Short answer: The California DMV does not publish how many questions are on the permit (knowledge) test. What it does say is that the test is multiple choice, every question comes from the California Driver’s Handbook, and you need a score of 80% to pass. That means you can miss about 1 out of every 5 questions. You get three attempts before you have to reapply.
Ready to check what you know? Take the free 10-question California permit practice test.
Start the free test →What the DMV officially says about the test
We checked the DMV’s permit, driver’s license and handbook pages. None of them give the total number of questions on the permit test. (The DMV’s Provisional Licensing fact sheet, FFDL 19, revised 7/2019, says minors may miss no more than 8 questions, and its Senior Drivers page says the renewal test has 25 questions.) Here is what the DMV does state:
| Question | Official answer |
|---|---|
| How many questions? | Not published on dmv.ca.gov |
| Question type | Multiple choice. Each question has one correct answer and two choices that are wrong or don’t fit. |
| Where questions come from | The California Driver’s Handbook |
| Passing score | 80% |
| Attempts | Three attempts to pass before you must reapply |
| Waiting period after failing (under 18) | Seven days, not counting the day you failed |
| Office testing cutoff | Knowledge tests are not given at DMV offices after 4:30 p.m. |
| Testing aids | Not allowed, including the handbook and cell phones |
You may see a specific question count on other websites. The DMV doesn’t confirm those numbers, so don’t build your plan around them. Plan around the 80% rule instead.
How many questions can you miss on the permit test?
To pass, you need at least 80% correct. In other words, you can miss up to 20% of the questions. The exact number depends on how many questions are on your test, which the DMV doesn’t publish. This table shows how the 80% rule works out for a few test sizes. These are examples only, not official test lengths.
| If a test had this many questions | You’d need at least this many right | You could miss up to |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 16 | 4 |
| 25 | 20 | 5 |
| 30 | 24 | 6 |
| 40 | 32 | 8 |
| 50 | 40 | 10 |
The simple rule: for every 5 questions, you can miss 1. If you are scoring well above 80% on practice tests, the exact count won’t matter much.
Attempts and retake rules
The DMV gives you three attempts to pass the knowledge test. If you fail the same test three times, you have to reapply. That means starting a new application and paying the application fee again.
- Under 18: You must wait seven days before you retake a failed knowledge test. The day you failed doesn’t count.
- 18 and over: The DMV pages we checked don’t list a waiting period for adults. Ask at the office if you need to retest.
- Online test: DMV’s December 2023 news release says you can try the online test twice. If you fail both, your third try is at a DMV office.
The DMV’s licensing fees page lists $46 for an original Class C driver’s license application, as of November 2026. Check the fees page before you apply, since fees can change.
Online vs. in-office knowledge test
The questions are the same either way. The DMV’s December 2023 release says online test questions come from the same pool used at DMV offices.
| At a DMV office | Online at home | |
|---|---|---|
| When | During office hours; no knowledge tests after 4:30 p.m. | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, except state holidays |
| Device | Provided at the office | A computer or laptop with a webcam; not a tablet or phone |
| Attempts | Three attempts per application | Two online; the third at an office |
| Languages | Ask your office | Offered in 35 languages |
| Who can use it | Anyone applying | Eligible applicants, including people under 18 since September 2023 |
If you test in an office, the DMV says it doesn’t give knowledge tests within 30 minutes of closing, so arrive early. If you test online, you still visit an office afterward to finish your application. Our online permit test guide explains how that works.
Is the test different for teens and adults?
The DMV doesn’t publish the total question count for teens or adults. Its fact sheet for minors (FFDL 19, revised 7/2019) says you may miss no more than 8 questions; the DMV gives no matching number for adult applicants. Both take a knowledge test based on the same handbook, and the DMV states the 80% passing score and the three-attempt limit without any age difference. The main official difference is timing: if you are under 18, you must wait seven days before retaking a failed test. Teens also have to be at least 15½, have a driver education certificate of completion or enrollment (if under 17½), and get a parent or guardian to sign the application. Our permit age guide covers those rules.
What else happens at your permit appointment
The knowledge test isn’t the only step. According to the DMV’s instruction permit page, at the office you will also pay the application fee, pass a vision exam, and have your photo taken. Bring your identity documents too. Our guide on what to bring to the DMV walks through the list.
How to make the question count not matter
Since you won’t know the exact number ahead of time, aim to know the handbook well enough that a few misses don’t sink you. A few tips:
- Read the California Driver’s Handbook, especially the sections on road rules, safe driving, and alcohol and drugs. Our handbook study guide has a 7-day reading plan.
- Take the DMV’s free sample tests and other practice tests. Before test day, take the free 10-question practice test.
- Keep practicing until you score well above 80% several times in a row. That gives you a cushion for nerves.
- Read every answer before choosing. The DMV says there are no trick questions, so the plain reading is usually right.
For a full study plan, see how to pass the California permit test.
Ready to check what you know? Take the free 10-question California permit practice test.
Start the free test →Frequently asked questions
How many questions can you miss on the California permit test?
You need 80% to pass, so you can miss up to 20% of the questions, or about 1 in every 5. The DMV doesn't publish the total number of questions. Its Provisional Licensing fact sheet (FFDL 19, revised 7/2019) says minors applying for a permit may miss no more than 8 questions, but it doesn't give the total.
Does the DMV say how many questions are on the permit test?
No. The DMV's permit, driver's license and handbook pages say the test is multiple choice and based on the handbook, with an 80% passing score, but they don't state the number of questions.
What happens if I fail the permit test three times?
The DMV allows three attempts. If you fail the same test three times, you must reapply, which means a new application and fee.
How long do I have to wait to retake the permit test?
If you are under 18, you must wait seven days, not counting the day you failed. The DMV pages we checked don't list a waiting period for adults.
Are the online and office tests the same?
The DMV says online test questions come from the same pool used at DMV offices. The online test gives you two tries; the third must be at an office.
Are DMV sample tests the real test questions?
The DMV offers sample tests so you can see example questions. It doesn't say they are the questions on your actual test, so use them for practice along with the handbook.
Sources
- Instruction Permits
- Driver's Licenses
- Preparing for Knowledge and Drive Tests
- Handbook Section 3: The Testing Process
- More Californians Fulfilling DMV Testing Requirement Online (Dec. 28, 2023)
- DMV Expands Eligibility for At-Home Testing (Sept. 7, 2023)
- Licensing Fees
- Sample Driver's License Knowledge Tests
- California Driver's Handbook