California

About the CA DMV Knowledge Test

The California DMV Knowledge Test is a written exam that all first-time drivers must pass to obtain a learner's permit. Here's what you need to know:

  • Number of Questions: 46 multiple-choice questions (for applicants under 18); 36 for adults.
  • Passing Score: You must get at least 38 correct (under 18) or 30 correct (18+).
  • Test Duration: No official time limit, but most complete it in 20–30 minutes.
  • Language Options: Available in English, Spanish, and over 30 additional languages.
  • Eligibility: Minimum age is 15½ with completion of Driver's Ed.
  • Retake Policy: You may retake the test up to 3 times within 12 months.
  • Topics Covered: Road signs, traffic laws, safe driving practices, and legal obligations.
  • Test Locations: Administered at DMV field offices or online for eligible applicants.

Bring proof of identity, residency, and any required certificates. For full guidelines, visit the California DMV website.

Take Mini Test Full Practice Test

What Your California Driver License Looks Like

After passing your knowledge test, vision screening, and meeting all California Department of Motor Vehicles requirements, you’ll be issued a secure, federally compliant California driver license that looks like this:

Sample California Driver License

This image is for educational and illustrative purposes only. It does not contain real personal data. Photo by: CA DMV

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll need to present proof of identity, Social Security Number, California residency, and legal presence. A completed Driver License or Identification Card Application (DL 44) is also required.

Yes. Eligible applicants between ages 15½ and 17½ can take the permit test online as part of a DMV-approved driver education program.

Study the California Driver Handbook and take practice tests at DriveCar.Org to reinforce topics like signs, signals, and safe driving practices.

The test includes 46 questions for teens under 18. You must answer at least 38 questions correctly (83%) to pass.

Yes. You’re allowed up to 3 attempts to pass the knowledge test. If you fail all 3, you’ll need to submit a new application and pay the fee again.
Download CA Driver Handbook Quick Study Guide

