The permit test has between 40 and 50 questions in most states, but the exact number and passing score vary by location
The number of questions on a written permit test depends entirely on which state you are taking it in. Most states use between 40 and 50 questions, but some use fewer and a handful use more. The passing score also varies — some states require 80 percent correct, others require 70 percent. You need to know your specific state's format before you study, because the test you take in California will look different from the test in Texas or New York.
The questions come from the state's driver manual and cover road signs, right-of-way rules, speed limits, parking, and safe driving practices. Every question is multiple choice with three or four answer options. You will have a set amount of time to complete the test — usually between 30 and 60 minutes depending on the state. If you do not finish in time, you fail.
Key Takeaways
- Most states give between 40 and 50 questions on the written permit test, but you must check your state's DMV website to confirm the exact number.
- Passing scores range from 70 to 80 percent correct, so missing even a few questions can mean failure in states with higher thresholds.
- All questions come from your state's driver manual, so studying the manual is the only reliable way to prepare.
- You will have 30 to 60 minutes to finish the test, and running out of time counts as a failed attempt in every state.
Written Permit Test Question Counts by State
The following table shows the number of questions and passing score for each state. Check your state to see what you will face on test day.
| State | Number of Questions | Passing Score | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Alaska | 40 | 80% | 30 minutes |
| Arizona | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Arkansas | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| California | 46 | 83% | 60 minutes |
| Colorado | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Connecticut | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Delaware | 40 | 80% | 30 minutes |
| Florida | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Georgia | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Hawaii | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Idaho | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Illinois | 35 | 80% | 30 minutes |
| Indiana | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Iowa | 35 | 80% | 30 minutes |
| Kansas | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Kentucky | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Louisiana | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Maine | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Maryland | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Massachusetts | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Michigan | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Minnesota | 40 | 80% | 30 minutes |
| Mississippi | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Missouri | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Montana | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Nebraska | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Nevada | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| New Hampshire | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| New Jersey | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| New Mexico | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| New York | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| North Carolina | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| North Dakota | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Ohio | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Oklahoma | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Oregon | 35 | 84% | 30 minutes |
| Pennsylvania | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Rhode Island | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| South Carolina | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| South Dakota | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Tennessee | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Texas | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Utah | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Vermont | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Virginia | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Washington | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| West Virginia | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Wisconsin | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
| Wyoming | 50 | 80% | 45 minutes |
Most states use 50 questions and require an 80 percent passing score. A few states — Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Oregon — use 35 to 40 questions instead. California and Oregon have slightly higher passing thresholds at 83 and 84 percent. The time limit is usually 45 minutes for the full test, though states with fewer questions may give 30 minutes.
What Topics the Permit Test Covers
Every state's permit test draws questions from the official driver manual. The questions test your knowledge of road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. You will see questions about speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking, lane changes, following distance, and what different road signs mean.
The test also includes questions about impaired driving, distracted driving, and what to do in an emergency. Some states include questions about vehicle maintenance or how to handle a skid. The exact mix of topics varies slightly by state, but all of them test the same core knowledge: can you read a sign, follow a rule, and make a safe decision on the road.
Because every question comes from the driver manual, studying the manual is the only way to prepare. There is no trick to the test — the questions are straightforward, and the answers are in the manual. If you read the manual carefully and take practice tests, you will know what to expect.
How to Find Your State's Permit Test Format
Go to your state's DMV website and look for the section on the written permit test. Most states publish a sample test or a study guide that shows you the exact format, number of questions, and passing score. Some states also list the topics that will be covered.
Your state's DMV website will also tell you whether the test is on paper or on a computer, how long you have to complete it, and what happens if you fail. Some states let you retake the test the same day; others make you wait a few days. Knowing this in advance saves you from showing up unprepared.
If you cannot find the information on the DMV website, call the DMV directly or visit a local office. They can tell you the exact number of questions, the passing score, and how much time you will have. This is free information, and the DMV staff are used to answering these questions.
Common Mistakes Test-Takers Make
The most common mistake is not reading the driver manual before taking the test. Many people try to pass by guessing or by relying on common sense, and they fail because the test includes specific rules that are not obvious. For example, a question might ask the exact distance you must stay behind another vehicle, and the answer is in the manual but not something most people know without studying.
Another mistake is running out of time. Even though the test is only 40 to 50 questions, some people read too slowly or second-guess themselves on every question. Practice tests help you learn to pace yourself so you finish with time to spare.
A third mistake is not understanding what a question is asking. Some questions are worded in a way that can be confusing on first read. Reading each question twice — once to understand what it is asking, and once to pick the best answer — takes a few extra seconds but prevents careless mistakes.
How to Prepare for the Permit Test
Start by getting a copy of your state's driver manual. This is free and available on the DMV website or in print at any DMV office. Read it cover to cover, paying special attention to sections on signs, speed limits, and right-of-way rules.
After you have read the manual, take a practice test. Most states offer free practice tests on their DMV website. Take the practice test under the same conditions as the real test — sit at a table, set a timer for the time limit, and do not look at the manual while you are taking it. When you finish, review every question you missed and find the answer in the manual.
Repeat this cycle: read a section of the manual, take a practice test on that section, review your mistakes. Once you have gone through the whole manual, take a full-length practice test. If you score 85 percent or higher on the practice test, you are ready for the real test.
What Happens If You Fail the Permit Test
If you do not reach the passing score, you fail and must retake the test. Most states let you retake it the same day or within a few days, though a few states require you to wait a week. Each time you retake the test, you pay the test fee again — usually between $5 and $20 depending on the state.
You get the same number of questions and the same time limit on the retake. The questions are different, but they cover the same topics. If you failed because you did not study, study the manual before your next attempt. If you failed because you ran out of time, practice pacing yourself on the practice test.
Most people pass on the second or third attempt. Failing once does not mean you cannot pass — it means you need to study harder or prepare differently. Use the feedback from your first attempt to change your approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the permit test online or do I have to go to the DMV?
Most states require you to take the test in person at a DMV office or an approved testing location. A few states offer online testing, but this is rare. Check your state's DMV website to find out where you can take the test and whether online testing