Who has to take the DMV written test
The written test — officially the knowledge test in most states — applies to more people than first-time teens. Depending on your state, you may need to take it if you are:
- Applying for your first learner's permit, at any age.
- Moving from another country, in most states (some have reciprocity agreements with certain countries).
- Moving from another state, in states that don't waive testing for transfers.
- Renewing after your license has been expired for a long time.
- Adding a motorcycle endorsement or applying for a commercial license (separate knowledge tests).
- Required to retest after certain violations or a medical review.
Format: what the test looks like
The written test is multiple choice. In most states you take it on a computer or touchscreen at a licensing office, though paper versions still exist and a growing number of states let eligible applicants test online. Expect short questions, usually with three or four answer options, sometimes with a photo or diagram of a sign or traffic situation.
There are two broad styles. A fixed-length test gives you every question and then scores the whole thing. An early-stop test ends as soon as you've reached the passing number of correct answers, or the failing number of wrong ones. If your test suddenly ends after 15 questions, that is why. Some states also split road signs into a separate section, and you must pass each section on its own.
Scoring and pass marks
Pass marks are commonly set somewhere between 70% and 85%, with 80% being very common. The number of questions also varies a lot — some states ask around 20, others 50 or more. Because the numbers matter for how you practice, we are verifying each state's figures against its official handbook on our questions per state page, rather than repeating figures that may be out of date.
What's on the written test
The written test is drawn from your state's official driver handbook. The proportion of each topic varies, but nearly every state covers:
| Topic | Examples of what's asked |
|---|---|
| Traffic signs | Shapes, colors, regulatory vs. warning, railroad and work zone signs |
| Signals and markings | Flashing lights, arrows, lane lines, turn lanes, HOV lanes |
| Right of way | All-way stops, left turns, roundabouts, pedestrians, emergency vehicles, school buses |
| Speed and space | Basic speed law, following distance, stopping distance, weather |
| Turning, passing, parking | Signaling, no-passing rules, parking on hills, parking distances |
| Alcohol and drugs | BAC limits, implied consent, under-21 rules, penalties |
| Sharing the road | Trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, work zones, move-over laws |
| Emergencies | Skids, blowouts, brake failure, railroad stalls, crashes |
| State rules | Permit restrictions, points, insurance, fines and administrative rules |
The last row is the one generic practice can't cover well, so read those chapters of your handbook carefully.
Accommodations and languages
If reading is difficult for you — because of dyslexia, a disability or because English isn't your first language — ask about options before test day. Most states offer an audio version, and many offer the test in multiple languages. Accommodations for disabilities are generally available on request, sometimes with documentation. Don't try to tough it out; failing a test you could have taken in an accessible format wastes your time and fees.
Rules during the test
No phones, no notes, no headphones (except those provided for an audio test) and no talking. Leave your phone in the car or with your parent. Using any kind of help is usually an automatic fail, often with a longer wait before you can retest, and can be treated as fraud.
If you don't pass
It happens to a lot of people, and you'll usually be able to try again soon — sometimes the next day, sometimes after a week. Some states limit the number of attempts per application or charge a retest fee. Our guide on failing the permit test walks through the next steps.
The best preparation
Read the handbook once, then switch to practice. Take a practice permit test, read every explanation, drill your misses, and finish with a timed run in exam mode. Add the road signs quiz if your state has a separate signs section. When you are scoring above 90% on questions you haven't seen, you're ready.