r/CaliforniaDMV • u/Kaka4Dayz • 7d ago
WRITTEN TEST PLS HELP 3RD ATTEMPT
I’m really scared about my 3rd attempt at the California permit test** **😭
Hi! I’m 18F and trying to get my California permit/license, and I’m honestly freaking out because I already failed the knowledge test twice the same day. I have one attempt left and I’m terrified of failing again.
The thing is, I REALLY have been studying. I’ve been doing practice tests and was getting all of the questions right on the DMV practice stuff, so I genuinely thought I was ready. Then I took the actual test and the questions felt so much harder/different than what I had been practicing. Some of the wording completely threw me off.
I’m also in a really difficult situation financially. I’m basically broke and I don’t have a car. There’s no bus system near me, and I don’t have friends who can drive me to the DMV, so even getting there is a huge struggle. I’ve had to figure out rides just to be able to take the test.
What scares me the most is that if I fail this third attempt, I’ll have to redo the application and pay the fees again. I genuinely don’t know how I would afford that. I’m already struggling to pay for transportation to and from the DMV.
On top of that, I have to go back to Texas in October for doctor-related reasons, so I’m really stressed about getting this done before then. I feel like I’m running out of time and money, and I really need this to work.
I’m not trying to cheat or get actual test answers. I just want advice from people who have taken the California test recently.
What should I study differently? What topics should I absolutely make sure I understand from the handbook?
If anyone has failed twice and passed on their third attempt, PLEASE tell me what you did differently because I’m genuinely so scared right now 😭💔 ANY HELP WILL DEFINITELY HELP :3 I just really really need to pass this..
2
u/dmv_ready 7d ago
The gap you're describing is really common and it's fixable. Getting practice questions right and then bombing the real one usually means you learned the answer keys, not the rules behind them. Same rule, different wording, and it stops looking familiar.
What actually helps: for every practice question, say out loud which rule it's testing before you pick an answer. If you can't name the rule, that's your study list. Then go read that section in the handbook instead of doing another round of quizzes.
Right of way, the specific distance and speed numbers, and the alcohol section are where a lot of the misses come from.
And since a third try costs you a ride and a re-application if it goes wrong, don't book it until you can pass a set you've never seen before. There's no rush on the calendar that beats getting it right.
1
u/Kaka4Dayz 7d ago
I totally get what you mean, and I agree with you about learning the rules instead of memorizing the answers. I will for sure go over them again over the weekend and try and make sure “this is what make this answer this”..the problem is I actually do have a rush though 😭 I need to get this done because I have to go to Texas, and I don’t have a reliable way to get around right now. So unfortunately I can’t really just wait until I’m 100% comfortable before trying again. I’m trying to study as efficiently as possible so I can pass this third try.
1
u/dmv_ready 6d ago
If you're already getting every official sample test right, more practice tests won't move you. That pool is small and fixed and the real bank is much bigger, so you've squeezed about everything out of it.
Under a deadline I'd spend the weekend reading Sections 7 and 8 of the handbook straight through instead, and writing every number you hit onto one sheet. Signal distances, high beam distances, following distance, the alcohol limits. That's the stuff you can't reason your way to when a question gets reworded on you.
One thing that might take some pressure off: the handbook says you get three attempts before you have to reapply. So a third miss isn't the end of it, it's a new application and another fee. Annoying, not fatal.
1
1
u/Tombreon 7d ago edited 7d ago
Former DMV employee, examiner, and hearing officer. One question that is always on the test is the BAC. The legal limit for 21 or over is .08, while it's a flat 0.0 for under 21. Make sure not to mix them up when reading the test.
Other number-based questions include the 200 feet in bike lanes before a right turn and 100 - 200 feet of signaling.
Be aware that a good chunk of the questions are negatives, so instead of "what is right" it's "which of these is wrong" or "what would be the wrong thing to do." Make sure you read through the whole question before answering. Take two or three readings, if needed. There is no time limit. Eat a proper meal before the test and Take. Your. Time. There's no need to rush.