California DMV Office Locations

Location Place Name Zip Code Address
1 Alturas 96101 903 West C Street
Alturas, CA 96101
2 Arleta 91331 14400 Van Nuys Blvd.
Arleta, CA 91331
3 Arvin 93203 317 Campus Drive
Arvin, CA 93203
4 Auburn 95603 11722 Enterprise Drive
Auburn, CA 95603
5 Bakersfield 93301 3120 F Street
Bakersfield, CA 93301
6 Bakersfield IBC/DSO 93313 5800 District Blvd.
Bakersfield, CA 93313
7 Bakersfield Southwest 93313 7000 Schirra Court
Bakersfield, CA 93313
8 Banning 92220 1034 West Ramsey St.
Suite B
Banning, CA 92220
9 Barstow 92311 528 East Virginia Way
Barstow, CA 92311
10 Bell Gardens 90201 6801 South Garfield Ave.
Bell Gardens, CA 90201
11 Bellflower 90706 9520 East Artesia Blvd.
Bellflower, CA 90706
12 Bishop 93514 1115 West Line Street
Bishop, CA 93514
13 Blythe 92225 430B South Broadway
Blythe, CA 92225
14 Brawley 92227 1175 East Main Street
Brawley, CA 92227
15 Brisbane INV 94005 5 Thomas Melon Circle
Suite 168
San Francisco, CA*
16 Capitola 95010 4200 Capitola Road
Capitola, CA 95010
17 Carmichael 95608 5209 North Avenue
Carmichael, CA 95608
18 Catalina Travel Run 90704 410 Avalon Canyon Road
Avalon, CA 90704
19 Chico 95926 107 Parmac Rd
Suite 1
Chico, CA 95926
20 Chula Vista 91010 30 North Glover Avenue
Chula Vista, CA 91910
21 City of Commerce DSO 90040 5801 E. Slauson Ave.
2nd Floor, Suite 250
Commerc*
22 Clearlake Travel Run 95453 Burns Valley Mall
14844 Olympic Drive
Clearlake, *
23 Clovis 93612 2103 Shaw Avenue
Clovis, CA 93612
24 Coalinga 93210 406 East Elm Street
Coalinga, CA 93210
25 Colusa 95932 1025 Bridge Street
Colusa, CA 95932
26 Compton 90221 2111 South Santa Fe Ave.
Compton, CA 90221
27 Concord 94520 2070 Diamond Blvd.
Concord, CA 94520
28 Corte Madera 94925 75 Tamal Vista Blvd.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
29 Costa Mesa 92627 650 West 19th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
30 Crescent City 95531 1475 Parkway Drive
Crescent City, CA 95531
31 Culver City 90066 11400 West Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90066
32 Daly City 94015 1500 Sullivan Avenue
Daly City, CA 94015
33 Davis 95616 505 Pole Line Road
Davis, CA 95618
34 Delano 93215 631 Jefferson Street
Delano, CA 93215
35 El Cajon 92021 1450 Graves Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92021
36 El Centro 92243 233 North Imperial Ave.
El Centro, CA 92243
37 El Cerrito 94530 6400 Manila Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
38 El Monte 91731 4000 Arden Drive
El Monte, CA 91731
39 El Monte INV 91731 3204 Rosemead Blvd.
Suite 204, 202
El Monte, CA 9*
40 El Segundo DSO 90245 390 North Sepulveda Blvd.
Suite 2075, 2085
El Seg*
41 Fairfield 94533 160 Serrano Drive
Fairfield, CA 94533
42 Fairfield IBC/OL 94534 4630 Westamerica Drive
Fairlfied, CA 94534
43 Fall River Mills 96028 43467 Highway 299 East
Fall River Mills, CA 96028
44 Folsom 95630 323 East Bidwell
Suite A
Folsom, CA 95630
45 Fontana Hemlock 92336 8026 Hemlock Ave
Fontana, CA 92336
46 Fontana DLPC 92335 16499 Merrill Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
47 Fontana CDTC 92335 10207 Poplar Ave
Fontana, CA 92335
48 Fort Bragg 95437 410 South Franklin St.
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
49 Fremont 94536 4287 Central Avenue
Fremont, CA 94536
50 Fresno 93728 655 West Olive Ave.
Fresno, CA 93728
51 Fresno CDTC 93725 735 East North Street
Fresno, CA 93725
52 Fresno DSO/INV/OL 93706 2510 S. East Avenue
