California DMV Cheat Sheet
Every number, color, and rule the written test loves to ask — on one page. Skim it, then take a practice test to lock it in.
Alcohol & DUI limits
- Legal BAC, age 21+
- 0.08%
- Commercial drivers
- 0.04%
- Under 21 (zero tolerance)
- 0.01%
- Refusing a chemical test
- Automatic license suspension (implied consent)
- Open container
- Illegal anywhere in the passenger area
Curb colors
- White
- Quick stop to pick up / drop off passengers or mail
- Green
- Limited-time parking (time is posted)
- Yellow
- Loading zone — stop only long enough to load/unload
- Red
- No stopping, standing, or parking
- Blue
- Disabled parking — placard or plate required
Speed limits (unless posted)
- Residential / business district
- 25 mph
- Near a school (children present)
- 25 mph or less
- Blind / uncontrolled intersection
- 15 mph
- Alley
- 15 mph
- Within 100 ft of a railroad crossing (no clear view)
- 15 mph
- Most freeways (maximum)
- 65 mph (70 where posted)
Signaling & distances
- Signal before a turn
- Continuously for the last 100 ft
- Signal before a freeway lane change
- At least 5 seconds
- Dim high beams — oncoming car
- Within 500 ft
- Dim high beams — following a car
- Within 300 ft
- Following distance
- 3-second rule (more in rain/fog/night)
- Gap needed to merge / change lanes
- At least 4 seconds
Right-of-way
- Pedestrian in a crosswalk (marked or not)
- Always yield
- 4-way stop / tie
- First to arrive goes; if tied, yield to the driver on your right
- Roundabout
- Yield to traffic already in the circle
- Emergency vehicle (lights/siren)
- Pull to the right and stop
- T-intersection
- The through road has the right-of-way
Parking on hills (turn your wheels…)
- Downhill (curb or no curb)
- Wheels toward the curb / edge
- Uphill WITH a curb
- Wheels away from the curb
- Uphill or downhill, NO curb
- Wheels toward the edge of the road
- Always
- Set the parking brake
Lights, stops & crossings
- Solid red arrow
- No turn — even after stopping
- Flashing red light
- Treat as a stop sign
- Flashing yellow light
- Slow down, proceed with caution
- School bus red flashing lights
- Stop (both directions, unless divided by a barrier)
- Railroad gates / flashing lights
- Stop at least 15 ft back
Reports, points & fines
- Report a crash to DMV (SR-1)
- Within 10 days if injury, death, or over $1,000 damage
- Sold or transferred your vehicle
- Notify DMV within 5 days
- License suspension (negligent operator)
- 4 points in 12 mo, 6 in 24, or 8 in 36
- How long convictions stay on record
- ~3 years (DUI ~10 years)
Seat belts, kids & phones
- Car seat / booster
- Under 8 years OR under 4 ft 9 in — ride in the back
- Rear-facing seat
- Under 2 (unless 40+ lb or 40+ in)
- Cell phone while driving
- Hands-free only; no holding or texting
- Drivers under 18
- No phone use at all — except a true emergency
Tip: press Ctrl/Cmd + P to print or save this cheat sheet as a PDF.
Now test yourself
Reading is step one. Take a few free practice tests so these facts stick.
Cheat Sheet — FAQ
How many questions are on the California DMV written test?▾
The California DMV knowledge test has 46 multiple-choice questions, and you need 38 correct (about 83%) to pass. If you are 18 or older, some versions have 36 questions with 30 to pass.
Can I bring this cheat sheet into the DMV?▾
No — notes are not allowed in the exam room. Use this cheat sheet to study beforehand, then take a few full practice tests so the facts are second nature.
Is this cheat sheet up to date for 2026?▾
Yes. It reflects current California rules of the road for 2026. Always confirm anything safety-critical against the official California Driver Handbook.