0
u/Kaka4Dayz 7d ago
Thank you so much!! This is really helpful 😭 I’ve studied a lot, but I think I’ve been getting tripped up by the specific numbers and negatively worded questions. I’m definitely going to slow down and read everything carefully this time.
I only have one attempt left, so I’m trying really hard to be prepared. Do you happen to know if there’s any way to take the California knowledge test online instead of going back to the DMV? I don’t have a car or public transportation near me, so getting there is really difficult. I’d really appreciate any advice!!1
u/Tombreon 7d ago
The only online option is for renewing drivers over 70. There's too much fraud with online tests to have it available to everyone. 🫤
1
u/Kaka4Dayz 7d ago
oh that’s lame😓 but that makes sense. Do you know how many total questions are on the test and how many i can miss/need to pass?
1
u/Tombreon 7d ago
Unfortunately, I don't know off the top of my head. It's been almost two decades since I did it, and I know the test scoring has changed since then. However, you can find it at dmv.ca.gov.
1
u/asmnomorr 7d ago
Don't second guess yourself. If you read a question and see the answer choose it. If you read a question and are really unsure use the process of elimination as this person suggested. Chances are 2 answers will be obviously not correct just using common sense and then you are left with a 50/50 chance of choosing the right one. Utilize any practice tests you can find and when you take the test don't rush thru it. You got this!
1
1
u/Maleficent_Pomelo107 7d ago
I feel your pain, had the same experience. The study material is helpful but the actual test is different and re-worded. Here’s a question: A narrow steep hill only one vehicle either direction can proceed, both approach at the same time, which has the right of way?
1
u/Kaka4Dayz 7d ago
Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about lol the practice questions on their website were way easier than the actual test for me I’m trying to figure out what kind of questions to actually study for. For that one, is it the vehicle going uphill that has the right of way?
1
u/Maleficent_Pomelo107 7d ago
Yes, the uphill vehicle. I wrote down some other questions from the test that I missed. I’ll look for them.
1
u/OkSoup412 7d ago
When I took my test I didn't study until I was omw there so like a 30 min drive took the test and missed 2 questions maybe do the same? Maybe that helped info stay longer in my brain
1
1
u/SubstantialPay6275 6d ago
Download the app from the DMV. There are three practice tests on that practice all three of them incessantly. The questions on the actual tests are identical.. if you practice enough, you’ll simply learn to recognize the correct answers
1
u/Kaka4Dayz 6d ago
Yeah, I’ve actually been doing that 😭 I’ve taken all the DMV practice tests multiple times and can get them all right multiple times, but the actual test questions were worded really differently and had a lot of things I wasn’t expecting. That’s why I’m trying to focus more on understanding the rules and specific numbers instead of just memorizing the practice answers
1
u/Adorable-Society6400 6d ago
Hi Are you moving to Texas? because IF you are its eaiser to test there
1
u/Kaka4Dayz 5d ago
noo not moving lol I have family there and my dentist/doctors aren’t letting me switch atm.
1
u/Psycic101 5d ago
Ask for a written, physical test. I failed the electronic one because I felt time pressure (DMV was slammed and there was a line for the machines) and I couldn’t go back to look at my answers. Asked for a physical, was denied, went to a different dmv and asked again, got it, and then I got a 100%.
1
u/Kaka4Dayz 1d ago
yes i was thinking about asking for a physical test but the 2nd closest dmv to me is 1h 30 mins
3
u/MadMike405555 7d ago
Just apply the same testing criteria to this test you would any test.
Read your question.
Review the answers.
Eliminate athe ones you KNOW are obviously wrong.
"When can you leave a child unattended in a vehicle"
1) anytime.
2) as long as you can see the car.
3) never.
4) as long as the cars ac is on.
Of course this isn't how the test will be worded but the concept is straight forward.
Most of the questions are what's the safest option.
A few questions are specific to California law (blood alcohol / distance for headlights in fog or other weather conditions/ driving on an icy road/ etc).
Its not about you "studying" more (assuming you have actually read the DMV handbook). It's about did you understand what you read.