The possibilities are nearly unlimited: Drive to Disneyland or Napa Valley. Take in the sights from the Tioga Pass Road or the Death Valley Scenic Byway. And, of course, commute to work anywhere in the state by car. These are just a few of the things you’ll be able to do once you get a California driver’s license.
What’s standing in your way? Three official tests, for one thing. One of the most important requirements for a driver’s license is to pass a vision test, a knowledge test, and a behind-the-wheel drive test. Passing the knowledge test demonstrates an adequate grasp of driving theory. The number of questions on your knowledge test will depend on your age. If you’re under 18, the test will have 46 questions, and you must answer at least 38 of them correctly. If you’re at least 18 years old, the test will have 36 questions, and you must answer at least 30 of them correctly. All knowledge test questions are based on the official driver’s manual (California DMV Driver's Handbook 2026: Interactive Manual w/Audio).
If you fail the knowledge test, you may take it again, but you’ll have to wait a full week if you’re under 18. If you fail the knowledge test three times in a row, you’ll have to restart the application process. Unfortunately, failure happens all too often. In 2020 – 2023, 55.3% of applicants – more than half – failed the knowledge test on their first try.