California DMV · Class C · Based on the 2025 California Driver’s Handbook
California DMV Weather & Night Driving Practice Test (2026)
Road-condition questions test how much to slow down and which lights to use in rain, fog, snow, ice, and darkness. The numbers to know: slow 5 to 10 mph on a wet road, cut speed in half on packed snow, go no more than 5 mph on ice, and never exceed 30 mph if you cannot see farther than 100 feet.
Free practice questions
1How much should you reduce your speed on a wet road?
- A 5-10
- B 10-15
- C 15-20
- D 20-25
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A — Correct. Per the handbook, on a wet road, reduce your speed by 5 to 10 mph ("Wet road: Reduce your speed by 5 to 10 mph").
Why the other options are wrong
- B Incorrect. The handbook's rule for wet roads is to slow down by 5 to 10 mph; on packed snow, reduce your speed by half, and on ice, drive no faster than 5 mph.
- C Incorrect. 15-20 is not a handbook figure; slow down 5-10 mph on wet roads, by half on packed snow, and to no more than 5 mph on ice.
- D Incorrect. 20-25 is not a handbook figure; slow down 5-10 mph on wet roads, by half on packed snow, and to no more than 5 mph on ice.
Handbook: §8 Slippery roads
2When driving at night on a dimly lit street, you should:
- A Drive slowly enough so that you can come to a stop within the distance illuminated by your headlights
- B Turn on your high beams to see vehicles ahead clearly
- C Turn on your dashboard lights and keep them at maximum brightness so other drivers can see you
- D Follow closely behind the vehicle ahead, using its taillights to guide your direction
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A — Correct. The handbook says at night you must be able to stop within the distance lit by your headlights.
Why the other options are wrong
- B Incorrect. Using high beams with vehicles ahead will blind those drivers. The handbook requires low beams within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following and within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.
- C Incorrect. Dashboard lights only light the inside of your car, not help others see you, and bright interior light makes it harder for your eyes to see into the dark outside.
- D Incorrect. Following closely breaks the three-second following distance rule, and with poor visibility at night you are even more likely to rear-end the vehicle ahead.
Handbook: §8 Night driving
3When can you safely drive around a railroad crossing gate?
- A Under no circumstances
- B When you can see clearly in both directions
- C When the crossing gate is malfunctioning
- D When you do not see a train or hear a train horn
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A — Correct. The handbook says never to go under or around railroad crossing gates that are lowering or lowered (do not go around lowered gates).
Why the other options are wrong
- B Incorrect. Even if both directions look clear, do not go around the gates. The handbook says to expect a train on any track at any time.
- C Incorrect. If the gates are down but you see no train, the handbook says to call the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing or 911, not to drive around.
- D Incorrect. Not seeing a train or hearing a horn does not mean it is safe. Wait until the gates go up and the red lights stop flashing before crossing.
Handbook: §7 Railroad or light rail crossings
Practice all 98 Weather, night & conditions 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
- Wet road: reduce speed by 5 to 10 mph. Packed snow: reduce speed by half. Ice: no more than 5 mph. §8
- If you cannot see farther than 100 feet in heavy rain or snow, it is not safe to drive faster than 30 mph. §8
- Use headlights from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, when you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead, and whenever you need wipers for fog, rain, or snow (low beams). Driving with only parking lights is illegal. §5
- Dim high beams to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following. §5
- In fog or heavy smoke, use low beams (high beams reflect back), never only parking or fog lights, increase following distance, and make sure you can stop within the space you can see. §8
- Roads are very slippery when it first starts to rain, especially after a dry spell, because oil and dust have not washed away. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded spots freeze first. §8
- If your car starts to hydroplane, slow down gradually and do not use the brakes. §8
- If oncoming headlights are too bright, do not look into them — look toward the right edge of your lane. In high winds, slow down, grip the wheel firmly, and do not use cruise control. §8
Common traps on the test
- Using high beams in fog to see better — high beams reflect back and cause glare; use low beams.
- Thinking the road is most slippery after it has rained for hours — it is very slippery when rain first begins.
- Braking hard when hydroplaning — slow down gradually and do not use the brakes.
FAQ
When must you turn on your headlights in California?
From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise, when you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead, in adverse weather when you use your wipers, on mountain roads and in tunnels, and when a sign says so.
How much should you slow down on a wet road?
Reduce your speed by 5 to 10 mph on a wet road. On packed snow, cut your speed in half, and on ice drive no faster than 5 mph.