Counting down: #20 → #1 hardest

The 20 Hardest Questions on the DMV Written Test

Answers to the permit-test questions teens always miss.

Most people don't fail the California DMV written test because it's long — they fail because of a handful of tricky questions with answers that feel wrong but are right. We ranked the 20 that trip up the most teens — starting at #20 and counting down to the #1 hardest of all.

This isn't a typical quiz. For each one, tap the answer you think is correct — it'll show you instantly whether you got it right, then explain why the right answer is right and why so many people pick the wrong one. No score to stress over; just learn the ones you miss.

Answered 0/20
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#20Commonly missed

At an uncontrolled intersection where you can't see cross traffic until you are just about to enter the intersection, the speed limit is:

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#19Commonly missed

Even if you know your vehicle can maneuver a sharp curve at the legal speed limit, you should still slow down because:

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#18Commonly missed

Where should you stop your vehicle if there is no crosswalk or limit line?

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#17Commonly missed

If you are towing another vehicle or trailer on a freeway with four lanes in your direction, you may travel in:

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#16Commonly missed

A white painted curb means:

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#15Commonly missed

After passing a car, it is safe to return to your driving lane when:

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#14Commonly missed

If you are involved in a collision, you must exchange with the other person(s) involved, your driver license information and:

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#13Commonly missed

You see a pedestrian with a white cane at the corner ready to cross the street. The person takes a step back and pulls in his cane. You should:

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#12Tricky

You want to pass a bicyclist riding on the right edge of your lane. You:

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#11Tricky

You are driving on a road where the speed limit is 45 mph. All the other vehicles are driving 50 mph or faster. You may legally drive:

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#10Tricky

Other drivers are not making room for you to merge onto a freeway with heavy traffic. If necessary, you may:

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#9Tricky

If you are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at or above the legal limit:

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#8Tricky

On freezing, wet days, which of the following roadways is most likely to hide spots of ice?

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#7Tricky

Parking is NEVER permitted:

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#6Tricky

You are driving on a one-way street. You may turn left onto another one-way street:

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#5Most missed

What is the difference between traffic lights with red arrows and those with solid red lights?

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#4Most missed

When is it legal to use a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving?

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#3Most missed

Which of these is a legal U-turn?

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#2Most missed

You are approaching an uncontrolled intersection. You:

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#1Most missed

If there are two solid lines in the center of the roadway, you:

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Ready for the full thing?

You've seen the hardest ones — now take a complete, timed practice test to make sure you're ready for the real California DMV written exam.