Suite 310/100B/100A
Fresno, C*
53 Fresno North 93710 6420 North Blackstone Ave.
Fresno, CA 93710
54 Fullerton 92632 909 West Valencia Drive
Fullerton, CA 92832
55 Garberville 95560 1180 Evergreen Road
Redway, CA 95560
56 Gardena CDTC 90248 14825 S. Avalon Blvd.
Gardena, CA 90248
57 Gilroy 95020 6984 Automall Parkway
Gilroy, CA 95020
58 Glendale 91201 1335 West Glenoaks Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91201
59 Goleta 93117 7127 Hollister Ave.
Suite 24/26
Goleta, CA 93117
60 Grass Valley 95945 890 Sutton Way
Grass Valley, CA 95945
61 Hanford 93230 701 W. Hanford Armona Rd.
Hanford, CA 93230
62 Hawthorne 90250 3700 W. El Segundo Blvd.
Hawthorne, CA 90250
63 Hayward 94544 150 Jackson Street
Hayward, CA 94544
64 Hemet 92543 1200 South State St.
Hemet, CA 92543
65 Hollister 95023 80 North Sally St.
Hollister, CA 95023
66 Hollywood & Cole (DL) 90038 803 Cole Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90038
67 Indio 92201 44-480 Jackson St.
Indio, CA 92201
68 Inglewood 90302 621 North La Brea Ave.
Inglewood, CA 90302
69 Jackson 95642 201 Clinton Road
Suite 205
Jackson, CA 95642
70 King City 93930 101 East San Antonio
King City, CA 93930
71 Laguna Hills 92653 23535 Moulton Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
72 Lake Isabella 93240 5520 Lake Isabella Blvd.
PO Box 469
Lake Isabella*
73 Lakeport 95453 965 Parallel Drive
Lakeport, CA 95453
74 Lancaster 93534 721 West Avenue L6
Lancaster, CA 93534
75 Lincoln Park 90031 3529 North Mission Road
Los Angeles, CA 90031
76 Lodi 95240 1222 Pixley Parkway
Lodi, CA 95240
77 Lompoc 93436 1601 N. H Street
Lompoc, CA 93436
78 Long Beach 90815 3700 East Willow Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
79 Los Angeles 90007 3615 South Hope St.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
80 Los Angeles Metro IBC/DSO/OL 91724 1365 North Grand Ave.
Suites 100-102
Covina, CA 9*
81 Los Banos 93635 814 West L St.
Los Banos, CA 93635
82 Los Gatos 95030 600 North Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
83 Madera 93637 1206 Maple St.
Madera, CA 93637
84 Manteca 95336 955 Davis St.
Manteca, CA 95337
85 Mariposa 95338 5264 Highway 49 North
PO Box
Mariposa, CA 95338
86 Mendota Travel Run 93640 655 Quince St
Mendota, CA 93640
87 Merced 95340 1313 West 12th St.
Merced, CA 95341
88 Milpitas INV 95035 860 Hillview Ct, Ste 100
Milpitas, CA 95035
89 Mission Hills INV 91345 15455 San Fernando Mission Blvd.
Suite 305
Missio*
90 Modesto 95354 124 Burney Street
Modesto, CA 95354
91 Modesto INV 95350 2005 Evergreen Ave.
Suite 500
Modesto, CA 95350
92 Montebello 90640 424 North Wilcox Ave.
Montebello, CA 90640
93 Mount Shasta 96067 154 Morgan Way
Mount Shasta, CA 96067
94 Mountain View IBC/CDL/DSO 94040 595 Showers Drive
Mountain View, CA 94040
95 Napa 94558 2550 Napa Valley
Corporate Drive
Napa, CA 94558
96 Needles 92363 1040 East Broadway
Needles, CA 92363
97 Newhall 91321 24427 Newhall Ave
Newhall, CA 91321
98 Norco 91760 3201 Horseless Carriage Rd
Norco, CA 92860
99 Novato 94947 936 7th St.
Suite A
Novato, CA 94945
100 Oakland 94618 5300 Claremont Ave.
Oakland, CA 94618
101 Oakland Coliseum 94621 501 85th Ave.
Oakland, CA 94621
102 Oakland DSO/INV 94621 7677 Oakport St.
Suite 220
Oakland, CA 94621
103 Oceanside 92056 4005 Plaza Drive
Oceanside, CA 92056
104 Orange DSO/OL 92868 790 The City Drive
Suite 410 & 420
Orange, CA 928*
105 Orange INV 92868 750 The City Drive
Suite 200
