How to ace your written California driver’s test on the first try

Before you can take the behind-the-wheel test in California, you must first conquer the written driving test. The test consists of 46 questions — 38 of which you must answer correctly to pass. While you can always retake the test if you fail the first time, you have only three chances to pass within 12 months of paying the $39 fee before having to start the application process all over again. To save time and money, here are some ways to prepare for the test beforehand.

Take the free practice tests

Practice tests are a great way to simulate what the actual test looks like. The more you familiarize yourself with the format, wording and the types of questions, the more likely you are to pass the test. You can find them for free on the California DMV website (bit.ly/3Pb5tBC) and take them for different classes of driver’s licenses, such as for motorcycles or buses.

Read the handbook

Although it may seem daunting, reading through the California Driver Handbook is a good way to ensure you’re covering all your bases. The DMV recommends giving yourself a few days to get through it. You can pick up a free copy of the handbook at any DMV office (find your nearest location at www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/locations) or view it for free on the DMV website.

Highlight and make note of important numbers, laws and signs you come across. Then while you study, you can reference your notes instead of scanning through the whole book again. You can also turn your notes into flashcards.

Henry Roediger, a professor of brain sciences and author of “Make it Stick,” said flashcards are an effective way to retain information.

“The information is all there,” he said. “Flashcards would really help you go through the book.”

All the test questions are taken from the handbook. If you end up missing a question, a field office employee can tell you which page the correct answer is on, according to a statement provided by the DMV.

Reading the handbook, in addition to doing the practice tests, ensures you don’t miss the topics of any potential questions.

Review driver’s ed

For those under 17 and a half, you’re required to complete a DMV-approved driver’s ed course to earn your permit. Driver’s education must be 25 hours of classroom instruction, home study or an online training program equivalent to the classroom instruction requirements. The courses can be found online, certifying that the curriculum has been pre-approved by the DMV.

Request a paper test

Since the computerized written test alerts applicants as soon as they get a question wrong, it can be anxiety-inducing.

Henning Mortensen, owner of Bond Driving School in Sacramento, tells his students who fail the first time to request a paper test on their second try so that the computer doesn’t alert them every time they get an answer wrong.

“I see students accomplishing more times on the second try because they feel less excited when they’re taking the test,” Mortensen said.

Don’t be nervous

The DMV wants you to pass, the department’s website states. Read through the test questions carefully. There will be one correct answer and the other two answer choices will be either obviously wrong or not appropriate for the question asked.

“Don’t overthink it; there are no ‘trick questions,’” the DMV states.

This story was originally published July 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "How to ace your written California driver’s test on the first try."