The Delaware permit test is the Class D knowledge test from the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and you pass it before you can get a learner's permit. The DMV says the test has 32 questions and you must answer 26 correctly to pass, which is about 81%. Study the whole Delaware Driver Manual, free at dmv.de.gov.
Delaware permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), dmv.de.gov |
| Minimum age | 16 for a Graduated Driver License (GDL) learner's permit |
| Test | Class D knowledge test from the Delaware Driver Manual: road signs, traffic laws and safe driving, plus an eye screening |
| Questions and pass mark | 32 questions, 26 correct to pass (about 81%), per the Delaware DMV |
| Under 18 | Delaware driver education certificate, a sponsor (usually a parent) who signs in person at the DMV, and 50 supervised hours in the first 6 months |
| Fee | The DMV's GDL page lists a $40 Class D license fee, which also covers the learner's permit. Check dmv.de.gov for the current amount |
| Online test | We could not confirm an online option. Check dmv.de.gov for changes |
How many questions are on the Delaware permit test?
The Delaware DMV says the actual Class D knowledge test has 32 questions and you must answer 26 correctly to pass. That means you can miss no more than 6. The DMV's free Sample Driving Exam at dmv.de.gov is a good first check.
Plan to score near 100% on practice tests. Then 26 out of 32 will feel easy.
What's on the Delaware permit test
The test comes from the Delaware Driver Manual. Expect road signs, right of way, speed limits, parking, alcohol and drug laws, and rules for new drivers. Signs are the easiest points to earn if you learn shapes first:
- Octagon: stop. It is the only eight-sided sign.
- Triangle pointing down: yield.
- Diamond, usually yellow: a warning about the road ahead, such as a curve or merge.
- Pentagon (five sides): a school zone or school crossing.
- Round and yellow: a railroad crossing ahead.
- Rectangle: regulatory signs such as speed limits, or guide signs.
Book-only facts trip up people who already drive: following distance, how far ahead to signal, parking distances from hydrants and crosswalks, and alcohol limits for drivers under 21. Write each Delaware number from the manual on one page.
Delaware's teen licensing rules are also fair game. The DMV's GDL page lists these:
- Age: 16 to under 18 for the GDL learner's permit.
- Driver education: you must show a Delaware Driver Education Certificate from a certified course.
- First 6 months: supervised at all times, with 50 hours of driving, including 10 at night, certified by your sponsor.
- Supervisor: at least 25 years old and licensed for at least 5 years, seated in the front passenger seat.
- Months 7 to 12: unsupervised driving is allowed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- No cell phone use while driving on the permit.
Delaware's GDL supervisor must be at least 25 and licensed for 5 years, older than in many states. If you study with a multi-state app, check every age and number against the Delaware Driver Manual.
How to study for the Delaware permit test
- Read the Delaware Driver Manual in short sessions, one chapter a day.
- Learn road signs by shape and color first, then by meaning.
- Write every number in the manual on one page: distances, ages, alcohol limits and fines.
- Take practice tests and write down every question you miss, then find the answer in the manual.
- Retest your weak topics a day later and book the real test when you score near 100%.
What to bring and how to book
Delaware asks for proof of identity, legal presence and Social Security number, plus two proofs of Delaware residency from different sources. Teens under 18 also need a sponsor who signs the application in front of a DMV employee. Use the Document Selector Guide at dmv.de.gov before you go. In general, plan to bring:
- Original proof of identity and date of birth, such as a certified birth certificate with a raised seal or a U.S. passport.
- Proof of your Social Security number, such as your Social Security card or a W-2.
- Two proofs of Delaware residency from separate sources, dated within the last 60 days. Teens can skip this if the sponsor is a licensed Delaware driver at the same address.
- If you are under 18: your sponsor (usually a parent) and your Delaware Driver Education Certificate.
- Payment for fees, and your glasses or contacts for the eye screening.
Can you take the Delaware permit test online?
We could not confirm an online option for the Delaware permit test, so plan to test in person. The Delaware Driver Manual says audio tests with headphones are available on request. Online practice tests are the best way to get ready.
What happens if you fail the Delaware permit test?
We could not confirm Delaware's retake wait from the DMV. Ask before you leave, then study every topic you missed before you try again. Your learner's permit is valid for 12 months, so plan your retake well inside that window.
Delaware permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Delaware permit test?
32. The Delaware DMV says the Class D knowledge test has 32 questions.
How many questions can you miss on the Delaware permit test?
6. You must answer 26 of the 32 questions correctly to pass.
How old do you have to be for a learner's permit in Delaware?
16, through the Graduated Driver License program, with a Delaware driver education certificate and a sponsor.
Can you take the Delaware permit test online?
We could not confirm an online option. Plan to test in person and check dmv.de.gov for changes.
