How Many Questions Are on the Permit Test? (By State)

It depends on the state: the written permit test ranges from 18 questions in Pennsylvania to 50 in Florida and New Jersey. Most states we checked need a score of about 75% to 80% to pass, so a teen can usually miss only a handful of questions.

Below is a state-by-state table built from each agency's own manual or rules, plus what happens if your teen does not pass the first time.

Key takeaways

Question counts vary a lot, from 18 to 50 in the states below.
Passing scores cluster around 75% to 83%. Know the exact number of misses allowed in your state.
Some states add extra rules, such as New York's road sign minimum.
Retake rules differ too. Pennsylvania allows a retry the next business day; California makes minors wait seven days.
The official driver manual is the best study guide. Every question comes from it.

Permit test questions and passing scores by state

These figures come straight from state agency pages and rules. We only list states where we could confirm the number on an official source.

State	Questions	Needed to pass	Can miss	Source
Florida	50	40 (80%)	10	FLHSMV
Illinois	At least 35	80%	7 (on a 35-question test)	Ill. Admin. Code 1030.80
New Jersey	50	40 (80%)	10	NJ MVC
New York	20	14, including 2 of 4 road sign questions	6	NY DMV manual
Ohio	40	75% (30)	10	Ohio BMV
Pennsylvania	18	15	3	PA driver's manual
California	Not stated on the DMV page	80%	Depends on test length	CA DMV

A few notes on reading this table:

New York has a second hurdle. Your teen must answer at least 14 of 20 questions correctly and at least two of the four road sign questions. A great score with weak sign knowledge can still fail.
Illinois sets a minimum, not a fixed number. State rules call for a test of a minimum of 35 questions, with 80% answered correctly.
California says its test is multiple choice, based on the California Driver's Handbook, and that a passing score is 80%. The DMV page we checked did not list a question count, so we left it out rather than guess.
Pennsylvania has the shortest test in our table, which also means the least room for error: 15 of 18 correct is about 83%.

If your state is not listed, open your DMV's driver manual. The testing section almost always states the number of questions and the passing score.

What the test covers

Permit tests focus on the rules of the road, road signs and safe driving. Florida, for example, says its 50-question exam covers Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices and identifying traffic controls. Ohio describes its test as questions about motor vehicle regulations and traffic signs.

In practice, expect questions on:

Right-of-way rules at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts
Speed limits in school zones and residential areas
Sign shapes and colors (stop, yield, warning, regulatory)
Following distance, passing and lane changes
What to do around school buses and emergency vehicles
Alcohol and drug laws, especially rules for drivers under 21
Your state's teen license limits, such as passenger and night rules

If your teen fails: retake rules

Failing the permit test is common, and it is fixable. Rules for trying again differ by state:

Pennsylvania: a teen who fails can retake the test the following business day.
California: applicants get three attempts to pass before they must reapply, and minors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not counting the day of the failure.
Washington, DC: after a failed knowledge test, you wait 3 calendar days and return on the fourth day.

Ask your local office about fees for retests. Some states charge again for each attempt; prices vary.

Where teens take the test

The test is not always at the DMV counter anymore.

Ohio lets applicants complete the knowledge test online starting at 15 years and six months. Applicants aged 15.5 to under 19 must have a supervising adult present while testing online.
Texas lets teens who passed the exam during their driver education classroom course show proof of passing at the driver license office. Otherwise they take it at the office.

If your teen takes the test as part of a course, make sure the course provider is licensed by your state. A test result or certificate from an unlicensed provider may not be accepted. Our guide on How to Find a Licensed Driving School in Your State shows how to check.

How to help your teen pass the first time

Use the official manual. Every state's test is drawn from its driver handbook. Read it together, one chapter a week.
Take the state's practice tests. Many DMVs, including New York and New Jersey, post free sample tests on their sites.
Drill road signs separately. Sign questions are quick points, and in New York they are their own pass or fail hurdle.
Talk through scenarios in the car. When you reach a four-way stop, ask your teen who goes first and why. It turns a test question into a habit.
Know the number of misses allowed. If your state allows only three misses, aim for perfect practice scores before test day.
Bring the right documents. A teen who studied hard can still be turned away for missing paperwork. See What Documents Do You Need for a Learner's Permit?.

After the permit: the real learning starts

Passing the written test only unlocks supervised practice. Most states then require a set number of practice hours before the road test; see Learner's Permit Practice Hours by State: A Log Guide for the numbers.

FAQ

How many questions can you miss on the permit test?

It depends on your state. In our table, Pennsylvania allows 3 misses out of 18, New York allows 6 out of 20 (with at least 2 of 4 road sign questions correct), and Florida, New Jersey and Ohio allow 10.

What is the passing score for the permit test?

Most states we checked require 75% to 80%. Ohio requires 75%; California, Florida, Illinois and New Jersey require 80%. Pennsylvania's 15 of 18 works out to about 83%.

Is the permit test the same for adults and teens?

The official pages we checked list one passing standard, not separate ones by age. What often changes with age is the process around the test, such as parental consent, waiting periods or required courses. California, for example, makes minors wait seven days to retake a failed test.

Can you take the permit test online?

In some states. Ohio allows the knowledge test online from age 15 and a half, with a supervising adult present for applicants under 19. Check your state DMV's site.

Find a verified driving school

A good driver education course prepares your teen for the permit test and for the road. You can browse licensed driving schools in our directory, and look for the verified check mark on schools whose details have been confirmed.