclist before turning
    • Turn wide from the left lane
    • Stop in the intersection and wave the rider around
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    Correct answer: Merge safely behind the bicyclist before turning

    Merging in behind the bicyclist before you turn avoids cutting the rider off at the corner.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 48 · Open this page in the manual

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  8. When you pass a bicyclist on a street lined with parked cars, why does extra space matter so much?

    On a residential street, a blue car comes up behind a bicyclist riding in the lane just left of a row of cars parked along the right curb.
    • So the rider is not forced into parked cars or open doors
    • So the rider can reach the sidewalk faster
    • Because parked cars block the bike lane by law
    • Because bicycles must stay two feet from the curb
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    Correct answer: So the rider is not forced into parked cars or open doors

    Crowding a rider toward parked cars exposes them to doors that suddenly swing open.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 48 · Open this page in the manual

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  9. Which lane must you use when towing a trailer or driving a truck with three or more axles?

    • The far-left lane
    • Any lane, as long as you keep up with traffic
    • The far-right lane or one marked for slower vehicles
    • The carpool lane
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    Correct answer: The far-right lane or one marked for slower vehicles

    Vehicles towing, and trucks with three or more axles, are limited to the far-right lane or a marked slow-vehicle lane.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  10. You are towing a trailer on a road with four lanes in your direction and no lanes marked for slow vehicles. Which lanes may you use?

    • Only the two right-hand lanes
    • Any of the four lanes
    • The two middle lanes
    • Only the single right-hand lane
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    Correct answer: Only the two right-hand lanes

    With four or more lanes in your direction and no marked slow lane, you are limited to the two right-most lanes.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  11. A school bus ahead begins flashing yellow lights. What does this mean?

    A blue car follows a yellow school bus on a residential street as the bus's amber warning lights flash, with a white car in the other lane.
    • The bus is about to turn left
    • The bus has mechanical trouble
    • The bus is empty and you may pass freely
    • The bus is preparing to stop, so slow down
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    Correct answer: The bus is preparing to stop, so slow down

    Flashing yellow lights are the warning that the bus is about to stop to let children off.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 50 · Open this page in the manual

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  12. A school bus on an undivided two-way street is flashing its red lights. What must you do?

    A yellow school bus in the lower lane of a two-lane street, red lamps lit at its corners and a red octagon marked STOP at its left side; houses and trees beyond.
    • Stop only if you are behind the bus
    • Slow to 15 mph and keep moving
    • Stop from either direction and wait
    • Pass slowly on the left
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    Correct answer: Stop from either direction and wait

    Flashing red lights require traffic in both directions to stop until the children are safely across and the lights stop.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  13. What can happen if you fail to stop for a school bus that is flashing red lights?

    A yellow school bus in the lower lane of a two-lane street, red lamps lit at its corners and a red octagon marked STOP at its left side; houses and trees beyond.
    • A written warning only
    • A fine of up to $1,000 and suspension of your driving privilege for one year
    • A $50 fine
    • Nothing, if no child was hurt
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    Correct answer: A fine of up to $1,000 and suspension of your driving privilege for one year

    The penalty can reach a $1,000 fine plus a one-year suspension of your driving privilege.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  14. You are on a divided highway with two lanes in each direction. A school bus on the opposite side flashes red lights. What must you do?

    A yellow school bus with lit red lights and a red octagon sign on an arm, in one roadway of a road split by a grass strip with trees; no other vehicles.
    • Pull onto the shoulder and wait
    • Stop until the lights stop flashing
    • Stop and then proceed at 15 mph
    • You are not required to stop
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    Correct answer: You are not required to stop

    When the bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway with two or more lanes each way, you do not have to stop.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 51 · Open this page in the manual

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  15. When following a motorcyclist, when should you create more space in front of your vehicle?

    A blue car follows a motorcycle with a helmeted rider in the same lane of a two-lane road with a broken yellow centre line and white edge lines, grass and trees on both sides.
    • On metal surfaces (bridge gratings, railroad tracks) and gravel
    • Only when the motorcyclist is signaling a turn or lane change
    • Never, since a motorcycle needs less following distance than a car
    • Only on freeways where the speed limit is 65 mph or higher
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    Correct answer: On metal surfaces (bridge gratings, railroad tracks) and gravel

    The handbook says to create more space in front of your vehicle when following motorcyclists on metal surfaces (bridge gratings, railroad tracks, etc.) and gravel.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 57 · Open this page in the manual

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  16. To keep enough room to maneuver at your sides, you should:

    • Stay level with the vehicle beside you so the driver can see you
    • Drive close to parked cars to stay clear of moving traffic
    • Avoid driving directly alongside other vehicles or in their blind spots
    • Keep your vehicle centered between two lanes on wide roads
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    Correct answer: Avoid driving directly alongside other vehicles or in their blind spots

    Driving alongside another vehicle or sitting in its blind spot leaves you nowhere to go if that driver moves over.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 58 · Open this page in the manual

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  17. On a two-lane road you have an oncoming vehicle to your left and a bicyclist ahead on your right. What is the best action?

    An overhead view of a two-lane road: an oncoming car in the left lane, and a bicyclist near the right edge of the right lane with a car coming up behind it.
    • Keep your speed and drive between the oncoming vehicle and the bicyclist
    • Slow down, let the oncoming vehicle pass, then give the bicyclist at least three feet
    • Sound your horn so the bicyclist moves onto the shoulder, then pass
    • Stop completely in your lane until the vehicle and the bicyclist are gone
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    Correct answer: Slow down, let the oncoming vehicle pass, then give the bicyclist at least three feet

    Take one hazard at a time: give way to the greater danger first, then pass the bicyclist with at least three feet of space.

    Source: California Driver Handbook (2025), page 68 · Open this page in the manual

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