On the California driving test, vehicle safety & equipment questions are part of the 46-question exam. California requires a score of 83% (38 correct answers) to pass.
Vehicle safety encompasses everything from seat belt usage to child restraint laws, airbag safety, required equipment, and basic vehicle maintenance checks. These topics are consistently tested on DMV exams across all states.
Seat belt laws vary by state, but wearing them is always the law for the driver. Your vehicle must also have functioning headlights, brake lights, turn signals, mirrors, and a horn. Windshield requirements include no obstructing cracks and functional wipers.
Before driving, you should check your mirrors, adjust your seat, and ensure all occupants are buckled. Understanding how airbags work, including the dangers they pose to children in the front seat, is also important.