Lesson 2 of 34 · California DMV Written Knowledge Test · Free

Sharpen Your Driving Observation Skills

Learn to look ahead, check mirrors, and spot hazards early to stay safe.

Sharpen Your Driving Observation Skills: practice questions and answers

These are the 15 quiz questions from this lesson for the California DMV Written Knowledge Test, with the correct answers and explanations. Try the quiz above first, then open a question to check yourself.

1

According to safety principles, what is the best way to handle the road ahead while driving?
  1. Focus solely on the lane markings.
  2. Look only at the vehicle directly in front of you.
  3. Scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. Scan the road at least 10 seconds ahead.

Defensive driving standards recommend you to maintain a "visual lead" of 10 to 15 seconds. Keeping your eyes in motion allows you to identify potential problems early and plan your response before they become emergencies.

2

While driving, you should look at least 10 seconds ahead:
  1. To keep your vehicle centered in the lane.
  2. Only when driving at high speeds on highways.
  3. To see potential hazards early. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. To see potential hazards early.

Looking 10 to 12 seconds ahead allows you to identify and prepare for hazards before they become emergencies.

3

Looking further down the road rather than a short distance ahead helps you:
  1. Reduce the need for using mirrors.
  2. Avoid watching nearby vehicles closely.
  3. Spot obstacles early and avoid sudden braking. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. Spot obstacles early and avoid sudden braking.

Looking further down the road gives you more time to identify hazards before reaching them, allowing smooth, controlled responses instead of sudden braking.

4

Blind spots are:
  1. Areas not visible in the vehicle's mirrors. ✓ Correct
  2. Areas located only behind the vehicle.
  3. Fully eliminated by adjusting mirrors correctly.

Correct answer: A. Areas not visible in the vehicle's mirrors.

These are areas around your car that mirrors cannot capture. While proper adjustment reduces their size, it rarely eliminates them entirely. A physical shoulder check remains essential before any lane change.

5

To check for vehicles in the lane you intend to move into:
  1. Check the rearview mirror and speed up.
  2. Check the side mirror and glance over your shoulder. ✓ Correct
  3. Change lanes slowly to give others time to react.

Correct answer: B. Check the side mirror and glance over your shoulder.

Checking the side mirror and looking over your shoulder together cover both the mirror's field of view and the blind spot, giving you a complete picture of the lane you intend to enter.

6

To check a blind spot correctly:
  1. Briefly turn your head without moving your body. ✓ Correct
  2. Turn your entire upper body toward the side window.
  3. Check only your side mirrors.

Correct answer: A. Briefly turn your head without moving your body.

Briefly turning your head in the intended direction covers the blind spot area that mirrors cannot capture, without compromising your view of the road ahead.

7

If you need to answer a phone call while driving, you should:
  1. Place it on your lap and look down when needed.
  2. Use hands-free mode only. ✓ Correct
  3. Use it freely in light traffic at low speed.

Correct answer: B. Use hands-free mode only.

Hands-free mode allows you to keep both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, making it the only acceptable way to take a call while driving.

8

What should you do if your cell phone rings and you do not have a hands-free device?
  1. Answer the call and keep the conversation short.
  2. Do not answer the phone and let it go to voicemail. ✓ Correct
  3. Answer the call if you are stopped at a red light.

Correct answer: B. Do not answer the phone and let it go to voicemail.

Without a hands-free device, letting the call go to voicemail is the only safe and legal option. You can pull over safely and return the call when stopped.

9

Drivers under 18 may use a cell phone while driving only if:
  1. Using hands-free mode.
  2. Stopped at a red light or in heavy traffic.
  3. Calling emergency services. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. Calling emergency services.

Using a cell phone is permitted only in genuine emergencies to contact law enforcement, fire, or medical personnel for immediate assistance.

10

It is illegal to drive if a video screen visible to the driver displays:
  1. A mapping or GPS navigation system.
  2. Television broadcasts or entertainment videos. ✓ Correct
  3. Real-time vehicle info like tire pressure or fuel levels.

Correct answer: B. Television broadcasts or entertainment videos.

Be aware that the law prohibits screens visible to the driver from displaying entertainment or business applications while driving. Exceptions are limited to vehicle information, navigation, and safety features such as backup cameras.

11

Before changing lanes, to check for vehicles in your blind spot, you should:
  1. Rely only on the left side mirror.
  2. Use only the inside rearview mirror.
  3. Glance over your shoulder. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. Glance over your shoulder.

Glancing over your shoulder in the direction of the intended move is the only way to check the blind spot area that mirrors cannot capture.

12

The safest way to use a cell phone while driving is:
  1. Keep it close by so you don't need to look away from the road.
  2. Use a hands-free device to keep both hands on the wheel. ✓ Correct
  3. Check the caller's number before picking up.

Correct answer: B. Use a hands-free device to keep both hands on the wheel.

Using a hands-free device keeps both hands on the wheel and eliminates the need to physically handle the phone, making it the safest option for calls while driving.

13

What is one of the most common causes of traffic collisions?
  1. Paying attention to your surroundings.
  2. Better traffic flow.
  3. Driver distractions. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. Driver distractions.

Driver distractions, such as using a cell phone or eating, take focus away from the road and are a leading factor in most vehicle collisions.

14

Which of the following is illegal while driving?
  1. Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers both ears. ✓ Correct
  2. Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers one ear.
  3. Using cruise control on residential streets is illegal.

Correct answer: A. Wearing a headset or ear plugs that covers both ears.

Wearing a headset or earplugs in both ears is illegal because it prevents you from hearing essential safety sounds like emergency sirens or car horns.

15

Why are motorcycles more likely to suddenly appear in your blind spot?
  1. They shift their position to avoid obstacles and are smaller in size. ✓ Correct
  2. They always travel slower than traffic.
  3. They are not allowed to use the full width of a lane.

Correct answer: A. They shift their position to avoid obstacles and are smaller in size.

Motorcyclists often need to shift their position suddenly to avoid obstacles. This movement, combined with their smaller size, makes them less visible—especially if they are moving faster than the surrounding traffic.

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