The Texas written test covers road rules, safe driving, and what road signs mean
The Texas written test has 30 multiple-choice questions. You need to answer at least 21 correctly to pass. The test covers three main areas: traffic laws specific to Texas, safe driving practices, and road signs and their meanings. You take it on a computer at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office.
The test draws from the Texas Driver Handbook, a free booklet you can read online or pick up at any DPS office. Everything on the test comes from that handbook — nothing is a trick or a surprise. You are allowed to study it before you test, and most people who read through it carefully pass on their first try.
Key Takeaways
- The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 21 correctly to pass — that is a 70 percent score.
- All test content comes from the Texas Driver Handbook, which is free and available online at the DPS website.
- Questions cover traffic laws, safe driving rules, and what road signs and markings mean.
- You take the test on a computer at a DPS office, and results are given when ready after you finish.
- You can retake the test the same day if you fail, though some offices have limits on how many times per day.
Traffic laws and rules of the road
About one-third of the test focuses on Texas traffic laws. This includes speed limits, right-of-way rules, when you must stop, and what you can and cannot do while driving. You will see questions about seat belt laws, child passenger safety, following distance, and when you must yield to other vehicles.
The test also covers rules specific to Texas, such as how to handle a four-way stop, what to do when you see a school bus with its lights on, and the rules for passing on a two-lane road. You may see questions about parking laws, turning rules, and what happens if you run a red light or stop sign.
Impaired driving and distracted driving appear on most tests. Expect questions about how alcohol affects your ability to drive, the legal blood alcohol limit in Texas, and the dangers of texting while driving.
Safe driving practices and hazard awareness
Another third of the test covers how to drive safely in different conditions. This includes what to do in bad weather, how to handle skids, and how to drive defensively. You will see questions about tire blowouts, brake failure, and what to do if your vehicle breaks down on the highway.
The test includes questions about sharing the road with motorcycles, large trucks, and bicycles. You may be asked about blind spots, how long it takes to stop at different speeds, and how to avoid collisions. Questions about driving at night, in fog, and in heavy rain are common.
You will also see questions about what to do after an accident — whether you must stop, what information to exchange, and when to call police. The test covers your responsibility to report accidents and what happens if you leave the scene.
Road signs, signals, and pavement markings
About one-third of the test is about recognizing signs and understanding what they mean. This includes stop signs, yield signs, speed limit signs, and warning signs. You need to know the shape and color of different sign types — for example, that a diamond shape means warning, and a red octagon means stop.
Traffic light signals appear on the test. You will see questions about what a red light, yellow light, and green light mean, and what you can do at each. The test also covers turn signals, brake lights, and what it means when a traffic light is flashing red or yellow.
Pavement markings are tested as well. You need to know what solid yellow lines, broken yellow lines, solid white lines, and broken white lines mean. The test may ask whether you can pass, turn, or cross a particular line based on its color and pattern.
How the test is structured and scored
The test is computer-based and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. You sit at a computer terminal at a DPS office and answer questions one at a time. You cannot go back to change an answer once you move to the next question, so read each one carefully before you select your answer.
The computer tells you when ready whether you passed or failed. If you pass, you move on to the road test. If you fail, you can usually retake it the same day, though you may have to wait a few hours and pay the test fee again. Most DPS offices allow you to retake the test up to three times in one day.
Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly. There is no penalty for guessing, so if you are unsure, pick your best answer rather than leaving it blank.
How to study for the Texas written test
The Texas Driver Handbook is your main study resource. It is available as a PDF on the DPS website and covers everything on the test. Read through it at least once, paying special attention to sections on traffic laws, signs, and safe driving. Many people find it helpful to read it twice — once all the way through, and once more focusing on areas they found confusing.
Some DPS offices offer practice tests online or on computers in the office. These are not official tests, but they give you a sense of how questions are worded and what topics appear most often. If your local DPS office offers a practice test, take it before your real test.
You can also find study guides and flashcards online created by other people who have taken the test. These are not official DPS materials, but many people find them helpful for memorizing signs and rules. Focus on understanding the reasons behind the rules rather than just memorizing answers — that approach helps you answer questions even if the wording is slightly different from what you studied.
What happens if you fail the written test
If you do not pass, you can retake it the same day at most DPS offices. You will need to pay the test fee again. Take some time between attempts to review the areas where you struggled. If you failed questions about signs, spend extra time on the signs section of the handbook. If you missed questions about traffic laws, focus on those rules.
If you fail multiple times, consider studying with someone else or asking a parent or instructor to quiz you on the handbook material. Sometimes hearing the information explained in a different way makes it click. You can also ask the DPS office staff if they have any study materials or recommendations.
There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, though some offices may require you to wait a certain amount of time between attempts if you fail several times in a row. Check with your local DPS office about their specific policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring the Texas Driver Handbook with me to the test?
No. The test is closed-book, and you cannot use any materials during the test. You must study the handbook before you arrive at the DPS office. However, you can bring the handbook with you to study in the waiting area before your test.
What if I do not speak English well?
Texas offers the written test in Spanish and several other languages. When you schedule your test appointment, tell the DPS office which language you need. You can also request an interpreter, though availability varies by location.
How long is the test valid if I pass?
Your passing score is valid for 12 months from the date you pass. This means you have one year to take and pass your road test. If you do not pass the road test within that year, you will need to retake the written test.
Are there any questions about vehicle maintenance on the test?
Yes, but not many. You may see one or two questions about checking your tires, brakes, lights, and mirrors before driving. The focus is on safety checks you should do, not on how to repair a vehicle.
What if I am nervous about taking a computer-based test?
Most DPS offices will let you practice using the computer system before your actual test starts. Tell the staff member that you are nervous, and they can show you how to use the mouse and select answers. The test itself is straightforward — you read a question and click on the answer you think is correct.