How Long After Failing A Driving Test Can You Retake It?

It depends on the state in which you are trying to get your driver's license.

You prepared. You waited. You experienced spells of anxiety, hope, and expectation, and then you were hit with the bad news: You failed your driving test.

But it's not the end of the world. You need to regroup, retake and hope for a better outcome the next time.

How long must you wait before retaking your driver's license test?

The exact length of time you must wait will depend on your state.

Take a look at these state-by-state driving test rules for more information:

Alabama

Wait one day before reapplying for your test. You will be given three chances in 90 days and must restart the licensing process.

Alaska

Drivers in Alaska have three chances within 90 days and must wait at least a week between attempts.

Arizona

Arizona drivers must wait at least ten days before retaking a driver's test.

California

You can retake your driving test after two weeks. It costs $7. A new driver's license application is required if you fail three times.

Colorado

Wait at least one day before trying again after failing the first time. You can try twice more before starting the process all over again.

Connecticut

Wait two weeks before trying again, and reapply if you fail three times in 90 days.

Delaware

If you fail a driving test in Delaware, you must wait ten days before reapplying and can try twice more in 90 days.

Florida

If you fail your first test, reschedule another on the same day and return to try again. It will cost you $20, and you're allowed three failed tests.

Georgia

There is a wait of just one day after your first failed attempt, increasing to 7 days after your second.

Hawaii

Hawaiian residents must wait for at least seven days before booking another driving test after failing their first attempt.

Idaho

You must wait at least three days before you can take another driving test in Idaho. Use this time to practice driving and ensure you are adequately prepared.

Illinois

There is a waiting period of 7 days, and you're allowed a total of three tests in a year.

Indiana

You can sit three driving tests in Indiana. If you fail all of them, you must wait for two months and may need to apply for your learner's permit again.

Iowa

You only need to wait for one day before you can retake your driving test in Iowa.

Kansas

Retakes require a wait of just one day, and you can take three of them on a single learner's permit.

Kentucky

There is a waiting period of 7 days for retakes in Kentucky.

Louisiana

Louisiana drivers who fail their first test can retake it twice more within 90 days. Each test incurs a reexamination fee.

You must wait at least one day between these tests and will be required to restart the application process if you fail the driving test on your subsequent two attempts.

Maine

You can retake your driving test twice within 90 days of a failed test. These retakes must be one day apart; if you still don't pass, the application process will repeat.

Maryland

Return the following day to retake your test and try again. If you fail, you must wait a week before taking your third driving test.

Massachusetts

There is a 2-week waiting period for test retakes, and you can't make more than six attempts within 12 months.

Michigan

You can attempt two further retakes within 90 days and must restart the process if both fail or those 90 days pass.

Minnesota

The state of Minnesota gives you four chances to pass your driving test. If you fail, you must complete a minimum of 6 hours with a licensed instructor.

In addition, all tests after the second will incur a $20 fee.

Mississippi

If you fail your driver's test in Mississippi, wait for a week, and you can retake it.

Missouri

Missouri allows you to take three attempts (no more than 1 test per day). After this, you can obtain a form from the examiner. Send this form to the Department of Revenue, and they will request that you complete additional behind-the-wheel training before attempting another test.

Montana

Retakes are allowed the following business day. After three fails, you must reapply for a license.

Nebraska

Retakes are not allowed on the same day. You can fail a total of three tests before you must reapply. You'll need to provide proof of a DMV-approved driver training course or have an LPD for at least 90 days.

Nevada

Retakes cost $10 in Nevada, and you can take 3 of these, with waits of at least one business day between them. You need additional behind-the-wheel training if you fail all three.

New Hampshire

If you fail your driving test in New Hampshire, wait ten days and try again.

Your practice driving privileges will be revoked if you fail the third test, and you must attend an NH-DMV Hearing if you want to try for the fourth time.

New Jersey

If you fail your test, you must wait for at least two weeks before trying again. Fail more than twice, and you'll have a 6-month wait before you can try again.

