California permit test: distracted & drowsy driving
Phone and texting laws, other distractions and fatigue. 4 questions.
You are 17 and hold a California provisional license. Under the law for drivers under 18, when may you use a cell phone while driving, even a hands-free one?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample distracted & drowsy driving questions
You are 17 and hold a California provisional license. Under the law for drivers under 18, when may you use a cell phone while driving, even a hands-free one?
- A When using a hands-free headset for calls
- B When stopped at a red light
- C Only to call for emergency help
- D Whenever the phone is mounted on the dash
Show answer
C. Only to call for emergency help
California bans drivers under 18 from using a cell phone or wireless device to make calls or text while driving, even hands-free. The only exception is calling for emergency help. New drivers need all their attention on the road.
An adult driver wants to use a phone for navigation. Which is allowed under California law?
- A Rest it in your lap and type the address while moving
- B Mount it so it hangs from the rearview mirror
- C Hold it in one hand and glance at the map
- D Mount it on the dash and use a single swipe or touch
Show answer
D. Mount it on the dash and use a single swipe or touch
Adults may use a phone only in hands-free mode. It must be mounted on the windshield, dashboard or center console without blocking your view, and you may operate it only with a single swipe or touch.
Which use of headphones or earplugs while driving is illegal in California?
- A Wearing them in both ears
- B Wearing them while parked off the road
- C Wearing one in only one ear
- D Using the car's speakers for a call
Show answer
A. Wearing them in both ears
It is illegal to wear a headset or earplugs in both ears while driving. You need to hear horns, sirens, motorcycles and screeching tires that warn you of danger.
Which kind of video screen may legally be visible to the driver while the car is moving?
- A A music video
- B A video call
- C A navigation map
- D A streaming movie
Show answer
C. A navigation map
You may not drive with a video monitor visible to the driver unless it only shows vehicle information, a navigation system, a media player or the radio. Moving pictures pull your eyes off the road.