Minnesota's permit test has 40 questions, and you need to answer at least 32 correctly to pass

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety administers a written knowledge test as part of the permit process. The test contains exactly 40 multiple-choice questions covering traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and vehicle handling. You must score at least 80 percent — meaning 32 correct answers — to pass and move forward with your permit.

The test is taken at a Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office on a computer terminal. You have up to 30 minutes to complete it, though most test-takers finish in 15 to 20 minutes. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment within a few days, depending on office availability.

Key Takeaways

  • The Minnesota permit test contains 40 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass.
  • Questions cover Minnesota traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices drawn from the official Minnesota Driver's Manual.
  • You have 30 minutes to complete the test at a DVS office, and results are available when ready after you finish.
  • If you fail, you can retake the test the same day at most offices, though you may need to pay the test fee again.

What the 40 questions cover

All questions come from material in the Minnesota Driver's Manual, which is free and available online through the DVS website or in print at any DVS office. The test draws from several topic areas: traffic signs and their meanings, right-of-way rules at intersections and pedestrian crossings, speed limits and safe following distances, parking rules, vehicle control on different road surfaces, and impaired driving laws.

Questions also cover permit-specific rules — what you can and cannot do while driving with a permit, when you must have a licensed adult in the vehicle, and restrictions on phone use or passengers. A smaller portion of the test addresses vehicle maintenance basics and what to do if your brakes fail or you skid on ice.

The questions are not trick questions, but they do test whether you understand the why behind the rule, not just the rule itself. For example, you might be asked why you should increase your following distance in rain, not just that you should. This means memorizing the manual matters more than guessing.

How the test is scored and what happens if you fail

The computer scores your test when ready after you submit it. You will see your score on the screen before you leave the testing station. If you pass, the DVS staff will provide you with your permit or direct you to the next step in the process. If you do not pass, you receive a score report showing which topic areas gave you trouble.

You can retake the test at most DVS offices on the same day, though you will need to pay the test fee again — currently $10 for the knowledge test. Some offices have limited retesting slots, so staff will tell you whether you can test again when ready or need to schedule another appointment. There is no waiting period between attempts in Minnesota.

Most people pass on the second attempt after reviewing the manual sections they missed. The DVS website offers a practice test with sample questions in the same format as the real test, which many test-takers use to prepare.

Preparing for the 40-question test

The most effective preparation is reading the Minnesota Driver's Manual from start to finish, then reviewing the sections that cover your weak areas. The manual is organized by topic, so if you struggled with sign recognition, you can focus on that chapter without re-reading everything.

The DVS practice test is available online and contains questions in the same multiple-choice format as the real test. Taking it under timed conditions — 30 minutes for 40 questions — helps you get used to the pace and identify which topics need more study. You can take the practice test as many times as you want.

Some test-takers study with a parent or friend who quizzes them on manual content. Others use flashcard apps that focus on Minnesota-specific rules. The key is spending time on the material before test day rather than trying to cram the night before.

What to bring and what to expect on test day

Bring a valid form of identification — a passport, birth certificate, or state ID — and proof of your Social Security number. You will also need to bring proof of your Minnesota residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement. The DVS office will verify this information before you sit for the test.

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. The testing area is quiet, and you will be seated at a computer terminal with a proctor nearby. You cannot use notes, phones, or any study materials during the test. The computer will display each question one at a time, and you select your answer by clicking on the choice. You can review and change your answers before you submit the test.

The testing environment is straightforward and low-pressure. Staff are accustomed to nervous test-takers and will answer procedural questions before you begin. Once you start, you are on your own with the 40 questions and 30 minutes on the clock.

Retesting and moving forward after you pass

Once you pass the knowledge test, your next step depends on your age and whether you are pursuing a permit or a full license. If you are under 18, you will receive a Class D permit that allows you to practice driving with a licensed adult. If you are 18 or older, you may move directly to the road test or receive a permit depending on your situation.

Your permit is valid for one year from the date you pass the knowledge test. During that time, you must complete the required supervised driving hours and then schedule a road test at a DVS office. The road test covers vehicle control, following traffic laws, and safe decision-making in real driving conditions — it is separate from the 40-question written test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the Minnesota permit test online or at home?

No. The test must be taken in person at a Minnesota DVS office on a computer terminal provided by the office. You cannot take it remotely or on your own device. You must schedule an appointment or walk in during office hours, depending on your local office's policy.

What happens if I run out of time before answering all 40 questions?

The test will automatically submit when the 30 minutes are up. Any questions you did not answer will be marked as incorrect. This is rare — most test-takers finish with time to spare — but it is a reason to pace yourself and not spend more than a minute on any single question.

Are the 40 questions the same every time someone takes the test?

No. The DVS uses a question bank, and the computer selects 40 questions randomly from that bank each time someone tests. This means two people taking the test on the same day may see different questions, though all questions cover the same topics and difficulty level.

Do I need to pass the permit test before I can take the road test?

Yes. You must pass the 40-question knowledge test before you can schedule a road test. The knowledge test comes first and is a requirement for all permit and license types in Minnesota.

Is the permit test harder than the road test?

They test different skills. The knowledge test checks whether you know the rules; the road test checks whether you can explore them while driving. Most people find the road test more stressful because it is performed in real traffic, but the knowledge test requires solid study. Both must be passed to get a full license.