DMV Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield DMV facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. When a vehicle is registered, the registration is tied to: → The vehicle itself and its registered owner
2. A dealership's advertisement includes the phrase "FREE flat-screen TV with every car purchase!" This type of advertising is: → Prohibited, as it's a gift contingent on purchasing a vehicle
3. What should a driver do if the gas pedal becomes stuck while driving? → Shift to neutral, apply brakes steadily, and pull off the road safely
4. A California dealer who charges a buyer more than the advertised price for a vehicle is in violation of: → California Vehicle Code Section 11713.1(a)
5. A vehicle inspection takes 20 minutes per car. How many cars can be inspected in 3 hours? → 9 cars
6. According to the text, which of these statements is false? → At the age of 15, Marie Antoinette got married.
7. A dealer hires a salesperson who does not yet have a license. The salesperson sells two vehicles before obtaining their license. Who is liable? → Both the salesperson and the dealer
8. What is the significance of the 'effective date' on a surety bond filed with the DMV? → It marks the start of the period during which the bond provides coverage
9. Under federal law, how long is a dealer generally required to retain credit application records and retail installment contracts? → 2 years
10. Which agency is federally responsible for setting safety standards that impact vehicle registration eligibility? → National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
11. A road trip is 540 miles. You have already driven 215 miles. How many miles remain? → 325 miles
12. A driver who intentionally sideswipes another vehicle during a road dispute could face charges of: → Criminal assault and possibly attempted murder
13. Under the FTC Used Car Rule, dealers are required to display a Buyers Guide on used vehicles that includes: → Whether the car is sold 'as is' or with a warranty
14. Which federal law requires dealers to provide a written odometer disclosure statement at the time of sale for most vehicles? → Federal Odometer Act (Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act)
15. When a vehicle is sold with a full warranty, which section of the Buyers Guide must the dealer complete? → The 'Full Warranty' section listing covered systems
16. A salesperson sells a vehicle and misrepresents the odometer reading to the buyer. Which law is most directly violated? → The federal Odometer Act and state fraud statutes
17. Which form must a California dealer use when disclosing the actual mileage of a used vehicle to the buyer? → REG 262
18. A driver fills up with 9 gallons at $3.80 per gallon and pays with $40. How much change does she receive? → $6.20
19. If a vehicle registration sticker is lost or stolen, what should the owner do? → Apply for a replacement sticker at the DMV
20. Who is King James I's father? → Lord Darnley
21. When you purchase a used vehicle from a private seller, who is responsible for paying the title transfer fee? → The buyer
22. Which of the following is a mandatory requirement for any advertisement that lists a specific vehicle for sale? → The vehicle's license number or VIN
23. A road is 3/4 of a mile long. How many feet is that? (1 mile = 5,280 feet) → 3,960 feet
24. A 'cooling-off period' that allows a buyer to cancel a vehicle sale typically applies to which type of transaction in California? → Vehicle sales conducted away from the dealer's lot (e.g., off-premises sales)
25. What is 'negligence per se' in the context of Vehicle Code violations? → Negligence established automatically by violation of a statute
26. Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, what remedy is a buyer entitled to if their vehicle qualifies as a lemon? → Replacement or full refund minus a mileage offset
27. Which behavior constitutes 'aggressive driving' under many state laws? → A combination of speeding, tailgating, and unsafe lane changes
28. A vehicle owner applies for a disabled person license plate. How does this typically affect registration fees? → Qualifying disabled persons often receive a fee waiver or reduction on registration
29. A driver completes 4 laps on a 2.5-mile test track. How many total miles does he drive? → 10 miles
30. At 30 mph, a car takes 2 seconds to travel approximately how many feet? (1 mph ≈ 1.47 fps) → 88 feet