Orange, CA 92868
106 Oroville 95965 775 Mitchell Ave.
Oroville, CA 95965
107 Oxnard 93033 4050 South Saviers Rd.
Oxnard, CA 93033
108 Oxnard DSO 93036 2051 Solar Dr.
Suite 125
Oxnard, CA 93036
109 Palm Desert 92211 74-740 Technology Drive
Palm Desert, CA 92211
110 Palm Springs 92262 950 North Farrell Dr.
Palm Springs, CA 92262
111 Pasadena 91107 49 South Rosemead Blvd.
Pasadena, CA 91107
112 Paso Robles 93446 841 Park St.
Paso Robles, CA 93446
113 Petaluma 94954 715 Southpoint Blvd.
Suite J
Petaluma, CA 94954
114 Pittsburg 94565 1399 Buchanan Road
Pittsburg, CA 94565
115 Placentia IBC 92870 2390 North Rose Dr.
Placentia, CA 92870
116 Placerville 95667 2919 Cold Springs Rd.
Placerville, CA 95667
117 Pleasanton 94588 6300 West Las Positas Blvd.
Pleasanton, CA 94588
118 Pomona 91766 1600 South Garey Ave.
Pomona, CA 91766
119 Porterville 93257 329 East Olive Ave.
Porterville, CA 93257
120 Poway 92604 13461 Community Rd.
Poway, CA 92604
121 Quincy 95971 1953 E. Main St.
Suite 3
Quincy, CA 95971
122 Rancho Cucamonga 91730 8629 Hellman AVe
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
123 Rancho San Diego IBC/INV/CDL 92019 1530 Hilton Head Rd.
Suite 101
El Cajon, CA 92019
124 Red Bluff 96080 675 Monroe St.
Red Bluff, CA 96080
125 Redding 96001 2135 Civic Center Dr.
Suite 20
Redding, CA 96001
126 Redding DSO 96002 2650 Churn Creek Rd.
Redding, CA 96002
127 Redlands 92374 1659 West Lugonia Ave.
Redlands, CA 92374
128 Redwood City 94063 300 Brewster Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94063
129 Reedley 93654 558 East Dinuba Ave.
Reedley, CA 93654
130 Ridgecrest 93555 540 Perdew Ave.
Suite A
Ridgecrest, CA 93555
131 Riverside 92506 6280 Brockton Ave.
Riverside, CA 92506
132 Riverside East 92507 6425 Sycamore Canyon Blvd
Riverside, CA 92507
133 Riverside INV 92507 6296 River Crest Dr.
Suite A
Riverside, CA 92507
134 Rocklin 95677 5245 South Grove St.
Rocklin, CA 95677
135 Rocklin INV 95677 4240 Rocklin Rd.
Suite 12
Rocklin, CA 95677
136 Roseville 95678 7200 Galilee Rd
Roseville, CA 95678
137 Sacramento Broadway 95820 4700 Broadway
Sacramento, CA 95820
138 Sacramento IBC 95823 7226 Florin Mall Dr.
Sacramento, CA 95823
139 Sacramento La Mancha 95823 7775 La Mancha Way
Sacramento, CA 95823
140 Salinas 93906 250 East Laurel Drive
Salinas, CA 93906
141 San Andreas 95249 745 Mountain Ranch Rd
San Andreas, CA 95249
142 San Bernardino 92404 1310 North Waterman Ave.
San Bernardino, CA 92404
143 San Bernardino IBC/OL 92408 473 East Carnegie Drive
Suites 125 & 150
San Bern*
144 San Bernardino DSO 92405 1845 Business Center Dr.
Suite 210
San Bernardino*
145 San Clemente 92672 2727 Via Cascadita
San Clemente, CA 92672
146 San Diego Clairemont 92117 4375 Derrick Dr.
San Diego, CA 92117
147 San Diego DSO/OL 92108 1455 Frazee Rd
Suite 400 & 420
San Diego, CA 92108
148 San Diego INV 92108 2878 Camino Del Rio South
suite 310
San Diego, CA*
149 San Diego Normal 92103 3960 Normal St.
San Diego, CA 92103
150 San Francisco 94117 1377 Fell St.
San Francisco, CA 94117
151 San Jose 95110 111 West Alma Ave.
San Jose, CA 95110
152 San Jose DLPC 95112 2222 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112
153 San Jose DSO/OL 95119 90 Great Oaks Blvd.
San Jose, CA 95119
154 San Luis Obispo 93401 3190 South Higuera St.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
155 San Marcos Rancheros 92069 590 Rancheros Drive
San Marcos, CA 92069
