Driving Tests

Louisiana Permit Test: How Many Questions and the Score to Pass

informational·how to guide·Published September 23, 2026

How many questions are on the Louisiana permit test, and what score do you need?

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) says the learner's permit test has 40 questions, and you need at least 80% to pass: 32 correct answers, so you can miss 8 at most. State law sets 32 items as the minimum size of the test. Most students take it at their driving school when the classroom part ends, and they need a Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) first.

Where these Louisiana test rules come from

The key numbers come from the OMV Permits page, Louisiana law R.S. 32:408 and the Class D & E Driver's Guide. Other details come from OMV policies 10.00 (knowledge exams) and 6.01 (driver education), the OMV New Licenses, Student/Parent and driver education pages, and R.S. 32:402.1. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (expresslane.org) before you drive.

How many questions are on the Louisiana permit test?

The OMV Permits page gives 40 questions for the learner's permit test, so plan for 40. Louisiana law sets a minimum: each Class D or E knowledge test must have at least 32 items.
The questions are multiple choice. By law, the test is based only on the driver's manual, and the questions come from the Driver's Guide. The guide says the test checks traffic signs and signals, safe driving practices and Louisiana driving laws. You can also use the guide at no cost at libraries and schools in each Louisiana parish.

What score do you need to pass the Louisiana permit test?

You need 80% or higher. Louisiana law, OMV policy and the Driver's Guide all set this pass mark. On a 40-question test, 80% is 32 correct answers, so you can miss 8 at most.
The Driver's Guide gives three study tips. Read the manual at least three times. Learn the numbers in it, such as lengths, distances and measurements. On the test, read the full question and every answer before you choose.

Louisiana knowledge test numbers at a glance

Louisiana knowledge test numbers at a glance
Item	Louisiana rule
Number of questions	40 (OMV Permits page)
Minimum size by law	32 items for each Class D or E knowledge test
Passing score	80% or higher
Correct answers needed on 40 questions	32 (8 misses at most)
Question type	Multiple choice, from the Driver's Guide
Test format	On a computer in most OMV offices; an oral exam may be available on request
Needed before the test	A Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP)

Topics Louisiana law requires on the test

Signs that regulate, warn and direct traffic.
Railroad and highway grade crossing safety. At least 2 of the 32 minimum items cover this.
The economic effects of littering. At least 2 of the 32 minimum items cover this.
Distracted driving.
Trailer safety.
What a driver must do when a law enforcement officer stops the vehicle.
Sharing the road with motorcycles and tractor/trailer trucks.
Accessible parking and access aisles.

Practice two of the required topics

Railroad crossings and traffic stops are on every Louisiana knowledge test, and you can practice each one on its own. Our free question on what to do when red lights flash at a railroad crossing covers grade crossing safety. Our free question on safe conduct after you pull over for an officer covers what to do in a traffic stop. Our practice tests and question pages are in English only.

Where do you take the Louisiana permit test?

Most students take the knowledge test at their driving school when the classroom part of the course ends: after 30 hours in the 38-hour course, or after 6 hours in the 14-hour course for ages 18 or older. The driving school or the OMV gives all tests. In most OMV offices, the exam is on a computer. For a test at an OMV office, arrive at least an hour before the last test of the day.
Our guide to the 38-hour driver education course has the full course steps. Bring proof of your identity each time you take the test.

Steps from the TIP to the learner's permit

1
Get a Class E Temporary Instructional Permit (TIP) from the OMV. The law requires it before the knowledge test.
2
Finish the classroom part of your driver education course.
3
Take the 40-question knowledge test. You need 80% or higher.
4
Finish the 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
5
Take the sealed envelope from your school to the OMV or a Public Tag Agent. It holds your passed test, any failed tests and your Certificate of Completion. Do not open it: only an OMV or Public Tag Agent employee may open it.
6
Pass the vision test with 20/40 vision in one or both eyes. Your TIP then changes to a learner's permit at no extra cost. You must be at least 15 for the permit.

Computer test and languages

The OMV's automated test system, K2D, offers the Class E knowledge test in 11 languages: English, Arabic, Cantonese, Farsi, French, German, Italian, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish and Vietnamese. If you do not understand written English well, you may bring a translator to help with the Class E knowledge test.

What if you fail the Louisiana permit test?

You fail and there is time left in the day

OMV policy lets you take the exam one more time on the same day. Bring your proof of identity, because you need it each time you take the test.

You fail the second try of the day

Ask your driving school or the OMV when you can test again. Our guide to Louisiana permit test fees and retakes explains the costs.

You are caught cheating on a Class E exam

The OMV stops the exam. You may return for a new exam after at least 30 days.

Key takeaways

The OMV says the Louisiana permit test has 40 questions. The law sets a minimum of 32 items.
You need 80% or higher: 32 correct answers on 40 questions.
Get a TIP first. Most students take the test at their driving school when the classroom part ends.
The test is multiple choice, and all questions come from the Driver's Guide.
Next step: practice on the free Louisiana Class E practice test.

Louisiana permit test: common questions

How old do I have to be to take the Louisiana permit test?

You can join the classroom part of driver education no sooner than 90 days before your 15th birthday, if you are in grade 8 or higher. The knowledge test comes at the end of the classroom part, and you need a TIP first. The OMV issues a learner's permit only when you are at least 15.

Do I need a TIP before I take the permit test?

Yes. Louisiana law requires a Class E Temporary Instructional Permit before the knowledge test, and some driving schools ask for it before the course starts. When you finish driver education, you give the TIP to the OMV with proof that you finished the course. The change to a learner's permit has no extra cost.

Do adults have to take the Louisiana permit test?

Yes. All first-time applicants must pass the knowledge test. Applicants who are 18 or older can take the 14-hour course: 6 hours in the classroom and 8 hours of behind-the-wheel training. The knowledge test comes when the 6-hour classroom part ends, and the pass mark is the same 80%.

Do I need a vision test for a Louisiana learner's permit?

Yes. You must pass a vision test with at least 20/40 vision in one eye when you get your TIP, and again for the learner's permit, the intermediate license and the full license. The vision test is separate from the 40-question knowledge test.

Can I open the sealed envelope from my driving school?

No. The school puts your completed OMV knowledge exams, the passed test and any failed tests, and your Certificate of Completion in a sealed envelope. Take it to the OMV or a Public Tag Agent (PTA). Only an OMV or PTA employee may open it. You and your parent may not open it.