How Many Questions Are on the Permit Test? (All 50 States + DC)
Quick answer: Between 18 and 50, depending on your state. Pennsylvania has the shortest test at 18 questions, and Florida, New Jersey, Utah (if you have never been licensed) and Wisconsin each give 50. The most common length is 25 questions, and most states need 80% to pass.
Permit test questions and passing scores by state
Each state writes its own permit test from its own driver manual, so the number of questions and the score you need vary from state to state. Find your state below, then take its free practice tests.
| State | Questions | Passing score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 30* | 24 of 30 (80%)* | Reported |
| Alaska | 20 | 16 of 20 (80%) | State |
| Arizona | 30 | 24 of 30 (80%) | State |
| Arkansas | 25* | 20 of 25 (80%)* | Reported |
| California | 46 under 18; 36 if 18 or older* | 80% | Partly reported |
| Colorado | 25* | 20 of 25 (80%)* | Reported |
| Connecticut | 25 | 20 of 25 (80%) | State |
| Delaware | 32 (one DMV page says 30) | 26 of 32 (81%) | State |
| District of Columbia | 30 if 16–20; 25 if 21 or older* | 80%* | Reported |
| Florida | 50 | 40 of 50 (80%) | State |
| Georgia | 40: 20 road rules + 20 road signs | 15 of 20 on each part (75%) | State |
| Hawaii | 25 (online test) | 80% | State |
| Idaho | 40 | 34 of 40 (85%) | State |
| Illinois | At least 35 | 80% | State |
| Indiana | 50: 16 road signs + 34 rules* | 80% on each part | Partly reported |
| Iowa | 25* | 20 of 25 (80%)* | Reported |
| Kansas | 25 | 20 of 25 (80%)* | Partly reported |
| Kentucky | 40* | 80% | Partly reported |
| Louisiana | 40 | 32 of 40 (80%) | State |
| Maine | 30 | 24 of 30 (80%) | State |
| Maryland | 25 | 22 of 25 (88%) | State |
| Massachusetts | 25 | 18 of 25 (72%) | State |
| Michigan | Adults: 50*, plus a road sign test. Teens: Segment 1 driver ed exam | Adults: 40 of 50 (80%)*. Teens: 70% | Partly reported |
| Minnesota | 40* | 80% | Partly reported |
| Mississippi | 30* | 80% | Partly reported |
| Missouri | 25, plus a road sign test | 20 of 25 (80%) | State |
| Montana | 33* | Not published | Reported |
| Nebraska | 25 | 20 of 25 (80%) | State |
| Nevada | 25 | 20 of 25 (80%) | State |
| New Hampshire | 40 (license knowledge test; NH has no learner's permit) | 32 of 40 (80%) | State |
| New Jersey | 50 | 40 of 50 (80%) | State |
| New Mexico | 25* | 70% | Partly reported |
| New York | 20, including 4 road sign questions | 14 of 20 (70%), with 2 of the 4 sign questions | State |
| North Carolina | 25*, plus a road signs test | 80%; signs: 9 of 12 | Partly reported |
| North Dakota | 25* | 20 of 25 (80%)* | Reported |
| Ohio | 40 | 30 of 40 (75%) | State |
| Oklahoma | 20 | 15 of 20 (75%) | State |
| Oregon | 35 | 28 of 35 (80%) | State |
| Pennsylvania | 18 | 15 of 18 (83%) | State |
| Rhode Island | 40 | 28 of 40 (70%)* | Partly reported |
| South Carolina | 30* | 24 of 30 (80%)* | Reported |
| South Dakota | 25* | 80% | Partly reported |
| Tennessee | 30 | 24 of 30 (80%) | State |
| Texas | 30*, in a road signs part and a road rules part | 70% on each part | Partly reported |
| Utah | 50 if you have never been licensed | 80% | State |
| Vermont | 20 | 16 of 20 (80%) | State |
| Virginia | 40: 10 road signs + 30 general knowledge | All 10 signs, plus 24 of 30 | State |
| Washington | 40 | 32 of 40 (80%) | State |
| West Virginia | 25 | 19 of 25 (76%) | State |
| Wisconsin | 50, plus a 15-question highway signs test | 40 of 50 (80%); signs: 12 of 15 | State |
| Wyoming | 25* | 80% | Partly reported |
* The state doesn't publish this number; the figure shown is the one commonly reported for its test. State: both numbers come from the state's own licensing agency, driver manual or rules. Partly reported: one number comes from the state and the other is commonly reported. Reported: the state publishes neither number. Last updated October 22, 2026. Tests can change, so confirm with your state before test day.
How many questions can you miss on the permit test?
Most states need 80%, which means you can miss one question in five:
- 25 questions at 80%: you can miss 5
- 30 questions at 80%: you can miss 6
- 40 questions at 80%: you can miss 8
- 50 questions at 80%: you can miss 10
Some states are stricter. Maryland needs 22 of 25 (88%), Idaho 34 of 40 and Pennsylvania 15 of 18. Several states need less than 80%, including Georgia, Ohio and Oklahoma (75%), West Virginia (19 of 25), Massachusetts (18 of 25), and New Mexico, New York and Texas (70%).
Is there a separate road signs test?
In some states, yes. Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin test road signs as their own part of the exam or as a separate test. In Virginia you must get all 10 road sign questions right, plus 24 of the 30 general knowledge questions.
Is the permit test the same in every state?
No. Every state sets its own number of questions, passing score and rules for retaking the test, and the questions are based on that state's own driver manual. A few states also give a different test depending on your age or whether you have held a license before, so check your state page for the details.
Ready to practice? Every state has 10 free tests with every answer explained.
Free DMV practice testsPart of our permit test guide
Sources: each state's driver manual, licensing agency website and administrative rules where the state publishes these numbers; figures marked * are the ones commonly reported for that state's test. Last updated October 22, 2026. This page is reviewed and approved by Brennan McIlwain, the site owner. Spot a mistake? Email contact@drivingpracticetests.com.