The Texas written test has 30 questions drawn from a pool of roughly 600, covering road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers a 30-question multiple-choice test. You must answer at least 21 questions correctly to pass. The test draws from the Texas Driver Handbook, which is the official source document. Every question on the real test comes from material covered in that handbook — there are no trick questions or content outside it.

The test is offered in English and Spanish at all Texas DPS driver license offices. You take it on a computer at the office; there is no online version of the actual test, though you can study online. The test covers three main areas: traffic signs and their meanings, right-of-way and traffic rules, and safe driving practices including speed limits, following distance, and impaired driving laws.

You get one attempt per visit to the office. If you fail, you must wait at least one day before retesting, and you pay the test fee again. Most people who study the handbook pass on their first try.

Key Takeaways

  • The test is 30 questions, all multiple choice, and you need 21 correct to pass — that is a 70 percent passing score.
  • Every question comes from the Texas Driver Handbook, so studying that handbook is the only preparation you need.
  • Traffic signs make up roughly one-third of the test, right-of-way rules another third, and safe driving practices the final third.
  • You take the test on a computer at a DPS office; you cannot take it online or by mail, and you get only one attempt per office visit.
  • If you fail, you must wait at least one day before retesting and pay the test fee again.

Traffic Signs and What They Mean

Expect roughly 10 questions on traffic signs. You need to know the shape, color, and meaning of every sign in the handbook. Red signs mean stop or do not enter. Yellow signs warn of hazards ahead. White signs give you information or instructions. Green signs point you toward services or directions. Blue signs mark hospital or rest area locations.

The test focuses on signs you will actually encounter: stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs, one-way signs, no passing zones, school zone warnings, and pedestrian crossing warnings. You should also know regulatory signs like "Do Not Enter" and "Wrong Way," which are red and white. Study the handbook's sign section carefully — it shows each sign with its exact appearance and what drivers must do when they see it.

Common mistakes: confusing a yellow warning sign with a regulatory white sign, or not knowing that a diamond-shaped yellow sign is always a warning. Spend time on the sign section because these questions are straightforward if you have studied, and they are straightforward points.

Right-of-Way Rules and Traffic Laws

Roughly 10 questions cover right-of-way situations and traffic laws. These test your understanding of who goes first at intersections, what you must do at a red light, how to handle a four-way stop, and what happens when you are turning left or right across traffic.

Key scenarios the test covers: at a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive goes first; if two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the right goes first. At a red light, you may turn right after coming to a complete stop, unless a sign says otherwise. When turning left, you must yield to oncoming traffic. When turning right, you must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. A yellow light means prepare to stop; it does not mean speed up.

The test also covers lane changes, merging, and passing. You must signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes. You cannot pass on the right except on a multi-lane highway. You cannot pass in a school zone or near a curve where you cannot see oncoming traffic. These rules are tested because they directly affect safety.

Safe Driving Practices and Impaired Driving Laws

Roughly 10 questions test your knowledge of safe driving habits and Texas impaired driving laws. Safe driving questions cover following distance (the three-second rule), speed limits in different zones, what to do in bad weather, and how to handle emergencies.

The three-second rule means you should stay at least three seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you in normal conditions. In bad weather or at night, increase that distance. Speed limits in residential areas are usually 30 mph unless posted otherwise. School zones are 20 mph during school hours. Highways vary, but Texas allows up to 85 mph on some rural interstates.

Impaired driving questions test what you know about alcohol and drugs. Texas law says you cannot drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher if you are 21 or older. If you are under 21, any detectable amount of alcohol is illegal. The test asks about signs of impairment, penalties for driving under the influence (DUI), and what happens if you refuse a breath or blood test. You should also know that prescription medications can impair driving, and the handbook lists examples.

How to Study the Texas Driver Handbook

The Texas Driver Handbook is free and available online from the DPS website. You can read it on screen or print it. The handbook is organized by topic, so you can work through it section by section. Read each section, then close the handbook and try to recall what you learned.

After you have read the handbook once, use the sample test questions available on the DPS website or through third-party study sites. These sample questions are not the actual test, but they follow the same format and cover the same material. Take the sample test under timed conditions — you have 30 minutes for the real test, so practice at that pace.

Focus extra time on the areas where you score lowest on practice tests. If you miss most of the sign questions, go back to the sign section of the handbook and study each sign individually. If right-of-way scenarios confuse you, read those sections again and visualize each situation.

What Happens on Test Day

Arrive at the DPS office at least 15 minutes early. Bring your appointment confirmation (if you scheduled online) and a valid form of identification. You will check in at the counter, and staff will verify your identity and that you have not failed the test too many times recently.

You will be taken to a computer station and given instructions on how to use the testing software. The test is straightforward: you read each question, select your answer from four choices, and move to the next question. You cannot go back to change an answer once you move forward, so read each question carefully before selecting.

The test takes 10 to 15 minutes for most people. When you finish, the computer scores it when ready and tells you whether you passed or failed. If you pass, you move on to the vision and road test portions of the license exam. If you fail, you receive a score report showing which areas you missed questions in, and you can schedule a retest.

Common Test Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is not reading the handbook before the test. Some people think they can pass based on common sense or driving experience, but the test asks for specific Texas laws and rules that may differ from what you assume. Read the handbook.

The second mistake is rushing through practice tests without studying the handbook first. Practice tests are useful for identifying weak areas, but they are not a substitute for learning the material. Study first, then practice.

The third mistake is misreading questions. A question might ask "What should you NOT do?" and test-takers answer what you should do instead. Read the entire question and all four answer choices before selecting. If a question seems confusing, read it again slowly.

The fourth mistake is guessing on questions you do not know. If you have studied the handbook thoroughly, you should recognize the correct answer. If you do not, it usually means you missed that section in the handbook. Do not guess on the real test — go back and study that topic before retesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I retake the test the same day if I fail?

No. Texas law requires you to wait at least one day before retesting. You must schedule a new appointment and pay the test fee again. This waiting period gives you time to study the material you missed.

Is the test harder if English is not my first language?

The test is available in Spanish, and the questions are written in plain language. If you are more comfortable in Spanish, request that version when you arrive at the office. The content and difficulty are the same in both languages.

What if I fail the test three times?

After three failed attempts, Texas requires you to take a driver education course before you can test again. The course can be taken online or in person, depending on your age and the course provider. Once you complete it, you can schedule a new test.

Do I need to memorize the exact wording of traffic laws?

No. The test asks whether you understand the rule, not whether you can recite it word-for-word. If you understand what a yield sign means and when you must yield, you will answer those questions correctly. Focus on understanding, not memorization.

How long is the test, and how much time do I have?

You have 30 minutes to complete 30 questions. That is one minute per question on average, which is plenty of time if you have studied. Most people finish in 10 to 15 minutes. You do not have to use all 30 minutes.