California Driver Handbook (English)
The California Driver Handbook is the official study guide for the DMV written test. This is the current 2025 edition from the California DMV — free to read and download. Study it, then practice with our free tests to pass your knowledge exam the first time.
Older editions (compare versions)
What's inside the handbook
- ✓Road signs and signals
- ✓Traffic laws and rules of the road
- ✓Right-of-way and intersections
- ✓Speed limits
- ✓Parking rules
- ✓Safe and defensive driving
- ✓Sharing the road — pedestrians, bikes, motorcycles
- ✓Getting your license and the testing process
Ready to test yourself?
Practice with free California DMV questions based on this handbook — no signup.
Start a free practice test →Is the California Driver Handbook free?▾
Yes. The California Driver Handbook is published free by the California DMV. You can read the summary here and download the full official PDF at no cost.
What edition is this California Driver Handbook?▾
This is the current 2025 edition of the California Driver Handbook — the same content the DMV uses for the written knowledge test.
How do I use the handbook to pass the DMV test?▾
Read the handbook, focus on road signs, right-of-way, and traffic laws, then take practice tests until you consistently score above 85%.
Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Provided here as a free study aid. dmv.ca.gov ↗