California DMV Permit Test Cheat Sheet 2026: Key Numbers

Is there an official California DMV permit test cheat sheet?

No. DMV's study materials are the handbook and its sample tests, and it doesn't allow testing aids, such as the handbook or a phone, during the test. The tables on this page are our own summary of the numbers in the handbook, with the section each one comes from, so you can check them at the source.

Speed limits

Handbook Sections 7 and 8. On a wet road, slow by 5 to 10 mph; on packed snow, cut your speed in half.

Where	Limit
Business or residential district, unless posted	25 mph
Within 500 feet of a school while children are outside or crossing	25 mph (some school zones are 15)
Alleys	15 mph
Blind intersection with no stop signs on any corner	15 mph
Within 100 feet of a railroad crossing when you can't see 400 feet both ways	15 mph
Heavy rain or snow, when you can't see past 100 feet	30 mph at most
Ice	5 mph at most

Distances and parking

Handbook Sections 5, 6 and 7.

Rule	Distance
Signal before a turn	100 feet
Park away from a fire hydrant or fire station driveway	15 feet
Park away from a crosswalk	20 feet (15 if the curb sticks out)
Park away from a sidewalk ramp for disabled persons	3 feet
Parallel park this close to the curb	18 inches
Enter a bike lane before a right turn	200 feet or less
Drive in the center left turn lane	200 feet at most
U-turn in a residential district: no car approaching within	200 feet
Passing a cyclist	3 feet of space
Stop for a train this far from the nearest track	15 feet
Following a fire engine or ambulance with lights or siren on	Not within 300 feet
Dim your high beams for oncoming traffic, or a car you follow	500 feet, or 300 feet
Use headlights when you can't see this far	1,000 feet

Time and spacing

Following distance: the three-second rule
Look ahead at least 10 seconds
Signal at least 5 seconds before changing lanes on a freeway
Headlights on from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise

Handbook Sections 5 and 8.

Alcohol, insurance and collisions

Handbook Sections 9 and 10.

Rule	Number
Illegal blood alcohol, 21 or older	0.08% or more
Illegal blood alcohol, under 21	0.01% or more
Illegal blood alcohol, commercial vehicle or passengers for hire	0.04% or more
Minimum insurance: one person hurt or killed	$30,000
Minimum insurance: more than one person hurt or killed	$60,000
Minimum insurance: property damage	$15,000
Report a crash to DMV (SR 1) if damage tops $1,000 or anyone is hurt	Within 10 days

Rules for teen drivers

Permit at 15½, with driver education
Practice only with a parent or guardian, a licensed driver 25 or older, or a driving instructor
Hold the permit 6 months and log 50 hours, 10 at night, before the drive test
First 12 months of a license: no driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and no passengers under 20 without a parent, guardian, licensed driver 25 or older or instructor
No phone use while driving under 18, hands-free included, except to call for emergency help

DMV fact sheet FFDL 19 (revised July 2019) and the Learner's Permits page.

California DMV permit test flashcards →

Sources: California Driver's Handbook, Section 5 · California Driver's Handbook, Section 6 · California Driver's Handbook, Section 7 and 6 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

Overview Practice test Where to learn Flashcards How many questions DMV appointment Cost Online permit test Driving test Road signs Driver's handbook In Spanish CDL

California DMV permit test cheat sheet: the numbers to know