156 San Mateo 94401 425 North Amphlett Blvd.
San Mateo, CA 94401
157 San Pedro 90731 1511 North Gaffey St.
San Pedro, CA 90731
158 San Ysidro 92154 6111 Business Center Court
San Diego, CA 92154
159 Santa Ana 92701 1330 East 1st St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
160 Santa Barbara 93101 535 Castillo St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
161 Santa Clara 95051 3665 Flora Vista Ave.
Santa Clara, CA 95051
162 Santa Maria 93454 523 South McClelland St.
Santa Maria, CA 93454
163 Santa Monica 90404 2235 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
164 Santa Paula 93060 250 W. Harvard Blvd.
Suite A
Santa Paula, CA 93060
165 Santa Rosa 95407 2570 Corby Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
166 Santa Teresa 95119 180 Martinvale Lane
San Jose, CA 95119
167 Seaside 93955 1180 Canyon Del Rey Blvd.
Seaside, CA 93955
168 Shafter 93263 548 Walker St.
Shafter, CA 93263
169 Simi Valley 93063 3855 Alamo St.
Suite D
Simi Valley, CA 93063
170 Sonora 95370 885 Morning Star Dr.
Sonora, CA 95370
171 South Lake Tahoe 96150 3344 South Lake Tahoe Blvd.
Suite B
South Lake Ta*
172 Spring Valley CDL 92019 1901 Jamacha Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92019
173 Stockton 95203 55 South Lincoln St.
Stockton, CA 95203
174 Stockton DSO 95202 710 North American St.
Stockton, CA 95202
175 Stockton INV 95207 1507 East March Lane
Stockton, CA 95207
176 Susanville 96130 2615 Main St.
Susanville, CA 96130
177 Taft 93268 165 Center St.
Taft, CA 93268
178 Temecula 92590 27851 Diaz Rd
Temecula, CA 92590
179 Thousand Oaks 91362 1810 Avenida De Los Arboles
Thousand Oaks, CA 913*
180 Torrance 90501 1785 West 220th St.
Torrance, CA 90501
181 Tracy 95304 2785 Auto Plaza Dr.
Tracy, CA 95304
182 Truckee 9616 11357 Donner Pass Rd.
PO Box 8785
Truckee, CA 961*
183 Tulare 93274 274 East Cross Ave.
Tulare, CA 93274
184 Tulelake 96134 399 Main St.
PO Box 399
Tulelake, CA 96134
185 Turlock 95382 825 E. Monte Vista Ave.
Turlock, CA 95382
186 Twentynine Palms 92277 3668 Adobe Road
PO Box 936
Twentynine Palms, CA 9*
187 Ukiah 95482 542 South Orchard Ave.
Ukiah, CA 95482
188 Vacaville 95687 621 Orange Dr.
Vacaville, CA 95687
189 Vallejo 94590 200 Couch St.
Vallejo, CA 94590
190 Van Nuys 91405 14920 Vanowen St
Van Nuys, CA 91405
191 Van Nuys DSO/INV/OL 91411 6150 Van Nuys Blvd
Van Nuys, CA 91401
192 Ventura 93003 4260 Market St.
Ventura, CA 93003
193 Ventura INV 93003 1732 Palma Dr.
Suite 202
Ventura, CA 93003
194 Victorville 92392 14855 Corta Dr.
Victorville, CA 92395
195 Visalia 93291 1711 East Main St.
Visalia, CA 93292
196 Walnut Creek 94596 1910 North Broadway
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
197 Watsonville 95076 90 Alta Vista Ave.
Watsonville, CA 95076
198 Weaverville 96093 1511 Main St.
PO Box 1220
Weaverville, CA 96093
199 West Covina 91790 800 South Glendora Ave.
West Covina, CA 91790
200 West Hollywood (VR) 90046 936 North Formosa
West Hollywood, CA 90046
201 West Sacramento CDTC 95691 2528 Evergreen Ave.
West Sacramento, CA 95691
202 Westminster 92683 13700 Hoover St.
Westminster, CA 92683
203 Whittier 90605 9338 South Painter Ave.
Whittier, CA 90605
204 Willows 95988 815 N. Humboldt Ave.
Willows, CA 95988
205 Winnetka 91306 20725 Sherman Way
Winnetka, CA 91306
206 Woodland 95695 825 East St.
Suite 306
Woodland, CA 95776
207 Yreka 96097 1848 Fort Jones Rd.
Yreka, CA 96097
208 Yuba City 95993 1570 Poole Blvd
Yuba City, CA 95993