How Many Questions Are On The Permit Test?
The DMV permit test is a simple multiple-choice exam that you can adequately prepare for by reading your state's driving handbook and completing practice tests.
But how many questions will you be asked and what ratio do you need for a passing score?
How Many Questions Are on the Permit Test?
There are typically between 20 and 40 questions on the permit test, but the exact amount depends on your state.
The pass rate also varies. In most cases, you'll need at least 80% correct answers to pass, but some states are a little more lenient.
Take a look at the table below to learn how many questions are on the permit exam in your state:
State | Total Questions | Needed for a Pass |
Alabama | 30 | 24 |
Alaska | 30 | 24 |
Arkansas | 25 | 20 |
California | 46 | 38 |
Colorado | 20 | 16 |
Connecticut | 25 | 20 |
Delaware | 30 | 23 |
Florida | 50 | 40 |
Georgia | 40 | 30 |
Hawaii | 30 | 23 |
Idaho | 40 | 34 |
Illinois | 35 | 28 |
Indiana* | 30 | 24 |
Iowa | 35 | 28 |
Kansas | 25 | 20 |
Kentucky | 30 | 24 |
Louisiana | 30 | 24 |
Maine | 30 | 24 |
Maryland | 25 | 21 |
Massachusetts | 25 | 18 |
Michigan | 50 | 40 |
Minnesota | 40 | 32 |
Mississippi | 30 | 24 |
Missouri | 25 | 20 |
Montana | 33 | 27 |
Nebraska | 25 | 20 |
Nevada | 50 | 40 |
New Hampshire | 40 | 32 |
New Jersey | 50 | 40 |
New Mexico | 25 | 18 |
New York** | 20 | 14 |
North Carolina | 25 | 20 |
North Dakota | 25 | 20 |
Ohio | 40 | 30 |
Oklahoma | 50 | 40 |
Oregon | 35 | 28 |
Pennsylvania | 18 | 15 |
Rhode Island | 25 | 20 |
South Carolina | 30 | 24 |
South Dakota | 25 | 20 |
Tennessee | 30 | 24 |
Texas | 30 | 21 |
Utah | 50 | 40 |
Vermont | 20 | 16 |
Virginia*** | 35 | 30 |
Washington | 40 | 32 |
West Virginia | 25 | 19 |
Wisconsin | 50 | 40 |
Wyoming | 25 | 19 |
*Must also identify 14 out of 16 road signs
**Must also identify 2 out of 4 road signs
***Must also identify 10 road signs
What Type of Questions Does the Permit Test Contain?
Not sure what to expect from the permit test? A DMV practice test (available through your state DMV website) will give you an idea of what to expect. You can complete as many of these tests as you want. We recommend taking them until you can achieve a passing mark every time.
The questions will cover topics such as:
- Road signs and signals
- Pavement markings
- Safe and legal driving practices
- Drug and alcohol awareness
- Driving laws and traffic rules
- Emergency situations and other special circumstances
- Point and record systems
You can find information pertaining to all of these subjects in your state driver's handbook.
FAQs About the DMV Permit Test
If you still have a few questions about the permit test, check out the following FAQs:
Is The California Permit Test Hard?
It can be very hard if you don't adequately prepare. But if you read the California driver handbook, take a daily permit practice test, and devote many hours to studying road signs and road rules, it'll feel easy.
Like all exams, the California permit test is as easy as you make it.
How Many Questions Are On The Permit Test In CA?
There are 46 questions on the California DMV practice test, which is one of the highest in the country.
Which States Have the Hardest and Easiest Driving Tests?
If we base this answer purely on the required passing score, Idaho is one of the hardest as it requires a score of 85% and there are 40 questions in total. This means that you must get at least 34 of those questions right to achieve a passing score.
As for the "easiest" one, Georgia requires a passing score of 75%, which equates to 30 correct answers out of 40. The same is true for Ohio. Massachusetts and New Mexico have even lower passing percentages of 72% but at 70%, New York and Texas are the lowest of all.
Does this mean that it's much easier to pass your driving test in the Empire State than anywhere else? Not at all. We're talking about very small margins here and there are many other variables to consider, as well.
Generally speaking, the driving test is tough across the United States. The DMV wants to make sure you know what you're doing and have an intimate knowledge of the road before they give you a driver's license, and that requires some strict rules, tests, and requirements.
How Many Questions Can You Miss On The Permit Test in Il?
You can afford to answer 7 questions incorrectly on the permit exam in Illinois. If you get all of the other questions correct, you will still achieve a passing score.
How Many People Fail their Permit Test?
The failure rate varies across the country, but it seems to fall somewhere between 35% and 55%. It's surprisingly high, so you shouldn't feel too disheartened or deterred if you fail your DMV written test the first time around.
How Many Questions Are On The Texas Permit Test?
There are 30 questions on the permit exam in Texas and must get at least 21 of these correct.
Summary: Permit Test Questions
Few people get excited about exams and no one looks forward to the DMV permit test. Those words are enough to instill fear into the hearts of every aspiring teen driver.
But with adequate preparation, you can breeze through this test and once you've completed it and acquired your license, you'll never need to complete another practice test, read another handbook, or answer another question about road signs and speed limits!
Take a look at the info above to learn how many tests are on the exam in your state. once you know this information, you can start planning your practice test and make sure you're ready for your exam.