California Permit Test: How Many Questions and What Score to Pass
How many questions are on the California permit test?
No California DMV page gives the number of questions on the permit knowledge test (also called the written test). The DMV does state the rules: every question is multiple choice, every question comes from the California Driver's Handbook, and you need 80% to pass. Each of the four English DMV sample tests has 10 questions, so 8 right answers on a sample matches the 80% line.
Where these facts come from
As of 2026, this guide uses the DMV Learner's Permits page, the testing process section of the California Driver's Handbook and the DMV sample knowledge tests, plus the DMV test preparation, Driver's Handbooks and licensing fee pages, Section 2 of the handbook and California Vehicle Code 12509. The 10-question count comes from counting the questions on each sample test page. Confirm the rules with the California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) before your visit.
What is on the California permit test?
Every question comes from the California Driver's Handbook, and each one has three answer choices. The DMV sample tests show how wide the topics run: how far away to switch from high beams to low beams, which curb color bans stopping and parking, and when a driver under 18 may drive after eight months with a license.
How many questions can you miss on the California permit test?
You need 80% to pass, and the passing score is the same for applicants under 18 and for applicants 18 or older. The number of misses that 80% allows depends on the length of the test. On a 10-question DMV sample test, 80% means 8 right answers, so you can miss 2. A score of 7 out of 10 is below the line.
Who can take the California permit knowledge test
| Applicant | What the DMV asks for |
|---|---|
| Age 15½ to 17½ | A certificate of completion or enrollment in driver education, and a parent or guardian's signature on the application |
| Over 17½ but under 18 | You may get the permit without the driver education certificates, but a parent or guardian still signs the application, and you cannot take the driving test until you are 18 |
| Age 18 or older | The application, proof of identity and residency, the vision exam and the same knowledge test with the same 80% passing score |
Steps to take the permit test at a California DMV office
- 1
Complete the application
Fill in the California Driver's License or ID Card Application. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian signs it.
- 2
Book an appointment
Schedule an appointment at a DMV office. Knowledge tests must start before 4:30 p.m., so pick an earlier time.
- 3
Bring your documents
Bring proof of identity and two proofs of residency. Exceptions may apply.
- 4
Pay, pass the vision exam and take a photo
Pay the non-refundable application fee: $46 for an original Class C license on the DMV fee page, as of 2026. Then pass the vision exam and have your photo taken.
- 5
Take the knowledge test
Answer every question without help: the handbook, a cell phone and other testing aids are not allowed during the test.
How many times can you take the California permit test?
For an original license application, the DMV allows three attempts to pass the knowledge test before you must reapply. An applicant under 18 waits seven days to retake a failed test, not counting the day of the failure. The application and its fee stay valid for 12 months after you apply. The guide to retaking the permit test covers what to do after a failed test.
How to study for the California permit test
- Read the California Driver's Handbook, and give yourself a few days to get through it. The DMV also offers a shorter Quick Reference version of the handbook and marks it as recommended.
- Take the DMV sample tests (see the next section) and aim for 8 of 10 or better on each one.
- Look up each missed question in the handbook. If you miss a question at the DMV office, an employee can tell you the page with the right answer.
Where to find the official California DMV sample tests
The DMV sample test page has four Class C tests in English, with 10 questions each. The Class C list also comes in nine other versions, including Spanish and American Sign Language. The DMV adds new questions to the samples from time to time, so take all four tests and come back to the page later.
Key takeaways
- The California permit knowledge test is multiple choice, every question comes from the Driver's Handbook, and you need 80% to pass.
- On a 10-question DMV sample test, 80% means 8 right answers.
- Book a DMV appointment, bring proof of identity and residency, pay the $46 application fee (as of 2026) and start the test before 4:30 p.m.
- For an original license, you get three attempts to pass the knowledge test, and an applicant under 18 waits seven days after a failed test.
- Next step: practice on the free California Class C permit practice test.
California permit test: common questions
Are there trick questions on the California permit test?
No. The DMV says there are no trick questions. On each question, one answer is correct, and the other two choices are clearly wrong or do not fit the question. Read each question carefully, pick the answer that matches the handbook and do not overthink it.
Do the DMV sample tests show the real permit test questions?
They are example questions to practice with, and new questions are added to the samples from time to time. All real test questions come from the Driver's Handbook, so read the handbook as well as the samples.
Can I practice for the California permit test in Spanish?
Yes. The DMV Class C sample tests come in Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Farsi, Punjabi, Russian, Tagalog and Vietnamese, as well as English and American Sign Language. The DMV Driver's Handbooks page has the handbook as a PDF in 8 languages, including Spanish, Hindi and Punjabi. The free practice test on this site is in English only.
What happens after I pass the California permit test?
With most instruction permits, you may drive only when a California-licensed driver aged 18 or older accompanies and supervises you, under Vehicle Code 12509. If you are under 18, wait to use the permit until behind-the-wheel training starts with an instructor who validates it, and log your 50 practice hours with a licensed driver aged 25 or older. The guide to driving with a permit has the full rules.
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