On the California driving test, defensive driving questions are part of the 46-question exam. California requires a score of 83% (38 correct answers) to pass.
Defensive driving means anticipating potential hazards and making safe, informed decisions on the road. It’s about being prepared for the unexpected actions of other drivers, pedestrians, and road conditions.
Key defensive driving techniques include maintaining a safe following distance (the 3-second rule), scanning the road ahead, checking mirrors regularly, and always having an escape route. At highway speeds, increase your following distance to 4 or more seconds.
This category also covers how to handle aggressive drivers, avoid road rage situations, and make safe lane changes. The DMV test will challenge your understanding of space management and hazard anticipation.