Failed Your Driving Test? How Soon You Can Retake It by State

How long you wait to retake a failed driving test depends on your state and sometimes your age: from one day in Pennsylvania (for adults) to 14 days in California and New York. Many states also cap attempts, such as three per permit in Pennsylvania or three per application in California and Texas.

A failed test is fixable. Here are the official rules in six states, and how to use the waiting time well.

Key takeaways

• California: wait 14 days; $7 retest fee; three failures and you reapply.
• New York: wait at least 14 days; extra fees after the first two failed tests.
• Pennsylvania: under 18, wait 7 days; 18 and older, at least 1 day; three tries per permit.
• Ohio: under 21, wait 2 days; 21 and older, complete an abbreviated adult course first.
• Texas: application held 90 days; after three failures or 90 days, reapply and pay again.
• Florida: no waiting period stated; FLHSMV says to study or practice before returning.

State-by-state retest rules

State	Waiting period	Attempt limit	Fee notes
California	14 days, not counting the test day	3 failures, then reapply	$7 retest fee
New York	At least 14 days	Not stated	Additional fees after the first two failed tests
Pennsylvania	Under 18: 7 days; 18+: 1 day	3 per permit	Not stated in the FAQ
Ohio	Under 21: 2 days; 21+: after abbreviated course	Not stated	Testing locations may charge fees
Texas	Retest within the 90-day application hold	3 failures, then new application	New application fee after 3 failures or 90 days
Florida	Not stated	Not stated	Fee rules for third-party mandatory retests

The details for each state follow.

California

California DMV says that after a failed driving test you must wait 14 days before retesting, not including the day the test was failed. The retest fee is $7. And if you fail the driving test three times, your application is no longer valid and you must reapply.

Your application and fee also expire after 12 months, so do not let too much time slip by.

New York

New York DMV says you must wait at least 14 days before retaking the test. Your learner permit stays valid until it expires. You can schedule another test, but you must pay additional fees if you failed your first two road tests; DMV has an online "Pay for Additional Road Tests" service.

To schedule again, you need a valid permit, an unexpired MV-278 or MV-285 certificate, and at least one unused road test. Teens under 18 must bring the signed MV-262 to every road test, not just the first one.

Pennsylvania

PennDOT's scheduling FAQ says drivers 18 or older wait at least one day; under 18, seven days. You may take the test up to three times on each permit.

After the third failure, you must reapply to extend the permit. PennDOT also says that if you have not passed within three years of your physical exam date, you start over with a new application and the knowledge test.

Ohio

Ohio's Digest of Motor Vehicle Laws says applicants under 21 must wait two days before retesting.

First-time applicants 21 and older who fail the first attempt must complete an abbreviated adult driver training course before the second attempt: a 4-hour class, then either 4 hours with a licensed instructor or 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 or older. The exception is someone who completed approved driver education within the past year. Our Ohio Driver Training Rules for Teens and Adults Under 21 guide covers this in detail.

Texas

Texas DPS's driving test guide (form DL-60) says that after a failed test, your application will be held in the driver license office for 90 days. After 90 days, or after three failed tests, you must submit a new application and fee.

DL-60 also says a dangerous or illegal maneuver ends the test immediately.

Florida

FLHSMV does not state a fixed waiting period. It says applicants who fail should study or practice before returning for a re-test.

One Florida detail: applicants who pass through a third-party administrator may be randomly selected for a no-fee mandatory retest without prior notice. If they fail that retest, a re-exam fee is collected at the next attempt.

Why people fail

PennDOT's testing page gives a useful list of reasons for failing:

• not being able to operate vehicle controls
• errors in safe-driving practices
• causing a crash
• violating traffic laws, such as running a stop sign
• not following the examiner's instructions
• not using turn signals
• dangerous or reckless driving

Some failures happen before the car moves. Missing documents or a car that fails the pre-test inspection can mean no test at all. See Car Requirements for Your Driving Test: Will Yours Pass?.

For a deeper look at test-day errors, see The Road Test: What to Expect and Why People Fail.

How to use the waiting period

The waiting period is practice time. A simple plan:

1. Write down what happened. Ask for the score sheet or the examiner's notes if your state gives them. Note every point.
2. Practice the exact weak spot. If it was parallel parking, set up cones and park 20 times. If it was a rolling stop, practice full stops at every sign for a week.
3. Drive the test area. Practice the kinds of roads near the test site: intersections, school zones, lane changes.
4. Do a mock test. Have a parent or instructor call out directions like an examiner, without coaching.
5. Check the paperwork and the car a few days before: permit, certificates, logs, registration, insurance, working lights and signals.

Consider a lesson with a licensed instructor

A professional instructor brings a fresh set of eyes and can spot habits a family member may not notice. A lesson or two before a retest, focused only on the skills that went wrong, is a practical option. If you are an adult beginner, see How Many Driving Lessons Does an Adult Beginner Need?.

Pick a school your state has licensed. In RoadVerified's directory, schools with a verified check mark have confirmed their details with us.

Handling the emotional side

Failing a road test stings, especially for a teen whose friends already drive. Keep the focus on the fix, not the fail. The test exists to make sure every new driver is safe, and a second try with better skills is a good outcome.

FAQ

How long do you have to wait to retake a failed driving test?

It varies by state. California and New York require 14 days, Pennsylvania requires 7 days for teens under 18 and 1 day for adults, and Ohio requires 2 days for applicants under 21.

How many times can you fail the driving test?

California and Texas require a new application after three failures, and Pennsylvania allows three attempts per permit. Other states set their own limits.

Do you have to pay again to retake the driving test?

Often. California charges a $7 retest fee. New York charges additional fees after the first two failed tests. Texas requires a new application and fee after three failures or 90 days.

What is an automatic fail on a driving test?

Each state has its own list. Texas says a dangerous or illegal maneuver ends the test immediately, and Pennsylvania lists causing a crash, violating traffic laws and dangerous driving among reasons for failing.

Do I need lessons before retaking the test?

Ohio requires an abbreviated adult course for first-time applicants 21 and older who fail. The other state pages reviewed here do not require one, but a lesson focused on your weak spots can help.

Find a verified driving school

A focused lesson before your retest can make the difference. Find a verified driving school near you in our directory.