California DMV · Class C · Based on the 2025 California Driver’s Handbook
California DMV Sharing the Road Practice Questions (2026)
These questions test how to drive safely around pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, trucks, buses, and emergency vehicles. Two rules come up most: give a bicyclist at least three feet when passing, and stop in either direction for a school bus with flashing red lights unless it is across a divided or multilane highway.
Free practice questions
1What should you do when driving through a construction zone?
- A Watch the workers carefully
- B Follow the vehicle ahead closely to clear the zone quickly
- C Drive faster to clear the area quickly
- D Do not become distracted
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D — Correct. The handbook's work zone checklist includes "Avoiding distractions"; keep your attention on signs, flaggers, and traffic.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. Staring at the workers is a distraction (rubbernecking); the handbook calls for "Avoiding distractions" in work zones.
- B Incorrect. The handbook calls for "Allowing extra space between vehicles" in work zones; following closely is the opposite.
- C Incorrect. Work zones often have temporary lower speed limits, and the handbook calls for "Slowing down"; speeding through is extremely dangerous.
Handbook: §7 Work zones & road workers
2There are 3 lanes in your direction of travel, and you are initially following a large truck in the middle lane. If you want to pass it, what is the correct method?
- A Move into the left lane, then pass.
- B Honk continuously to force the truck into another lane, then pass.
- C Move into the right lane, then speed up to pass.
- D Move into the left lane, slow down to drive alongside the truck, then look for a chance to pass.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A — Correct. Per the handbook, always pass a large vehicle on the left side, then move ahead of it after passing; don't stay alongside it.
Why the other options are wrong
- B Incorrect. The horn is only for avoiding collisions or warning others on blind mountain curves; it may not be used to force someone to change lanes.
- C Incorrect. Large vehicles have bigger blind spots on the right side; the handbook says to always pass a large vehicle on the left.
- D Incorrect. The handbook notes that driving alongside a large vehicle makes it hard for its driver to avoid hazards; don't stay beside it longer than necessary.
Handbook: §7 Large vehicles (maneuvering)
3How are drivers of slow-moving vehicles (such as farm tractors) required to drive?
- A Wave to signal other vehicles to go first if there is no danger
- B Hang an orange sign that reads "Slow Moving Vehicle"
- C Drive on the shoulder as much as possible
- D Obey all traffic regulations
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D — Correct. Every vehicle on the road, including farm vehicles and other slow-moving vehicles, must obey all traffic laws and right-of-way rules.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. Waving others on is not a legal requirement, and the handbook does not recommend using hand gestures to give up the right-of-way.
- B Incorrect. The handbook describes an orange-and-red triangle emblem on the back of the vehicle, not a sign that says "Slow Moving Vehicle," and that is a marking, not a driving requirement.
- C Incorrect. Per the handbook, you may not drive off the paved road; slow vehicles should use designated turnouts to let traffic behind them pass.
Handbook: §7 Slow-moving vehicles
Practice all 83 Sharing the road questions
The full bank has 1,000+ questions across 15 topics, each explained option by option and available in 8 languages beside the original English.
What you need to know
- When you cannot change lanes to pass a bicyclist, allow at least three feet; if you cannot give three feet, do not pass until you can. §7
- When a school bus flashes red lights, stop from either direction until children are across and the lights stop. You do not need to stop if the bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway. Failing to stop can mean a fine of up to $1,000 and a one-year suspension. §7
- At 55 mph an average passenger vehicle can stop within 300 feet, but a large vehicle can take up to 400 feet — never cut in front of a truck and slow down suddenly. §7
- Trucks have large blind spots (No Zones): if you cannot see the truck's side mirrors, the driver cannot see you. Pass large vehicles on the left and do not linger alongside them. §7
- Large vehicles often swing wide to turn, so watch their turn signals before passing — a truck may seem to turn one way while swinging the other way. §7
- Motorcyclists have the same rights as other drivers: keep a three-second following distance, never pass a motorcycle in your own lane, and know that lane splitting is legal. §7
- Do not follow within 300 feet of a fire engine, police vehicle, ambulance, or other emergency vehicle with its siren or flashing lights on; move over and slow down for stationary emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and road work vehicles with flashing lights. §7
- Never drive through a safety zone, and pass a bus, streetcar, or trolley stopped at a safety zone or light at no more than 10 mph. Never turn in front of an approaching light rail vehicle. §7
Common traps on the test
- Stopping for a school bus that is on the opposite side of a divided or multilane highway — the handbook says you do not need to stop there.
- Thinking you can squeeze past a bicyclist with less than three feet if you go slowly — wait until you can give three feet.
- Believing trucks are moving slower than they are — the handbook warns not to underestimate their size and speed.
FAQ
Do you have to stop for a school bus on a divided highway in California?
No, if the school bus is on the other side of a divided or multilane highway (two or more lanes in each direction). Otherwise you must stop from either direction while its red lights flash.
How much space must you give a bicyclist when passing?
At least three feet. If you cannot give three feet of clearance, wait to pass until you can.