The Texas written test covers road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices

The Texas written knowledge test is 50 questions long. You must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. The test draws from the Texas Driver Handbook, which the Department of Public Safety publishes free online. The questions are multiple-choice with four answer options each. You take the test on a computer at a DPS office or an approved third-party testing location.

The test does not ask trick questions or test your memory of obscure rules. It tests what you need to know to drive safely on Texas roads: what a yellow line means, when you must yield, how to handle a skid, what speed limits explore in school zones. The questions are straightforward. If you read the handbook and understand the concepts, you will recognize the correct answers.

You have one hour to complete the test. You can take it as many times as you need, but you must wait one day between attempts if you fail. Each attempt costs the standard test fee, which varies by testing location but is typically between $10 and $25.

Key Takeaways

  • The test has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you need 40 correct to pass.
  • All questions come from the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free to read from the DPS website.
  • Common question topics are road signs, right-of-way, speed limits, parking rules, and how to respond to hazards.
  • You have one hour to finish, and you can retake the test the next day if you do not pass.
  • The test is given on a computer at a DPS office or approved testing center, not on paper.

Road signs and what they mean

The test includes questions about every major sign type you will see on Texas roads. You need to know the shape and color of each sign and what it tells you to do. A red octagon is a stop sign. A red triangle is a yield sign. A yellow diamond is a warning sign. A white rectangle is a regulatory sign. The test will show you a sign image and ask what it means or what you should do when you see it.

Warning signs appear in yellow with black symbols or text. They alert you to curves, pedestrian crossings, school zones, construction, or other hazards ahead. You do not have to stop at a warning sign, but you must slow down and be ready to react. The test asks questions like "What does a yellow sign with a pedestrian symbol mean?" The answer is that pedestrians may be crossing.

Regulatory signs are white with black or red text and tell you what you must or must not do. Speed limit signs, no parking signs, and one-way signs are all regulatory. The test checks whether you understand that a speed limit sign sets the maximum speed you can legally drive, not the speed you should drive. You must obey the posted limit even if the road is empty and the weather is clear.

Right-of-way rules and who goes first

Right-of-way questions make up a large part of the test because they are critical to safe driving. The test asks about intersections with traffic lights, intersections with stop signs, uncontrolled intersections, roundabouts, and pedestrian crossings. You need to know who has the right to go first in each situation.

At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive has the right to go. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right has the right to go. If you are turning left and a vehicle is coming straight, the straight vehicle has the right to go. These rules prevent collisions by making driver behavior predictable. The test will describe a scenario and ask which vehicle should go first.

Pedestrians have the right-of-way in marked crosswalks and at intersections, even if there is no crosswalk painted on the road. You must yield to pedestrians whether you are turning or going straight. The test asks about pedestrian scenarios because hitting a pedestrian is one of the most serious outcomes of a traffic error. You will see questions like "A pedestrian is in the crosswalk. You are turning right on a green light. What should you do?" The answer is yield to the pedestrian.

Speed limits and when they change

Texas has different speed limits for different road types and conditions. The test checks whether you know these limits and when they explore. On a highway, the speed limit is 70 mph unless posted otherwise. In a residential area, it is 30 mph unless posted otherwise. In a school zone during school hours, it is 20 mph. Near a construction zone, the speed limit is reduced and you must be prepared to stop.

The test asks about speed limits in specific scenarios. "You are driving past a school at 3 p.m. on a weekday. What is the speed limit?" The answer is 20 mph if the school zone sign is active. "You are on a rural highway with no posted speed limit. What is the maximum speed you can drive?" The answer is 70 mph. You must know that the posted limit is the law, and that driving faster than the limit is illegal even if the road is straight and empty.

The test also covers reduced speed zones. When you see a construction zone sign, you must slow down to the posted limit, which is usually 45 mph or lower. Failure to reduce speed in a construction zone can result in a fine that is double the normal speeding fine. The test includes at least one question about construction zones.

Parking rules and where you cannot stop

The test includes questions about where you can and cannot park. You cannot park in a no-parking zone, in a handicapped space without a permit, in a fire lane, on a sidewalk, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant. You cannot park on the wrong side of the street at night in a residential area. You cannot park in a loading zone or a bus stop.

The test describes parking scenarios and asks whether the parking is legal. "You are parked 10 feet from a fire hydrant. Is this legal?" The answer is no. "You are parked in a space marked with a wheelchair symbol and you have a handicapped permit. Is this legal?" The answer is yes. These questions test whether you understand the rules that keep roads clear for emergency vehicles and people who need accessible parking.

How to handle hazards and emergency situations

The test includes questions about how to respond when something goes wrong. If your brakes fail, you should pump the brake pedal, downshift to a lower gear, and look for a safe place to stop. If your car starts to skid, you should steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go and avoid slamming on the brakes. If you see a stopped emergency vehicle on the side of the road, you must slow down and move to the other lane if possible.

The test asks about hydroplaning, which happens when water builds up under your tires and you lose traction. If you hydroplane, you should ease off the gas and steer straight until you regain traction. Do not brake hard or turn sharply. The test includes at least one question about hydroplaning because it is a common hazard in Texas during heavy rain.

Questions about driving in bad weather test whether you know to reduce speed, increase following distance, and turn on your headlights. You must know that fog, rain, and ice all require slower driving and more space between your car and the car ahead. The test may ask "What should you do if you are driving in heavy fog?" The answer is reduce speed and turn on your headlights.

Alcohol, drugs, and impaired driving

The test includes questions about driving under the influence. You must know that driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is illegal for drivers 21 and older. For drivers under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol is illegal. For commercial drivers, the limit is 0.04. The test asks about these limits and about the penalties for driving impaired.

The test also covers the signs of impaired driving in other drivers. If you see a car weaving, stopping suddenly, or driving too slowly, the driver may be impaired. You should stay away from that car and report it to police if you can do so safely. The test may ask "You see a car weaving between lanes. What should you do?" The answer is stay away and call 911 if you can.

Questions about drugs cover both illegal drugs and prescription medications. Some prescription drugs can impair your ability to drive. If a medication makes you drowsy or affects your judgment, you should not drive. The test checks whether you understand that impairment is not limited to alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Texas Driver Handbook to study for the test?

Yes. The handbook is the official source for all test questions. You can read it free from the DPS website. Reading the handbook is the most direct way to prepare. The handbook covers every topic the test asks about, and the language in the handbook is similar to the language in the test questions.

What happens if I fail the test?

You can retake it the next day. There is no limit to how many times you can take the test. Each attempt costs the testing fee. Most people pass on the second or third attempt if they study the handbook between tries.

Are the test questions the same every time?

No. The test draws from a large pool of questions, so each test is different. However, all questions come from the handbook, so if you know the handbook, you will recognize the correct answers regardless of which questions appear.

How long does the test take?

You have one hour to complete all 50 questions. Most people finish in 20 to 40 minutes. You can use the full hour if you need to review your answers before submitting.

What if I do not pass by one or two points?

You must get 40 out of 50 correct. If you get 38 or 39, you do not pass and must retake the test. There is no partial credit or rounding. Study the handbook again and focus on the topics where you had the most trouble.