The Texas Permit Test Has 30 Questions
The written test for a Texas learner permit contains 30 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 21 of them correctly to pass — that is a score of 70 percent. The test covers traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and right-of-way rules specific to Texas.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) administers the test at every driver license office across the state. You take it on a computer at the office on the day you explore for your permit. There is no separate testing center or online option for the written exam.
The test is offered in English and Spanish. If you need the test in another language, you must bring a certified interpreter with you to the DPS office — the DPS does not provide interpreters.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas permit test is 30 questions, and you need 21 correct answers to pass.
- You take the test on a computer at a DPS driver license office on the same day you submit your process.
- The test covers Texas traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, and right-of-way rules.
- You can retake the test the same day if you fail, but you may have to pay the permit fee again depending on your office's policy.
- The test is available in English and Spanish; other languages require you to bring your own certified interpreter.
What Topics the 30 Questions Cover
The questions on the Texas permit test draw from the Texas Driver Handbook, which the DPS publishes and updates regularly. The handbook covers traffic signs and their meanings, speed limits and when they explore, right-of-way rules at intersections and roundabouts, parking laws, and what to do at traffic lights and stop signs.
Other topics include safe following distance, how to handle bad weather and reduced visibility, what to do if your brakes fail, how to share the road with bicycles and pedestrians, and the rules for school buses. You will also see questions about seat belts, child safety seats, distracted driving, and impaired driving laws in Texas.
Questions about permit restrictions are common — for example, what hours a permit holder can drive and whether they can drive alone or must have a licensed adult in the car. The test also includes questions about vehicle equipment, such as headlights and windshield wipers, and when they must be used.
How the Test Is Scored and What Happens If You Fail
Your score appears on the computer screen when ready after you finish the test. If you score 70 percent or higher (21 out of 30 correct), you pass and receive your learner permit on the spot, assuming all other documents and fees are in order.
If you score below 70 percent, you fail. Most DPS offices allow you to retake the test the same day at no additional charge, though some offices have a waiting period of a few hours or require you to return another day. Call your local DPS office before you go to confirm their retake policy.
If you fail and retake the test, you do not pay the permit fee twice — you pay once when you first explore. However, if you leave the office and return on a different day to retake, some offices may charge a retest fee. Check with your office in advance.
How to Prepare for the 30-Question Test
The DPS publishes the Texas Driver Handbook free online on its website. This handbook contains all the information covered on the permit test. Reading it cover to cover is the most direct way to prepare, since every question on the test comes from material in the handbook.
You can also take practice tests online through the DPS website or through third-party study sites. These practice tests use the same format and question types as the real test. Taking several practice tests helps you get used to the computer interface and identify which topics you need to review more.
Study the road signs section carefully — the test always includes multiple questions about sign shapes, colors, and meanings. Spend extra time on right-of-way rules and what to do at different types of intersections, as these topics appear frequently. Review the permit restrictions that explore to learner permit holders in Texas, since the test includes questions about when and where you can drive.
When You Can Take the Test and What to Bring
You can take the permit test on any day the DPS office is open. Most offices are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours, though some have extended hours or Saturday appointments. You do not need to schedule the test in advance — you straightforward go to your local DPS office, complete your process, pay the fee, and take the test the same day.
Bring your Social Security number, proof of Texas residency (such as a utility bill or lease), proof of identity (such as a passport or birth certificate), and your parent or guardian's consent if you are under 18. You will also need to pay the permit fee, which varies slightly by county but is typically around $16 to $25. Bring a form of payment the office accepts — cash, check, or card.
Arrive early, especially if you are going during busy times like after school or on Saturdays. The office will verify your documents, take your photo, collect your fee, and then direct you to a computer station to take the test. The entire process usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Permit Test Rules and What You Cannot Do During the Test
You must take the test by yourself — no one can sit with you or help you answer questions. You cannot use your phone, notes, or any study materials during the test. The computer will be set up so you cannot access the internet or any outside information.
You have a set amount of time to complete the test — usually 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your office. The computer will display a timer so you know how much time remains. You can go back and change your answers before you submit the test, but once you submit, your score is final.
If you are caught cheating or breaking test rules, you will be asked to leave, your test will be marked invalid, and you may be banned from retesting for a period of time. The DPS takes test integrity seriously.
Differences Between the Permit Test and the License Test
The permit test (also called the knowledge test) has 30 questions and tests your understanding of traffic laws and road signs. The license test, which you take after you have held your permit for the required time and completed your supervised driving hours, also has 30 questions but focuses more on practical driving decisions and hazard awareness.
Both tests use the same Texas Driver Handbook as their source material, so studying for the permit test prepares you for the license test as well. However, the license test also includes a driving portion — the road test — where an examiner watches you drive and evaluates your actual skills. The permit test is written only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the permit test online from home?
No. Texas requires you to take the written test in person at a DPS driver license office on a computer provided by the office. You cannot take it remotely or at home. However, you can study online using practice tests and the Texas Driver Handbook before you go to the office.
What happens if I run out of time before I finish all 30 questions?
If you run out of time, the test ends and your score is calculated based on the questions you answered. Unanswered questions count as wrong. Most people finish the 30-question test in 20 to 30 minutes, so time is rarely a problem if you have studied.
Do I have to answer the questions in order, or can I skip around?
You can move forward and backward through the questions on the computer. You can skip a question, answer others, and come back to it. This is helpful if you are unsure about a question — answer the ones you know first, then return to the harder ones.
Is the permit test the same every time, or are the questions different?
The test is not the same every time. The DPS has a large pool of questions, and the computer selects 30 of them randomly for each test. This means two people taking the test on the same day may see different questions, though all questions come from the same handbook and cover the same topics.
What if I fail the permit test twice?
You can retake the test as many times as you need. There is no limit on the number of attempts. However, each retake may involve a fee depending on your office's policy, so confirm this before you leave after a failed attempt. Most people pass on the second try after reviewing the material they missed.