The Texas written test has 30 questions, and you need to answer at least 21 correctly to pass
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) written knowledge test contains exactly 30 multiple-choice questions. Each question has four possible answers. You must score at least 70 percent — meaning 21 correct answers — to pass and move forward to the driving test.
The test covers traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and what to do in emergency situations. All questions come from the Texas Driver Handbook, which DPS publishes free online and updates regularly. The handbook is the only official study material you need.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas written test is 30 questions long, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass.
- All test questions come directly from the Texas Driver Handbook, which you can read free on the DPS website before you test.
- You have up to five attempts to pass the written test within a 12-month period before you must start over with a new process.
- The test is offered in English and Spanish, and you can request a reader or other accommodation if you have a documented disability.
- You take the test at a DPS office or an authorized third-party testing location, and results are available when ready after you finish.
What topics the 30 questions cover
The questions are divided across several categories that reflect real driving situations. You will see questions about right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, lane changes, and how to handle intersections. Other questions test your knowledge of traffic signs — what a yellow diamond means, what a red octagon tells you to do, and how to read regulatory signs.
A significant portion covers impaired driving, seat belt laws, and child passenger safety. Texas also tests your understanding of what to do if your brakes fail, how to drive in rain or fog, and how to share the road with motorcycles and large trucks. Questions about distracted driving — including phone use — appear regularly because Texas law restricts these behaviors.
You will also see questions about vehicle maintenance, tire tread depth, and when your vehicle inspection sticker expires. A few questions cover what to do after an accident: whether to move the vehicle, when to call police, and what information to exchange with the other driver.
How the test is administered and scored
You take the test at a DPS Driver License office or at an authorized third-party testing location. Third-party locations include some Department of Motor Vehicles offices in certain counties and some private testing centers. You can find the location nearest you on the DPS website by entering your county.
The test is computer-based at most locations. You sit at a terminal, read each question, and select your answer from four choices. The computer moves to the next question after you answer — you cannot go back and change an earlier answer. The entire test usually takes 10 to 15 minutes.
Your score appears on the screen when ready after you finish. If you pass, you receive a printed score report and can schedule your driving test right away or at a later date. If you do not pass, you learn your score and which topic areas you missed most questions on. You can then retake the test, but you must wait at least one day before your next attempt.
Retaking the test if you do not pass
You are allowed up to five attempts to pass the written test within a 12-month period from the date you first took it. If you fail all five attempts within that year, your process expires and you must start the process over — submit a new process, pay the fee again, and begin with five new attempts.
Between attempts, review the Texas Driver Handbook and focus on the topics where you scored lowest. Many people find it helpful to take practice tests online; several free practice test sites use questions from the official handbook. Studying the specific weak areas rather than re-reading the entire handbook usually improves your score faster.
If you pass the written test but then do not pass the driving test within a certain timeframe, you may need to retake the written test as well. The rules vary depending on how long you wait before scheduling your driving test, so ask the DPS staff when you pass the written test.
Test accommodations for people with disabilities
If you have a documented disability that affects your ability to take the test, DPS offers accommodations. You can request a reader to read the questions and answers aloud to you, extra time to complete the test, or a large-print version of the test. Some locations offer the test in a separate, quieter room if you need reduced distractions.
To request an accommodation, contact the DPS office where you plan to test at least one week before your scheduled test date. You will need to provide documentation of your disability — usually a letter from a doctor or a copy of your disability information letter from Social Security. DPS staff can tell you what documents they accept.
Test language options
The written test is offered in English and Spanish at all DPS offices. When you explore for your learner permit or driver license, you indicate which language you want to test in. You cannot change your language choice on the day of the test, so decide before you submit your process.
If you are not a native English speaker but feel more confident testing in English, remember that you can use the Texas Driver Handbook in Spanish to study. The handbook is available in both languages on the DPS website, so you can prepare in whichever language works best for you and then test in the other if you choose.
How to prepare for the 30-question test
The most direct way to prepare is to read the Texas Driver Handbook from start to finish. It is about 80 pages and covers every topic that appears on the test. DPS publishes it free as a PDF on their website, and you can also request a printed copy at any DPS office.
After reading the handbook, take a practice test. Free practice tests are available on several websites and through the DPS website itself. These practice tests use real questions from the handbook and show you the format you will see on test day. Taking a practice test under timed conditions — giving yourself 15 minutes, just like the real test — helps you know whether you are ready.
If you score below 21 on a practice test, go back to the handbook and re-read the sections where you missed questions. Then take another practice test to see if your score improved. Most people who read the handbook carefully and take at least one practice test pass on their first or second attempt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my phone or notes during the test?
No. You cannot bring any study materials, phones, or notes into the testing room. DPS staff will ask you to put your phone away before you enter. The test is closed-book and closed-note. You are expected to answer based on what you studied beforehand.
What happens if I fail the test three times in a row?
You can still retake it. You have five attempts total within 12 months. If you fail all five, your process expires and you must reapply, pay the fee again, and start with five new attempts. Between failed attempts, spend more time studying the handbook and taking practice tests.
Is the test harder in Spanish than in English?
No. DPS uses the same questions and the same passing score (21 out of 30) in both languages. The Spanish version is a direct translation of the English version. Choose whichever language you are most comfortable reading and understanding.
How long does it take to get my results?
You see your score on the screen when ready after you finish the test. If you pass, you get a printed score report right away. You do not have to wait for results to be mailed or processed — you know whether you passed before you leave the testing location.
Can I retake the test the same day if I fail?
No. You must wait at least one day before you can retake the test. Most DPS offices allow you to schedule your next attempt while you are still there, or you can call ahead to schedule it for the next day or later in the week.