The California permit test has 46 multiple-choice questions if you are under 18, and you can miss up to 8. Adults 18 and over take a 36-question version and can miss up to 6. The California DMV (dmv.ca.gov) sets the passing score at 80%, and you can take the test at a DMV office or online at home in 35 languages.
California permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Questions | 46 for applicants under 18. 36 for adults 18 and over |
| Pass mark | 80%. Miss no more than 8 (teens) or 6 (adults) |
| Agency | California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), dmv.ca.gov |
| Minimum age | 15 and a half for a provisional instruction permit |
| Where you take it | A DMV office (start before 4:30 p.m.) or online at home |
| Online option | Yes, on a computer with a webcam. Two online attempts, then the third at an office |
| Fee | $46 application fee for an original Class C license |
| Languages | 35 languages for the online test |
| Attempts | Three tries per application. Minors wait 7 days after a failed test |
How many questions are on the California permit test?
There are 46 questions on the California permit test for applicants under 18, and you can get up to 8 wrong. Adults take a 36-question version and can get up to 6 wrong. These counts come from the DMV's own research report on its Class C knowledge tests. The DMV's current permit pages state only the 80% passing score, so if the screen shows a different count on test day, aim for 80%.
What's on the California permit test
Every question is based on the California Driver's Handbook: road signs, traffic laws, right of way and safe driving. These facts come up often:
- Road signs: shape, color and meaning. Many people skip them, then lose easy points.
- Parking: do not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Bicycles: leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist.
- Alcohol: the limit is 0.08% for adults and 0.01% for drivers under 21.
- Teen permit rules: a permit holder under 18 needs 50 hours of practice, including 10 at night, and holds the permit for 6 months before the drive test.
The under-21 alcohol limit in California is 0.01%, not 0.02% as in many other states. Treat it as zero in practice.
The California difference: two test versions and 35 languages
California is one of the few states that gives teens and adults different test lengths: 46 questions under 18 and 36 for adults. It also offers the online test in 35 languages, so you can test in the language you read best.
How to study for the California permit test
- Read the California Driver's Handbook in short sessions, one section a day.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Write every number on one page: parking distances, alcohol limits, practice hours and ages.
- Take the DMV's free sample tests and DMVZone practice tests, and note every question you miss.
- Review your misses, then take one full practice test the day before.
What to bring and how to book
Start the driver's license application online at dmv.ca.gov, then make an office appointment. For a permit under 18, the DMV asks for:
- A Certificate of Completion or Enrollment in driver education.
- The completed driver's license application, signed by your parent(s) or guardian(s). With joint custody, both sign.
- Proof of identity, and two proofs of residency for a REAL ID.
- Your Social Security number (exceptions may apply).
- The $46 application fee.
At the office you pass a vision exam and have your photo taken. Adults 18 and over follow the same steps without the driver education and parent signature requirements.
Can you take the California permit test online?
Yes. The DMV started online knowledge testing for adults in 2022 and opened it to teens under 18 in September 2023. You need an internet-connected computer or laptop with a webcam; tablets and phones are not allowed. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to consent to online interaction and recording. You get two tries online, and if you fail both, the third attempt is at a DMV office.
What happens if you fail the California permit test?
The California Driver's Handbook says you get three attempts to pass before you must reapply. Minors must wait seven days to retake a failed knowledge test, not counting the day of the failure. The DMV does not list a waiting period for adults. If all three tries fail, you start a new application and pay the fee again.
California permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the California permit test over 18?
Adults 18 and over take a 36-question version and need 80% to pass, so they can miss up to 6.
How many questions on the California permit test can you get wrong?
Under 18, you can get up to 8 of 46 wrong. Adults can get up to 6 of 36 wrong.
California DMV written test: how many wrong to pass?
The DMV's passing score is 80%. In practice that means no more than 8 wrong on the 46-question teen test and 6 wrong on the 36-question adult test.
How long do you wait to retake the California permit test?
Minors wait seven days, not counting the day they failed. You get three attempts per application.
