California permit test: seat belts & equipment

Seat belts, child restraints, air bags, mirrors and required equipment. 5 questions.

Question 1 of 5
Seat belts & equipmentCalifornia rule

You are driving, and your 15-year-old passenger is not wearing a seat belt. The passenger's parent is not in the car. Who can be ticketed?

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Sample seat belts & equipment questions

  1. You are driving, and your 15-year-old passenger is not wearing a seat belt. The passenger's parent is not in the car. Who can be ticketed?

    • A No one
    • B Only the passenger
    • C You, the driver
    • D Only the parent
    Show answer

    C. You, the driver

    Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts. If a passenger is under 16 and not buckled, the driver can get a ticket.

    Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), page 71

  2. A child is under 2 years old, under 40 pounds and under 3 feet 4 inches tall. How must they ride?

    • A On an adult's lap in the back
    • B In a booster seat with a lap belt
    • C In a forward-facing child seat
    • D In a rear-facing child seat
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    D. In a rear-facing child seat

    Children under 2, under 40 pounds and under 3 feet 4 inches must ride in a rear-facing child restraint. A rear-facing seat may not go in the front seat of a car with an airbag.

    Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), page 72

  3. A 7-year-old who is 4 feet 2 inches tall rides in your car. What does California law require?

    • A A booster in the front seat
    • B A seat belt in any seat
    • C A child restraint system in a rear seat
    • D No special restraint
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    C. A child restraint system in a rear seat

    California law requires a child under 8 to ride in a child passenger restraint system in a rear seat. Only a child under 8 who is already 4 feet 9 inches or taller may use a safety belt instead. This child is both under 8 and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, and adult belts fit properly only on bigger children.

    Source: California Department of Motor Vehicles website

  4. How far should you sit from the steering-wheel airbag?

    • A At least 2 feet
    • B At least 18 inches
    • C At least 5 inches
    • D At least 10 inches
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    D. At least 10 inches

    Sit at least 10 inches from the airbag cover, measured from the center of the wheel to your breastbone. Airbags deploy with great force.

    Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), page 73