New Mexico

You can take three driving tests within 90 days, providing at least one day between them. You may be charged a reexamination fee with each exam.

New York

If you fail a test in New York, wait for at least one day and try again. After your first two tries, you will be charged a small fee for all tests.

North Carolina

If you fail on your first try in NC, wait for a week. You can take a test three times in 90 days. You'll need to apply again if you don't pass within this timeframe.

North Dakota

If you fail on your first attempt, retake the test after at least one day. You may be charged a reexamination fee, and if you don't pass within 90 days or fail three times, you'll need to restart the application process.

Ohio

Ohio has a waiting period of 7 days for applicants who fail their test. If you fail the driving test four times, you must wait six months before you can try again.

Oklahoma

You only need to wait for one day before you can retake a driving test in Oklahoma. However, if you fail three times within 30 days of your first test, all subsequent tests require a 30-day wait.

Oregon

Drivers under 18 must wait for at least 28 days before a retake, while drivers aged 18 or older only need to wait seven days.

The waiting time increases to 14 days after the second attempt and 28 days after the third.

Pennsylvania

You can retake your driving test twice after failing on your first attempt. Under 18s must wait for at least one week.

If you fail all three tests, obtain a learner's permit extension, and try again.

Rhode Island

If you fail the first time you take your test, you'll need to wait 30 days before trying again. Fail the second time, and you'll need to wait for 90 days. A 180-day wait proceeds to a third failed test.

South Carolina

You can schedule another driving test shortly after failing the first time around. This is something that your examiner can help you with.

If you fail your driving test for the second time, you must wait for two weeks. Fail it a third time, and that wait increases to 60 days.

South Dakota

You can schedule another test after at least one day. You have three attempts in 90 days, after which you'll need to reapply and pay the application fee again.

Tennessee

You get three chances to complete your driving test in Tennessee. These must be taken within 90 days. If you fail, the process must be restarted.

Texas

If you fail a driver's license test in Texas, you can retake it up to three more times within 90 days. Each retake must proceed with a wait of at least two weeks, and you'll need to pay a $7 fee.

Utah

If you fail the test, wait at least one day before retaking. You get three chances and will then need to reapply.

Vermont

Vermont requires drivers to wait for at least one week before retaking a driver's test.

Virginia

You can retake your driving test after a wait of two days in Virginia.

If you fail your test 3 times, you must complete an 8-hour reexamination class before you can try again.

Washington

Washington requires applicants to wait for one week before they make another attempt.

West Virginia

You can reschedule a driving test after a wait of just one day. Fail three times and be asked to complete a short driver's education course.

Wisconsin

The waiting period varies from 1 to 14 days, and you can make five attempts in a year.

Wyoming

You have three attempts in 90 days and must wait at least one day between attempts. You will need to apply for a new permit if you have not passed within this period.

What Should I Do if I Keep Failing?

Just because you can retake the test a day/week later doesn't mean you should. You're expected to practice driving techniques and skills during this interim period. The more you practice, the more likely you are to pass, so spend as much time behind the wheel as possible.

The main thing to remember is that you have other opportunities and will eventually get there. Stay calm. Don't panic. And remember what you have learned.

How Many Errors Do You Need to Fail a Driving Test?

It depends on your state, but most states use a points system.

If we use New York as an example, you will fail your test if you accumulate more than 30 points. Every mistake you make earns 5, 10, or 15 points.

Failing to signal, failing to check blind spots, and making too many maneuvers in a 3-point turn will earn you five points. Most other mistakes (including following too closely and being inattentive to traffic) earn 10 points, while the most significant errors (failing to park the car properly, speeding, and driving too slowly) earn 15 points.

What are the Most Common Reasons for Failing A Driving Test?

About a quarter of all tests fail because the examiner needs to intervene. This usually means that a critical and potentially dangerous error has been made. If you make a dangerous mistake that forces the examiner to grab the wheel, there's a good chance you will fail your road test.